Castles: Kingdom Divided / Alas My Love / If Only / Five Geese Flying

Castles #1-4

by Tracie Peterson

Murder ... kidnapping...revenge. The "merrie old days" of the Middle Ages leave much to be desired for four women in England and France. None of them ever believed they'd be embroiled in such plots of devastation and danger. Can God rescue them from the emotional dungeons they face--and lower the drawbridges into the hearts of the men they love? Will the men seeking to conquer their hearts be kindly captors ... or cruel conquistadors? Meet four memorable characters created by respected author Tracie Peterson, and see if they can turn cavernous medieval castles into heavenly havens. Can God rescue four medieval women from the emotional dungeons they face--and lower the drawbridges into the hearts of the men they love?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian Romance, Fiction, Historical

464 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

pen name: Janelle Jamison

Reviews

[Taylor Bundren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the PERFECT feel-good Christian romance for all you medieval historical fiction nerds like me. Granted, the last two books were less "medieval" regarding the knowledge of anatomy and the practice of surgery, but I will read nearly any European historical fiction book I can get my hands on.
As a Christian, I appreciate a book that slowly draws you in, where you can feel God's grace and mercy at full force along with the characters. Because these four books are so short, that doesn't necessarily happen at the same caliber as, for instance, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (which, although it's not my ideal time frame and setting, is one of THE BEST Christian historical romances). Yet, the words don't pass through one ear and out the other. You can feel God's miracles work, even if the books are only give or take 100 pages.
I recommend reading this book if you enjoy being romanced by heroic knights (me) or even if you want to curl up with a book that restores your hope in Christian relationships (me). As a girl who's heading off to college far away from home in just two short months, this book brought a peace and understanding of the husband (Lord willing) that Christ has in mind for me. I don't need to settle or become distracted with "what ifs." God has a plan, which I am proudly a part of, and if it is in His will to give me a husband, it's not up to me to doubt in His plan.
Also, if You wouldn't mind giving me a time machine so I can travel back into the hands of a beautiful Christian knight, that would be great, God. Thanks.

[Emilie Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED the book. It was the perfect blend of medieval and romance. ( Can i just say, my two favorite things?) The first, second, and last stories were my favorite, though the third one was good as well. The character building was very well done, in fact, that the characters you weren’t supposed to like were portrayed as so. The beautiful imagery and settings portrayed in the book (England and France) were very well thought out and well researched. Usually, Tracie Peterson writes books that I can’t really click with, but this collection of books captured my heart and would not let go until the end page. The faith content in each book was very strong and was a wonderful reminder of Gods grace and how He will never leave. The romance gave me butterflies, so that’s a good thing, lol. I also ADORED the small hints of sarcasm in the books, especially the last one. It gave me a good laugh 😂
Overall, it was a good book that I’d give 4 1/2 stars.


P.s. I officially need a medieval knight to save my life. Please?



The opinions expressed are just my own. If you disagree, then that’s okay. We are all entitled to our own opinions 😁.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of historical Christian fiction stories.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I really like almost all of Tracie's stuff. This collection of novellas is some of her early work, and her writing has definitely improved since then, since I was not very impressed with this book. It's a collection of 4 novellas, and the only thing that super interested me were women characters who practiced medicine even though it was against the law (in England in the 14th century). Not a recommended book.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit that this is the first time that I read the third short story in this book. The first two are still my favorites. The fourth comes next. The third one was good but a little hard to get into. This book was a great choice to read right now as I was in a reading slump. Forcing myself to read all four short stories helped to get me out.

[Joy Lokey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting four story collection I'd almost overlooked in my pile of used older books.
Kingdom Divided: Arianne finds herself in an arranged marriage that turns out to be a match made in heaven, but her new husband's foe comes to take revenge using her as the bait. Because of her husband's love for God, she comes to a new knowledge of her own faith, which becomes the enemy's unwitting.
Alas My Love: A follow-on story of the young Helena, orphaned and now tortured by her step siblings, finds herself taken in by the lovely Arianne and Richard only to stare into the eyes of her long lost love. An exciting twisted two adventures in a row that becomes a lovely, developed connected story of hope and God's love.
If Only: Mary had been raised by her forward thinking physician father in a stoic time when women and religion were still quite repressed by the church. Fleeing a murderous mob who were out to lynch her dad, she finds her healing talents most helpful for a knight, and many children along the way to her grandmother's home whom she had yet to meet. God wins big in this story.
Five Geese Flying: One more unique story of a young lady healer who quickly learns to depend upon her God, and how she escapes the most unpleasant man in a necessary attempted marriage to save her family, almost losing her very life. Love is a great rescuer.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Determination to finish got me through, but I almost quit several times. The friend I bought this book for DID quit after only reading the first story.

1. A Kingdom Divided: It wasn’t bad, but it wore on me a bit. I lost count of how many times Arianne was captured.
2. Alas My Love: The only one I enjoyed, as it reminded me a bit of Cinderella.
3. If Only: It was my least favorite. The plague took more focus than the romance. I don’t mind the historical accuracy of the time setting, but I thought there would be more romance.
4. Five Geese Flying: It wasn’t written badly, but the storyline frustrated me after the plot turn of Jeanine’s alleged witchcraft and the church believing Colbert without any real evidence.

