Honor's Splendour by Julie Garwood

Book Description:
In the feuding English court, gentle Lady Madelyne suffered the cruel whims of her ruthless brother, Baron Louddon. Then, in vengeance for a bitter crime, Baron Duncan of Wexton - the Wolf - unleashed his warriors against Louddon's main.  Exquisite Madelyne was the prize he captured...but when he gazed upon the proud beauty, he pledged to protect her with his life.  In his rough-hewn castle, Duncan proved true to his honor. But when at last their noble passion conquered them both, she surrendered with all her soul. Now, for love, Madelyne would stand fast...as bravely as her Lord, the powerful Wolf who fought for..."Honor's Splendour."

Another Julie Garwood medieval, and alas, my last.  I think I've read all her medievals now.  As far as I'm concerned, Julie Garwood is the gold standard when it comes to medieval romances.  No one comes close to capturing her style that often involves virginal, endearing and slightly ditzy heroines who meet their alpha male heroes that are larger than life.  Two opposites must comes to terms with one another.  The stories are laced with screwball humor and sensually romantic love scenes that make them memorable and special.  The plotlines are vaguely similar, a certain set of events bring the two together, the heroine often is an outsider who must learn to live among her new husband/lover/captor's people while fighting whatever outside force is trying to keep them apart.  My favorite of them is The Bride, but Honor's Splendour was very good as well,  It has has some similarities to The Bride, only this tale is a bit darker, for the heroine.  Madelyne has a sad past of abuse.  Yet, Baron Duncan Wexton, who takes her captive to his castle in England, protects her and keeps her safe while readying his soldiers for the inevitable battle against her sadistic half-brother, Baron Louddon and possibly the King of England.
  
The first meeting between Duncan and Madelyne is dramatic.  Right off the bat, the reader learns that not only is Madelyne beautiful, but her kindness often overrules common sense.  Braving her brother's wrath, she does what she can to save Duncan when she believes he is left naked to freeze to death by her brother.  Unknown to Madelyne, Duncan was never in any danger.  His men were at the ready, waiting for his signal to invade the keep and Duncan handily destroys her brother's castle.  Unfortunately, the cowardly Baron Louddon got away.  Duncan takes Madelyne hostage, prepared to use her as a bargaining chip.  Little does he know that Madelyne is glad to be taken away from her brother, who is a sadistic bastard who took joy in beating her, as well as an unfulfilled incestuous attraction to her.  

To describe Duncan, one must use superlatives.  The biggest, the best, the cleverest, the greatest and the strongest English soldier in the kingdom.  In addition he is the most handsome, the best lover, the most desired with the ladies.   No one can compare to Duncan.  Yet, he doesn't have everything.  He has no woman in his life... until he meets the infuriating Madelyne.  Her sweetness and naivete confounds him - and his men.   Considered the best fighters in the kingdom, his men are stymied by Madelyne, who blithely goes about her business around the castle, obliviously wreaking havoc everywhere she goes.  She and Duncan have an instant attraction to one another, yet she is unwilling to admit it.  Madelyne is taken with fever when he first brings her back to his keep.  While insensible, she mistakes him as Odysseus, of Homer's Odyssey (her favorite tale and a running theme throughout the whole book).  He spends the night with her, warming her in her bed and does so from then on - but she's unaware of it!  Every night he climbs into bed with her after she's asleep.  While curled up next to him she has no idea (I told you she was a bit of a ditz!) Their courtship is cute and endearing.  As Duncan's stern facade melts, she worms her way into his heart.  Not only does she win Duncan over, but everyone else at the castle as well, including his sister who had been raped at the instigation of her brother, Louddon.    

Eventually, Duncan can wait no longer.  He must bed Madelyne as a wife.  Luckily a priest is at hand to do the job.  They marry, and so begins their nights of sensual bliss - as only Julie Garwood can do.  Yet there is still the prickly problem of her brother and uh oh - all is not as it seems when it comes to their marriage.  Was it legal?  The plot picks up and gets more complicated when they all must go to London to answer the summons of the king (who may or may not be having a sexual relationship with Madelyn's craven brother.)  Louddon has told the King that Duncan destroyed his keep unprovoked and wants him punished.  Will Louddon get his way?  Will Duncan convince the king that Louddon is lying through his teeth?  Will the king listen to what Madelyne has to say - for she is the only witness that can attest to what really happened the night Duncan destroyed her brother's keep.  All kinds of truths are revealed as Madelyne prepares for her meeting with the king!

I really enjoyed Honor's Splendour, though I found it to be a trifle uneven.  It had it's entertaining and oh-so-sexy moments, but it was a bit dull in some parts as well.   Overall, though, if you like strong alpha heroes who are putty in the hands of their winsome, ingenuous brides, you'll like this.

3.5/5

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The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick (audio)

Book Description:
Following early beginnings as a knight in the English royal household and a champion of the tourneys, William Marshal's prowess and loyalty have been rewarded by the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare, heiress to great estates in England, Normandy and Ireland. Now a powerful magnate, William has weathered the difficult years of King Richard's absence on crusade and is currently serving him on campaign in Normandy while Isabelle governs their estates. All the stability William and Isabelle have enjoyed with their young and growing family comes crashing down as Richard dies and his brother John becomes King. Rebellion is stirring throughout the Angevin domains and although John has created William Earl of Pembroke, the friction between the two men leads William and Isabelle to distance themselves in Ireland. The situation escalates, with John holding their sons as hostages and seizing their English lands. The conflict between remaining loyal and rebelling over injustices committed, threatens to tear apart William and Isabelle's marriage and their family.

Follow up to Chadwick's The Greatest Knight, a book I loved on audio, she continues the story of William Marshal, the greatest knight and probably the most noble man that ever walked the earth. In his later years, married to his wife Isabelle and raising their many children, their marriage is passionate, despite the time he spends away from home.  They are depicted as soul mates and equals in each other's eyes.  The books spans thirty years of their marriage until William's death.  Over this time we experience the trials and tribulations of his family, most of which were brought on by King John of England.

William was adept at keeping a cool head through most of his later years in dealing with King John, although it took a toll on him eventually.  John is by far the villain throughout a good part of this book.  Always on Marshal's case, he is constantly accusing him of treason and treachery, and it's amazing how William walked a fine line to keep his lands (and head) with John as his jealous king.  I was so happy when John finally died, and it's testimony to William's loyalty that on John's death bed he commanded William Marshal to act as regent to John's son, Henry III who was a boy king at the time of John's death.  Deep down John knew William was good and would look out for Henry III as no other.

The goriest and most upsetting part of the book for me was the description of the "supposed" events of what happened to Prince Arthur who rivaled King John for the throne.  King John had the sixteen year old Arthur imprisoned and William de Braose witnessed a few knights leaving his jail cell late one night.  William de Braose goes in to Arthur's cell and sees that he has been horribly maimed, his eyes gouged out.  In agony, but not dead, the boy is suffering terribly.  He goes to King John who comes back with him to see for himself.  As an act of mercy, John kills Arthur himself to put him out of his misery.  It is a horrifying scene, and one that will stay in my memory for a long time.

The gist of the story is how William and his family manage to survive the reign of King John intact.  It's a miracle he does, for John really had it out for him, demanding his two eldest sons as hostages to insure William's loyalty (a needless and spiteful demand).  Some parts were a bit tedious, I grew tired of John, John, John!  On audio, Christopher Scott does an excellent job at narration, though his accent for Isabelle was kind of in and out.  Sometimes she sounded Irish and other times she didn't.  I admit, with all the different names of Lady this and Lord that and the Earl of something it was hard to keep track of who was who in parts. I can see how in print it would be a bit easier.

At the end of the book, when William is preparing to die (which I thought was dragged out a bit too long), I was surprised by his desire to become a Templar Knight at the last.  I had no idea that he took his vows on his deathbed.  I felt badly for Isabelle, his wife, she truly seemed crushed by the idea.  This part of the book was very sad as they said their good-byes and then when he insured that the new young king was in good hands.  Faithful to the king to the last.  His actual death a few days later seemed slightly anti-climatic.

All in all, this is a fine work of historical fiction, with enough PG-rated romance to add a little zing to the storyline.  There are only so many times the reader can endure another one of John's miserable demands on the Marshals, so a little husband and wife connubial bliss is welcome, from time to time, to break up the angst and worry that seems to hover over a great deal of the book.  William and Isabelle had a marriage that was unusual and succeeded in a time when marriages were arranged and not often happy.  It is to their credit that they successfully raised so many children, although no male descendants to carry on the line after his sons.  Sounds like the legendary Marshal curse may have been for real.   Who knows?

