Tag Archives: medieval

THE WOLF AND THE WITCH (Blood Brothers 1) by Claire DeLacroix

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THE WOLF AND THE WITCH (Blood Brothers 1) by Claire DeLacroix- a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N paper / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 11, 2021

The three sons of a notorious mercenary should never have met…but now that they are sworn allies, the Scottish Borders will never be the same…

Denied his rightful legacy, Maximilian de Vries devised a plan to avenge himself upon his father and see his own future secured. Allied with his two forgotten half-brothers, he descends upon ancient and mysterious Kilderrick, determined to claim it at any price. A woman rumored to be a witch is the sole one bold enough to defy him but Maximilian has a solution—he will take her to wife, whether she be willing or nay, and seal his claim.

But this powerful warrior has yet to match wits with Alys Armstrong, a maiden with a thirst for vengeance and a fury that might exceed his own. Alys has no intention of capitulating to the proud and illegitimate son of the rogue who stole everything from her, and she does not share his avowed compulsion to fight fair.

Bitter enemies from the outset, Maximilian and Alys’ match is a battle of wills. When anger turns to passion, will either of them be able to resist temptation? And when Kilderrick itself is in peril, will they be able to join forces to save the unexpected love they have come to value above all else?

••••••

REVIEW: THE WOLF AND THE WITCH is the first instalment in Claire Delacroix’s adult, historical, BLOOD BROTHERS medieval romance series. This is mercenary Maximilian de Vries aka the Silver Wolf, and Alys Armstrong’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Maximilian and Alys, THE WOLF AND THE WITCH follows in the aftermath of the demise of Jean le Beau, Maximilian De Vries’ father, a wicked man whose death was grieved by no one including his long-suffering wife and numerous illegitimate children. Denied his rightful claim to the family estate and titles, Maximilian, along with his two half-brothers Rafael and Amaury, and a large contingent of former employees and friends, head out to rebuild the ruins of Scotland’s Kilderrick castle, and in doing so, Maximilian discovers the rightful heir to Kilderrick is alive and claiming to be a witch. Enter Alys Armstrong, and the woman with whom Maximilian will fall in love. What ensues is the acrimonious and embattled relationship between Maximilian and Alys, and the potential fall out as the past returns seeking revenge against our story line couple.

There is a large ensemble case of secondary and supporting characters many of whom find safety and solace with Maximilian’s band of travelling forgotten. We are introduced to Maximilian’s estranged half brothers Rafael and Amaury, as well as Alys’ fellow ‘witches’ Elizabeth, Ceara and Nyssa, three woman seeking refuge from painful pasts and forced servitude. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE WOLF AND THE WITCH is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance and loss. A tale of hope and forgiveness, secrets and lies, love and a happily ever after. The premise is intriguing and edgy; the romance is intimate and passionate; the characters are spirited, strong and inspiring.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Derbfine Series 1-3 by Ashley York-Series Review & Giveaway

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The Derbfine Series 1-3 by Ashley York-a series review and giveaway

CURSE OF THE HEALER
The Derbfine Series #1
by Ashley York
Release Date: March 31, 2017
Genre: adult, historical, medieval, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: After the death of Brian Boru in 1014, a legend arose of a healer so great she could raise a man from the dead, with a power so strong it could make any warrior the next high king of Éire…and to steal it away from her, he need only possess her.

Fated to be a healer…

Aednat has spent her entire life training to be the great healer, knowing she must remain alone. When she meets Diarmuid, the intense attraction she feels toward him shakes her resolve to believe in such a legend. If she gives in to the passion he ignites in her, can she settle for being less?

Destined to be his…

Diarmuid of Clonascra is renowned for his bravery in battle. Only one thing daunts him: the prospect of taking a wife. The safest course would be to keep his distance from Aednat, the bold, headstrong healer who’s far too tempting for his peace of mind. But his overking orders him to protect her from a group of craven warriors intent on kidnapping her to steal her power.

What starts as duty for Diarmuid quickly transforms into something more. Aednat’s power might be at risk, but so is his closed-off heart

••••••••••••

REVIEW: Curse of the Healer is book one of the Derbfine series. This is the story of Aednat and Diarmuid. The story begins in Clan Meic Lochlainn, Eire 1095.

This story is very well written with lots of action and building romance. Aednat is a wonderfully kind and lovely woman who has been told all her life that her club foot would make her undesirable to all men. Her won grandfather had her thrown out as an outcast, where she and her grandmother and others had to hide in a cave to survive. She’s settled herself on a life of being a healer for her clan now under the direction of her cousin Sean, the over-king of smaller territories.
Dairmuid is a king of a small area and one of Sean’s dearest friends. He’s come to Sean’s home at his request for a meeting of several of the larger clans, the reason a bit vague to him.

