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De Russe Legacy #1
Lord of War: Black Angel
1356 A.D.
It is warring times for England as the Black Prince sweeps his way through France, waging nasty warfare on the population. Masterminding this brutal strategy is the knight they call the Black Angel. Brandt de Russe, Duke of Exeter, is the brains behind the prince’s war machine, a mountain of a man who is as cunning as he is frightening. In battle, no man is his equal.
The Lady Ellowyn de Nerra, granddaughter of the great mercenary Braxton de Nerra, has been sent to London by her crippled father to collect the men he has donated to the Black Prince’s wars in France. De Nerra men are mingled with the Duke of Exeter’s men and Ellowyn is at the dock when the duke disembarks his ships. In her attempt to introduce herself to Brandt and explain her purpose, the duke has little time for the beautiful young woman and mistakes her for a whore. Grossly insulted, Ellowyn threatens the man that all sane men fear.
And so begins the fiery, passionate, and deep love story that transcends families, kings, and two continents, building to the Battle of Poitiers where Brandt is on the front lines. In battle, no man is his equal but even the most powerful of men are prisoners of their own hearts.
It is warring times for England as the Black Prince sweeps his way through France, waging nasty warfare on the population. Masterminding this brutal strategy is the knight they call the Black Angel. Brandt de Russe, Duke of Exeter, is the brains behind the prince’s war machine, a mountain of a man who is as cunning as he is frightening. In battle, no man is his equal.
The Lady Ellowyn de Nerra, granddaughter of the great mercenary Braxton de Nerra, has been sent to London by her crippled father to collect the men he has donated to the Black Prince’s wars in France. De Nerra men are mingled with the Duke of Exeter’s men and Ellowyn is at the dock when the duke disembarks his ships. In her attempt to introduce herself to Brandt and explain her purpose, the duke has little time for the beautiful young woman and mistakes her for a whore. Grossly insulted, Ellowyn threatens the man that all sane men fear.
And so begins the fiery, passionate, and deep love story that transcends families, kings, and two continents, building to the Battle of Poitiers where Brandt is on the front lines. In battle, no man is his equal but even the most powerful of men are prisoners of their own hearts.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2013
1120 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Le Veque
325 books2,086 followersJuggernaut Indie author Kathryn Le Veque is a 'tour de force' in publishing.
Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.
Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.
Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.
Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
October 27, 2016
Despite being written recently, this had an old school feel to it.
December 13, 2023
Read: 12/13/23
This was just an okay read!
This was just an okay read!
February 18, 2016
Brandt de Russe, Duke of Exeter is know to be a tough fighter and he has just come back from another war. While giving out orders to his men he finds a lady trying to talk to him. Brandt thinks at first that she is a whore and tries to get her to leave him alone. But her temper comes out and we find that the lady is Ellowyn de Nerra. Ellowyn has been sent to tell Brandt to send her fathers men back to him since he has returned with them.
Brandt and Ellowyn get off on the wrong foot with her temper and him wanting to set her strait. I gave this three stars because of a few things in the story I did not like or see that was needed. I will put it down near the bottom for a spoiler.
Overall good book though.
Spoiler
Ellowyn Father gets killed when he tries to fight Brandt for Ellowyn after Brandt and Ellowyn run off and get married. Brandt and the father were to fight in a dual and Ellowyn got in the middle of it where she got hurt and Brnadt men thought he was being attached and they killed the father. Didn't like that part as they had played up the relationship between father and daughter as such a loving and strong relationship.
Brandt and Ellowyn get off on the wrong foot with her temper and him wanting to set her strait. I gave this three stars because of a few things in the story I did not like or see that was needed. I will put it down near the bottom for a spoiler.
Overall good book though.
Spoiler
Ellowyn Father gets killed when he tries to fight Brandt for Ellowyn after Brandt and Ellowyn run off and get married. Brandt and the father were to fight in a dual and Ellowyn got in the middle of it where she got hurt and Brnadt men thought he was being attached and they killed the father. Didn't like that part as they had played up the relationship between father and daughter as such a loving and strong relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2019
A friend of mine reviewed this saying that, despite being recently written, it read old school like.
Well, I didn't need to hear more, so when this showed up on Amazon for free, I jumped.
It did read all old school like and I'd probably recommend this to Julie Garwood fans but there were parts that dragged and it might because real life kept butting in but when I paused I was a little reluctant to pick it up again but when I was reading I couldn't stop.
This had the solid makings of a 4 star read, I liked Ellowyn, I wanna be her when I grow up xD And Brandt was so swoony, total Garwood hero mould. And I really liked the writing.
Till about 60% in.
That's when the dragging really started, though there were hints before that too.
And I hated the ending.
It was so abrupt and maybe even, badly written.
It didn't quite fit in with the build-up we got from page one.
Unfortunately, I'm not jumping into the next book just yet but I'm not giving up either!
July 1, 2019
Still fantastic! Nobody writes medieval historical romances better!
February 28, 2022
Excellent writer not a lot of romance.
August 5, 2013
I didn't care for this book as much as I liked the 3 other books by Kathryn Le Veque that I've read thus far. The story line was okay enough, but I just never really connected to the characters, and I felt there were rather unnecessary deaths that did nothing to contribute to the plot.
