Loyalty Binds Me

Richard III #2

by Joan Szechtman

Loyalty Binds Me is the second book about Richard III in the 21st-century by award winning author, Joan Szechtman.* It begins about a year after the first book of the series This Time ends. Richard has married a divorcee, adopted her two daughters, and with the help of his new wife, rescued his son Edward, who had predeceased him in the 15th-century. Richard has lived in the twenty-first century for two years, and his son has been with him for the past year. At the start of the novel, they have just arrived in London, when Richard is brought in by the Metropolitan Police for questioning about the alleged murder of Richard III's nephews in 1483. Richard must now find a way to clear his name and protect his family while concealing his true identity.

* This Time received the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards General Fiction Finalist award.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Science Fiction, Romance

238 pages, Advanced Reader Copy

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

What if Richard III managed to travel in time and be prosecuted by the murder of his nephews in the 21st Century?

Of course, this is a speculative fiction work but I doubt that a mixture of too many genres, namely, historical fiction, historical mystery, legal thriller, time travel and science fiction, would provide an interesting piece of work, on the contrary.

Sorry guys, I really tried hard to read this book, I just abandoned when I reached 80% of my reading, that's enough for me.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel, the sequel to 'This Time' in which Richard III is saved from Bosworth Field and brought to 2004, continues the story of Richard Gloucestre and his wife Sarah. They take their children to England for Richard and his son, Edward, to visit Anne's grave and bring closure to their 15th century lives. Shortly after their arrival, Richard is arrested for the murder of his nephews.

With this premise, I assumed that there would be more travel into the past. I was wrong. Richard is arrested in 2006 for an alleged 1483 murder, making this novel more of a contemporary legal drama with a sci-fi twist than historical fiction. Once again, not much is said about Richard's past beyond the basics, and no mysteries are solved. Richard could just as easily be anybody brought from the past because the focus is on the technology, not his story.

My biggest issue in this series is the author's tendency to repeat characters' thoughts and words. Admittedly, this is the way people truly think and speak, but it is not the way authors usually write. It is a delicate balance to keep dialogue realistic to the reader but not as repetitive as our speech truly tends to be. If Richard "pinched the bridge of his nose" one more time...... Once again, a nervous habit could have been established without repeating the exact same sentence so many times. Characters' emotions swung quickly from "I'm going to kill you" to "Forgive me" in a way that was a little two-dimensional and unrealistic but did keep the story quick paced.

The Jew vs Christian debate does not carry on in this book from the last, and Richard does resort to prayer though neither he nor his son seem to embrace their faith the way they would have in their time. Sarah, who adamantly defends her Jewish faith, doesn't seem to even have that but rather holds a faith in science and medicine. However, the issue of faith was not the great issue in this book that it was in the first.

The attitude that you would expect to show up in Richard III came out a little more in this novel than the first one. He is intelligent and has a difficult time accepting those in authority over himself in a way that makes sense for one accustomed to being the top authority. Only when he is said to cry or be near crying a few more times did I want to point out that this was a medieval king, not a sensitive 21st century guy.

Overall, an interesting premise, but I wish that the author had spent more time in the past and giving her theories on Richard III's mysteries.

[Eddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

These books really frustrate me because I feel like the author missed a trick here. She had a great idea, but the execution is poor.

This book starts a year after the end of the first book, two years after Richard has been time travelled into the 21st century, and a year after he's brought his son, Edward, into the future too. As the book opens he and his family have arrived in London, to visit Richard's late wife, Anne's, grave. However, before they can get much sightseeing in, for reasons explained in the book Richard is arrested for the murder of his nephews, the 'Princes in the Tower'. This version of Richard is innocent of that particular crime, but has no way to prove it. It's an interesting premise because to this day we have no evidence of what happened to the two princes.

This book suffered, like the last, from a lot of repetition. The dialogue was less stilted than in the previous book, and I felt the writing overall was improved, but there was still a lot of repetition and exposition which didn't need to be there. The plot could have been developed at a faster pace without it. I remember feeling the same when reading the first book, with its endless conversations about fixing the time machine. This time it was a lot of police officers and MI5 agents debating over whether they can charge him, what to charge him with, there's a news reporter who doesn't have a huge impact on the plot, and a hospital storyline which also didn't seem to serve much purpose. There's a need to reconcile the course of real life with what makes for a neat, enthralling plotline in a book. A lot of things could have happened 'offscreen'.