If the reigns of Richard and John are your thing, I recommend The Scarlet Lion for lovers of this genre and medieval period.  It might help to read The Greatest Knight first, which I preferred, but not absolutely necessary.  Beautiful cover, btw too!

3.5/5

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A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin

Book Description:
In 1176, King Henry II sends his daughter Joanna to Palermo to marry his cousin, the king of Sicily. Henry chooses Adelia Aguilar, his Mistress of the Art of Death, to travel with the princess and safeguard her health. But when people in the wedding procession are murdered, Adelia and Rowley must discover the killer's identity . . . and whether he is stalking the princess or Adelia herself. 

I've really enjoyed this medieval mystery series by the late Ariana Franklin.  I consider A Murderous Procession to be the best - and unfortunately - it is the last of the series. I found it hard to put down, reading until all hours of the night.  Clever and evocative the story begins in England and ends up in Salerno on an agonizing cliffhanger of which we'll never know the conclusion, since the author died before she could write more.

Adelia Aguilar, a singular female doctor during the reign of King Henry II, is set up comfortably raising her precocious daughter in England.  Finally having agreed to become Rowley, the Bishop of St. Alban's mistress, she is content with her life.  But, she is unaware of the madman, Scary, who is stalking her.  Two years earlier she had killed his lover in self defense.  Scary has now returned to avenge his beloved's death.  The gist of the mystery in A Murderous Procession is - who is Scary and how does he plan on killing Adelia?

King Henry II wields his authority far and wide.  His favorite doctor is Adelia Aguilar and he insists - no, commands she escort his daughter, the young Princess Joanna to Sicily for her marriage to King William II. Of course, all sorts of problems occur en route.  First of all, Adelia does not want to leave England in the first place, especially since she will have to leave her daughter behind.  Rowley Picot, a former knight and her lover who Henry II made a bishop, wants her to leave for he has gotten wind of the threat on her life, brought to light by a series of near mishaps and fatal accidents to Adelia.  He believes she will be safer away from England and the threat on her life.  Ally, her daughter is left in the safe care of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry's estranged wife.  With no other choice, Adelia begrudgingly escorts the young Joanna to Sicily, unaware that Scary, blending in and disguised as someone traveling with the large entourage, is accompanying her on the journey.  Right under her nose, she has no idea - nor does anyone else - of the danger she is in.

The journey is long and soon it becomes apparent all is not as it should be.  More accidents befall Adelia and eventually she and Rowley, as well as some new and old friends realize Scary is with them.  But who is he?  She's never seen Scary before so she can't identify him.  The mystery was very well done and I guessed at one point who Scary was, but I changed my mind a few times and wound up being surprised.  This is typical of the Mistress of the Art of Death mysteries.  The culprit is always someone in plain sight - but who?  They're devious and highly clever in the way they set their traps.

I'm deliberately being coy and leaving a lot out so as not to spoil the mystery, but much happens to Adelia and her traveling companions on the journey.  She and her friends, Mansur and Ulf are nearly hanged at one point, narrowly avoiding death, though they are rescued in the nick of time.  I found the storyline riveting - a real page turner all the way up to the climatic ending in the city of Salerno at the wedding of the princess.  The author pares down the cast of suspects who are gradually removed one by one, narrowing them down to only a few possibilities.  Often I thought I knew just who it was - only to have that character absolved - paralleling how Adelia conducts her murder investigations through autopsies.  At one point during her stay for a few weeks while in hiding at a castle, she manages to solve the case of what killed an errant goat found dead.  An autopsy gave her the answer thus preventing a great kerfuffle between two neighbors!  A slight diversion from the rest of the storyline.

I highly recommend this series, the research is first rate, the plot lines are clever and not a little macabre due to the nature of the murders and motives.   Adelia is a strong and independent heroine, reminiscent of Claire Fraser in the Outlander series with her talent and knowledge of medicine.  One scene here has Adelia remove a ruptured appendix which I couldn't help but compare to when Claire in Drums of Autumn performs surgery on a grown man's testicle.  

Her love interest with Rowley Picot is the constant throughout the entire series which also delivers a bit of angst since he becomes the Bishop of St. Albans, thus preventing them from ever marrying.  They must keep their love secret for it is unseemly for a bishop to have a mistress. If only Adelia had said yes when he first asked her... but alas, they lost their chance due to her fierce independent streak and stubborn pride.  If only... if only.

I loved this book and am so sorry this is the last to be seen of Adelia, Mistress of the Art of Death. The cliffhanger ending and introduction to the Irishman, Captain O'Donnell, a possible rival to Rowley, brings up all sort of possibilities for future books in the series. It makes me wonder what the author, otherwise known as Diana Norman, would have done in her future books.  I am so, so sorry about her untimely death. Such a great loss to the literary world.

Overall - a memorable and well done historical mystery series that I've enjoyed immensely! I will miss it!

4.5/5

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A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin (audio)

Book Description:
A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who hold sway over an age of enforced peace are dead, victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.

I don't have a whole lot to say about Book 2 in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire Series that hasn't already been said, so I'll be brief.  A Clash of Kings continues the story that centers on the civil war and battle for the make believe world of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.  The title is apt, for the book is based on the power struggle of several kings who all believe they are entitled to the rightful title and to rule over the Seven Kingdoms.  I can't say I totally loved this book, but it was engrossing.  I'm not a Game of Thrones nut, but the series has merit and the characters are memorable.

This was a long, long audiobook, 37 hours!  Roy Dotrice continues the narration of the unabridged epic and he's wonderful at all the voices and accents needed to bring the story to life.  The main point of view characters in A Clash... are Bran, crippled and living at Winterfell, Theon Greyjoy who I cannot stand, I hope he dies - soon.  Tyrion Lannister (my favorite) who is aces at dealing with his sister's diabolical schemes, Arya Stark is still trying to make her way back to Winterfell disguised as a boy.  Sansa Stark remains captive and under the thumb of the Lannisters at King's Landing, betrothed to the detestable Joffrey.  We don't see much of Robb Stark who's declared himself king of the North.  There's some of Jon Snow, but for the most part his part at The Wall was limited and confusing while fighting wildings and witnessing strange goings on north of the Wall.  What will happen to him next? An alarming turn of events takes place that will drastically change Jon's storyline. Tyrion, Arya, Sansa and Theon are front and center and most of what happens revolves around them.  Daenrrys' plotline dragged.  With her baby dragons, she is traveling in the East, hoping to find a way to regain her lost kingdom, but not a whole lot on her, disappointing since her storyline was so good in Book 1!  For such a large and long book, I didn't get the impression that the story moved forward a lot in all respects.  So many of the characters seemed to be in a holding pattern waiting for something big to happen.

By the end, the big climax is the battle at King's Landing between Stannis Baratheon and the Lannisters.  There is somewhat of a cliffhanger after the battle.  What will happen to Bran now that Winterfell has been torched?  No longer the Hand of the King after the big battle, Tyrion is wounded - what will happen to him now that his father is in charge?  Sansa Stark's future looks bleak, will she become the mistress to Joffrey, now that he's betrothed to Margaery Tyrell?  Or will she somehow wind up with the scarred Sandor Clegane!?

Another question, who is Jaquen H'ghar?  A mysterious criminal that winds up helping Arya.  She had a list of people she hated and he killed a few for her - nice of him.  He gives her a coin and a special phrase to say aloud.  I'm very curious about him and who he really is.  He must be somebody special and key to the whole series.

Overall, I liked the book, but I think of it as more of a transitional book, gearing up for what happens next in Book 3.  It will be a while before I get to it, I need a break, though I'm eager to see the next season of the HBO series.  It should be interesting to see how they sex up this war and battle driven second installment in the TV series, but I'm sure they'll find a way! ;)

3.5/5

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A Knight Well Spent by Jackie Ivie

Book Description:
Scotland, 1141. A Norman king's attempts to rule the Highland clans is making his favorite knight's job difficult, indeed - and that is before a woman of mystery lays siege to the warrior's heart...

She Lives To Heal... He's a giant of a man; what's more, he's the enemy. These truths should be enough to send Aislynn running far and fast from the wounded stranger in the woods. But he needs her help-and the reward he bestows changes her forever...

