Tag: Lissa Morgan

An Alliance with His Enemy Princess by Lissa Morgan

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

An Alliance with His Enemy PrincessAn Alliance with His Enemy Princess by Lissa Morgan

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: December 27, 2022

It has been a year since the tragic events at the hands of the Norman Earl, Robert of Rhuddlan, stole everything from her, Princess Gwennan ferch Cynddylan Fawr refused to surrender. She put away her kirtles and embroidery and picked up her dead husband’s sword and along with the few men left on her father’s lands and fought against the Normans invading Wales. A personal war that has been going mostly in her favor until tonight when her small band of men were ambushed, she called the retreat but was struck down herself and taken captive.

Even though she is dressed as a man, Sir Rolant Guyarde knows that the fallen soldier is a woman and protects her identity from his men by taking her prisoner and claiming her as his new page. Gwennan regains consciousness and learns the troop is on their way to her home – Carn Egryn – and bides her time. Soon enough, her men attack and she escapes – but has to leave her sword and horse behind, for now. Later she turns the tables on Rolant and not only retakes her castle but takes him hostage. She makes her demands to Earl Robert, her parents in exchange for Rolant. But Rolant has a better idea, he suggests she petition the King – but the price the King demands may be more than either of them wants to pay!

I thought this was a well-written, interesting read, and though it used the common enemies-to-lovers trope, it still managed to feel fresh and original. I really loved Rolant and I felt his pain keenly, he harbored so much guilt and wanted love so badly, that I wished I could comfort him – I certainly would have been nicer than Gwennan. She too harbored a lot of pain, but unlike Rolant, I couldn’t sympathize with her – she was hard for me to like, and she spewed a lot of venom at Rolant – many times unjustly and was so wishy-washy regarding her feelings. I understand that she loved her husband, but this went beyond that – one minute she is thinking she loves Rolant and the next she is verbally flaying him – I felt confused and annoyed. I could tell you why he loved her – but I still don’t have the foggiest as to why she loves him or when she fell in love. This book has fighting, lies, secrets, loss, heartache, surprises, wonderful secondary characters, heart-retching confessions, more than one romance, very mild love scenes, a sweet declaration scene, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I did enjoy this book, but I don’t think I would read it again, as the romance just moved too slowly for my taste. I did however love the setting in Wales and adored Rolant – he makes the book worth recommending!

*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.*

The Welsh Lord’s Convenient Bride by Lissa Morgan

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Welsh Lord's Convenient BrideThe Welsh Lord’s Convenient Bride by Lissa Morgan

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: May 24, 2022

Rhun ab Owain has been living abroad for years after a falling out with his father, but now he has learned his father is dead and he must return home to Castell y Lleuad in Wales to take his place as the lord and marry his enemy’s daughter. He will honor his father’s wishes, but he will never accept Eleanor de Vraille as his wife.

Eleanor is no more thrilled with the marriage than Rhun is, she is leaving the only home she has ever known to become the mistress of an ancient castle in a country where she is a stranger and doesn’t even speak the language. But she has no options and accepts her new life with dignity and tries her best to make her marriage work, too bad her husband refuses to make her his wife in truth and avoids her at every turn. But when Rhun is called by her father to fight against the Welsh uprising and he refuses and is branded a traitor, Eleanor surprises everyone by standing by him. Can they find love despite their forced union?

This was an interesting, slow-burn romance story by a new to me author, the writing was good, but the pace was not as smooth as I had hoped. The book starts out slow and doesn’t really pick up until nearly the end. The author drops a lot of things on the reader at the start without much information, answers do come, but for most of the book, I was left wondering why he hated her family, why he limped, why she thought she was deformed, etc. The book has a classic enemies-to-lovers trope, as well as lots of secrets, betrayal, shame, guilt, mild love scenes, wonderful secondary characters, a slow-burn romance, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I did like the book, but I wish the pace was a bit faster and that the author had provided a glossary of Welsh terms/phrases that she used. But I also appreciated setting the book in Wales and thought Rhun and Eleanor were likable characters who deserved their HEA. This was my first book by this author and despite the hiccups in this story, I liked the story and will be looking out for her future work!

*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.*