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Knights #3
Morganna
1310 - Scotland
Blood-soaked Battlefields
Powerful Secrets.
And a Forbidden Love
Life gave her very little. She took it...
Morganna KilCreggar is tall. Lean. Immensely skilled with weaponry. And alone. Orphaned as a child, she did the only thing she could – she became the lad, Morgan. She’s lived the lie, existing on the edge of survival, her every moment devoted to one thing: Clan Vengeance. She vowed to kill the man who'd taken everything from her. Regardless of the cost. Or who got hurt. The FitzHugh laird was a dead man.
All she needs is a means to get near him...
Zander FitzHugh is the youngest of his six brothers. The strongest. The most handsome. Easily, the most charming. There isn't a woman he can't entice or a man he can't sway. Challenges exist to be conquered. But then fate steps in and delivers him a youthful squire. A weapons champion named Morgan. The lad is an enigma, with a taste of the forbidden to his every breath. Zander is determined to make a man out of his new squire.
Or die trying.
-- Morganna was previously published as LADY OF THE KNIGHT--
Blood-soaked Battlefields
Powerful Secrets.
And a Forbidden Love
Life gave her very little. She took it...
Morganna KilCreggar is tall. Lean. Immensely skilled with weaponry. And alone. Orphaned as a child, she did the only thing she could – she became the lad, Morgan. She’s lived the lie, existing on the edge of survival, her every moment devoted to one thing: Clan Vengeance. She vowed to kill the man who'd taken everything from her. Regardless of the cost. Or who got hurt. The FitzHugh laird was a dead man.
All she needs is a means to get near him...
Zander FitzHugh is the youngest of his six brothers. The strongest. The most handsome. Easily, the most charming. There isn't a woman he can't entice or a man he can't sway. Challenges exist to be conquered. But then fate steps in and delivers him a youthful squire. A weapons champion named Morgan. The lad is an enigma, with a taste of the forbidden to his every breath. Zander is determined to make a man out of his new squire.
Or die trying.
-- Morganna was previously published as LADY OF THE KNIGHT--
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2004
31 people are currently reading
1273 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Ivie
90 books242 followersJackie Ivie was born and raised in a suburb outside Utah's capital, beautiful Salt Lake City. The second in a family of four daughters and one son, Jackie was constantly amusing her siblings with her invented games, escapades, and stories. And she was always reading. She would even walk the family dog, with one hand holding the leash, while the other held the ever-present book. No subject went unread, but once she discovered Historical Romances, there was no doubting her favorite genre.
Jackie has always been the busy type, rarely sitting still without being occupied in at least one activity, and usually more. When she was younger, it was nothing to find her watching television, while doing her homework, listening to music, crocheting like a madwoman, and reading, all at the same time.
After graduating, Jackie gained secure employment with a large service company and relocated with her growing family to the neighboring, sparsely-populated state of Wyoming. She then spent several years enjoying the wildlife, scenery, and open space that Wyoming is known for. In addition to writing, Jackie is an accomplished artist in several mediums, preferring mixed media. She has several pictures in print and has exhibited in art showings throughout the West. There was never anything she loved doing more than reading, however, and once she discovered the thrill involved with putting her own words and fantasies on paper there was no stopping her.
In 2001, Jackie and her family took a huge step and moved to the largest state of the nation; Alaska. Although it was her job that brought her here, Jackie has grown to love this land of amazing contrasts, breathtaking vistas, and the ever-present resident, the Alaskan moose. There's nothing else like it, and the very long days of summer lend themselves to hours and hours of energizing tasks, while the long winter nights are just right for her real love...writing.
Jackie has now written thirteen novels and is continually starting more. The thrill of writing has now been enhanced by seeing her actual story in print. Lady of the Knight is her first published work. It will be followed by Tender is the Knight scheduled for release this summer.
Taken from Jackie Ivie's Official Website at http://www.jackieivie.com/
Jackie has always been the busy type, rarely sitting still without being occupied in at least one activity, and usually more. When she was younger, it was nothing to find her watching television, while doing her homework, listening to music, crocheting like a madwoman, and reading, all at the same time.