He Fights To Kill... Formidable knight Rhoenne Guy de Ramhurst has been "gifted" with a fiefdom - and the unenviable task of taming the rebellious Highlanders that populate it.  He also has a castle full of dissidents, led by his own half brother. Yet these challenges pale in comparison with attempts to forget the healer who saved his life and captured his heart...

And One Love Rules Them Both... Rhoenne believes a family curse places any woman he loves in mortal danger. When Aislynn is abducted by his profligate sibling, Rhoenne becomes her protector-even as he tries to resist her. But Aislynn has secrets of her own - and as deception and danger swirl ever closer around them, the truth may be their only salvation...

This has been on my TBR list for a long time and I'm sorry to say it was a big disappointment.  Normally, I love highlander romances, but this was a slog to get through.  I don't know why, but this was just a hard book to read.  Normally, I'm fine with dialects and Scottish accents, but here the speech of the medieval Norman English knights didn't flow easily.  While the author tried to make them sound authentic, it wound up sounding awkward and stilted.  The pacing of the storyline was hard to follow as well, not to mention the plot was a real downer - but at least I finished it.

The romance that develops between Rhoenne and Aislynn is full of pitfalls, misunderstandings and just plain bad advice.   Their relationship develops as a woodland lass, Aislynn who is a gifted healer comes across Rhoenne de Ramhurst who is injured but doesn't want anyone to know.  He's the leader of his soldiers (he's English) and must appear strong.  He bends over backwards to keep up the deception and "hires" Aislynn to come live at his castle and be his healer.  One thing leads to another and once he sees how beautiful and bewitching she is, she becomes his mistress as well, even though she's Scottish and he's English.  Their romance is overshadowed by the fact he cannot marry her because the King of England wants her to marry a woman of his choice, not some nobody healer with a dubious reputation - she's an orphan, so no one knows who her real parents are.

Furthermore, there is the worry that if she becomes pregnant with his child, she will die in childbirth from the family curse.  No woman seems to be able to survive the ordeal.  Ramhursts are big - in every way.  They carry on together, but Rhoenne's best friend, Sir Harold, is afraid that his lord will die in battle by risking everything for Aislynn.  (Harold also has his eye on Aislynn - a real ladies man).  Harold convinces Aislynn to run away from Rhoenne if she really loves him (to keep him safe.)  To make matters worse, the plan is to make it look like she's running away with Harold!  Bad idea! So, of course, there's the usual "big" misunderstanding in which Ramhurst after falling head over heals for Aislynn and risking war with the king to keep her, thinks she and his best friend are cheating on him!  No one tells him the truth and Ramhurst, hurt and feeling betrayed, casts them out and calls her a whore, blah, blah, blah and all before she can tell him she's carrying his babe!  Ugh!

This leads to the wilderness pages of the book in which Aislynn and Harold wander around for months and months in the north of Scotland and meet up with some Highlanders who think she is some kind of magical woman unique to their clan.  They "adopt" Harold as a member of their clan and he begins to wear something like a kilt.  (This felt like some kind of lead in for him for his own book in the future.)  But, eventually they realize they should return to Rhoenne and admit the truth and see if he'll take them back.  Fat chance.  (Plus, Harold is scared to death Aislynn is going to have the baby somewhere out in the woods and he won't be able to save either one!)

I won't tell you what happens, but a large part of this book was a bummer. Rhoenne, who is understandably upset by what he believes to have taken place between Harold and Aislynn winds up being a real jerk when they return.   Sir Harold just wants to die because he loves Rhoenne so much, and he feels terrible about deceiving him - but does he tell him why he did it?  No!  I felt like banging my head on the wall because NO ONE would tell Rhoenne the truth of why Aislynn and Harold ran off together in the first place!  It was so stupid and frustrating and went on for far too long!

I cannot recommend this romance, it was such a waste of my time and since I barely liked a single character in the book, I just couldn't get into the love story.  Everybody was so dense!  Think twice before reading it unless you really love bone headed, big, blond alphas with major stubborn streaks that can't see the truth if it's staring them right in the face.  I normally love alphas, but Rhoenne lost me when Aislynn returned to him. She was ridiculously naive for someone that is supposed to be so wise and those wilderness years months with Aislynn and Sir Harold squabbling and complaining was the final nail in the coffin, although it did have it's purpose because we find out who Aislynn really is.

Frankly, I just want to put this book behind me and move on.

2.5/5

P.S. The hot cover is misleading, our hero never wears a kilt - he's not even Scottish!  Maybe it's supposed to be Sir Harold on the cover!

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Katherine by Anya Seton (audio)

Book Description:
This classic romance novel tells the true story of the love affair that changed history-that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets-Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II-who ruled despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king's son, falls passionately in love with the already married Katherine. Their well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954.

I simply loved this book!  Loved, loved, loved it!

I put off reading it for a long time, since I felt it was going to be a bit boring and dated (it was written in 1954) and the only other book I'd read by Seton didn't thrill me (Green Darkness).  How wrong could I be?  This was not dry or dull at all, and it was especially riveting on audio!  It's the real-life romantic story of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt who was the Duke of Lancaster in the fourteenth century.  The two of them had a non-marital relationship for over 25 years before they finally married.

Handsome and dashing, John was married at the time he and Katherine first meet.  Katherine, convent schooled, is a young and naive girl, new to court.  There is much drama and excitement for Katherine upon first meeting John and his wife, Blanche at the king's court.  Her sister (who is married to Geoffrey Chaucer) is older and more experienced at court and is insistent that Katherine try to make a good marriage.  She winds up marrying a minor lord, Hugh Swynford, who falls for her beauty at first sight.  Theirs is not a particularly happy marriage, but they have two children and Katherine is a dutiful, albeit neglected wife.  Her husband is a knight and away fighting under the Duke for most of the time.   Hugh serves under the Duke of Lancaster and thus John and Katherine meet from time to time.  Though married, he has trouble handling the strong feelings that crop up whenever he is around the guileless Katherine.  There is a magnetism between the two that is hard to ignore. 

Eventually, John's duchess, Blanche, dies from the plague.  Katherine, married to Hugh, is still a temptation to him.  She is unaware of his feelings, but not for much longer.  He comes to her and makes it plain that he wants her, yet she makes it clear that it is impossible.  Katherine refuses to dishonor her husband, no matter how tempting John is.  She has feelings for him, but she will not betray her husband and father to her two children.

Irony of ironies, Katherine's husband dies unexpectedly from a stomach ailment (he is really poisoned by one of John's loyal retainers, though Katherine and John believe it to be from a sudden illness). John's longing for Katherine has never ceased.  He has continued to dream of her, worshiping her from afar.   Finally, now that she is a widow, he has his chance.  But he's betrothed to another!  Grr!  Because of his position as Duke of Lancaster, he is expected to make a great political match.  A betrothal to the Infanta Constance of Castile is arranged so that one day he will become the King of Castile.  This is no love match, it's strictly political.   Yes, despite his impending nuptials, John finds he cannot resist Katherine and her new found freedom.  Katherine is unaware of all of this.  She is too good, in fact, it's hard to believe she was such a saint.  She hasn't a selfish bone in her body and barely an ounce of vanity.  She is honest and true, which makes it all the more shocking and unlikely that she actually agrees to become the mistress of John of Gaunt!  How does this come about, you ask?

Before his wedding to Constance, John cannot resist the opportunity to carry Katherine off.  Declaring his love for her, she is stunned, joyous and overwhelmed, all at the same time.  Without much protestation, she submits to his desires and the two of them revel in their love for one another for several weeks.  They become true soul mates, despite the fact he goes ahead and marries Constance.  Katherine becomes his mistress for nearly 25 years and bears him several children.  I'm abbreviating what is a wonderful, dramatic and history filled narrative of their tempestuous relationship.  During this time, there is a rift between them and they are separated for several years.  Katherine has discovered the truth about how her husband Hugh died and blames herself.  She believes she is responsible for the death of her daughter as well (from Hugh) and repents by giving up the Duke.  Yet, their love never really dies.  Several years later, when John's wife dies, he returns to Katherine and will not take no for an answer.  They're both older and time is short.  He will not live without her any longer (how romantic!)  At last, he is able to marry her and make her his duchess.  The Pope legitimizes their children so they are no longer looked on as bastards (the first time this had ever happened in history!)  I wish Katherine and John had been able to have more than just four years together as man and wife before his death, but at least they had something.