Some of the situations felt contrived, and I did not care for the ending at all. Also, there were instances of import that were left out of the story completely.
Finally, I did not particularly care for the dreams the heroine kept having throughout the book. I have no issue with her having premonitions, but I felt like these gave away so much of the ending. To me, it was much like the stories that begin with a prologue or scene at the climax of the book, and then chapter one picks up sometime prior to that scene. It just gives you a major spoiler for what is to come later, so that you never get to have any great surprise.
I noticed this author is still stuck on over using the word "massive" as an adjective (though at least with this book it was not always the hero the word was used to describe). She also over did it with "enormous", but at least I did see a "gargantuan" and a few other synonyms. When she was describing the castles and baileys, I felt like "expansive", "sprawling", "extensive", etc. would have been a nice change over "massive" merely because the word seems to be a favorite of this author's (I did a word count check for massive. It came up 41 times in this book, and that does not include "massively" or other closely related words. I did not remember to do one for "enormous" but I rather suspect it would have had similar results). As with a previous review, I mentioned this author's tendency to overdo it with the word "well" when a character is hesitant in his or her speech. We see that still happening here. I was laughing trying to imagine this "massive" warrior expressing himself the way it was written with a "well" thrown in there on one of his hesitant dialogues. It just didn't jive for me.
There were also editing issues again. Like with a previous review I gave on one of her books, you can tell someone used spell-check because the words that are incorrect are words that are wrong in the context, but still words that would be recognized with a spell-check program. I am not sure why this author does not utilize a proof-reader or editor to catch these little flukes, but the keep coming up. For the most part, her stories are fun and original, but they all seem to have the same issues which are normally so easily corrected in the editing phase.
I was able to read the book entirely, and I wasn't bored, but I wasn't engrossed into it either. I likely could have walked away even 75% of the way through the story, and not thought twice about it after a day or two. It just wasn't one of those books that will stick with a reader long after finishing. I usually want more, more, more when I come to the end of a book. With this one, I was just glad it was finished.
Ah, well. This is the fourth book of her's I've read, and the other three were very enjoyable. Every author is allowed a dud every now and again, I suppose.
Some of the situations felt contrived, and I did not care for the ending at all. Also, there were instances of import that were left out of the story completely.
Finally, I did not particularly care for the dreams the heroine kept having throughout the book. I have no issue with her having premonitions, but I felt like these gave away so much of the ending. To me, it was much like the stories that begin with a prologue or scene at the climax of the book, and then chapter one picks up sometime prior to that scene. It just gives you a major spoiler for what is to come later, so that you never get to have any great surprise.
I noticed this author is still stuck on over using the word "massive" as an adjective (though at least with this book it was not always the hero the word was used to describe). She also over did it with "enormous", but at least I did see a "gargantuan" and a few other synonyms. When she was describing the castles and baileys, I felt like "expansive", "sprawling", "extensive", etc. would have been a nice change over "massive" merely because the word seems to be a favorite of this author's (I did a word count check for massive. It came up 41 times in this book, and that does not include "massively" or other closely related words. I did not remember to do one for "enormous" but I rather suspect it would have had similar results). As with a previous review, I mentioned this author's tendency to overdo it with the word "well" when a character is hesitant in his or her speech. We see that still happening here. I was laughing trying to imagine this "massive" warrior expressing himself the way it was written with a "well" thrown in there on one of his hesitant dialogues. It just didn't jive for me.
There were also editing issues again. Like with a previous review I gave on one of her books, you can tell someone used spell-check because the words that are incorrect are words that are wrong in the context, but still words that would be recognized with a spell-check program. I am not sure why this author does not utilize a proof-reader or editor to catch these little flukes, but the keep coming up. For the most part, her stories are fun and original, but they all seem to have the same issues which are normally so easily corrected in the editing phase.
I was able to read the book entirely, and I wasn't bored, but I wasn't engrossed into it either. I likely could have walked away even 75% of the way through the story, and not thought twice about it after a day or two. It just wasn't one of those books that will stick with a reader long after finishing. I usually want more, more, more when I come to the end of a book. With this one, I was just glad it was finished.
Ah, well. This is the fourth book of her's I've read, and the other three were very enjoyable. Every author is allowed a dud every now and again, I suppose.
September 16, 2018
There is a lot to like about Lord of War. I hated Ellowyn in the first few pages of the story. But then I grew to love her and her romantic, sensual relationship with her eventual husband Brandt The Duke of Exeter. Brandt was a man of war fighting for the Prince of Wales Edward in the year of 1356. Brandt never lost a battle and his strategic battle plans were genius. He was know as the Angel of Death.
Ellowyn was feisty and intelligent. At the beginning of the story you will think her a spoiled brat having temper tantrums. But believe me she is a Very Well developed character that I learned to love her and her devotion to Brandt. She never once in the story turned her back on her husband Brandt.
What I didn't like about the story was Ellowyn's father Deston and best friend to Brandt not allowing them to marry. So they eloped and Deston brought his army against them were he was killed. This just could have been written differently. It didn't make sense for Deston to not be happy and agreeable that his daughter was marrying a very rich powerful Duke. The other problem I had was they were not referred to as Your Grace but Lord and Lady. That was a bit strange but it might have to do with the era. The story also, has many obstacles for the couple. This weighted the story down at times. It reads like a Saga.
