She Owns the Knight

A Knight's Tale #1

by Diane Darcy

PG-RATED FUN

Why does she have to travel seven hundred years through time to find a decent guy?

Brokenhearted Gillian Corbett finally finds the knight of her dreams...in the past. Unfortunately he’s bossy, overbearing, and...betrothed! Fortunately, he thinks she is his affianced, which keeps her from garderobe duty. Or worse, being hanged as a spy. She knows she has to get back to her own time before his real fiancé shows up and the truth is discovered, but until she finds a way, she’s going to squeeze every bit of enjoyment she can out of this situation. As far as she’s concerned, this is one relationship in which she gets to call the shots, not the other way around. The dowry provided by his betrothed bought him, lock, stock, and barrel. She’ll gladly whip him into shape for the girl who ends up with him. No thanks required. In the meantime, Jillian owns him, and as every twenty-first century girl knows...ownership has its privileges.

Why can’t he find a lady who is obedient, submissive...or at least not trying to kill him?

After a horrible first marriage that ended badly, Sir Kellen Marshall is determined to protect what is left of his dreams. He needs an heir, an alliance, and a chaste bride who has never loved another. Would that he’d been choosier in his specifications because what he’s ended up with is a loud, bossy, demanding female who will drive him daft at every opportunity. So why does he feel he’d like to lay the world at her feet if she’d simply give him the chance?

When modern meets medieval, can there be a happily ever after?

# OF PAGES
Approximately 440 pages. (110,000 words)

OTHER BOOKS BY DIANE DARCY:
Serendipity, She’s Just Right, Once in a Blue Moon, The Christmas Star, A Penny for Your Thoughts.

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Medieval

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2013

About the author

Diane Darcy loves to read and write lighthearted and funny books. She’s a member of the Heart of the West, and RWA. She was a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart® Award. She’s written romantic comedies in several different genres; some historical, some contemporary, all lighthearted and fun. She makes her home in Utah with her family and dogs, and is hard at work on her next book.

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle freebie time travel romance, 4/25/2017. This is a fun one but don't be looking for any serious or even semi-serious historical authenticity. It's a cute, very light time travel romance.

Modern day American Gillian, on a trip to Great Britain, unwittingly travels back in time to the late 1200s and is promptly mistaken for the fiancée of the local lord, Sir Kellan Marshall. The plot is thickened by a murder mystery and by Gillian's efforts to figure out how to return to modern times ... if she can drag herself away from Kellan (who's incredibly hot, of course). And of course once the real fiancée shows up, there could be serious trouble for Gillian...

It's fun reading on a rather brainless level, but it constantly irked me because the historical accuracy is so slipshod. Just for starters, here's how English people spoke 700 years ago:

Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote
The droghte of Marche hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour . . . *

That's it, authors. Deal with the issue if you're doing medieval time travel,** or stay away.

Read only for fun and romantic feelz. It's pretty much a clean romance, with a little innuendo.

*I would just like to add that, many years after I was required to memorize 100 lines of the Canterbury Tales for a college English course, I still have memorized and can quote, with a fair accent, the first 10 or 15 lines, in the original middle English. *takes a bow*

**Like, for example, Doomsday Book. Every time I read a halfhearted attempt to deal seriously with time travel and language/culture issues, it increases my love for this book more.

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 2 out of 5]

2🧐🧐⭐️s

If I was in my early (naive) teens, I think I would have enjoyed this clean historical time-travel story.
There were so many mistakes regarding the medieval details and language, the storyline had plenty of holes and the main characters were very shallow.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this time-travel romance, a contemporary girl traveling back to find her knight in shining armor in Medieval England. He literally sweeps her off her feet and doesn’t let her go.

Gillian was a very likable heroine, as Kellen says, she’s charming. She seems to charm all those around her, you just can’t help but like her. Kellen has been hurt by his first wife and has a lot of baggage. It was so cute to see Gillian break down his walls, just by being kind and flirty. Kellen falls for Gillian right away, it was fun to see how loyal he was to her right from the get go. They are really cute together. She really sees the best in him and helps bring out his caring side. It’s fun to see what a little genuine kindness can do. I admit, the whole time I was nervous for how Kellen would react when he learned Gillian was not Edith, but was pleasantly surprised with how everything wraps up. I also liked the tiny side story of Marissa and her husband (Kellen’s dad), thought they also had a sweet story. I also loved Kellen’s best friends, they added some fun humor to the story.

I thought the author did a great job of tying up loose ends, even some I had forgotten about. I thought this was a great lighthearted romance, with enough tension to keep things interesting.