One of the best treats about this book is the way we get inside both John and Katherine's heads.  Much of John's early life was marred by the suspicion that he was not truly his father's son.  His father was King Edward III of England and when John was a young boy, a slanderous rumor put the seed of doubt in his head that continues to haunt him as an adult.  This burden plays a large part in Katherine.  Katherine's story is bittersweet for the most part, living most of her life as John's mistress.  Yet I was swept up in the wonderful historical aspect of it as well as it's just a good story - and true!

On audio, this was a pleasure.  I highly recommend it.  Wanda McCaddon does a fabulous job as narrator.  I was already familiar with her voice from her narration of Mary, Queen of Scots by Margaret George (under the name of Donada Peters).  She is even better in Katherine.  I so identified with Katherine and her ups and downs.  It couldn't have been easy for her all those years as John's mistress.  But their love held them together.  The history that takes place is not a monumental time in the history books, but the plague that kills Blanche as well as the Peasant's Revolt in 1381 are both depicted in graphic detail.  Through the whole book you feel like "you are there."  The research is tops and I highly recommend that you read the complete forward by the author because it was very interesting and tells how she wrote this book and her thoughts on Katherine and John's relationship and the influences on both of them during this time in history.

A great read (or listen, in my case) and now I know why the story of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt is listed as one of the all time great romances in history with a truly happy ever after ending.  A worthwhile book, don't miss it!

5/5

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Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin (audio)

Book Description:
England, 1176. Beautiful, tranquil Glastonbury Abbey— one of England’s holiest sites, and believed by some to be King Arthur’s sacred Isle of Avalon—has been burned almost to the ground. The arsonist remains at large, but the fire has uncovered something even more shocking: two hidden skeletons, a man and a woman. The skeletons’ height and age send rumors flying—are the remains those of Arthur and Guinevere?

King Henry II hopes so. Struggling to put down a rebellion in Wales, where the legend of Celtic savior Arthur is particularly strong, Henry wants definitive proof that the bones are Arthur’s. If the rebels are sure that the Once and Future King will not be coming to their aid, Henry can stamp out the insurgence for good. He calls on Adelia Aguilar, Mistress of the Art of Death, to examine the bones.

Henry’s summons comes not a moment too soon, for Adelia has worn out her welcome in Cambridge. As word of her healing powers has spread, so have rumors of witchcraft. So Adelia and her household ride to Glastonbury, where the investigation into the abbey fire will be overseen by the Church authorities—in this case, the Bishop of St. Albans, who happens also to be the father of Adelia’s daughter.

Another interesting foray into the middle ages with forensic expert, Adelia Aguilar.  Adelia, with her precocious daughter, Allie, and the ever faithful Gyltha and dear friend, Mansur leave their home in Cambridge with Emma, Lady Wolvercote, the young widow who is now a wealthy woman after the demise of her dastardly husband (from the last book) whom she was forced to marry.   While en route with Lady Emma's entourage, Adelia is called away by King Henry II to investigate old bones found in Glastonbury rumored to be the bones of legendary King Arthur and his wife, Guinevere.  Of course, all is not as it seems.  The usual macabre medieval doings involve the disappearance of Lady Emma, her young son and an injured German knight.  There are loads of twists and turns with some really creepy characters - villains in the wood, in particular.

I found the plot itself a bit hard to follow, there were several.  The main one was trying to find out what happened to Emma and her entourage.  Were they killed on the road?  Is so, where are their bodies?  Another plotline is the one about who started the fire at Glastonbury Abbey and whose bones are really buried there and why.  As usual, it's the last person you think it is, but i guessed correctly early on, now that I'm familiar with the author's style.  Some tender words and romance between Adelia and Rowley, the Bishop of St. Albans - and the father of her child. This made me happy, especially with her decision in regard to him.   Finally we get some regret on Adelia's part of her decision way back when he wanted to marry her.

All in all, a good mystery, though I felt it was all over the place in parts with the different branches of the story leading to all sorts of revelations.  Kate Reading, the narrator does a great job, I know her voice so well.  She is the voice of Adelia to me.  I like her men's voices as well, the high sing song voice of Mansur, in particular. Her Rowley is good too - just masculine enough to make him sound realistic - he's pissed off most of the time with Adelia.  I like it how he complains that he's always rescuing her from some hole!  I don't blame him - he does seem to be rescuing her in every book - always showing up just in the nick of time! 

This is a really interesting series if you're into this time period with Henry II.  She touches on some of the political aspects of Henry's woes with the church as well as medieval forensics.  She writes a good mystery with some added romance and suspense, enough to keep the reader's attention.  The last sentence, which gears up for the next book is particularly ominous. I'm afraid Adelia has made a mortal enemy.  One that is not going to rest until he gets his revenge. 

3.5/5

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Intimate Enemies by Shana Abé

Book Description:
An exquisitely emotional, beautifully written novel about two warring clans on a Scottish isle united by a fragile pact... and the hearts of two unforgettable lovers.  Lauren MacRae is only a woman. But her father's death has left her the leader of the Clan MacRae. Now it is up to her to defend her beloved Isle of Shot from the invading Northmen, even if it means going to her clan's sworn enemy, the powerful English overlord, Arion du Morgan, for help. But Arion's raven hair, green eyes, and smoldering sensuality soon make Lauren forget just why she turned to him - as he awakens within her a wayward desire....

Like Lauren, Arion risks the mutiny of his soldiers by forming this risky alliance. But he was brought up to believe that the Isle of Shot belongs not to the Clan MacRae, but to England - and he will defend it to his dying breath. Once, when they were children, Arion saved Lauren from a tortuous fate. Now, the copper-haired beauty has somehow found a way to banish the emptiness in his soul. And as they join forces to fight for the land they both love, he will risk everything - even his very life - to claim what is his.

I'm afraid this medieval romance hardly did anything for me, although the premise was interesting.  Two warring factions share a small island off the coast of Scotland.  Technically, it belongs to England (under the rule of Henry II) but for all intents and purposes it's Scottish.   The Clan MacRae is currently led by the daughter of it's recently slain laird.  Lauren is fearless and resourceful - but a woman.  During these dangerous times with Vikings storming and raiding her island, there is only so much she can do.  And do she must or else all will perish in the next Viking raid.  What a coincidence that this is the second Scottish medieval I've read in less than a month that deals with Vikings and their deadly raids!  Unfortunately, this one wasn't nearly as good as On a Highland Shore.

In order to defeat the Vikings and withstand their attacks, the plan is to join forces with the English side of the island, led by Arion du Morgan.  Together, the two sides that have been bitter enemies for ages, can defeat the Vikings, divided they will fail.   Lauren wants to save her beloved Island of Shot, but will her clan go along with the idea?  Or will their pride insure their death?

Lauren and Arion share a past together.  Once, long ago, he rescued her from certain death at the hands of his uncle who was holding her hostage as a little girl.  Arion freed her from his uncle's dungeon and allowed her to return to her home in safety.  Now, thrown together under these dire circumstances due to the Viking threat, Lauren and Arion find they are tantalizingly attracted to one another as well.  With a Romeo and Juliet theme to the story, they know nothing good can come of it - their backgrounds do not mix.  Lauren is betrothed to another allied laird, she must fulfil her late father's wish of joining their two clans together with a marriage.  Yet, she longs for the arms and kisses of Arion - an Englishman, anathema to her clan.  It doesn't help that when she finally meets her betrothed, he turns out to be a worse than she ever imagined.  A villain in disguise.  She is torn, go with her heart to Arion and lose all that she knows, her friends and family - or marry for her clan's sake and be unhappy for the rest of her life?

I won't spoil the ending, but there was lots of action, battle scenes and some tender moments between Lauren and Arion.  But for the most part, I found the their actual relationship went only skin deep.  I didn't particularly like or care much about Lauren, I found there seemed to be a surprising lack of depth and emotion about her.  Arion seemed to be better drawn, I was more sympathetic towards him.  Despite these flaws, I thought the battle scenes were well done.  Still, this is supposed to be a romance, isn't it? 

Btw, this was my final book in my 2010 TBR Challenge!

3/5

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On a Highland Shore by Kathleen Givens

Book Description:
In an age when Norse invaders threaten Scottish civilization, one woman will defend her clan's honor and claim her own exceptional destiny.