After graduating, Jackie gained secure employment with a large service company and relocated with her growing family to the neighboring, sparsely-populated state of Wyoming. She then spent several years enjoying the wildlife, scenery, and open space that Wyoming is known for. In addition to writing, Jackie is an accomplished artist in several mediums, preferring mixed media. She has several pictures in print and has exhibited in art showings throughout the West. There was never anything she loved doing more than reading, however, and once she discovered the thrill involved with putting her own words and fantasies on paper there was no stopping her.
In 2001, Jackie and her family took a huge step and moved to the largest state of the nation; Alaska. Although it was her job that brought her here, Jackie has grown to love this land of amazing contrasts, breathtaking vistas, and the ever-present resident, the Alaskan moose. There's nothing else like it, and the very long days of summer lend themselves to hours and hours of energizing tasks, while the long winter nights are just right for her real love...writing.
Jackie has now written thirteen novels and is continually starting more. The thrill of writing has now been enhanced by seeing her actual story in print. Lady of the Knight is her first published work. It will be followed by Tender is the Knight scheduled for release this summer.
Taken from Jackie Ivie's Official Website at http://www.jackieivie.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
December 19, 2021
I recently watched a Taiwanese drama in which the heroine is dressed up as a guy and the hero falls for her thinking she is a boy. As the drama had tons of angst and scenes with sexual tension, I knew reading a book with this kind of trope would just prove to be sensational.
'Morganna' was just the kind of book I wanted to it had all the feels, angst, sexual tension and explosive chemistry.
P.s; If there are more books like this then please recommend them to me cause now I am hungover this book.
'Morganna' was just the kind of book I wanted to it had all the feels, angst, sexual tension and explosive chemistry.
P.s; If there are more books like this then please recommend them to me cause now I am hungover this book.
April 3, 2014
This is one of the best gender bender romance I've read, though the heroine is incredibly insistent in not being with the hero even after he is driven to near insanity by how much he wants her, and proposed many, many times. LOL
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September 17, 2021
Quite a unique little number: a tortured, vengeful heroine and the hero desperate to love her out of it. Definite sexism, but I suppose this is 14th-century Scotland. A funny, very sweet read.
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April 7, 2022
Dnf Currently 80%
The first half was so beautifully tragic. It was 5star all the way..I don't think I have cried like i did, for a very long time. And the subtle hint of humour was a cherry on top.
Thank you
But this is as far as I shall go
Maybe later
The first half was so beautifully tragic. It was 5star all the way..I don't think I have cried like i did, for a very long time. And the subtle hint of humour was a cherry on top.
Thank you
But this is as far as I shall go
Maybe later
January 26, 2015
I was really enjoying this and thought it may even be a 4 star read for me until the final third thoroughly disappointed me and knocked off many stars of rating, which I am going to sort of explain in a spoilery way.
Beyond my own dissatisfaction for the way the plot turned out I'd be remiss if I didn't also point out for the most part I found this to be a well written story with a number of subtly humourous situations that kept things jogging along nicely. I liked the characters, especially Morgan (I have a soft spot for the "woman-in-pants" trope), and I liked that the romance was slow building over months as neither side was really thrilled about falling in love at first and had to deal with that before moving on (Zander because he thought he was suddenly going gay - Which is it's own basket of issues that I don't think I'm really qualified to delve in to - and Morgan because she found it an annoying distraction from her goals).
I think that unless you're deeply offended by the idea of non-girly women in a historical setting, or are unable to read what amounts to an alternative history of Scotland without grinding your teeth, there's a fairly decent chance that many readers will enjoy reading this and probably wont even care about the problem I had with it at the end.
Beyond my own dissatisfaction for the way the plot turned out I'd be remiss if I didn't also point out for the most part I found this to be a well written story with a number of subtly humourous situations that kept things jogging along nicely. I liked the characters, especially Morgan (I have a soft spot for the "woman-in-pants" trope), and I liked that the romance was slow building over months as neither side was really thrilled about falling in love at first and had to deal with that before moving on (Zander because he thought he was suddenly going gay - Which is it's own basket of issues that I don't think I'm really qualified to delve in to - and Morgan because she found it an annoying distraction from her goals).