The plot also presented an opportunity for Richard to truly confront his soiled reputation but I continually got the feeling that he doesn't really care. I felt like the author was consciously holding back from delving into his psychology, but I don't quite understand the point of taking Richard III, specifically, into the future if we're not going to look at how he feels about the reputation he's been given for 500 years. Even the finale of the book, where Richard unwittingly finds himself arriving at Bosworth Field on the very day of the battle reenactment, seemed deflated because he doesn't seem to care about where he is. I felt that the author kept missing opportunities either for exciting developments in the plot, or humour, or even an indictment of modern society, whatever. That may be my failing, for wanting the book to be something it wasn't.

It struck me while reading this how interesting it would be to take a Richard who did murder his nephews, and to make us care about him and root for him anyway. For him to truly fear that he will be locked away forever because he's being accused of a crime for which he actually is guilty. Someone who lies to protect himself, who feels justified in the actions he took. That may be more like the real Richard III. I'd love to read that!

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to read the second book in this series to give it another chance, since I didn't particularly like the first one. It was nice, but with many flaws. Chiefly the fact that Richard's past was almost totally unexplored, and his behaviour not really consistent with a XV century English King thrown into XXI century USA. I had read that in this second book Richard finally goes to England with his new family, so that he and his son Edward can pay homage and say goodbye to Anne Neville. And I said to myself... good! This time we will read about him dealing with his past and his torn reputation, his connection with England and the events of is time... I couldn't be more wrong. Apart from a very brief visit to Anne's tomb, all we have here is a kind of legal thriller/spy story dragged to exhaustation. If in the lead role the author casted - let's say - Jack Ryan, the book would've read the same. It didn't matter Richard III was there! I said dragged to exhaustation because the book is really full of fillers. If I try to summarize the plot, it is:
Richard and his family travel to England, Richard's arrested on a flimsy charge because what the secret services really want is the time machine Richard's wife invented, Richard escapes and is riunited with his family.
Is not even clear how the FBI/M5I demands ended, if they let him go, if the charges were dropped, if all the buzz with the newspaper about him being truly Richard III quieted down... it all really ends abruptly, without a conclusion.
All the other subplots (Richard's daughter illness, the arrival of his parents in laws) were pointless and unnecessary, since they led nowhere. I also didn't understand why all the XXI century charachters are renamed as XV century people acquainted with or related to Richard: Mortimer, Strange, Paston... his lawyer is even named Henry Stafford! I don't know, but it seemed a little cringy to me.

[Lisl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern Day Trials of the Last Plantagenet King

Loyalty Binds Me, second in a projected trilogy concerning Richard III, the medieval monarch of the “Princes in the Tower” tradition, takes on a huge task. Many readers will be familiar with the last Plantagenet king’s travel to present-day in the first installment, This Time, and speculative fiction fans (and others) will revel in such a journey. However, when Richard finds himself now under arrest for the murders of his nephews–which, mind you, happened some 500 years ago, and there exist contradictions to this charge–he experiences firsthand effects of the success the Tudors, Shakespeare and others have had in blackening his reputation. But how, readers may ask, does the author manage to overcome the label of absurdity; will enough modern lawmen actually believe this is Richard III come to this era, and are willing to risk their careers on such a prosecution? How can this be portrayed?

Worry not, readers, for Joan Szechtman not only manages all this heavy lifting, but also does it with the mark of a brilliant writer: by making it look easy. The flow of the book is so smooth, that when I read certain parts I actually gasped at the ups and downs Szechtman took me through with Richard. So thrilling are those danger moments, I found myself mentally shaking my fist at the need to sleep; I simply had to keep reading and find out what happens next.

One of the ways I can think of that helps the author achieve this is her understanding of today’s society. Unlike most people in Richard’s time, our society has been through so much with technology that even those who scoff at the idea of time travel still often contemplate it with a fair degree of seriousness. Coupled with the viable descriptions and scientific explanations through the book, many doubters will do a double take at the possibilities. Then there’s the government. Oh yes, they want a piece of the pie, and that, paired with the widespread belief that governments already know more than they are telling, clicks it all into place.

