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At Her Service
Lady Joanna has seen how merciless men can be, and she has no desire for one in her life. But when outlaws raid her land, terrorizing her daughter and the villagers, she realizes she can't handle this alone. Yet if it is a man she must have, then let it be one she can control—a mercenary who will restore the peace, then be on his way.
Logan Grimm is, by reputation, the most fearsome warrior in the kingdom. His prowess with a sword is legendary, his loyalty to the one who pays him unquestioned. Yet when Grimm strides into her manor— his shoulders broad enough to bear any burden, his eyes as dark as midnight—Joanna fears she's made a terrible mistake. For while this dangerous man is defeating her enemies, who, pray tell, will be safeguarding her heart?
Logan Grimm is, by reputation, the most fearsome warrior in the kingdom. His prowess with a sword is legendary, his loyalty to the one who pays him unquestioned. Yet when Grimm strides into her manor— his shoulders broad enough to bear any burden, his eyes as dark as midnight—Joanna fears she's made a terrible mistake. For while this dangerous man is defeating her enemies, who, pray tell, will be safeguarding her heart?
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Shari Anton
20 books37 followersShari Anton's resume lists an impressive string of job titles, from personnel clerk to executive secretary. When she took a creative writing class and found she possessed some talent for writing fiction, she dared to dream of a career that allowed her to work at home, shun panty hose and take unlimited coffee breaks.
Determined to write what she loved to read - historical romance - she spent the next few years learning the craft of writing a novel and entering various writing contests, winning first place in several. Emboldened by her success, she submitted her work to agents and publishers.
Her persistence paid off in 1997. With subsequent publishing contracts signed, Shari left the work world behind. She now spends her days in her home office weaving romantic tales set in medieval England.
Shari and her husband live in Wisconsin, have two grown children, and do their best to spoil their grandsons. Every chance they get, they pack the saddlebags on their Harleys and hit the road. Traveling companions expect to find a visit to a Civil War battlefield, a medieval fair, or an historical society on the itinerary.
Shari is a member of Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America (WisRWA), Hearts Through History Romance Writers, Novelists, Inc., and The Authors Guild.
Determined to write what she loved to read - historical romance - she spent the next few years learning the craft of writing a novel and entering various writing contests, winning first place in several. Emboldened by her success, she submitted her work to agents and publishers.
Her persistence paid off in 1997. With subsequent publishing contracts signed, Shari left the work world behind. She now spends her days in her home office weaving romantic tales set in medieval England.
Shari and her husband live in Wisconsin, have two grown children, and do their best to spoil their grandsons. Every chance they get, they pack the saddlebags on their Harleys and hit the road. Traveling companions expect to find a visit to a Civil War battlefield, a medieval fair, or an historical society on the itinerary.
Shari is a member of Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America (WisRWA), Hearts Through History Romance Writers, Novelists, Inc., and The Authors Guild.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 28, 2014
Me ha gustado bastante. Es lo que quería leer.
Tiene un ritmo sencillo, una trama tranquila, unos personajes buenos sin un gran desarrollo en lo personal.
Ni muy muy ni tan tan. No es una novela particularmente emocionante ni conmovedora, ni romántica hasta las cejas. Pero sirve para pasar un buen momento, o para leer algo histórico sin complicarte mucho la vida.
Me ha gustado ver como Logan se relaciona con la niña, y como siempre la pone primero ante todo. Es una cosa tan bonita de ver. Serán una familia tan linda ^_^
Tiene un ritmo sencillo, una trama tranquila, unos personajes buenos sin un gran desarrollo en lo personal.
Ni muy muy ni tan tan. No es una novela particularmente emocionante ni conmovedora, ni romántica hasta las cejas. Pero sirve para pasar un buen momento, o para leer algo histórico sin complicarte mucho la vida.
Me ha gustado ver como Logan se relaciona con la niña, y como siempre la pone primero ante todo. Es una cosa tan bonita de ver. Serán una familia tan linda ^_^
February 13, 2022
This was delightful. A warm and comfortable read, with an HEA that i can believe in.
Stoic, battle-scarred mercenary, wearied and alone. Lady of a small manor, widowed and wounded, trying to do her best for her little village. A rather darling plot moppet- a trope that I usually avoid, but was done well. She seemed accurate for her age and was just sweet and kind.
There was a bit of mystery, and we got to see the occasional POV of the villain. I loved all of the well- researched bits of archaic dialogue, the ins and outs of life in the feudal era. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Stoic, battle-scarred mercenary, wearied and alone. Lady of a small manor, widowed and wounded, trying to do her best for her little village. A rather darling plot moppet- a trope that I usually avoid, but was done well. She seemed accurate for her age and was just sweet and kind.
There was a bit of mystery, and we got to see the occasional POV of the villain. I loved all of the well- researched bits of archaic dialogue, the ins and outs of life in the feudal era. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
January 9, 2025
I’m not sure how I stumbled across this book—probably a rec on Reddit. I didn’t hate it, but I did end up skimming the second half. The premise was intriguing: the heroine, a widowed lady of the manor, had her people conspiring against her because they didn’t want to take instructions from a woman (shocker, right?). Their brilliant idea? Hire a band of thieves to wreak havoc and pressure her into remarrying. In response, the lady decided to hire a mercenary to track down the thieves, especially after her daughter was injured during one of the thefts. Naturally, the lady and the mercenary fell in love. Yada, yada, yada—cue the happily ever after.