Author Ashley York has entwined misunderstanding of motives and insecurities well, in the meeting of the main characters, making their chemistry a very interesting mix.

An old myth has been spread around that says if a warrior takes the maidenhead of a great healer, her power will become his, making him a great king. This leads a band of horrible men led by an aging and unscrupulous ragtag king to hunt down healer women. Sean is afraid for Aednat, as her reputation as a great healer has spread. During an attack during the meeting, he asks Diarmuid to protect her by taking her away to safety. Failing to lose the followers, Sean asks Dairmuid to take her to wife as protection against this group.

This sets up the romance and building love and understanding of the two. This tale is well plotted and told with loving care of traditions of the times. I found it entertaining and exciting, well worth the read. I’m looking forward to the next installments.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna S

_____________

EYES OF THE SEER
The Derbfine Series #2
by Ashley York
Release Date: July 31, 2017
Genre: adult, historical, medieval, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: In ancient Ireland, men and women take to the legends for answers. Different-colored eyes are the mark of a Seer, it is said, and those who can see the future are in league with the devil. They cannot be suffered to live.

He wishes to prove himself…

Marcán of Clonascra bears the bloodline of Brian Boru, the legendary high king, and his prowess as a warrior has earned him great respect. But he was born with different-colored eyes, and there are some who would have him suffer a Seer’s fate. His fiercest adversary is Beibhinn, mother to Diarmuid, his close friend and king, and Astrid, the woman who holds his heart. If Astrid ever showed him any interest, he would fight Beibhinn and any army to wed her.

She is desperate to escape…

Astrid is sick of her mother’s belittling, but her brother is in no hurry see her married, so she decides to see to her own match-making. The man she approaches quickly reveals his lack of honor, but her overbearing mother pushes her to wed him anyway. When Astrid discovers Marcán’s love for her, she realizes that what she wants has been in front of her all along. True happiness awaits them, but only if they can put a stop to her mother’s plans.

•••••••••

REVIEW: Eyes of the Seer is book two of the Derbfine series by Ashley York. This is the story of characters introduced in book one of this series Curse of the Healer. This is the story of Astrid (sister of Dairmuid) and Marcan (Dairmuid’s second in command). While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is better enjoyed if you read the stories in order.

This story begins with scenes that happened in book one, with more vision and explanation seen from Astrid and Marcan’s point of view.

This story gives much deeper information on Astrid and Dairmuid’s father and mother. An intriguing look at how they came to be man and wife. The motives of marriage between clans is always interesting, as are the differences between the rules and traditions of each clan.

Astrid has been led astray by her own mother (Beibhinn). She plays at enticing the son of the current king of the clan MeicMurchadha, Padraig into taking her to wife (her mother’s wish). She is naïve and thinks he’s handsome and a gentleman. She finds out quite differently.

I don’t do spoilers, so I’ll leave out how she finds out. She finds that the strong and handsome warrior that has been protecting her is the love of her life. Maran has loved Astrid for a long time but thought her out of his reach.
They commit to loving each other and want to be married, but the things happening with Dairmuid and Aednat.

Author Ashley York has done a magnificent job of detailing parts of this story with more details not yet disclosed to make Astrid and Marcan’s story an exciting and intriguing one filled with legends, old wrongs and plans. This story gives so much depth and understanding to the series and the characters. It is well written and entertaining. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Georgianna S

___________

DAUGHTER OF THE KING
The Derbfine Series #3
by Ashley York
Release Date: March 17,2018
Genre: adult, historical, medieval, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: A mistaken identity. A gruesome murder. Was it defense? Or Regicide?

Brighit is a trained warrior who hates the trappings and demands of womanhood…

Selfish dreams need to be set aside for the good of the clan, but revealing the murderer can only cause more turmoil. With no one to turn to, can Brighit find escape in the arms of her new husband or will he require she reveal her inner most secrets?

Darragh is expected to follow his father into kingship with little desire for the coveted title…

But his willful wife is another matter, he has great desire for her. Despite her denial, he sees her womanly virtues, as well as her hidden passion, and it sets him aflame to know her both body and soul. Will she resist his overwhelming need to possess all of her?

••••••••••

REVIEW: Daughter of the King is the third book in the Derbfine series by Ashley York. This is the story of Brighit and Darragh. It takes place in Ireland about 1095 or so.

Brighit is the daughter of the over-king Sean and has been raised with riding, hunting and arms training. This is pretty much unheard of for a female. However, she’s her father’s pride and joy and he allows her to do all this until she finally begins her menses, then he expects her to put this all aside and take to what was commonly thought the womanly arts of cooking, sewing, being sweet…you know, like all the other girls (reviewer is laughing at this point). I love this wonderful girl, even if she’s a bit naïve and spoiled. I like her spirit and the things she likes to do, but then again, I don’t live in 1095.

Darragh is the son of the king Tadhg and his healer wife Tisa, lifelong friends of Brighit’s parents. He’s very tall dark and handsome, she doesn’t dispute this at all. But she thinks he’s too reserved and needs his father’s approval. Darragh is, in fact, a wonderful young man and is intrigued by her beauty and spirit.

Brighit and Darragh have been betrothed since birth and she’s accepted it will happen but has spent much of her youth irritating him or staying away from him. She often dresses in boys clothing and rides out to adventure with her brothers and friends. Darragh has caught her at this as they got closer to their wedding and made her promise to stop. In exchange he gives her a fortnight to delay the wedding if she behaves.

Everything was going fine, then the night before the wedding, Brighit being Brighit, is invited to join her uncle and her brothers in a mock night raid. She sneaks out, despite her assurances to Darragh for one last bit of freedom. Then all hell breaks loose.

I don’t do spoilers, but just know this is probably my favorite book in this series. Author Ashley York has written this with so many plot twists and a great deal of excitement. I love the characters and the storyline. It’s a wonderful romance, with threads of learning about each other, betrayal, misunderstanding, and deception. If you like historical romance, this is a definite must read.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copied from the author’s website:

Goodreads /Website / Facebook / Twitter /

Two things you should know about me right up front. I’m a hard-core romantic! And I love history!

I believe true love does exist and once found, can transform your life from a solitary journey into a passionate adventure. Easier said than done sometimes but writing about the infinite number of possibilities, working out the exact when and where, and developing the character’s personal journey to get there, thrills me to no end.

I love history with larger than life heroes, chivalrous knights, lords and ladies, castles, manors, battles and conquests. These are the foundations for passionate, historical romance novels. That’s what I write.  There is nothing like the intense emotions sparked between a driven, hard-working medieval warrior and a feisty damsel in  a quandary, often not of her own making.

It only makes sense that I use my MA in History and all those research techniques to create romantic characters from the past. Although I’m writing fiction, I like to incorporate authentic places, events, and people, embellishing the past. I use real history but with an artistic flare.  I love research, especially from primary documents, and could get lost in them! You’ll discover a world of fiction wrapped around historical people and events in my stories. Some events you may recognize, some you may recognize but a little different than you remember, and some are just from my imagination.

I’m fascinated by the High Middle Ages in Scotland, England, and Ireland. There are so many world-changing events taking place here from their participation in the Crusades to the Battle of Hastings that permanently connected the islands to the continent. Before the Declaration of Arbroath, before William Wallace,  before the Doomsday Book, the area was ripe for great events and they never failed to deliver. It is on this combustible backdrop that I create characters with the same desires and motivations as we have today.

When I’m not writing, I enjoy cooking. It’s relaxing and I always like to find something new and easy. On Fridays I occasionally share simple recipes with Foody Friday. Sometimes entrees. Sometimes desserts. Sometimes snacks. Always delicious.

Check out my Website. Sign up for my Newsletter .

Ashley York is graciously offering a paper copy of all three books in the DERBFINE series to ONE (1) lucky commenter

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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*** IMPORTANT *** 3. Follow Ashley York on BOOKBUB 

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway is open to USA and CANADA only

9. Giveaway runs from May 5-10, 2018

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Highland Redemption by Lori Ann Bailey – a Review

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Highland Redemption by Lori Ann Bailey – a Review

 

Highland RedemptionAmazon / B&N / Kobo / Book Depository

Description:
While spying for Clan Cameron, Brodie Cameron rescues a lass, only to realize it’s Skye—the woman who’d broken his heart. He needs to get her to her uncle as quickly as possible to keep her safe, but every minute he’s distracted from his mission brings the clans that much closer to war. And having beautiful Skye anywhere near him is dangerous, because the price on his head is higher than the one on hers.

Upon being rescued from kidnappers, Skye finds herself staring into the eyes of the man she once loved—Brodie Cameron. She’s grateful to be freed, but has no idea how she’ll resist the lad who has become a braw man. Especially because she’s promised to another, in a political marriage forged to strengthen the Royalist clans against the Covenanters who plot to turn Scotland upside down.