Ms. Szechtman also brings to bear the unfortunate understanding we all have of post-9/11 policing. When Richard’s tormentors are unable to move in the direction they wish, they play the terrorism card, using that to threaten him with indefinite detention. If that doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of readers today, it at least erases the sometimes smug sureness that we have progressed as much as we think, in terms of governance and liberty, from the days when Richard sought to bestow greater rights on those accused of crimes. It is sadly ironic that this king now falls victim to abuse of power that can cause someone simply to disappear. What grows from this is that where once there was care for a character, now there is great concern for the peril he is in.

Through all of this, the author allows us to peek into the lives of Richard’s modern-day family, his new wife and her two daughters he has adopted, as well as his beloved son Edward, whose resilience for the new world he is in is fairly strong–witness his grasp of technology, for example. But Edward, who woke from death to find his mother taken from him, speaks to us of how childhood, despite how overhauls, trends and social structures have changed it over the centuries, remains the same. Children are strong but vulnerable, astoundingly bright though need help navigating through even some of the briefest of situations and, perhaps most heartbreaking, love so strongly and want to please, yet withhold as a form of protection. They show us that we adults are given responsibility that is almost frightening in its ability to impact. Yet with brilliant economy Szechtman portrays all this in those peeks we are allowed, and we witness a family coming to terms with the usual trials all families must go through, as well as those of a father who has been arrested, and the merging of medieval and modern times–a blended family like no other.

This is by no means an exhaustive review of everything wonderful in Joan Szechtman’s latest book, but it does point the way to the other two, one as yet unpublished, for this book is not easily put down and forgotten. For those who already care about Richard, it will be a reader’s delight. Others who are new to the king, or willing to re-consider what exactly constitutes “common knowledge,” will find a wealth of historically accurate information as well as recognizable background details in order to do. Moreover, because the second book is written to be enjoyed independently, reading it first will not involve any guessing at the start. But Joan Szechtman’s Loyalty Binds Me will make you want to go back for more.

[Diane Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A History Lesson With a Bang!

Having read This Time, the first book in the series, I felt compelled to discover what happened in the sequel. The author did not disappoint me. When Richard and his new family make a pilgrimage to England, they’re propelled into a political chess game between “friendly” world powers. Governments are anxious to secure the “time travel” device invented by Sarah, Richard’s new wife, but they also want proof that it works. Arrested for a crime that might have occurred 500 years ago, Richard is faced with a “no win” situation, lie or remain silent and get locked up for years as a “terrorist threat.” He might protect himself but what will happen to his family in the meantime?

Richard understood politics in ancient England, but a battle of wills involving the FBI and MI5 might be beyond his abilities. Luckily “Dickon” finds champions for his cause, a Ricardian solicitor and a feisty woman reporter. How can he “prove” he didn’t murder his nephews in 1483 when the authorities are determined to compare his DNA to bones found at the Tower of London?

I absorbed more English history in these novels than I ever learned in high school. That’s probably due to Joan’s superb skill as a writer. She brings the fascinating mystery and intrigue during the 15th century to life in a character who remembers the events. But why should anyone in modern times care enough about Richard III to form a society and hold “mock” trials about his guilt or innocence? Historians should follow Joan Szechtman’s example and “transport” their favorite characters from history into an interesting novel. We might all learn more than we ever thought possible. She weaves enough information from the first book into the sequel to make it a stand-alone novel. Buy this book today and get a “history lesson with a bang.”

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book of this series was mostly about Richard III adapting to life in this century. While the action took place in contemporary times, it integrated historical facts and, in the case of much of what Shakespeare has many believing, corrected historical fiction.

In "Loyalty Binds Me," the subtle historical teaching is still taking place, but the plot is closer to a thriller than the science fiction mixed with history tutorial the first time out. The characters had me emotionally invested even more than I might have been, because they were old friends from reading "This Time." That helped draw me into the thriller portion of the plot. Szechtman does an excellent job of integrating the historical with the contemporary, including some strange twists, with Richard III’s arrest for lawbreaking alleged to have happened five hundred years previously. I liked the story, the “big picture,” of "Loyalty Binds Me," but what I liked even more is in the details.