All in All I Enjoyed reading Lord of War!!
Ellowyn was feisty and intelligent. At the beginning of the story you will think her a spoiled brat having temper tantrums. But believe me she is a Very Well developed character that I learned to love her and her devotion to Brandt. She never once in the story turned her back on her husband Brandt.
What I didn't like about the story was Ellowyn's father Deston and best friend to Brandt not allowing them to marry. So they eloped and Deston brought his army against them were he was killed. This just could have been written differently. It didn't make sense for Deston to not be happy and agreeable that his daughter was marrying a very rich powerful Duke. The other problem I had was they were not referred to as Your Grace but Lord and Lady. That was a bit strange but it might have to do with the era. The story also, has many obstacles for the couple. This weighted the story down at times. It reads like a Saga.
All in All I Enjoyed reading Lord of War!!
July 21, 2013
This is a exciting story of knights, battles, and strife.
You have to love a knight...that when the woman he is falling in love with him tells him his heart is hurt...he reacts by asking her if she will heal it for him. That kind of sincerity and vulnerability in a battle hardened knight touched my heart. I don't even think Brandt the hero in this story knew he was starved for love until the heroine Ellowyn gifted him with hers. Brandt according to his reputation is the 'Black Angel of Death'. He kills unmercifully, with cold indifference and is brilliantly cunning. Most of this is true, but he is also a man of great emotion and when given the chance to love...he loves very deeply. He is also somewhat socially awkward with a dry witty sense of humor. These are the things that I think make him very enduring to a reader. Ellowyn starts off as kind of a shrew. This quickly changes once you get to her know her better. She is sometimes abrasive and stubborn. But she is also kind, considerate, witty and EXTREMELY loyal. I think she may be one of the best heroines KLV has brought to life. I like 'em feisty! ; )
I really enjoyed getting to know all the minor characters and getting to revisit some old stories of KLV's. Such as 'The Falls of Erith' and 'Dark One, Dark Knight'. If you havent read these two stories you must! They are some best by this author. Dark Knight is actually about Brandts great-great-great grandson and Falls of Erith is about Ellowyns grandfather.
I did feel like the ending was a little abrupt but the great epilogue more than makes up for it. There also a few editing problems but for me it didn't deter form the story at all. I was waaaay to engrossed in the characters to care about that.
I also really enjoyed the dream sequence in the beginning of some chapters...it added a great extra dimension to the story.
If you enjoy a story that is heavy with battle and action this is the story for you! It's medieval romance at its best and is a page turner from start to finish.
November 12, 2020
It irritates me when American writers who are writing about English history use American references.
Eg) ‘gotten’, ‘cents’ (I mean really?), ‘quit’- at least make the effort to fit the historical context, if not, pick a different context frankly.
Lots of typos and grammatical errors- where is your editor? Bloody hell, I’ll do it for Le Veque and I’ll do it better and probably considerably cheaper!
I’ve read a lot of her novels now and I generally enjoy them story-wise, though they are somewhat pedestrian and formulaic now, so I’m starting to get bored with them.
The ending was very abrupt, no real development there, almost like the author was bored of writing about these characters.
I’ll read one more and then see how I feel, but probably time to move on, particularly if the basic errors aren’t improved.
Eg) ‘gotten’, ‘cents’ (I mean really?), ‘quit’- at least make the effort to fit the historical context, if not, pick a different context frankly.
Lots of typos and grammatical errors- where is your editor? Bloody hell, I’ll do it for Le Veque and I’ll do it better and probably considerably cheaper!
I’ve read a lot of her novels now and I generally enjoy them story-wise, though they are somewhat pedestrian and formulaic now, so I’m starting to get bored with them.
The ending was very abrupt, no real development there, almost like the author was bored of writing about these characters.
I’ll read one more and then see how I feel, but probably time to move on, particularly if the basic errors aren’t improved.
January 19, 2020
I so love it when a heroine stands up to a hero that all men fear! It makes for some very entertaining reading and I could just picture it all in my mind:) Ellowyn is such a heroine and when she and Brandt first meet, sparks fly and he doesn't know what's hit him! She's quite the firebrand and instead of fighting her, Brandt decides to just enjoy the ride. With his heart involved, he shows her a side of himself that no one else has ever seen and she becomes his fiercest protector:)
I really enjoyed this story, I thought it was well written with lots of action and my heart really went out to Ellowyn with the decisions she had to make. Sometimes it's very hard to choose between family and love!!
I really enjoyed this story, I thought it was well written with lots of action and my heart really went out to Ellowyn with the decisions she had to make. Sometimes it's very hard to choose between family and love!!
March 15, 2024
ADULT Medieval🏰 Knights🐺💪🗡🐎, Warfare💥💀🗡, and Romance💕
The Duke of Exeter is the Black Angel, A huge knight🐺💪🗡🐎 who is the right hand of Edward👑 the Prince of Wales.
I found this novel in my library📚.
The Duke of Exeter is the Black Angel, A huge knight🐺💪🗡🐎 who is the right hand of Edward👑 the Prince of Wales.