 

Review:

Highland Redemption begins with Brodie Cameron following a couple men suspected of going against the Royalists in a feared war among several Clans.  Things don’t go as planned when he sees the men kidnap a young woman, and he has to make a quick decision:  continue his mission or help the woman being kidnapped.  He decides on the latter, which leads to a big surprise for both of them.  Not only do they know each other, but they were once planning a future together.  Brodie takes it upon himself to deliver Skye back safely to her uncle, even though she is not sure she actually needs saving.

As the two of them head back to her familial home, they are met with several road blocks.  Someone wants Skye dead, but Brodie will move heaven and earth to see no harm come to her.  As neither of them trust in each other whole heartedly, one thing becomes more than clear….in order for them to reach safety, they are going to have to deal with their feelings for each other first.  When misunderstandings are cleared up and secrets are brought to light, it doesn’t take either of them long to realize that the feelings they once had for each other are still there.

Highland Redemption is a story full of intrigue, with a few twists and turns.  Skye is a feisty young woman who has faced a lot of loss in her short life.  Brodie, having lost Skye a few years earlier, immersed himself in his work as a spy.  Throughout the years they were separated, they tried to move one without each other, but it was all in vain.  Their interactions were touching, and at times, funny.  The one problem I did have is the plot.  Even though I understood the basics, I got a little lost with all of the Clans involved and had trouble following at times.  Overall, Highland Redemption was an enjoyable read.  The romance was sweet and tender, with the intrigue adding another level to the story.  This is the first novel I’ve read by Lori Ann Bailey, but hopefully not my last.  Well done, Lori Ann Bailey!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Sorrow Stone by J.A. McLachlan- review

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The Sorrow Stone by J.A. McLachlan-a review

The Sorrow Stone

99¢ ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon. uk / Amazon. au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 3, 2017

During the middle ages, a peasant’s superstition held that a mother mourning the death of her child could “sell her sorrow” by selling a nail from her child’s coffin to a peddler.

Would you pay someone to bear your sorrow?

Lady Celeste is overwhelmed with grief when her infant son dies. Desperate to find relief, she begs a passing peddler to buy her sorrow. Jean, the cynical peddler she meets, is nobody’s fool; he does not believe in superstitions and insists Celeste include the valuable ruby ring on her finger along with the nail in return for his coin.

Jean and Celeste both find themselves changed by their transaction in ways neither of them anticipated. Jean finds that bearing another’s sorrow opens him to strange fits of compassion, a trait he can ill afford. Meanwhile Celeste learns that without her wedding ring her husband may set her aside, leaving her ruined. She determines to retrieve it before he finds out—without reclaiming her sorrow. But how will she find the peddler and convince him to give up the precious ruby ring?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Ok so you know when you read a book and after you are done you think “Where did that come from and my goodness that was strange and really really good!” NO? You will after reading this book. So out of the historical fiction “norm” that I am use to reading and I was pleasantly surprised.

The Sorrow Stone by J.A. McLachlan is a historical fiction novel with a side of superstition folklore, set in the medieval era (MY FAVE) in 12th century France. Plenty of authentic detail with regards to historical accuracy, I was very pleased that this author had done the research for what this time had to offer. I love my history and I admire an author who does their homework and weaves a fantastic story in a with true details/facts.

Lady Celeste is grieving the loss of her infant son. A superstition says that one can sell their sorrow by selling the nail of the coffin with it. Desperate for relief, she sets upon a peddler to buy it from her. Jean is said peddler, and he really doesn’t have much interest in Celeste until he sees the ruby ring on her finger. Before we know it, Celeste has sold her sorrow and her wedding ring. At first, Celeste is confused as to what had happened prior to meeting Jean, but she does recollect the importance of her ring. She must get her ring back or be cast off by her husband. Off she goes to find Jean and both have near misses and very strange journeys.

Ok so clearly I have oversimplified the story because let me tell you this is not a simple story. This is an author with excellent pacing and revealing tidbits as we progress with the characters. It is told in multi person, but the transition from one to another is done perfectly. I was never bored for one second reading this story and it felt a little like peeling an onion, so many layers and a few tears. I LOVED getting to know Celeste and Jean and as you know I love my romance .. I didn’t miss it! I loved how all things tied in and up … together.

I feel like I am not doing this book much justice here, so I will say two things to end this review. This book is INCREDIBLE and this book will keep you thinking long after you have finished it. If this is your cup of tea, then pick this book up and give it a shot.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Rachel T.

About The Author beige

Follow: Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

J. A. McLachlan is the author of a short story collection, CONNECTIONS (Pandora Press) and two College texts on Professional Ethics (Pearson-Prentice Hall). But science fiction is her first love, a genre she’s been reading all her life. Walls of Wind was her first published SF novel. She has two young adult science fiction novels, The Occasional Diamond Thief and The Salarian Desert Game (EDGE SF&F Publishing).

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