Content
Romance: Clean, kissing and flirty innuendo There is one scene where Gillian sneaks into Kellen's room intent on seduction, but nothing happens.
Language: None that I remember
Violence: Mild

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[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 - 4 stars.

I'm not a huge fan of time-travel stories nor medieval romance, but this book had me laughing out loud, especially in the first half. It reminded me a little of the BBC TV miniseries "Lost in Austen", but a medieval version.

Gillian Corbett was sketching the ruins of an old English castle when she found herself suddenly standing in front of the same castle in the 13th century. Lord Kellen Marshall, the knight who owned the castle, mistakenly thought she was his betrothed sent out to him five weeks before her expected arrival. Some very funny scenes erupted between Gillian and her medieval "knight in shining armour" as they tried to communicate and understand each other.

Gillian and Kellen were cute together. They had both been hurt before and so they had to wrestle with their own insecurities before learning to trust each other. There were no sex scenes or foul language in this book but plenty of innuendos. I did feel that the story's pace slowed down a little in the middle of the book but then picked up again once "Lady Corbett's" family arrived at the castle to prepare for the wedding.

This book was light-hearted and very humorous. While it may have not portrayed a historically accurate picture of medieval England, it was still a lot of fun to read.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK so fun story and great leading man, but oh the main character was awful. I could not stand her from the beginning and unfortunately right to the end. If she had been 14 it would have fit her better not a grown woman with the death or her whole family in her heart. She was shallow, silly, manipulative and just stupid. It's hard to believe a woman wrote her. The story was fun to read and I did finish it so I will give it the three stars but I don't think I could read another of her books. This was ok clean but lots talk of there wedding night it was over used and got crass. There was lots of kissing but no bedroom scenes.

[Liz]

DNF @66%

I KNEW I should've quit on this book when the heroine is held down by a group of women for a medieval virginity check, as per the hero's orders.

This girl faces no less than four near-rapings. The story makes you want to keep reading and find out what'll happen, but who on earth wants to read about all this sexual harassment, in a "CLEAN" romance?!?

Btw, she's a virgin and this is the hero's second marriage. His previous wife tried to kill him, so, naturally, when the heroine tries to seduce him, he thinks she's trying to assassinate him. Ouch. Even my self esteem took a hit.

I'm frustrated and unhappy reading this, so I'm moving on.

[Shea ☾⚂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the book was like four stars enjoyment level, but like not really four stars because the female lead got on my nerves a lot not because like she’s not a bad person or anything, but her thought process just was not logical at times and that really frustrated me. But not enough that I didn’t enjoy it so yeah, I’m giving it three stars. Also it’s closed door, which again was nice.

Notes: (spoilers)

HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 21 leer.
HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 29
First, she'd been chased by hoodlums. Then they'd suddenly disappeared and she'd been faced by a bunch of different men on horseback. Medieval hoodlums.
HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 37
really a good-looking guy in a rough-and-tumble sort of fashion.
HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 184
Didn't he say he'd slay her dragons?
Did his stepmother count?
HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 200 beseechingly.
HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 240
paragon
HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 252
thumbscrews
NOTE • PAGE 366
I kinda hate the fact that she's acting like she knows how to go home, when she hasn't even been to the graveyard. She does not know how to go home and she's like banking on it, which makes me annoyed because like she's not being realistic at all like she's not even entertaining the thought that she can't go back home She entertained it once throughout this whole entire book and like never thought of it again I was like what the heck
HIGHLIGHT (BLUE) • PAGE 367
She hoped he wasn't too angry with her for stealing all this from him; for taking him from his time, his people, and from Edith.
NOTE • PAGE 368
I also find this to be a stupid belief, like, of course she's going to be mad that you kidnapped him and his child from their little castle. He will be so worried about it. It does not matter if everyone is dead, and the fact that you think you can do it still upset me. But the fact that you think you could steal him without consent is also very upsetting.
NOTE • PAGE 412
This is the feeling by transviolet 🎵
NOTE • PAGE 442
OK, so predictable ending, but also totally unnecessary. Unnecessary and predictable, very bad combination. But it's fine cause it was short and simple and it moved pretty fast so at least that got out of the way so we could have the happily ever after.
NOTE • PAGE 454
The fact that he just stole the ring from her, well stole the sense that she just let him take it and said that he won't give it back ever ever, is dumb because that's the only way she could go back home. And that's like her possession. But she's just like totally OK with it, I would not be totally OK with it. Something about Gillian is that she's not realistic and she's not the brightest tool in the shed, which is frustrating at times.
NOTE • PAGE 459
Closed door romance

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but clean.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I guess I did kind of enjoy reading this book. Still, the lack of the fire and spark in the overall plot bothered me. I just couldn't warm to any characters; nor could I bring myself to care about what happens to them.