I found this novel in my library📚.
abandoned
August 7, 2022Note to self; Pet peeve: H has 2 teenage kids with his ex wife.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
Sorry, not sorry. I just didn't like Ellowyn. She acted very spoiled & her actions had dire consequences sometimes.
December 2, 2019
RATINGS
Overall: ⭐⭐
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Sensuality: 🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍆
Spoilers ahead!
Side note: This was my first book by the author, and I dnf'd at 71% 😔
This book was your typical, tough guy and strong woman fall in love, type HR. Very old school, which I normally love. They had a rough, and somewhat comical, start that turned quickly to mutual admiration and love. I definitely enjoyed their back and forth comments and had a few laugh out loud moments. However, that only lasted a little more than halfway though. I have always read HR books because I love the relationships in them. The love, the hate, the sex, all of it! This book had a story that I mostly enjoyed however, the relationship was just... lacking. The romance was typical for HR so I was hooked from the beginning and right up until the runaway marriage. Then the let down. There was a wedding but, not featured just mentioned. Ok, that's ok. I prefer to read the wedding but not a lot of books play them out. The wedding night though.. made me feel bad for the heroine! Leading up to it, he was very sweet and gentle, caring and considerate. However, the consummation was very cold, forced, and had no description at all. She was miserable, he was rough, it made me feel a little uncomfortable to read! It was also very short which was a bit of a let down after a half book lead up. There was more description on how she made lye than the sex scenes. The sexual scenes felt like they were just tossed in because it was due in the story. The hero ended up being this way through the remainder. Loving but tough, more like a father and a petulant child than a husband and wife.
While this book did give me the feels with how sweet they were to each other in the beginning, it lacked the passionate kind of emotional depth I usually like. A conversation in which she basically disowns her supposedly beloved father, felt very rushed and sudden. Even when the couple were discussing their feelings, or having a fight, it was just lacking.
I did enjoy parts of this book, including the heroine having a premonition dream that popped up throughout and kept me wondering what was coming next. However, that also ended up fizzling out about 60% through the book. Although I flew through the first half of this book, I probably wouldn't read this again. However, that is just the opinion of one. Happy reading!
Overall: ⭐⭐
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Sensuality: 🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍆
Spoilers ahead!
Side note: This was my first book by the author, and I dnf'd at 71% 😔
This book was your typical, tough guy and strong woman fall in love, type HR. Very old school, which I normally love. They had a rough, and somewhat comical, start that turned quickly to mutual admiration and love. I definitely enjoyed their back and forth comments and had a few laugh out loud moments. However, that only lasted a little more than halfway though. I have always read HR books because I love the relationships in them. The love, the hate, the sex, all of it! This book had a story that I mostly enjoyed however, the relationship was just... lacking. The romance was typical for HR so I was hooked from the beginning and right up until the runaway marriage. Then the let down. There was a wedding but, not featured just mentioned. Ok, that's ok. I prefer to read the wedding but not a lot of books play them out. The wedding night though.. made me feel bad for the heroine! Leading up to it, he was very sweet and gentle, caring and considerate. However, the consummation was very cold, forced, and had no description at all. She was miserable, he was rough, it made me feel a little uncomfortable to read! It was also very short which was a bit of a let down after a half book lead up. There was more description on how she made lye than the sex scenes. The sexual scenes felt like they were just tossed in because it was due in the story. The hero ended up being this way through the remainder. Loving but tough, more like a father and a petulant child than a husband and wife.
While this book did give me the feels with how sweet they were to each other in the beginning, it lacked the passionate kind of emotional depth I usually like. A conversation in which she basically disowns her supposedly beloved father, felt very rushed and sudden. Even when the couple were discussing their feelings, or having a fight, it was just lacking.
I did enjoy parts of this book, including the heroine having a premonition dream that popped up throughout and kept me wondering what was coming next. However, that also ended up fizzling out about 60% through the book. Although I flew through the first half of this book, I probably wouldn't read this again. However, that is just the opinion of one. Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2021
Volatile Lady ahead
Kinda mad at the turn this took about 3/4s through.
Up until then, this was a pretty decent read. Not a masterpiece, some flaws in writing (repetitive and a lot of telling, not showing, some typos/formatting issues), but a fun historical romp.
Despite what the cover leads you to believe, there's not much smut- and it's explicit, but not vulgar.
But then..
Ellowyn marries a lord of war, he warns her multiple times that he will have to leave for France to continue the war.
And the big emotional climax involves Ellowyn throwing a huge tantrum and acting like a complete brat because she's mad that he has to leave.
This is probably meant to be a cute moment, but she practically stomps her feet until she gets her way.
I'm also mad that a duchess, with so much wealth at her disposal, feels the need to barter with the poor craftsman over goods to the point where they're barely making any profit. Have some compassion for your subjects, man.
I was interested to read something more recent by this author to see if the writing improved, but I don't want to read about another female character like this.
Kinda mad at the turn this took about 3/4s through.
Up until then, this was a pretty decent read. Not a masterpiece, some flaws in writing (repetitive and a lot of telling, not showing, some typos/formatting issues), but a fun historical romp.
Despite what the cover leads you to believe, there's not much smut- and it's explicit, but not vulgar.
But then..