The prose, though, was just not it. The author tried to go for a medieval vibe, but it turned into this awkward mash-up of modern phrases and medieval language. It was distracting and messy. The story itself? Anti-climactic. Her writing style isn’t really my thing, and I doubt I’ll pick up another one of her books. Honestly, the only reason I made it to the end was because I wanted to see how the lady punished the miscreants, but even that fell flat.
2.5 stars.
The prose, though, was just not it. The author tried to go for a medieval vibe, but it turned into this awkward mash-up of modern phrases and medieval language. It was distracting and messy. The story itself? Anti-climactic. Her writing style isn’t really my thing, and I doubt I’ll pick up another one of her books. Honestly, the only reason I made it to the end was because I wanted to see how the lady punished the miscreants, but even that fell flat.
2.5 stars.
February 23, 2017
Loved this book, even though I don't normally go for books in which there is already a child from a previous marriage. I love how Anton establishes the relationship between Ivy and Logan first and foremost in such a simply way: Ivy is not afraid of the mercenary when he enters the hall, instead she goes right up to him and his finds her courage endearing. I never quite understood the emphasis placed on the missing chalice, I guess because that was an example of escalation. No matter, I loved the characters and the evolution of their opinions.
February 6, 2023
So stinking cute. I was intrigued from the beginning but it actually took me awhile to really love this. Logan’s character was so complex and multifaceted. I loved how sweet he was with Ivy and how he supported Joanna when she was unsure of herself. Their romance was filled with tension and longing.
December 14, 2023
This one was cutee ♡♡♡ For some reason I started it with mid-low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. I liked both of the main characters and I enjoyed the pacing. The plot is maybe simple but maybe it's better like that.
The ML is so good :(( to both mother and child :(( and they also both take care of him,,
The ML is so good :(( to both mother and child :(( and they also both take care of him,,
July 28, 2021
Leído hace muchos años ~2014.
Muy buena. Resulta muy tierno como el personaje masculino va cogiendo cariño a la protagonista y a su hija, además de que él resulta bastante creíble, con sus defectos y sus virtudes.
Muy buena. Resulta muy tierno como el personaje masculino va cogiendo cariño a la protagonista y a su hija, además de que él resulta bastante creíble, con sus defectos y sus virtudes.
December 25, 2022
I lived how much the MMC supported the FMC as a leader without bossing people around or overstepping her. Also love that he didn't go all caveman at the end when she came in with the other guards to rescue him. This romance was sweet and slow and l liked it. People constantly undermining the FMC was very frustrating though
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2020
Buen libro. Es una historia sin giros bruscos y sin sobresaltos pero que está muy bien escrita y se atrapa. En la trama se va viendo una evolución en el personaje de Joanna que me gustó bastante.
June 29, 2022
I loved the ending. I was expecting something cheesy and easy, and Shari Anton came out with hardcore medieval justice.
March 1, 2024
A delightful read
October 4, 2025
Mediocre but unobjectionable though the FMC is a bit of a ninny and the story felt somewhat amorphous.
May 23, 2026
A plodding sorry story
November 13, 2011
Lady Joanna despairs of stopping the outlaws raiding her village, so she hires a mercenary to restore order. His arrival disrupts the peace when he creates stirrings in her she’d never experienced with her abusive late husband.
Logan Grimm uses his sword to make a living, but he doesn’t expect to fall for his employer, the lovely lady of Lynwood Manor. As desire plagues him, he wishes for a swift resolution to apprehending the criminals so he can move on. But does he really want to leave Joanna and her sweet daughter, Ivy?
Logan Grimm uses his sword to make a living, but he doesn’t expect to fall for his employer, the lovely lady of Lynwood Manor. As desire plagues him, he wishes for a swift resolution to apprehending the criminals so he can move on. But does he really want to leave Joanna and her sweet daughter, Ivy?
November 21, 2010
I gotta say I had prejudice about this book. I thought how can someone write about 14th century, very few facts are known about that period, and a different language was spoken in England back then. But, I was wrong. It turned out to be a very nice story.
October 17, 2024
5⭐️ such a sweet historical romance! Their relationship was adorable and his father-daughter relationship with Ivy who he practically adopted form the beginning was perfect. Only wished I could have seen more of them as a family together!
July 8, 2011
has some small mysteries....also, it has some moments that are so sweet and attractive....
....it will keep you interested the whole time...
....it will keep you interested the whole time...
May 10, 2013
This novel reminds me of why I fell in love with historical romances in the first place at age 14. An old-school classic of the best sort.
March 18, 2020
Good book, enjoyed the story, need to find the sequel now. 😁
March 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this historical romance. It was moving. Well written. Reading it went smoothly. I will be reading other of her books in the future.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews