Risking her life
To save a knight!
Disguising herself as her late twin brother keeps Avva Carpenter, and her family, safe. Until Sir William Devereux arrives in her town. As the castle’s stable master, Avva can’t avoid the knight—or the desire he instantly stirs in her. He’s everything she never knew a nobleman could be: honest, kind, brave. When danger surrounds them, the only way to help William is to reveal her true identity, but can she trust him enough?
Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knights-Maiden-Disguise-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B09127FJ29
US - https://www.amazon.com/Knights-Maiden-Disguise-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B09127FJ29
Review
Avva Carpenter has no reason to trust noblemen, not until Sir William Devereux rides into town. He's one of the King's Knights, there to announce the King's visit, only the Baron isn't home and there's something very suspicious about the whole situation. William needs to marry a rich heiress to fund his parents' excesses, and for that he needs his mission to be a success. What a pity there's treason afoot and William can't take his eyes off the stablemaster...
It wasn't long ago that I read a book set in the court of Isabella, mother of King Edward III, and this story takes place in those years just following his successful revolt against her regency. The land is ostensibly at peace but years of war have taken their toll, which marks our protagonists in different ways. Avva outright states that as a Welsh woman she has no loyalty to an English king, whereas William is in the service of said king - a potentially advantageous but precarious position.
The electricity between Avva and William just about crackles off the page, even when Avva's deception stands between them and they are both fighting the very inconvenient attraction to each other. It's a relief when the walls come down because while the tension doesn't abate, it's leavened with some fabulous banter. The story is a little light on supporting characters so it's a relief that the leads are so engaging.
Their relationship is intertwined with a plot against the king which clips along nicely, adding dramatic tension and aids the final resolution - though not as much as William facing his inbuilt resolve against falling in love. It really is quite delicious when a romance hero decides they're not going to fall in love, because mate, you have no idea... I liked Avva's loyalty and determination, although her stubbornness did sometimes verge into TSTL which got a little frustrating.
Overall this is a good romance with great leads and tension that had me putting down my phone for a breather.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own
Author Bio
Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).
Social Media Links
https://twitter.com/ellamattauthor
www.ellamatthews.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/ella.matthews.524381
No comments:
Post a Comment