Ellowyn marries a lord of war, he warns her multiple times that he will have to leave for France to continue the war.
And the big emotional climax involves Ellowyn throwing a huge tantrum and acting like a complete brat because she's mad that he has to leave.
This is probably meant to be a cute moment, but she practically stomps her feet until she gets her way.
I'm also mad that a duchess, with so much wealth at her disposal, feels the need to barter with the poor craftsman over goods to the point where they're barely making any profit. Have some compassion for your subjects, man.
I was interested to read something more recent by this author to see if the writing improved, but I don't want to read about another female character like this.
July 26, 2013
Oober girlie & just what I was hoping for. There were a few wording/editing funkiness but easily overlooked. Wish it was longer though.
August 17, 2013
I liked it a lot and the only thing I did not care for..and yes I understand it was war was that a certain character is killed. Here I am crying because I really wanted him to have a book.
June 16, 2016
Not re reading as planned. I am done with Le Veque.
Don't know why I gave this 5 stars, but I am pretty damn sure it doesn't deserve it
Don't know why I gave this 5 stars, but I am pretty damn sure it doesn't deserve it
Want to read
September 14, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/11/2020)! 🎁
October 11, 2018
A SOLID 4.5 STARS!
MY FIRST FORAY INTO KATHRYN'S FICTIONAL WORLD AND I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT. MOST MEDIEVAL ROMANCE WRITTEN IN THE LATE 1800S-1900S ARE OFTEN VEXING BECAUSE THEY WERE MOST LIKELY TRUE - AS IN THE ODIOUS BEHAVIOUR THAT MEN AND WOMEN PORTRAYED BACK THEN. MEN OFTEN TREAT WOMEN WITH DISRESPECT AND THE WOMEN ALWAYS ACTED LIKE A SHREW, THUS GIVING THE MEN REASON TO ABUSE THEM. WHAT DRAMA!
THANK GOD THIS ONE DIDN'T HAVE THAT. IN FACT THE CHARACTERS WERE MATURE, PLEASANT AND ALSO ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND COMPROMISE LIKE PROPER ADULTS.
OUR HERO is the infamous Black Angel for Prince Edward of England, the Black Prince. It was during the war between the English and the French. This lord of war ain't no saint, in fact his soul is stained with the sins of the murders and killings he has done all in the name of the King. When a woman approaches him, he assumes her to be a dockside whore and ignores her. Of course that sets her off and she unforgivably berates and threatens him. Somehow he wasn't annoyed or angry at her words, instead he found her terribly amusing and that surprised me. Hard men like our hero will usually get pissed at this point, but he was a sporting fellow who was not infallible to guilt and was compassionate enough to take care of our heroine when she fell ill...mainly no thanks to him. It wasn't love at first sight, which made it all the more sweeter when they eventually fell in love each day they spent together as he escorted her back to her home. In the end, it all comes down to marriage YET he is set to depart back to France after acquiring what he came back to England for. How can he bear to leave the love of his life and set out to war? For the first time in his 38 years...he has to choose between duty and love.
OUR HEROINE is the most obstinate, fearless and strong minded heroine ever, especially for a woman her time. She's the favoured child in her family, and when her father sends her to retrieve his knights from the Black Angel, she's appalled that he can mistaken her for a common whore. Wynny has a bad temper and it often leads her mouth to run with things she may or may not mean. I found her first encounter with the hero exhilarating and just purely comical, but after that it just becomes sweet the way she was cared for and both apologized for their hasty faults. I liked how she relented to the hero after realizing that he's not a bad men, though she can't change the past, but the way he treats her speaks that he can be gentle too. The only problem now is that her father is against their marriage and with the war looming ahead, will they both be able hold on to their fragile love?
OVERALL this was truly enjoyable. I liked both characters immensely and that's the whole reason why I finished this story within the day. It's a pity there wasn't anything angsty or dramatic, but the tender moments between the H/h was worth it.
MY FIRST FORAY INTO KATHRYN'S FICTIONAL WORLD AND I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT. MOST MEDIEVAL ROMANCE WRITTEN IN THE LATE 1800S-1900S ARE OFTEN VEXING BECAUSE THEY WERE MOST LIKELY TRUE - AS IN THE ODIOUS BEHAVIOUR THAT MEN AND WOMEN PORTRAYED BACK THEN. MEN OFTEN TREAT WOMEN WITH DISRESPECT AND THE WOMEN ALWAYS ACTED LIKE A SHREW, THUS GIVING THE MEN REASON TO ABUSE THEM. WHAT DRAMA!
THANK GOD THIS ONE DIDN'T HAVE THAT. IN FACT THE CHARACTERS WERE MATURE, PLEASANT AND ALSO ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND COMPROMISE LIKE PROPER ADULTS.
OUR HERO is the infamous Black Angel for Prince Edward of England, the Black Prince. It was during the war between the English and the French. This lord of war ain't no saint, in fact his soul is stained with the sins of the murders and killings he has done all in the name of the King. When a woman approaches him, he assumes her to be a dockside whore and ignores her. Of course that sets her off and she unforgivably berates and threatens him. Somehow he wasn't annoyed or angry at her words, instead he found her terribly amusing and that surprised me. Hard men like our hero will usually get pissed at this point, but he was a sporting fellow who was not infallible to guilt and was compassionate enough to take care of our heroine when she fell ill...mainly no thanks to him. It wasn't love at first sight, which made it all the more sweeter when they eventually fell in love each day they spent together as he escorted her back to her home. In the end, it all comes down to marriage YET he is set to depart back to France after acquiring what he came back to England for. How can he bear to leave the love of his life and set out to war? For the first time in his 38 years...he has to choose between duty and love.
OUR HEROINE is the most obstinate, fearless and strong minded heroine ever, especially for a woman her time. She's the favoured child in her family, and when her father sends her to retrieve his knights from the Black Angel, she's appalled that he can mistaken her for a common whore. Wynny has a bad temper and it often leads her mouth to run with things she may or may not mean. I found her first encounter with the hero exhilarating and just purely comical, but after that it just becomes sweet the way she was cared for and both apologized for their hasty faults. I liked how she relented to the hero after realizing that he's not a bad men, though she can't change the past, but the way he treats her speaks that he can be gentle too. The only problem now is that her father is against their marriage and with the war looming ahead, will they both be able hold on to their fragile love?
OVERALL this was truly enjoyable. I liked both characters immensely and that's the whole reason why I finished this story within the day. It's a pity there wasn't anything angsty or dramatic, but the tender moments between the H/h was worth it.
May 19, 2019
Rating: HTF (Hard To Finish)
I really liked the premise of a dark and powerful knight hardened by war softening to the young and beautiful daughter of an ally.
I thought the dream plot device was well strung throughout the novel with the heroine. I thought that it was sad that it foretold the death of her Father and she still decided to stubbornly demonize her supposedly beloved Father to her husband instead of coming up with a solution.
Then literally days later the hero says, "you should go home to Erith..." which was exactly what her Father wanted...but his death was necessary so they could stay together for another few days.
Another issue which brought down the rating was the overuse of the word "grin". The word was used over 70 times in the novel. The word grin wasn't even used in the time period this novel is set.
As another reviewer mentioned, the author used many phrases and words which were too new for the setting of the novel. Sweetheart was not used as a single word endearment in this time. Partners in crime (used in the epilogue) was not a common phrase in such a time. The word body check and some of the military/fighting terminology was also much more current than the 1350's.
In one chapter, Dylan de Lara discusses his family history with Lady Gray after she remarks that her husband felt his Father should have been King. Such discussions would have been highly treasonous and could be punished by death. In addition to the treason, if Dylan's father was Longshank's son, he would have been extremely old by 1356.
In the last chapter (before the epilogue), the heroine yells at Edward Prince of Wales, the hero's knights would not have allowed such action because it would have meant death to Lady de Russe. Lord de Russe may have been able to get away with leaving Edward's side before Poitiers because he commanded large numbers of men. I just doubt he would have directly mentioned changing sides to Edward as treason was a real and deadly end to those who threatened the heir to the throne.
The heroine sustains two injuries which seem to cause her very little residual pain or issues within a day or two. Unrealistic, especially in an age of limited medicine and healers with no understanding of hygiene, germs, bacteria, or viruses.
I liked some parts of this novel, more the brotherhood of the knights and the hero than anything else. I felt that the heroine's family was an ineffective plot device. The de Nerra women were only useful for a scene or three then we get nothing else. No funeral for Deston. No correspondence with the collective Ladies de Nerra.
I will try one or two more novels by this author before I abandon all hope.
I really liked the premise of a dark and powerful knight hardened by war softening to the young and beautiful daughter of an ally.
I thought the dream plot device was well strung throughout the novel with the heroine. I thought that it was sad that it foretold the death of her Father and she still decided to stubbornly demonize her supposedly beloved Father to her husband instead of coming up with a solution.
Then literally days later the hero says, "you should go home to Erith..." which was exactly what her Father wanted...but his death was necessary so they could stay together for another few days.
Another issue which brought down the rating was the overuse of the word "grin". The word was used over 70 times in the novel. The word grin wasn't even used in the time period this novel is set.
As another reviewer mentioned, the author used many phrases and words which were too new for the setting of the novel. Sweetheart was not used as a single word endearment in this time. Partners in crime (used in the epilogue) was not a common phrase in such a time. The word body check and some of the military/fighting terminology was also much more current than the 1350's.
In one chapter, Dylan de Lara discusses his family history with Lady Gray after she remarks that her husband felt his Father should have been King. Such discussions would have been highly treasonous and could be punished by death. In addition to the treason, if Dylan's father was Longshank's son, he would have been extremely old by 1356.
In the last chapter (before the epilogue), the heroine yells at Edward Prince of Wales, the hero's knights would not have allowed such action because it would have meant death to Lady de Russe. Lord de Russe may have been able to get away with leaving Edward's side before Poitiers because he commanded large numbers of men. I just doubt he would have directly mentioned changing sides to Edward as treason was a real and deadly end to those who threatened the heir to the throne.
The heroine sustains two injuries which seem to cause her very little residual pain or issues within a day or two. Unrealistic, especially in an age of limited medicine and healers with no understanding of hygiene, germs, bacteria, or viruses.
