The Last Champion

by Deborah Hale

The Lady of Harwood Was Ruthless

Ruthlessly practical, most certainly, for Dominie De Montford swore she'd bed the devil himself to safeguard her people. Now all she held dear stood endangered, and the one man who could rescue them was the one man she despised - Armand Flambard, first to hold her hear...and first to break it!

The warrior in Armand Flambard had died on the battlefield - felled by a terrible secret born of civil war. Should Lady Dominie glean even a hint of the truth, she would surely loathe him as much as she'd loved him. But mayhap this new call to arms was a battle cry to rouse their long-slumbering desire...!

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Romance, Harlequin, Medieval

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Tim Covell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've become cautious of medieval romances, having read of too many incredibly rugged highlander alpha chieftains winning hearts and battles. This was a refreshing change. The story is set in England, in 1143, during The Anarchy, a civil war between 1138 and 1153, though this is just the background for a plot where Dominie De Montford is seeking a champion to defend her family holdings from an earl taking advantage of the war to ruthlessly expand his wealth. The champion she seeks is her first love, Armand, who fled her and battlefields to become a monk. So, a powerful woman, a wounded man who seeks to avoid conflict of all kinds, and a second-chance romance that gets off to a steamy start with an early kiss and some huddling together for warmth.
The characters are well-developed, the period details are subtle but effective, and, once the defense plot comes to the fore, the actions of the heroine and the villagers in the holdings are as important as the champion. Armand is battle hero not so much for what he does (or endures), but for what he inspires and encourages in others. Impressive story, especially considering the limitations typically imposed by Harlequin.

[Angela Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonita historia, me gustó mucho el cambio en cada uno de los protagonistas debido al amor que conservaban en el fondo de su corazón. Sin embargo, el final pudo ser un poco más desarrollado, considerando que todavía quedaban algunas reservas en ambos, muy rápido el final creo que podría haber habido un poco más de sus pensamientos y sentimientos y los de los demás.

[Usagi Tsukino · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5 stars.

Maybe it could have had one star plus if it wasn't so freaking boring.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to give this two stars. Although the story was good enough the hero and heroine left much to be desired. The heroine was way too pushy and self-righteous and the hero too much of a pushover. I had not read any of Ms. Hale's books before so maybe this is her style. I like my heroes to be more alpha. As far as setting and time she does a good job with that.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It had a plot I had not read before, the characters were amusing and well developed.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written with a not so common plot yet for my liking though it could have had a bit more Emotion.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story about over coming hardships, wars, oaths, and who to give your loyalties to.