1263: As the Highland village of Somerstrath prepares for the joyous wedding of Margaret MacDonald, the laird's daughter, a dark storm of bloodshed and betrayal closes in.... Now, determined to hold her shattered clan together and locate her abducted younger brother in the wake of a brutal Viking attack, Margaret must choose between obeying the dictates of King Alexander's court, or placing her trust in Gannon MacMagnus, an imposing half-Irish, half-Norse warrior. Who is this stranger who vows not to harm her? Will he vanquish the barbarous killers who would continue to destroy the rugged, magnificent land she calls home?

This was a gripping book.  From the very first chapter I was riveted to the plot line.  Some of it was terribly brutal with a sad aftermath and some parts, such as the relationship that develops between the hero and heroine, are wonderful.  It was a book full of emotion and drama.   Not your average medieval romance, this tells the story of Margaret MacDonald and the terrifying struggles she faces as a young woman who must cope with the fact she has lost the world she once knew so well.  Margaret, who could be a stubborn young woman, soon learns the hard way that those things that once seemed important to her are nothing compared to survival when tragedy strikes her happy home. 

Destined to marry a prominent Scottish nobleman at Court, Margaret is the eldest daughter of the laird of Somerstrath, a Highland village along the coastline of northern Scotland.  As she prepares for her wedding and happy future with her new husband, she is horrified to discover his unfaithfulness to her and recognizes how vain he really is.  She is disgusted and disillusioned.  She refuses to marry him, and her father gives her an ultimatum.  If she does not marry him, she marries no one and she will have to enter a nearby convent.  While deciding what to do, she travels inland with her older brother and younger sister for a few weeks at Court.  While there, an old seer woman talks to Margaret, giving her a cryptic message of a "a man of gold" and she tells Margaret she will have to fight dragons.  Upon Margaret's return to Somerstrath, the worst of the worst has happened.  She finds that the entire castle and village of Somerstrath has been raided by Norsemen - Vikings.  No one has been spared.  Women and children raped and murdered, every man dead, not a single survivor except the handful of boys they kidnapped to sell as slaves - one being Margaret's little brother, Davie.  In one fell swoop, Margaret has lost her parents and the rest of her siblings.  No one is left except her brother and sister who traveled with her to Court.   Margaret is brave and courageous, but even facing this kind of carnage is too much.  Both sisters are numb with disbelief and ever hopeful they will find their little brother hiding somewhere amidst the ashes and wreckage.  Nothing, not a trace of him.  My heart broke while reading of Margaret's loss.  Meanwhile, Margaret's older brother, who now becomes laird of the clan, turns out to be nothing more than a hindrance, only interested in his own glory and doesn't seems to care at all for anyone but himself.

Shortly after their discovery, a band of warriors arrive. They are mistaken at first as enemies, since some of them -  two brothers - are half-Norse and half-Irish.  A struggle ensues, but soon enough it becomes apparent they are friendly and are only trying to help.  They help Margaret and what is left of her family pick up the pieces of their lives. They aide them in burying their dead and removing to another nearby fishing village down the coast.  There, they can be safe and wait for their uncle who also has his hands full with other raids going on along the coast. 

From this point on, everyone lives in terror of the Norse raiders return, which is certain.    Margaret soon becomes friendly with Gannon, the elder of the two half-Norse warriors that have come to help.  It's clear that Gannon is the "golden one" whom the old seer woman referred to, although Margaret doesn't realize this at first.  They are drawn to one another and soon fall in love amidst all the terrible horror that has happened.    Gannon remains by her side, but soon must go out after the leader of the Norse raiders, leaving Margaret behind.  As a strong and able bodied man he must do this, but he hates the idea of leaving her alone and unprotected - by him.  Of course, the village is raided again while he is away, and Margaret is taken away.  These raids are absolutely devastating to read about!  Kathleen Givens is great at describing these events .  I must say, I was very impressed with her writing here, much more than in her Kilgannon books which I found a bit dreary.  There is tons of excitement and action and angst!  Can Gannon rescue her?  How can Margaret survive, will the leader rape her?  Will she ever find her brother?  On top of everything else going on is the strong bond between Margaret and Gannon.  He is modest and must deal with the fact everyone looks at him as if he is the enemy because of his blond Nordic looks.  He is a quiet leader, strong and capable, sharp and intelligent.   He also loves deeply and forever.  He knows Margaret is his soul mate and he will do anything to get her back.

I really loved this book, I'm leaving a ton out, it's too hard to fully describe everything, a lot happens!  It was hard to put down once I got about 50 pages into it and I looked forward to reading it every chance I got.   One of my greatest regrets upon finishing it, was that the late Kathleen Givens died before ever writing the sequel.  What a talent!  Such a shame.  On a Highland Shore has a few loose ends that I'm sure she intended to address.  One big one, in particular, was about her younger sister and the mysterious Scotsman she meets at Court for a brief time.  He is older, yet he tells her in so many words, they are destined to marry one day, and he will wait for her to grow up.  Does she ever meet him again?   And what about Davie? 

Do yourself a favor, if this is a time period you're interested in, read this book.  For one thing, it's a real eye opener about  the Island Scots and Norse raiders who battled over the northern island territories in the Middle Ages.   Viking raids were not uncommon and totally devastating with their long ships and fierce warriors descending upon coastal villages and wreaking havoc everywhere they went.  No wonder the Viking were so legendary and feared!  The vivid descriptions and events of this story bring it all to life up until the very last page.  The characterizations are excellent and I grew attached to many of the side characters too, Gannon's brother was a favorite.   I highly recommend this novel!

4.5/5

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Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands

Book Description:
They call him the Devil... He is the most notorious laird of Scotland: fierce, cold, deadly... and maybe even worse. Yet Evelinde has just agreed to wed him. Anything, she thinks, is better than her cruel stepmother. Though Evelinde should be wary of the rumors, she can't help but be drawn to this warrior... for the Devil of the Highlands inspires a heat within her that is unlike anything she has ever known.

They may call him whatever they wish, but Cullen, Laird of Donnachaidh, cares only for the future of his clan. He must find a wife, a woman to bear him sons and heed his commands. He has no need for beauty or grace, but one taste of his lovely bride's sweet lips and the sultry feel of her skin arouse an untamed passion. Perhaps there's more to marriage than he thought...

This was an enjoyable highlander romance - entertaining and diverting.  A forced marriage scenario, the hero, Cullen, is far from the Devil he is rumored to be.  In fact, he's a fair and honorable man.  He and our heroine, Evelinde, get on amazingly well right from the start, although they do seem to be prone to the usual misunderstandings of young marrieds.  It doesn't help that he doesn't talk much either.   The plotline was a bit predictable and some of the humor seemed a bit forced as were the predicaments Evelinde got herself into, leading to some rather interesting moments between the two of them.  Evelinde has a knack for unwittingly exposing herself at the worst of time - many of which drive Cullen crazy.  He's either overpowered with desire for her, or ready to strangle her!

The basic story revolves around fair English maiden Evelinde, who is abused at home due to her evil stepmother.  Said stepmother marries Evelinde off to Cullen, Devil of the Highlands who she believes will be a terrible husband to Evelinde, thus insuring her fate for the rest of her life.  Rumor has it, he is the worst of the worst and she's sure Evelinde will continue to be mistreated (her stepmother has a real sadistic streak in her).

But, as it turns out Cullen is nothing like the rumors.  He's young and handsome and sees right through the stepmother and recognizes her for the witch she is.  Evelinde and Cullen first meet under the most bizarre circumstances.  I admit, it was borderline ridiculous and I had to roll my eyes at the many plot devices used throughout the book that were supposed to be humorous and sexy - yet came across more as ... well, a plot device.

Cullen scoops Evelinde up, marries her immediately and takes her away off to his Scottish castle. Before long, they consummate their marriage and both enjoy their nights together until it becomes clear someone is trying to kill Evelinde. Why is it in almost every other highlander romance I read, someone is trying to kill the heroine? At least here Cullen and Evelinde catch on early to the fact she’s being stalked and take precautions, but all for naught. The killer always seems to be there just at the opportune time when no one is looking to make their move. It kept me guessing for the most part. Just when you think you know who the culprit is, the story changes and you’re back to square one again.

I liked Cullen and Evelinde together, they were cute as a pair. The love scenes were vivid and sensual and the story moved along and didn’t get bogged down with a lot of unnecessary filler. Not only was it a romance – and a forced marriage one, which I’m partial to, but it was a murder mystery as well. Yet, the actual characterizations were dim and only skin deep. There was a lighthearted feel to the book, despite the dangerous presence of someone trying to kill Evelinde while making it look like an accident. An easy read. The main story is whether Evelinde can get Cullen to open up to her and if she can get used to her new life in a strange castle with a strange husband, who’s not nearly as bad as she feared he would be.

Overall, this was pretty good, but not great. I disliked the plot devices and forced situations, but it was still a fun read and I liked the hero and heroine. Most likely I’ll read the rest of the series, of which this is the first.

3.5/5

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The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin (audio)

Book Description:
Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of King Henry II, has died an agonizing death by poison-and the king's estranged queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is the prime suspect. Henry suspects that Rosamund's murder is probably the first move in Eleanor's long-simmering plot to overthrow him. If Eleanor is guilty, the result could be civil war. The king must once again summon Adelia Aguilar, mistress of the art of death, to uncover the truth.

Adelia is not happy to be called out of retirement. She has been living contentedly in the countryside, caring for her infant daughter, Allie. But Henry's summons cannot be ignored, and Adelia must again join forces with the king's trusted fixer, Rowley Picot, the Bishop of St. Albans, who is also her baby's father.

Adelia and Rowley travel to the murdered courtesan's home, in a tower within a walled labyrinth-a strange and sinister place from the outside, but far more so on the inside, where a bizarre and gruesome discovery awaits them. But Adelia's investigation is cut short by the appearance of Rosamund's rival: Queen Eleanor. Adelia, Rowley, and the other members of her small party are taken captive by Eleanor's henchmen and held in the nunnery of Godstow, where Eleanor is holed up for the winter with her band of mercenaries, awaiting the right moment to launch their rebellion.

Isolated and trapped inside the nunnery by the snow and cold, Adelia and Rowley watch as dead bodies begin piling up. Adelia knows that there may be more than one killer at work, and she must unveil their true identities before England is once again plunged into civil war . . .

Another clever medieval historical mystery involving mistress of the art of death, Adelia Aguilar, who, now a mother, still uses her doctoring skills and winds up investigating the poisoning of the lady Rosamund Clifford, King Henry II's mistress.

I was a bit taken aback at first, since a lot has happened since the first book in the series ended. Adelia is now a mother, and the father of her baby, Rowley has taken an oath of celibacy to be one of the King’s bishops! Huh? But, I kept telling myself, hah! He’ll never keep that oath! (I was right.) When the Lady Rosamund becomes ill from poisoned mushrooms, Rowley is dispatched to fetch Adelia by King Henry. She is an expert on poisons, death and forensic medicine. It is an awkward reunion for them, the first they’ve seen of each other since the baby’s birth. They remain at arm’s length, though Rowley, unabashedly, coddles and dotes over their baby, Allie, speaking “baby talk” to the infant as any proud papa would –priest or no!

Adelia reluctantly agrees to go with Rowley, she doesn’t have much choice in the matter. Upon arrival at the abbey where Rosamund lives, it’s apparent she is dead, only they find a macabre death scene. Rosamund the fair, is no longer so fair. In fact, she is fat. That’s a surprise. But the real kicker is, her body is sitting up at a desk, as if she died while writing, stiff with rigor mortis. In front of her are letters she had been writing to Queen Eleanor, expounding on how much Henry is in love with her and how one day she will be the rightful queen. Very odd. No sooner does Adelia begin to examine the dead body but Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry’s queen shows up herself! The whole scenario is very bizarre, and becomes even more so when Rosamund’s faithful housekeeper, Dame Dakers, tries to kill Eleanor of Aquitaine by jumping out from a hidden garderobe! Adelia prevents the murder, thus granting herself a bit of good will from the queen, though the rest of Eleanor’s followers have no love for Adelia, nor Rowley.

A full cast of characters enters onto the scene and it’s up to Adelia to figure out which one of them is behind the poisoning of Rosamund. Henry’s wily queen is the obvious mastermind behind the murder, but that’s too obvious for Adelia and Rowley. Rowley believes it’s someone else, who wants to make it look like Eleanor in order to start a Civil War between Eleanor’s followers and Henry’s. Eleanor has been under house arrest by Henry for several years and has just escaped from France to join forces with her eldest son, Prince Harry to overthrow Henry II. The time is ripe for rebellion and Adelia is smack dab in the middle of the snake pit of political intrigue and murder that surrounds Eleanor's retinue.

Who is the real culprit? In the dead of winter, Eleanor insists on taking everyone to Godstow, a nunnery. There they spend Christmas. At least Adelia is reunited with her baby, Allie and her friend and servant, Gyltha. Adelia begins her inquiries which puts her in even further danger from the real assassin and his employer. Plus, Allie’s life is threatened as well, which completely scares Adelia to death! The killer is warning her – don’t get too nosy! Meanwhile, Rowley has snuck off, faking his death in order to enlist the help of Henry II and his men. Can they make it to Godstow in time before the assassin responsible for Rosamund’s death - and the ensuing death of her maid – does away with Adelia as well?  The bigger and burning question is - does Rowley ever break his vow in this book? ;)

It’s a clever mystery and no matter how much I love them, I’m awful at figuring out who the real villain is in mysteries. I’m the worst at picking up clues and mannerisms, probably because I’m listening to this on audio, instead of reading it, so I do miss things while emptying the dishwasher and making dinner. To say the least, I was stumped again about who was the mastermind, though I did guess the assassin. Kate Reading was the narrator on audio and she did a great job, as always. Her accents are believable for the men as well as the women.

This is a really interesting and absorbing series and I recommend it. Modern forensics and medieval history combined in one detailed and, at times, suspenseful novel. All the characters have their own macabre and detailed character flaws that bring them to life. I hear the next one, Grave Goods, is even better, I’m eager to get to it now.

4/5

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Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (audio)

Book Description:
A chilling, mesmerizing novel that combines the best of modern forensic thrillers with the detail and drama of historical fiction. In medieval Cambridge, England, four children have been murdered. The crimes are immediately blamed on the town's Jewish community, taken as evidence that Jews sacrifice Christian children in blasphemous ceremonies. To save them from the rioting mob, the king places the Cambridge Jews under his protection and hides them in a castle fortress. King Henry II is no friend of the Jews-or anyone, really-but he is invested in their fate. Without the taxes received from Jewish merchants, his treasuries would go bankrupt. Hoping scientific investigation will exonerate the Jews, Henry calls on his cousin the King of Sicily-whose subjects include the best medical experts in Europe-and asks for his finest "master of the art of death," an early version of the medical examiner. The Italian doctor chosen for the task is a young prodigy from the University of Salerno. But her name is Adelia-the king has been sent a mistress of the art of death. Adelia and her companions-Simon, a Jew, and Mansur, a Moor-travel to England to unravel the mystery of the Cambridge murders, which turn out to be the work of a serial killer, most likely one who has been on Crusade with the king. In a backward and superstitious country like England, Adelia must conceal her true identity as a doctor in order to avoid accusations of witchcraft. Along the way, she is assisted by Sir Rowley Picot, one of the king's tax collectors, a man with a personal stake in the investigation. Rowley may be a needed friend, or the fiend for whom they are searching. As Adelia's investigation takes her into Cambridge's shadowy river paths and behind the closed doors of its churches and nunneries, the hunt intensifies and the killer prepares to strike again . .

I really enjoyed this - what shall I call it - an historical thriller?   The lengthy description above pretty much gives an accurate account of what the book is all about.  Adelia is an intelligent woman, a spinster by choice, she has no interest in attracting a man, she's a doctor, one of the few educated and classically trained women doctors in the world.  What's her specialty? Corpses - they "talk" to her.  Salerno has the only university that admits women in the study of medicine.  Pretty amazing what she can glean by examining the body of a corpse back in the middle ages during the reign of Henry II.  With no modern day accoutrement's she figures out over the course of her investigations where the children were murdered, how and most likely what was the motivation and background of the killer.

Adelia is summoned to Cambridge, England at the behest of Henry II who has a few crucial and entertaining cameos in the story.  One of the first people she meets is Sir Rowley.  At first we're not enamored of Sir Rowley.  He's a tax collector.  Images of the evil tax collectors in the legends of Robin Hood come to mind, so I took an instant dislike to him.   He unexpectedly assists Adelia while she conducts her autopsies on the bodies.  Is he the killer?  His reaction to the autopsies is one of genuine horror and over the course of time we learn that Sir Rowley is not a bad guy and he begins to grow on us - as well as Adelia.

There are many interesting and rich characters.  I particularly liked Prior Geoffrey, who she helps by relieving him of a prostrate problem.  I also liked the young boy, Ulf and his grandmother, Gyltha.  Throughout the story there are several red herrings as to who is the killer and why he killed these poor innocent children in such horrible ways, it's obvious he must be mad.  Yet, the most interesting part of this novel is how Adelia narrows down the list of suspects of who is the murderer.  Is it a monk, the prioress, one of her nuns, one of the knights returned from the Crusades?  There are many possibilities all under Adelia's acute observation.  Unfortunately, whoever the killer is, he's onto her and is determined to scare her off the case, as well as her friends who have come with her from Salerno to investigate.  What's another murder to add to his list?  At this point, the story ramps up and became hard to put down. 

The writing in this novel is first rate, the descriptions, although gruesome were realistic and the grime and filth and dirt of this period rang true.  Although I cringed in parts due to the horrific nature of the crimes, especially with children involved, I was engrossed with the story, and surprised to find out who the culprit was by the end.  I was sure I had it figured out, but then I realized I was wrong and had to keep listening to find out who the killer was and if he'd try to capture little Ulf or Adelia herself!

I also found it interesting why Henry II was so concerned with the safety of the Jews in England (money, of course.) It was vastly entertaining near the end how Henry saw right through the Prioress, revealing just how greedy she was!  I felt like clapping, for she was the worst!  He also had the opportunity to show up the Church in retort to the whole Becket debate, which led to Becket's assassination and canonization, probably the most famous thing Henry II was ever known for and never lived down.  Becket's obstinacy in not giving in to Henry's desire to give secular courts jurisdiction over clerical trials and disputes was at the heart of the matter in the debate.  Here, the author manages to give Henry his chance to rub it in the church's nose, making it crystal clear why he insisted on being able to try churchmen - and women - who are convicted of crimes, rather than letting the church try their own.  I won't reveal what happens or how exactly, but you'll know what I mean when you read the book and get to the end.  Frankly, I loved it!

In addition, I loved the side story of Adelia's romance - it gave the story a richer and broader appeal and made her more human in my opinion.  I was happy the way it all ended up for her, I won't reveal who her love interest is, but you might be able to guess anyway *grin*  I rejoiced to see how she makes up her mind and goes with her conscience, even if it doesn't exactly coincide with her common sense.

As an audiobook, Rosalyn Landor did an excellent job with the narration, she's one of my favorite narrators, giving it all just the right accent and flavor of the times. 

If you are a fan of forensic themed stories or a CSI devotee, as well as lover of medieval fiction - this book is for you!  I rarely watch TV (except for some Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond reruns) but from what I hear, forensic shows are really popular!  I imagine this is sort of like a medieval version of them.  I'm glad I read it, something different for me and I was pleasantly surprised!  I highly recommend Mistress of the Art of Death and I'm eager to listen to the rest of the series now, the next one sounds even better than the first - featuring Eleanor of Aquitaine!

4/5

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The Bride by Julie Garwood (audio)

Book Description:
By edict of the king, the mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid must take an English bride. His choice was Jamie, youngest daughter of Baron Jamison... a feisty, violet-eyed beauty. Alec ached to touch her, to tame her, to possess her... forever. But Jamie vowed never to surrender to this highland barbarian.

 He was everything her heart warned against - an arrogant scoundrel whose rough good looks spoke of savage pleasures. And though Kincaid's scorching kisses fired her blood, she brazenly resisted him... until one rapturous moment quelled their clash of wills, and something far more dangerous than desire threatened to conquer her senses...

The Bride is my favorite Julie Garwood novel, and probably one of my all time favorite romance novels ever.  A cut above the usual Highland romance, this is a re-read for me, only this time, I had the great pleasure to listen to it on audio.  It was like reading it again for the first time and I loved it!  In my opinion this is Julie's best book and it's the book that hooked me on romances.  I was spoiled by The Bride, for I read it early on in my romance reading and it wound up becoming the gold standard for the way I rated other romances.  Coming off my love for Outlander I picked this up having no idea how good it was going to be. I was blown away by it and I was hooked on highlanders (other than Jamie Fraser) from that moment on. 

What makes it so good?

• Humor. Tons of funny laugh out loud, delicious moments between the hero and heroine.  Garwood is great at this!
• The Hero.  Alec is an alpha medieval Scottish hero with a kilt and accent that stole my heart.  I really love him!
• The Heroine.  Jamie is the endearing, slightly klutzy, feisty, stubborn heroine with a heart of gold
• Plot.  An amusing and diverting plotline that is a joy to read; these two people are thrown together in a marriage of convenience and against all the odds - it works!  Plus there's the usual murder mystery as well that's a bit more complex than the usual.
• Romance. Mmmm... mmmmm good.   The chemistry between Alec and Jamie is perfect, they're a great match for one another, not to mention the sex which is passionate and memorable - yet, not over the top.  Highly satisfying, appropriate and well done. 

The basic plotline is about a young Englishwoman, Jamie (yes, it's a man's name, a running joke throughout), the youngest in her family of four girls.  Right away it's apparent Jamie is unique.  All her life she has been the strong one in the family, the one her older sisters rely on, and very often take advantage of as well. Jamie does everything around their castle while her sisters just let her.  She hunts with bow and arrow, she runs the household, nurses people back to health, protects them from intruders and takes care of her father - all without complaint.  It's all she knows and with such a good heart, it truly doesn't bother her.  She's no Cinderella waiting for her Prince Charming.  Although later on, it does annoy Alec when he hears about how she was used.  In his belief, the older daughters should have been taking care of their little sister!  Jamie is her father's favorite, though not his actual daughter by blood.  She is his stepdaughter from her mother's previous marriage who her father then raised as his own when he married her mother while she was still pregnant with Jamie.  Without question, she is the most beautiful of the daughters and when Alec comes to her father's castle to marry one of his daughters, it's Jamie whom he chooses.  There's an hilarious scene when he overhears Jamie and her sister talking to their beloved groom in the stable about what they've heard about the Scots and their outlandish ways and the pleated "gowns" they wear! So funny!
  
Jamie is unaware of her own beauty, she's natural and guileless - although she's not perfect.  She can be extremely stubborn though it's couched with an endearing naivete.   Alec as the laird of his clan is no nonsense, decisive and used to being obeyed without question.  He selects Jamie to be his bride and rides off to Scotland with her immediately after.  Jamie follows him, unhappy at her lot, but she obeys him, though she has a lot to learn about her new Scottish warrior husband.  Her delusions of how she'll be able to handle him are so sweet - and so unrealistic! I just loved her and she does get her way with him most of the time!  Without trying - she's irresistible - I really loved her!

*I'm so gushy over this book!*

And so begins a fabulous romance in which two totally different people learn to live and love with one another after being forced to marry.  She is the newcomer from England who must learn Alec's Scottish ways, and he has to learn how to chill out and treat her like a person and not as a possession - even though he does say at least once, "Mine!"   Both bend and make compromises.  They basically get used to married life.  Eventually they learn to trust one another and become a team as unlikely as that sounds in the Middle Ages (a few fictional liberties are taken, obviously).  Alec is the one that needs to change the most, he thinks of her as his chattel.  It's harder for him to accept his young wife's new ways, much less as an equal.  He's the consummate alpha male, set in his ways, brooking no arguments when he gives an order.  Yet he's so attracted to her from the beginning, it's hard for him to say no to those violet eyes.  This is amusing in of itself, especially the way all his men see the way he changes towards her.  For such a big and imposing man, Alec is a great and gentle lover, the love scenes between them are the best, not overdone, nor full of purple prose - just right. Their first time together is one of my all time favorites romance scenes.  A nice long build up starting with my all time favorite Julie Garwood moment when Alec says to Jamie on their wedding night as she cuddles up to him after bathing in a freezing cold pond,

"Jamie, you're wearing my plaid"

A priceless moment for she has told him that she will not let him bed her until she's wearing his plaid - and here she is totally oblivious to the fact that she's already wearing his plaid to keep warm! I laughed out loud at Alec and his cleverness - he knows what he wants and how to outsmart her!  Her initiation to sex that night is ideal and the chemistry between the two sets the tone for the rest of the book although Jamie keeps him at bay for a long time once they're back at his castle, sticking to her guns regarding "bedding" and "privacy" and "wearing his plaid."