I liked some parts of this novel, more the brotherhood of the knights and the hero than anything else. I felt that the heroine's family was an ineffective plot device. The de Nerra women were only useful for a scene or three then we get nothing else. No funeral for Deston. No correspondence with the collective Ladies de Nerra.
I will try one or two more novels by this author before I abandon all hope.
July 30, 2018
5 stars. It wasn't a comfortable read though, unlike some of the previous books I've read by the author. The protagonists weren't perfect, far from it - they were both cruel and selfish in their own ways, reflecting a time where power and status meant everything in a land where conflict was commonplace and people with nothing lived in fear of those who held everything.
Ellowyn (I loathe to call her a heroine as she did nothing, in my book, to justify that title) grated on me, her only redeeming quality her overwhelming adoration of Brandt (again, I can't call him a 'hero' in any sense of the word). There was nothing redeeming about either of them, to be honest. But that's the beauty of this book - it wasn't a redemptive romance between two perfect people - it was a story of two imperfect souls who fell in love.
Read this - because love doesn't always have a sweetness to it. Read this, to feel for the supporting characters who had no say, often caught in a world where giants fought and innocents were crushed underfoot. Read this, because it's a well-written book that provided a good, sometimes uncomfortable view of how society was hundreds of years ago.
Ellowyn (I loathe to call her a heroine as she did nothing, in my book, to justify that title) grated on me, her only redeeming quality her overwhelming adoration of Brandt (again, I can't call him a 'hero' in any sense of the word). There was nothing redeeming about either of them, to be honest. But that's the beauty of this book - it wasn't a redemptive romance between two perfect people - it was a story of two imperfect souls who fell in love.
Read this - because love doesn't always have a sweetness to it. Read this, to feel for the supporting characters who had no say, often caught in a world where giants fought and innocents were crushed underfoot. Read this, because it's a well-written book that provided a good, sometimes uncomfortable view of how society was hundreds of years ago.
October 7, 2019
Hampir separuh dari buku ini menceritakan tentang kawin lari dan bapak dari heroine yang ngejar-ngejar anak perempuan dan menantunya 😅 Porsi romancenya banyak, yah sesuai lah karena memang ini historical romance gitu. Cuma kadang Kathryn Le Veque beberapa kali bikin buku yang perang atau politiknya dominan. Tapi beda di buku ini. Romancenya dominan dan politiknya sedikit, meski menjelang akhir cerita ada perang yang lumayan epic
Baru kali ini saya baca buku Le Veque dimana hero dan heroinenya sama-sama alpha. Plus si heroinenya, Ellowyn, pemberani banget dan super keras kepala. Gak takut menerjang bahaya. Punya leadership juga yang bikin banyak orang gentar. Sampai dibilang ksatria-ksatrianya lebih pilih mendingan berangkat perang daripada kena omel Ellowyn. Karena gahar menggelegar 😅 Di Sisi lain heronya adalah salah satu ksatria legendaris yang dijuluki The Dark Angel atau Bringer of Death, karena kehadirannya membawa maut. Di sini menariknya bagaimana seorang yang jiwanya udah ketempa perang selama bertahun-tahun akhirnya ketemu cewek yang bisa menaklukkan dia. Di novel ini ada lucu-lucunya. Jadi gak cuma tragedi ya. Overall, enjoyable 👍
Baru kali ini saya baca buku Le Veque dimana hero dan heroinenya sama-sama alpha. Plus si heroinenya, Ellowyn, pemberani banget dan super keras kepala. Gak takut menerjang bahaya. Punya leadership juga yang bikin banyak orang gentar. Sampai dibilang ksatria-ksatrianya lebih pilih mendingan berangkat perang daripada kena omel Ellowyn. Karena gahar menggelegar 😅 Di Sisi lain heronya adalah salah satu ksatria legendaris yang dijuluki The Dark Angel atau Bringer of Death, karena kehadirannya membawa maut. Di sini menariknya bagaimana seorang yang jiwanya udah ketempa perang selama bertahun-tahun akhirnya ketemu cewek yang bisa menaklukkan dia. Di novel ini ada lucu-lucunya. Jadi gak cuma tragedi ya. Overall, enjoyable 👍
February 22, 2019
Lord of War: The Black Angel
Brandt de Russe, Duke of Exeter, Lord of War also known as The Black Angel, was unloading from his cog when he was approached by Lady Ellowyn de Nerra . She wasn't quick enough to tell him who she was and he pushed her backward into a puddle of urine. Wow, did he make her mad. She lit Into him for all she was worth. Ellowyn finally told him what she was there for. She was to receive her father's soldiers and take them back home. She wanted them turned over first thing in the morning. Brandt did take well to her attitude and decided to give her the soldiers that night. Ellowyn didn't know what to do with all those soldiers and sat on a trough trying to decide what to do with them. Brandt saw her and had more words with her a nd accidentally knocked her into the water trough. Ellowyn was very angry. It's this story we read now. Also, this is an18 and over book.