[Mariena Slater · Rating 3 out of 5]

“She was his fortune. She was his destiny. Indeed, he held his very future in his arms.”

I started out reading this book for the bit when I stumbled upon it, but got WAY, WAY too invested. If the main character hadn’t been so immature and unlikable (in my humble opinion), I would actually have loved this book. Time travel romance is not my genre and truthfully, the first half of the story, I was convinced this was a parody novel. By the end, I actually was incredibly invested in how everything would work out, and maybe I’m just soft, but I even teared up a little.

Not a quick read but a fun read if you have the right attitude. I’m in no way saying this is actually worth your time unless this niche genre is for you. The secondhand embarrassment was often hard to get through.

Here are some of the quotes that made me SCREAM, laugh, and keep reading when I thought I would only read a few chapters for fun. This book got one thing right, Kellen really is the knight of my dreams.

“His chest was hard and seemed to simply bulge with power. She shivered. The better to protect her with.”

“Could a person get Stockholm Syndrome in less than an hour?”

“Never tell a man he cannot protect you. ’Tis devastating to their ego.”

“You went off with some bloke for over a month and didn’t think to tell a soul? If that isn’t just like an American girl.”

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of time travel romance so when I picked this up on sale, I was excited to read it. Overall, it's a fairly decent romance. The historical part was okay, nothing to write home about, but the banter between H/h was delightful. It reads more like a romantic comedy than anything else.

My Rating: 4 stars

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy but a lot of fun, didn't want the story to end

Gillian Corbett, scared and bleeding, runs unknowingly onto sacred ground. The rest, shall we say, is history...

A fun and sometimes harrowing story of accidental time travel and finding true love. I felt the characterization was excellent, the participants in the story well fleshed out and believable as to motivations and behavior, including not just the main characters but secondary and peripheral players as well.

The fact that 700 years would have made the differences in English dialects so drastic as to make it impossible for Gillian and her rescuers to understand each other is glossed over for the sake of the story, which rankled a bit, but it is necessary for the plot to succeed. It would have been easy to incorporate some minor discussion that would let the reader believe this was accomplished in part by the same forces that send Gillian back seven centuries, but instead it is ignored. Other than that, I absolutely loved this story.

This is not a typical historical romance, in that a major historic event, time, or place is brought to life by adding fictionalized characters and experiencing history from their point of view. Instead, it is a whimsical but fair look at what might take place when cultures, experiences, personalities and mindsets are mixed together after a gap of several centuries...a fun and entertaining look at some of the differences and similarities in our behavior, beliefs, and expectations now vs then, and what might happen where they clash.

I love Gillian's spunk and at the same time wanted to shake her for being naive and reckless. Kellen was endearingly stubborn and believable in his self-doubt and confusion; half the time I was chuckling and the rest I was shaking my head. Marissa and her well-intentioned introspection, along with Valeric and his conflicting loyalties, made a great backdrop to demonstrate Gillian's influence on all the people around her, not just Kellen. Rather than distracting from it, the multiple sub-plots all contributed to the development of the storyline.

Multiple conflicts and resolutions kept me intrigued as Gillian does her best to get herself into trouble (and occasionally out of it). Overall a very enjoyable read that left me smiling.

[Tiffany (Bluestocking) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so well written, exciting and had many heart pounding moments. I really liked the multiple POVs. They weren’t unnecessary or too lengthy but added to the plot and kept the book interesting. It was so well written that every scene tugged at my emotions (any book that makes me cry is an automatic winner). I was fully invested in the story and could hardly put it down.

Gillian was such a likeable character. She was so funny, sweet and charming. Kellen was the epitome of a “Knight in shining armor.” After the initial shock of her time travel, she and Kellen warmed up to each other easily. I enjoyed watching their feelings grow and relationship blossom. Their little banters and flirtation were adorable. I could feel their connection and their romance felt genuine. It wasn’t rushed nor did it feel forced, unrealistic or cheesy.

I really liked how she became fast friends with Owen and Tristen (who, by the way, are 2 of the best supporting characters I’ve ever read about). They were just hilarious with their name calling and joking around which added another element that made this book so much more charming. I also loved Marissa with her ‘tough love’ and Amelia was just a darling.

I found that the loose ends were tied up nicely and I was completely satisfied with the ending. Can’t wait to read the rest in this series. My applause goes to the author for producing such a masterpiece.


Content: Clean
Violence: Mild; a bit of swordplay and fighting scenes
Language: None

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2/22/14 - re-read this out of the Romance through the Ages the title really fits the book. Cute, but could've been cleaner for my taste.

8/31/13 -Ok, so I really, really enjoyed this book. That being said, it had a bunch of innuendos in it. So 4 stars instead of 5.

I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved the banter between Gillian and Kellan. I loved how she thought he made her feel feminine. Why can't there be more gentlemen these days? I am going to start right now teaching my boys chivalry. I was almost panicky when she went back to her time. I was really worried she wouldn't get back there. But, of course the ending was wrapped up so nicely. Mystery, danger, romance, a hot rugged man, a beautiful girl, recipe for success.

Moral Note: Lots of innuendos, talk of unfaithfulness in marriage, talk of bearing heirs, and taking women to bed, and can't wait for the marriage night, etc. (Mild spoiler - she tries to seduce him and while doing so he gives her a pat down looking for weapons.) Looking bodies over up and down, bosom glances. No language, mild violence/murder.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

February 2014 - Just reread and fell in love again!


I so loved this novel! There is a scene in the beginning where they are checking something that I didn't care for. Other than that the book was one I was excited to get back to so I could read some. I started this book a day before leaving on my daughter's Make a Wish trip so there was only reading done on some of the plane ride. I found it a thoroughly fun book. The thing that I absolutely loved the best is Kellen wanted to love and be loved. I think that was the first leading male that I have read that didn't have walls placed up, or had something holding him back from loving someone. For being such a burely knight he was a very lovable character and wanted love and affection. I found that completely refreshing and I adored the novel because of this and many other things.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! When I wasn't laughing I found myself sighing over the sweet romance story that unfolded. What a great read!!! This is definitely a book I will be rereading again in the future :)

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, light romance that keep me reading - and enjoying. If, going in, one doesn't expect historical accuracy and doesn't mind the simple (think YA) writing style and sometimes hard to believe twists, it really is a perfect hard-day escape!

[Valerie Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww what a sweet book!!! I loved the romance build up. I was a little nervous though because of all the innuendos. Kellen was great! I really loved this book

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun story! It's been a few books so since I finished this, so details are evading me, but I really enjoyed this time travel, historical romance. Very cute!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book really enjoyed the characters and plot

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rating. I truly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down and I truly fell in love with the characters. I enjoyed the writing style and I love a sweet love story even though there was still enough tention to keep it interesting.
I just couldn't quite give in a five for two reasons. 1st It was just a little too wordy in the beginning. I like conversation and I found myself skimming a little to get the book going. 2nd, there was one part at the beginning I just did not like(Kath, I think you know what I mean) where she was checked on the status of "something.". I thought it kind of killed a little bit of the cuteness.

Over all though I really liked the book and couldn't put it down. Highly recommend it.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading novels set in different time periods. I came across a digital box set called romance through the ages. I luckily ran across it when it was a special for Valentine's day and was free. I believe there were 7 books included. Most of which I had downloaded as samples trying to decide if I wanted to spend the money on them. Needless to say I was thrilled to come across the whole set free.

She owns the knight did not disappoint me at all. I couldn't put it down and read all through the night until I had devoured every last word. :)

How was she going to get home after travelling through time, or was she stuck in the past forever with the Knight believing she is his fiancée when in fact she really isn't? I couldn't wait to find out how it all turned out.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks so much to Tadiana for lending me this book! I had been wanting to read it for a long, long time. And I had just finished "A Princess Problem," by this author and it was so cute and clean. So I was surprised by how suggestive and how many innuendos this book had. But I will say that it was laugh out loud funny at times.

This is a book that I probably won't read again, because I like my books cleaner. One reviewer said this was a PG-13 book and I agree with that.

[Liliana Shelbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, such great writing! I've never read a time travel story using humor to contrast different historical times. It's a very solid book with wonderful, engaging characters that hook you until the end. I really enjoyed Gillian, the main character, her sense of humor and dialog are hilarious. A great read, for sure!

[Emily (biblioblondes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 2015- Just as amazing as before! Sigh inducing, tears of laughter worthy story! One of my very favorites!

This book was recommended to me by my mom. I stinking loved this book! I didn't really expect to but omggm I LOVE IT SO!!! It was hilarious and sweet! I almost want to go back to the beginning and start again! Can't wIt to re-read it!!!

[DiamondJaneBrady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contentwise (that I remember). The H wanted to bed the h before marriage and, if they had the chance, they would had done so. The h's virginity was forcefully checked by an old woman. The topics of sex and women's period issues were brought up.

[Teya Teya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good. I like the other one better and wished I had read this one first. However, it was a beautiful love story testing the separation of time. It seemed a little slow at one point but it picked back up. All in all I'm pretty pleased with it.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny. Engaging. Romantic. Unique.
Highly recommended.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!! Well written,good story line, well developed plot, an excellent read--