Category: Top Pick – Highly Recommended

Bound to the Warrior Knight by Ella Matthews ~ Blog Tour

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Bound to the Warrior Knight

Wed to a stranger

Awakened by his touch

As the new wife of stoic knight Benedictus Monceaux, innocent Adela finds herself in a whole new world… Their union is one of convenience and power, but her feelings for the warrior unsettle and excite her. Hiding an inner strength, Adela knows she can be a strong ally to her husband but first she must walk a fine line between duty and desire, both in court and in the bedchamber.

Purchase Links:

UK – US

Author Bio:

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. She writes medieval romances for Mills & Boon. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Social Media Links:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

 

Tracy’s Review:

Bound to the Warrior Knight (The King's Knights, #4)Bound to the Warrior Knight by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The King’s Knights, #4

Release Date: March 28, 2023

After years of waiting for her betrothed to claim her, the day has finally come and Adela couldn’t be happier. Not because she is in love with Sir Benedictus Monceaux, she doesn’t even know him, it is because she will finally be freed from the prison her father has kept her in to keep her “pure” for her betrothed. At first, Benedictus refuses to let her join him at Windsor, but when Adela makes it clear that she will follow him if he doesn’t let her go with him, he gives in. Windsor is a huge adjustment for Adela, as is being married to the very stoic Sir Benedictus, but soon they are getting along very well and if it isn’t the love that her new friends Medea and Theo share, that is all right, not everyone is that lucky and what she shares with Beneditus is enough, right? Yet, as her feelings deepen, she wonders what Benedictus really feels for her and if maybe they could be lucky too.

Sir Benedictus Monceaux is the leader of King Edward’s elite guard and acts in the king’s stead while he is abroad. Knowing the king needs funds for his wars, Sir Benedictus decides it is time to collect his bride and her hefty dowry. He expects to wed her and leave her with her family, as he doesn’t have time to coddle a wife. Men may quake in his presence, but his new wife stands up to him, this is a big surprise and somewhat arousing. He isn’t sure what to make of her, but now that he has her, he isn’t going to let her go. But feelings and sweet words are not Benedictus’ forte and may cost him the love of a lifetime if he can’t find a way to let Adela know what she has come to mean to him. But when the worse happens, she gets her answer and is heartbroken. Now choices will have to be made as the fate of two hearts hangs in the balance.

In the final installment of the King’s Knight series, readers are in for a treat – Benedictus is a treasure and a man with hidden depths. Throughout the series, he has been portrayed as a bit of a stick in the mud and very rigid, but beneath that tough hide beats a tender heart of gold – he is first and foremost the king’s man and he is unapologetic for that, and rightly so, but he is not without a heart and it is Adela who brings those softer feeling out in him. This book was the crème de la crème of the series, it is filled with emotion, spies, steamyish love scenes, some surprising twists and turns, a bit of heartache, family reunions, toxic parents, a slow-burn romance that lead to a HEA with a very sweet epilogue. My only complaints were that the villain didn’t die (Yes, I am a bloodthirsty wench) and that the epilogue didn’t include all the former characters. Other than those minor things, this book was practically perfect! This is the fourth and final book in the series, and while it can be read as a standalone title, reading the series in order will give you more insight into Benedictus and his brother knights, giving you a better reading experience for this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

 

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Snowflakes and Wallflowers by Lauren Smith

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Book Publicity, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Snowflakes and Wallflowers (Christmas Wallflowers, #2)Snowflakes and Wallflowers by Lauren Smith

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Christmas Wallflowers, #2

Release Date: December 20, 2022

Just weeks before Christmas, Matilda Matthews and her aunt Florence get a letter from the new Earl of Castleton telling them they have five days to vacate Meadow Cross cottage. The cottage has been Matilda’s home for her entire life, her father was the late earl’s steward and friend, when he died, the late earl promised Matilda she could have the cottage for life, rent-free and even gave her a small annuity, which is her only income. Now the new earl wants them out or to pay an outrageous amount in rent – there is no way Matilda is going to pay the rent or move out. She sets out in the snow to give the earl an earful! But things don’t go as planned…

Arthur Brynnwood is an unrepentant rake, he didn’t expect to inherit the Castleton earldom so soon and is a bit overwhelmed. He just wants to set the estate in order and return to London and his hedonistic life. But what he gets is a snowball to the face after a disagreement with his tenant – Miss Matthews. So he does the unexpected, grabs her, and locks her in a room until he decides what to do. His solution is simple, he is lacking female companionship, so if Matilda is willing to be his mistress for the next two weeks, he will let them stay rent-free in the cottage for 5 months. But once he goes to get her aunt and sees the state of the cottage, he is shocked and a bit ashamed. Renegotiations are in order and Matilda surprises him at every turn. Soon two weeks won’t be enough and he begins to think of ways to extend their time together. But when unexpected guests arrive, will the obvious differences between them tear them apart, or will love keep them together?

This was a very well-written, nicely-paced, fun story. I thought Arthur was a bit of a jerk at first, but he grew on me and by the end, I was smitten. I loved Arthur and Matilda together, their connection started as lust but developed into a true friendship, filled with admiration, respect, and love. The book has witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, smokin’ hot love scenes, wonderful secondary characters, a bit of heartache, and finally a HEA complete with a feel-good epilogue. This is part of an author collaboration series, but it is a standalone title and quick read that I loved, and hope you will give it a try!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*