Besides the romance scenes, there are a million little moments between this pair that are funny and clever.  Much to her own amazement, one of Jamie's little peculiarities is that she has a knack for starting clan wars at the drop of a hat! It was hilarious how she'd set off these fires unawares and then Alec's amazed reaction when he hears about his bride's latest indiscretion.  Scottish clans think nothing of going to war with the slightest provocation.  Yet, as annoyed as he gets with her, he can't get mad at her because she blithely made him promise he'd never yell or get angry at her - a promise he comes to rue over and over again for he's known for his temper!  But, the great thing is, no matter how exasperated he gets - he's always behind her one hundred percent and backs her up with all his men.  What strength - I loved it! Frankly, I loved Alec, period.  He's one of my all time favorite romance heroes.  Big and strong, commanding, fearsome, yet he turns to marshmallow inside when it comes to his adorable little English wife!

There are too many great scenes to discuss, but after their wedding night scene, my second favorite is between Jamie and the King of Scotland.  It's priceless, and one of my all time favorite Julie Garwood moments.  Jamie is unaware that she's talking to the King of Scotland who is supposed to visit their castle.  She comes upon him unexpectedly, not realizing who he is.  She's upset over her latest mishap (she has many), going on and on about her new marriage and how she thinks Alec is going to kill her over her latest.  She wants to wear his plaid now, which is really important to her, showing her love and support for his clan, but she can't get the pleats right.  She's telling this all to the king who she thinks is just some visiting lord.  Meanwhile, Alec is leaning against the door jamb listening to his zany wife go on and on with the King who actually winds up listening sympathetically to everything she's saying and then actually fixes her pleats for her!  I especially love it how she gets this vexed look on her face with the king and berates him for not paying enough attention as she tells him her long sob story.  It's very funny and Jamie is so adorable!  In many respects this reads like a screwball comedy - she is one of my all time favorite and funny heroines!

Besides the obvious romance going on between Jamie and Alec, there is also the whole mystery of who is trying to kill Jamie.  This is not an unusual plot point in a romance, but this one is well thought out.   I believe the first time I read The Bride I didn't quite figure out who was behind the murder of Alec's first wife.  Yet on listening to it this time, I realize how well Julie builds her case and reasoning of why the killer murdered his first wife.  Although Alec's wife died (everyone believed it was a suicide) we learn she left a baby daughter behind from a previous marriage.  Once Jamie finds out about the little girl, she immediately wants to retrieve her and raise her as her own.  Adopting the young daughter of Alec's dead wife is a nice way to parallel Jamie's own upbringing.  She won't let the young daughter, Mary Kathleen be raised by someone else, especially if they've been abusing her.  I was also glad that this storyline did not become center stage, which belongs to Jamie and Alec.  Yet it only underscored what a heart of gold Jamie has and how warm and compassionate a person she is.  I'm making her sound perfect - and she comes close.

As far as the audio version of this romance, it doesn't detract from the in print version at all. Rosalyn Landor does a great narration, though her voice for Alec is a little high for my own tastes, I wish it had been a man doing his voice ;) Still, the characters all came to life for me and it was an excellent rendition, you can't go wrong with it.

So, thank you for reading through my gushy homage to a favorite re-read and if you haven't checked this book out yet, go for it!  I recommend it highly to anyone that loves a highlander romance with men in kilts.     Plus, another thing I loved about it was that for once it was a book that wasn't filled with a ton of angst at the end that goes on for 50 pages where the heroine is kidnapped and the hero has to rescue her as I find in many romances. There was some tension there at the end with the murderer, but bearable. My favorite aspect of the book was  the relationship between Alec and Jamie and how they interacted. One minute they're at loggerheads with each other, the next they're just plain into each other - a totally, totally fun read!

5/5

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The Stone Maiden by Susan King

Book Description:
As the leader of her late-12th-century Highland clan, which has been decimated by war and illness since her father's death, Alainna MacLaren has no choice but to abide by the legend of the Stone Maiden in order to save her Scottish clan from oblivion: she must wed a man willing to adopt her clan name. Since each clan is fiercely protective of the lineage of its proud name, Alainna's mission seems futile. Sebastien de Bret, a Norman knight, who was a nameless infant foundling raised by monks, agrees to protect Alainna's clan in exchange for the land the king will give him. He will even marry Alainna in accord with the king's wishes, but he refuses to relinquish the name he has struggled so hard to establish for himself. King, whose research into the territory and time period is evident, strongly draws readers into the plot and her characters' lives. -- Publishers Weekly

First in the Maiden Trilogy, as Scottish medieval romances go this was a good story, but not your typical alpha male warrior with bulging muscles and caveman mentality à la Julie Garwood.  This is the tale of two strong and independent people that are thrown together against their will.  Spiritually, they're meant for each other and they can't evade the love that naturally occurs as they become closer and closer, yet they're torn because they must be true to their family heritage.  The romance has a slow, steady build up between the two. Sweet and poignant, but also a little bit dull.

Alainna is near her wit's end.  Now chief of the MacLaren's, a dying clan in the Scottish Highlands, she needs help.  With most of the MacLaren men killed due to the ongoing feud with the neighboring clan that is bent on wiping hers out, she prays for assistance from the "stone maiden", a stone idol whose legend has protected her clan for centuries.  Yet, according to legend, it's magic will end soon. Alainna has a mystical vision of a golden warrior that comes to help her.  Little does she know her vision will come true, only she doesn't recognize it when it does.

Desperate, she goes to the King of Scotland to ask for assistance.  His idea of assistance is to marry her off to one of his Norman knights, Sebastien de Bret who hails from Breton.  Sebastien is less than enthusiastic at the idea of marrying Alainna, not because he is not attracted to her (he is) but he has a young son he needs to return to in Breton.  A widower, Sebastien is only too well aware of his own orphaned childhood and wants to be a father to his boy - and not waste his time calming clannish feuds in the wilds of Scotland.  He has received word from the monks who care for his son that their monastery has burned down and he needs to get to his son soon - but the king wants him to marry Alainna and stay in Scotland until he can subdue the neighboring clans that threaten the MacLarens.  What can he do?

Obeying the king, he goes to Alainna and they have an uneasy courtship.  She insists that if he marries her, he takes on the name of MacLaren, or else her clan will die out. This is of the utmost importance to her.  She cannot let her clan end with her.  Sebastien won't agree and this is the huge obstacle that they must face no matter how much they are attracted to one another.  As they battle with their consciences over what is right and wrong, Sebastien's yearning for family and Alainna grows.  Her clan becomes a family to him, yet he still is duty bound to see that his son carries on his name - he cannot give it up for her!  They go back and forth on this issue interminably, there are some passionate kisses, soulful looks and a handfasting that takes place, but both are miserable over the conundrum each must face.   Can their love for one another trump their familial duty?

The gradual realization of love between the hero and heroine was bittersweet in this romance for both were so torn.  At times I was frustrated and found their constant "push me pull you" relationship tedious.  I just wanted to say "Get over it, one of you give in!"  They couldn't be completely happy and at times I wondered how this was all going to wind up, there was no easy answer to their problem.  But, as in all romances, they do get their happily ever after ending which was gratifying to read about after all the aggravation they went through to get to it.

There are some exciting battle scenes, the usual villainous neighboring clan leader that has his eye on Alainna, and Sebastien was the epitome of the noble, shining, honorable hero who comes to her rescue.  I did scratch my head over why it took Alainna so long to realize he was the man in her vision though.  I also had a hard time with Sebastien and his insistence of keeping his own name - it wasn't really his father's name, it was a made up name, so why not take on the name of MacLaren?  It certainly would have made things a lot easier on them all!  Although I had a hard time with the stubbornness of the hero and heroine, their characters were well drawn and I knew where they were coming from and what their motivation was.  I really felt sorry for both of them, but I can't say that I was riveted to the story.  I read on, but it just didn't grab me.  I rolled my eyes alot and huffed and puffed over what seemed so obvious to me.

The side story of a fugitive clansman returned from Ireland that Alainna was hiding from Sebastien was interesting, though I wish there had been more to that part of the story.  Sebastien was supposed to capture him and bring him back to the King.  Still, I was glad that when the truth was ultimately revealed to Sebastien about her deception, he didn't turn all emo on her!  It would have been one more thing to pile onto their woes!

All in all, not a bad story, but there was almost no humor or playfulness in this romance, which is key to me.   My favorite romances always have that element.   Just this long suffering problem they had to overcome.  They had their tender moments together, but not much passion, I felt like this family issue was an albatross hanging around their neck.  If this is your cup of tea, familial anguish and honor vs. love, then you'll like this romance.  I did enjoy if for the most part, but I will not continue with the trilogy.

3.5/5

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