I know Tracie Peterson is a fine author, but I wouldn’t recommend this book.

[JLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medevil and romance are my favorites so this book naturally caught my attention. Bought the book online and was surprised to see that it had never been read, even though it was printed in the 1990's.
My only complaint is the whinny Mary part in "If Only" when she did a meltdown with the monks regarding the children. I do not like it when writers portray woman making decisions without taking in all the consequences. Justifies how society thought of women at the time and makes me cringe. At least no one was hurt by her rant, so for that, the book gets a 5 star. I just wish I would have at least read "If Only" first, then followed by the other three awesome books!

[Margaret Chind]

A Kingdom Divided (not in Goodreads?)

[Caryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castles is a wonderful collection of medieval stories. Handsome knights and lovely maidens who find themselves in tumultuous circumstances makes for an epic adventure! I enjoyed each of them.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy medieval romances.

All views expressed are my honest opinion.

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the historical research behind these four books. I had just visited Scotland and taken a tour of Mary's Close (an uncovered street from the time of the plague). The reality of the plague truly puts Covid in perspective and settles me a bit.

Definitely recommend these books if you love well done historical romance.

[Alexis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have very few books I just can't finish and sadly I had to add this one to the list. I just could not get into the storyline. I found this book heavily discounted at a local used book store and the theme sounded interesting. It just missed the mark for me with the actual story telling.

[Deborah Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good and I almost put it as five stars but the last story didn’t sit right 😂 Jeanine acted like a 12 year old with a crush for most of the story which was rather annoying but other then that I really liked them

[CassE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book since high school, the cover is coming off!

[RedsBookNook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Various tales of women in the midst of trails, danger, and quarreling love. The first two were my favorites, but all were simple and exciting stories!!!

[AlixJamie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cough, gag and choke. Could this book have been more corny? Well, yes, but it almost took the cake. Sickly beautiful, sweet, and perfect heroines, disgusting or disgusting-ly good men, contrived plots and fake overdone villains made this book an almost painful read. And the Christian message was inserted in such an obvious "ask me about this" way that I almost got sick.
Another peeve was that it was not well-researched. She knew a few things, and used them way too much.
For one thing, does everyone wear a samite surcoat? What is samite anyway? And why does everyone have it? Was that the only fashion choice back then?
Also, how come her female characters have these waist long ringlets? I have never seen anyone with natural waist long ringlets. By the time they get that long, they usually don't hold their spiral shapes. It's a cliched impossible feature and makes me once again suspect that Tracie Peterson wrote this book using only her dream-filled imagination.
I hated all of these stories, but some more than others. The whole stupid scene with Tancred and Richard. I wanted to die. It was *so* tense and then suddenly (gasp!) they burst out laughing and get up the best of friends? Why in the name of heaven would they be REENACTING a scene from their childhood where one is holding a sword to the other's neck, precisely at the moment when Helena and Arianne walk around the corner, in the first place? LAME!
Arianne's story was ok, probably the best of the four. But her husband's (DuBonnet is a terrible last name. I'm sorry, but it just conjures visions of a huge, beribboned...bonnet -- not very masculine) "sacrifice" over the virginal sheets just had me writhing. What clearer picture of Christ's sacrifice for us could you get? I wonder why Arianne didn't get down on her knees and convert on the spot. Ugh.
Mary's entire story was contrived and extremely pointless. That whole scene with Gideon running away was the corniest thing ever.The argument in the stable? Blah! The whole ridiculous scene(s) with her grandmother. Horrid.
Honestly, I'm running out of words to describe this novel. It was so contrived. You would almost think that she was writing a satire on cliched romantic fiction, but the bad part is that she was dead serious in her drawing up of these characters.
And the last and most intense (I but jest) novella. Dear Jeanine (I don't even know if I spelled her name correctly) with her betrothal problems and flat broke family. Can the handsome stranger whom she healed in her illegal form as a doctor save her in her time of dire need? You'd better believe it's dire. She's about to be burned at the stake. Oooh, the drama! Of course her beloved comes to save her *just* as they light the faggots beneath her feet; but he's not man enough to do the rescuing alone. No, he must bring with him a contingent of the English army, shipped to France by the orders of the King (who just so happens to be a personal friend of the hero).
Since reading this train wreck, I haven't been brave enough to pick up another Tracie Peterson book for fear of being treated to another eyesore of the complete stultifying of Christian fiction.

[English · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book consists of a collection of 4 short novellas set in Medieval England and 'France' (or more correctly Belgium/Holland under French control.

The first two are and best, though they are not entirely two 'separate' stories as the second is really the sequel to the first, which continues and wraps up much of what was left unresolved in it.
The plotline for these stories (especially the first) is more compelling and plausible, and some of the charcters are excellent. In an interesting twist for instance the villain of the first story is the hero in the second.
The themes of forgivness and reconciliation are well presented, though on one occasion two lead charaters go from hating to loving each other within a few minutes, which did seem rather unrealistic.