As I’m reading a book for review I’ll highlight errors of the kind that should have been caught during the copyediting and proofing process. I’ll also highlight and make notes about things that jump out at me as especially good or bad. When I reviewed my notes from "Loyalty Binds Me" I had exactly one “typo” type error I’d caught, a “you” that I thought should have been a “your.” The rest of the notes were about something Szechtman got right that very few Indie authors seem to pull off. That is getting the language right when there is a mix of characters who would speak different flavors of English. The best example is comparing Sarah (Richard III’s wife) who is American and says, “she probably would be in the hospital there” while an English character asks, “do you know why she’s in hospital.” This is a subtle usage difference between English and American speakers. Szechtman also recognized that Richard would have to cross a lane of traffic to make a right hand turn. It’s possible I might have missed something since my native language, as Szechtman’s, is American English, but I spotted enough instances that could have easily been wrong to be confident there are few, if any. Inattention to these little things can jar a reader out of a story. When done right it makes for a smooth and pleasant read.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the novel, This Time by Joan Szechtman, Richard III and his son, Edward, were brought into the 21st Century by scientists who invented a time machine financed by a wealthy businessman who yearns to be accepted as a Ricardian scholar. Richard marries the scientist who originally created the undeveloped time machine and her daughters come to cherish Richard as the solid, caring father they never had.

As this new story begins, the family has traveled to England to pay their respects as a family to Richard’s first wife and Edward’s mother, Anne, at Westminster Abbey. It’s a journey complicated by the fact that Edward is trying to cope with a new family and living in a totally different world, and Sarah and the girls are still moving through their own family adjustments. These insecurities lurking below the surface are about to be stretched to the limit!

On their arrival in London, Richard is accosted by British authorities who tell him he is about to be charged with the murder of Edward IV’s “missing Princes,” as they have come to be called throughout history. The accusation initially strikes the reader as ludicrous, until British and American agents, a dynamic British journalist, a Ricardian lawyer, and other characters become intimately connected with this family who just want to be left alone to grow as the loving family they are becoming.

When the allegations change to something even more drastic, the unfolding scenario becomes intricately complex because of the mixed motives emerging that tell a totally different story, one packed with suspense, intrigue, and even violence.

Loyalty Binds Me is a credible, finely plotted historical mystery that encompasses all possible theories about Richard III’s motives and acts in the 16th Century. It also challenges the traditionally accepted Shakespearean depiction of this “distorted” King and provokes readers to challenge historical interpretation in an intelligent, dynamic, and adventurous way. Well-researched and well-written, Loyalty Binds Me is an exciting, surprising, yet sensitive novel that will delight every reader appreciative of excellent historical and time-travel fiction.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loyalty Binds Me (Richard III, #2)
By Joan Szechtman
Originally reviewed August 4, 2012

A few years back, I decided to join the Richard III Society, American Branch. Though I don’t go to reenactments or engage in scholarly debates, I love to read things by and about those who do. Through the group’s message board, I learned of a new book that offered a blend of history, fiction, and science fiction called Loyalty Binds Me by Joan Szechtman. The title, by the way, is a translation of Richard III’s motto, Loyaultie me lie.

I’m no purist by any stretch of the imagination when it comes to reading about Richard III, but wasn’t sure if I really wanted to read something like this, a book in which Richard is brought forward in time (the sci-fi aspect of the story), but was encouraged by other members of the Society to give it a try.

Oh, am I glad I did! The story opens with Richard and his 21st century family – wife Sarah, who was part of the team that brought him into the 21st century, two step-daughters, and his son Edward, who was also brought forward – visiting London so that he and his son can pay their respects to his wife Anne Neville, who died in 1485 but for reasons explained in the book could not be brought forward.

Soon after their arrival, the authorities show up, and Richard is soon facing charges of murder (his nephews, the “Princes in the Tower”) and treason (failing to live up to his oath to protect his nephews, the sons of his brother, King Edward IV). But there’s more to these charges than meet the eye, and soon Richard is caught up in all manner of intrigue as he attempts to clear his name.

The book is entertaining and fast-paced, and provides the reader with not only a good story but also a few history lessons along the way as well. As a Ricardian, I enjoyed the references to different historical persons and places scattered throughout the book, and found story’s climax taking place at a reenactment of the Battle of Bosworth to be a perfect ending

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the story of 15th Century English King Richard III who has been brought to the present day by scientists working on time travel. On a trip to England with his present day wife, two adopted children and his 15th Century son Edward, he is pursued by both the U.S. FBI and British intelligence who seek to prove his true identity and charge him with murder and treason.