Brandt de Russe, Duke of Exeter, Lord of War also known as The Black Angel, was unloading from his cog when he was approached by Lady Ellowyn de Nerra . She wasn't quick enough to tell him who she was and he pushed her backward into a puddle of urine. Wow, did he make her mad. She lit Into him for all she was worth. Ellowyn finally told him what she was there for. She was to receive her father's soldiers and take them back home. She wanted them turned over first thing in the morning. Brandt did take well to her attitude and decided to give her the soldiers that night. Ellowyn didn't know what to do with all those soldiers and sat on a trough trying to decide what to do with them. Brandt saw her and had more words with her a nd accidentally knocked her into the water trough. Ellowyn was very angry. It's this story we read now. Also, this is an18 and over book.
November 1, 2024
Sweet story
Lady Ellowyn de Nerra daughter of Destin de Nerra was waiting to see the Duke de Russe who had just returned from a battle. She had a message from her father. When she was alerted to home she ran to where he was by the ship. Addressing him he completely ignores her thinking her a whore and pushes her away accidentally she falls. She is very upset and stands up to him telling her who she is and giving him the message from her father then walks away. He is stunned as he didn’t even know that deNerra had a daughter, his second in command Dylan de Lara explained that he indeed had a daughter who was heir because the son had devoted himself to the Benedictines and lives in a monastery. After many fights between Brandt and Ellowyn they become close.
Lady Ellowyn de Nerra daughter of Destin de Nerra was waiting to see the Duke de Russe who had just returned from a battle. She had a message from her father. When she was alerted to home she ran to where he was by the ship. Addressing him he completely ignores her thinking her a whore and pushes her away accidentally she falls. She is very upset and stands up to him telling her who she is and giving him the message from her father then walks away. He is stunned as he didn’t even know that deNerra had a daughter, his second in command Dylan de Lara explained that he indeed had a daughter who was heir because the son had devoted himself to the Benedictines and lives in a monastery. After many fights between Brandt and Ellowyn they become close.
May 17, 2018
I love this novel. I love that Grey De Nerra is in it and still alive although I would have loved to have had Braxton in it too!
This story is about a Duke who falls in love with an ally's daughter and the father doesn't want his daughter to marry him. It then goes on to the Duke fighting in france for the prince and their lives there. Its such a great story, I highly recommend it, I've read it at least 5 times!
I also recommend The Wolfe, The Dragonblade Trilogy and all Kathryn's other books, she writes like no one I've ever read, her attention to details most authors leave out is part of what makes her so great.
This story is about a Duke who falls in love with an ally's daughter and the father doesn't want his daughter to marry him. It then goes on to the Duke fighting in france for the prince and their lives there. Its such a great story, I highly recommend it, I've read it at least 5 times!
I also recommend The Wolfe, The Dragonblade Trilogy and all Kathryn's other books, she writes like no one I've ever read, her attention to details most authors leave out is part of what makes her so great.
August 25, 2018
💕💖NOTHING CAN STOP TRUE LOVE💕💖
It takes a STRONG, STUBBORN, & PRIDEFUL WOMAN to HOLD THE ATTENTION OF a STRONG, STUBBORN, & PRIDEFUL MAN! Thank you Mrs. Le Veque for WEAVING anothe AMAZING LOVE STORY! Lady Ellowyn de Nerra is sent to get her father's troops back from none other than the Black Prince's own "Black Angel" the one & only Brandt de Russe, Duke of Exeter.. At the first meeting Lady Ellowyn may find herself PIST OFF, EMBARRASSED, & MAYHAP ON HER BUM! This novel is so FULL OF WAR & DEATH, JEAUOLSY, SECRETS, TRAGEDY, sometimes HEARTBREAKING but though it all "MAY TRUE LOVE PREVAIL!" DEFINITELY A MUST READ IN MY BOOK....
It takes a STRONG, STUBBORN, & PRIDEFUL WOMAN to HOLD THE ATTENTION OF a STRONG, STUBBORN, & PRIDEFUL MAN! Thank you Mrs. Le Veque for WEAVING anothe AMAZING LOVE STORY! Lady Ellowyn de Nerra is sent to get her father's troops back from none other than the Black Prince's own "Black Angel" the one & only Brandt de Russe, Duke of Exeter.. At the first meeting Lady Ellowyn may find herself PIST OFF, EMBARRASSED, & MAYHAP ON HER BUM! This novel is so FULL OF WAR & DEATH, JEAUOLSY, SECRETS, TRAGEDY, sometimes HEARTBREAKING but though it all "MAY TRUE LOVE PREVAIL!" DEFINITELY A MUST READ IN MY BOOK....
March 8, 2020
Master of Battle.....
I thought this storyline seemed familiar so I went into my cloud library and found one of my first bundle purchases from this author called Masters of Battle, which includes the first four books of this series. I couldn't remember if I had it but it was great to read it again as I forgot all that happened. Brandt and Ellowyn had me laughing out loud during one of her tantrums and had me in tears towards the end, this is why I read this author's books, she can bring out emotions which shows what an awesome writer should be doing for their own audience.
I thought this storyline seemed familiar so I went into my cloud library and found one of my first bundle purchases from this author called Masters of Battle, which includes the first four books of this series. I couldn't remember if I had it but it was great to read it again as I forgot all that happened. Brandt and Ellowyn had me laughing out loud during one of her tantrums and had me in tears towards the end, this is why I read this author's books, she can bring out emotions which shows what an awesome writer should be doing for their own audience.
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