The heroine from the first story is quite strong, but her counterpart in the second seems a lot more helpless. The main problem is that some of the good characters are a little too perfect, and the descriptions of them rather whimsical, making them seem like something out of a disney fairytale.

When it comes to the second two novels the storyline, chacterisation and historical detials seem to become altogether much weaker. The leading characters religious doubts in the third story seemed contrived and rather too moderm.
In these storiesmajor aspects of the plot were based upon popular misconceptions about Medieval period, which suggested some lack of knowledge or flawed research. These included the notion that human dissection was forbidden, when it was not, or that women were forbidden from practicing medicine.
Ironically, some readers have complained about one of the stories including a female healer, arguing it was inaccurate- but it is technically not. Many people, including women practiced herbalism and this was considered quite acceptable, and there is in fact a Medieval illustration of a woman performing a surgical procedure.


These stories were also just corny and cliched in places, with the final one being almost painfully predictable in its resolution of the peril threatning the heroine.

[Cherie Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book actually contains 4 different Novels, the first two have some of the same characters but all the stories stand alone. I have enjoyed reading Tracie Peterson for some time now and really enjoyed reading these 4 stories.
I felt like all the characters in each story were well rounded, exciting and very romantic. I always enjoy when a writer describes all the surrounding so well, it helps me to really get into the story and this book was no exception to that.
The romance in each story was grounded in faith and you could see how all the characters grew throughout the story. The last one had a bit of the old times of witchcraft, it was so easy back then to prove someone was a witch, just by watching them, seeing how they lived.
I would recommend this to all of Traci's readers and also everyone out there who loves romance set in the times of Kings and Knights.

[Carre Gardner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Christian fiction disappoints again. The women in these 4 novellas are embarassing stereotypes of the 1970's Mills and Boone (Harlequin Romance) stripe: dainty and beautiful and helpless, they have a knack for keeling over in dead faints from shock or missed suppers. Their steely-chested knights are--in spite of what 14th-century history tells us to the contrary--always bathing and keeping themselves smelling delicious for those moments when they might need to catch a maiden in mid-swoon.

Two of the stories have heroines who practice medicine at a time and place where it was illegal for women to do so, which was interesting, as were the parts about the Bubonic Plague and witch-burning. So...two stars.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a blast from the past for me. I was always the kid that brought a book with me while I was in school. This book is the first historical romance I ever read and opened that world for me.

In my adult life I found my love of reading again and suddenly remembered this book and had an itch to read it again. So I started the search, I could only remember the cover and that the title had Castles in it. It took me about a week of search, but I found it on Thrift Books!!

I do enjoy this book, even if most of it was nostalgia. It is a charming read. Simple, classic heroine being brave in the face of danger and meeting her knight and falling in love against odds in all four short stories. Because they are short stories, there isn’t too much depth to them but make for a quick read.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

rianne:She finds love in an arranged marriage made by her cruel father, but her new husband's past may cause some trouble.
Helena:Runs away from her cruel family and finds love in and safety in the arms of her knight.
Mary:She watches her father die, and continues on with the hard life she feels she has been given. Will love work out amidst all the sickness?
Jeanine:She is being forced to marry a cruel man to save her family from ruin when her life is in danger sill her knight rescue her in time?

[Shirley]

Loved it. About "maidens that meet their knights". 4 short novels, first two are continued, which was great, next two are about women who are doctors one in England in 1349 whose father is doing autopsies to find out how to help the bubonic plague but he gets burned as it is against the church to cut into bodies. Next one is about a woman in 1390 France who does surgery which is against the church as well as a doctor as a woman is also against the rules. So interesting to also learn history and I want to learn more about these time periods and why they would be burned as witches.

[Arya · Rating 4 out of 5]

My personal favorite in this novella was the second novel. I loved Helena and Tancred (after the first story in which I was right there with Richard in hating him)! Of course how could I not also fall in love with the poor girl accused of witchcraft and Mary the physicians daughter! I loved every one of these enchanting and enthralling reads do not miss Tracie Peterson's best novella collection yet!

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of 4 short novels was excellent -- I liked the first 3 the best. In the information about Tracie Peterson in the front of the book it mentions that she wrote her first novel under the pen name of Janelle Jamison ... I'll have to see if I can track that one down!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read when you want to be uplifted and escape reality for a bit. I normally read really dark books, so this was quite a refreshing read. Will continue to fit some of her books in whenever I need a little lift.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written, it had a great storyline with strong, brave, and sacrificial woman characters. some people complained it was too happy and unlikly but I found these true love happy ending stories quite refreshing to reality

[Kristine Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Castles by Tracie Peterson very much.Although it is a collection of some of her first novels, the stories were strong and I really liked the characters. I thought she did a very good job with the medieval time period and I would definitely enjoy reading more tales of this type.

[Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREATEST BOOK EVER!!!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were great, quick stories for entertainment only. I really could get lost in the make-believe world.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked being thrown back to the medieval times with knights and castles and damsels in distress who needed rescuing.