The author has been skillful in weaving in the history of Richard III - both as it was dramatized by Shakespeare and as it has been researched by Ricardian scholars. I imagine there's enough history (and accuracy) to satisfy Ricardians, there's also enough science fiction and action to please those of us who are not.

I read this not realizing it was the second in a series of books that blends history (King Richard III) and science fiction (time travel). Even though it was second in the series, the book could stand alone. There was sufficient back story to bring me up to speed but not so much as to be tedious.

I enjoyed the read enough to go back and pick up the first book in the series and to look forward to the third book which I understand is a work in progress.

[Marva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard III. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Drowning little boys in a vat of wine? A hunched back that makes dogs bark at him? Lie, cheat, steal his way to the throne of England?

I've got news for you. There's a whole Ricardian Society that defends Richard III claiming he's not the horrible person portrayed by Will Shakespeare.

Ms. Szechtman gives the readers Richard's side of the story with a lovely device. She has Richard transported into the 21st Century where he attempts to live like a normal man. Unfortunately for Richard, the statute of limitations on murder is forever. He finds himself arrested for the murder of the princes.

This is a spellbinding book. Very original idea and handled well both historically and as a speculative fiction.

I was lucky to get an advance copy of the book. I've discovered recently that Loyalty Binds Me is now aailable at the usual outlets.

I recommend it to readers of historical fiction and speculative fiction. It's a nice blend of both.

[Bettie]

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Michael R. Zuelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

My experience with Loyalty Bind Me was much the same as with This Time. I loved both books. I have always enjoyed the "what if" speculations of historical settings events and characters. To place Richard III into the 21st Century is fascinating. Szechtman has done a very believable job of exploring how this 15th Century King will adapt to the 21st Century world of technology. I enjoyed this effort and found it a great way to introduce the history of Richard is a very readable format. I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series - Strange Times.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first one in the series, of course, I had to keep going. Although there was some confusion in my mind at times, I did enjoy the book. Now I'm trying to decide whether to buy the next one and have a whole set.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I actually enjoyed this one better than the first book. There were still some issues but I'm putting my "forgiving reader" hat back on.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loyalty Gets Richard Into a Real Bind

What's a 550 year old monarch to do when arrested for murders that he didn't commit? And treason against a king who wasn't a true king?

I was surprised when I raced through "This Time" in only 2 days; I was even more surprised to find I had flown through "Loyalty Binds Me" in only 1! Still full of mystery, love, struggle, and action that never stops, Joan Szechtman has truly hit her stride in this sequel.

While Richard has found what he wanted in his new life - a wonderful wife, two affectionate daughters, and has been reunited with his own beloved son - all is not well in the House of Gloucestre. To give himself and his son a sense of closure, the family travels to London to say their private farewell to Richard's queen and Edward's mother, Anne Neville. A trip to say good-bye to their dream of bringing Anne into the present time becomes a nightmare when Richard is arrested and newspaper headlines confirm he is all too awake: "KING RICHARD III ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MURDER!"

Surely the coldest case ever reopened, Richard and his wife Sarah try to find a way to reassure their children and hold their family together even when they are separated by prison bars. With each day things become worse, the idea that Richard could be tried in court seems impossible, and then an even more terrifying possibility arises - what if the authorities' true aim is something else entirely?

Now that they are 'across the pond,' new and interesting characters enter Richard and Sarah's lives. Some are kind beyond words, some are intimidating beyond mere threats of jail time. How will Richard prove he didn't kill his missing nephews when he took such pains to make them disappear without a trace, both for their safety and his? What if the boys came back to England the bones in the urn at Westminster Abbey really belong to his nephews? And key to the case - can the authorities prove that Richard Gloucestre of Portland, OR, USA, is truly King Richard III?

How Elizabeth Woodville would enjoy the unsolvable quandry her enemy has fallen into!

The 2nd installment of this trilogy gives us more character development in both Richard and Sarah, but the character that develops most is young Edward; taken out of his own time and barely avoiding death, Edward awoke at the end of "This Time" to a new world where the only familiar face was his father. After a year, his young mind still struggles to grasp that his mother is truly beyond his reach forever, he struggles to accept his new mother while feeling like he is betraying the memory of Queen Anne. In the beginning his father found the subject too painful to discuss and Edward has been afraid to speak of his mama ever since. Now just as they go on a pilgrimage together to say good-bye to Queen Anne, Edward finds his father snatched from him - and in Edward's old life, when high-born people disappeared, they often were never seen again.

This sequel is well-paced, the character reactions to the developing plot believable, both for the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys.' Even while their world falls apart around them, Richard and Sarah do their best to put their family first, and to support each other as best they can. The new characters are well done for the time allowed (with some there just isn't enough page space to fully flesh them out), and I especially enjoyed the play on names; beginning in chapter 1 when the characters of "Lambert" and "Link" knock on Richard's door, I laughed and thought "This is going to be fun for the history buffs like me."

And so it was. Moments of fun, horror, action, tear-jerking, humor, fear, frustration, and love abound and when you turn the last page your first thought is "When's the next book coming out?"

Many thanks to the author for a truly good sequel. I look forward to the third installment and only regret I can't dive right in and finish it by tomorrow!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic sequel to "This Time" where Richard III has been displaced into the 21st Century, and has been reunited with his son Edward, who was similarly displaced and now living with his father in the 21st Century.

Richard and Edward take a family trip to England to visit the tomb of Edward's mother, and Richard is caught in an international effort to charge him with the murders of his medieval nephews (ala Shakespeare's play painting him as the murderer of the Princes in the Tower).

While "This Time" had more of a romance plot between Richard and Sarah Gold, "Loyalty Binds Me" is more of a thriller -- not quite the Bourne Identity perhaps, but I found it very entertaining and the plot well laid out.

The family dynamics with Richard, Sarah, her children, and Edward developed in a way that I could really feel the bonds that were holding that family together during various episodes of strain and stress.

I hadn't known that "loyalty binds me" was a phrase historically connected with Richard III but as the story progressed in this fictional, fantasy involving that historical character, I felt that the book's character of Richard was at a deep part living the story from that motto. I was very impressed. Not only with Richard the character, but the author's skill at building that character through that theme using some really interesting scenarios, without it being obvious to me that the character's choices and actions were somehow scripted, let alone being molded to the title motto.

I may not be explaining myself the most clearly here, but it should be clear that I was favorably impressed, liked the book, liked the story, loved the characters.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has a rather nice, Raymond Chandler pulp fiction vibe going on, which is good in its own right, but the historical and time slip aspects are something of a distraction from what is otherwise a good little thriller.

This is a sequel and I should perhaps have read the first book first, but I didn't, so I found the characters' unquestioning acceptance of the main time travel premise throughout the first third of the book to be somewhat odd.

The denouement at a re-enactment event is contrived and overall it would have benefited from a good deep edit by a British native, but I think this is a writer of some considerable potential to watch for the future, if not in this genre.

[Ellen Ekstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a better book than "This Time." Again, there was repetition in characters' actions and in exposition, but Richard was again a sympathetic character. I felt there were a few 'back stories' that were unnecessary, and the actual motivation of one of the villains escaped me, but I love character-driven stories, and I repeat, Richard III was what held the story together for me. The author gives the reader a man who questioned his actions and regretted them, wanted to begin anew in a time and place in which he had learned to adjust and live.

[Tish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun alternate HF--Richard III didn't die on Bosworth Field. Rather he was transported to the present. His problems aren't over, though. The FBI and MI5 have gotten wind of his true identity and want to charge him with the murder of his nephews and/or treason. Moreover, they want the technology, invented by his new wife, which enabled his time transfer.

Shades of Josephine Tey and Connie Willis. A fun read.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a much better one than the first book by Szechtman about Richard III in the modern world ("This Time"). As a long time science fiction reader and something of a Ricardian, I was really intrigued by the premise of these two books. While I thought the portrayal of Richard in "This Time" was plausible, the plot seemed disjointed and "all-over-the-place". In "Loyalty Binds Me," the plot line is more coherent and the secondary characters more believable.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun action packed romp that has romance, history, and sci-fi combined. I think Richard and his lady love are a little too much good to be true.

This is coming from a sympathetic Ricardian/borderline Bride of Gloucester. I think Richard would be maybe a wee bit more true to life with some GOT type characterization. The White a Queen series had a sympathetic Richard that made some all too human mistakes.

[Clayton Bye · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Misfit]

1/24/12. Free on Kindle today.