I think that unless you're deeply offended by the idea of non-girly women in a historical setting, or are unable to read what amounts to an alternative history of Scotland without grinding your teeth, there's a fairly decent chance that many readers will enjoy reading this and probably wont even care about the problem I had with it at the end.
February 10, 2017
When Morganna’s clan is destroyed by the FitzHughs, she vows revenge. Dressed as a boy, she’s scavenging on a battlefield when a man named Zander claims her for his squire. Since he’s a member of the enemy clan, Morganna goes along with him while plotting to kill their leader. The squire Morgan’s skills at knife throwing and shooting arrows become legendary until even the Scottish king wishes to see the unbeatable youth. Meanwhile, Zander is horrified by his growing attraction to the young squire. Can Morganna keep her secret, or will revealing her identity betray her vow and lose her the man she’s come to love? Readers who like person-in-disguise stories will enjoy this adventurous tale.
April 20, 2008
I can't remember anymore why I put this one in the TBR pile. I don't particularly like "girls in pants" stories (with the exception of These Old Shades) but something must have been good in other's recommendations for me to add it to the pile.
A passionate, emotional, action-packed story set against the violent and volatile backdrop of 14th-century Scotland. When her family is wiped out by Clan FitzHugh, Morganna KilCreggar makes a vow to gain justice. Tall, fit, and a weapons expert with formidable skill and perfect aim, Morganna becomes the "lad" Morgan and squire to her enemy, Alexander, the youngest FitzHugh. When desire breaks through Morgan's secret and she and Zander becomes lovers, he surprises her by surpassing all her dreams
However I was very disappointed in it. The truth is that it started rather well. The hero captures the heroine on a battlefield thinking she is a boy and decides to make her his squire. The girl wants revenge on who killed her family and thinks the hero might be close to the one she wants to kill. There's the usual tension between the 2 and the hero starts to believe he has feelings for a boy and can't understand what's happening. So far so good! I always have trouble believing they can be fooled about the girl's sex as they live together but I usually suspend my disbelief. The problem is that it takes too long for that tension to be solved. There are chapters and chapters of the hero speaking of how he loves the squire, some scenes of him kissing his squire and then deciding he is going to get married to solve his problem...I found the whole scenario a bit disturbing to tell the truth. And it just took too much time, so long that I lost interest!
Grade: DNF
A passionate, emotional, action-packed story set against the violent and volatile backdrop of 14th-century Scotland. When her family is wiped out by Clan FitzHugh, Morganna KilCreggar makes a vow to gain justice. Tall, fit, and a weapons expert with formidable skill and perfect aim, Morganna becomes the "lad" Morgan and squire to her enemy, Alexander, the youngest FitzHugh. When desire breaks through Morgan's secret and she and Zander becomes lovers, he surprises her by surpassing all her dreams
However I was very disappointed in it. The truth is that it started rather well. The hero captures the heroine on a battlefield thinking she is a boy and decides to make her his squire. The girl wants revenge on who killed her family and thinks the hero might be close to the one she wants to kill. There's the usual tension between the 2 and the hero starts to believe he has feelings for a boy and can't understand what's happening. So far so good! I always have trouble believing they can be fooled about the girl's sex as they live together but I usually suspend my disbelief. The problem is that it takes too long for that tension to be solved. There are chapters and chapters of the hero speaking of how he loves the squire, some scenes of him kissing his squire and then deciding he is going to get married to solve his problem...I found the whole scenario a bit disturbing to tell the truth. And it just took too much time, so long that I lost interest!
Grade: DNF
November 10, 2013
This book gets both daring and endearing, in that the knight finds himself falling in love with his squire, who is a woman, but he doesn't know that. He berats himself for having such feelings for his squire, but he is drawn towards his soul mate, no matter the form. This is very daring for Ms. Ivie to present the idea that, if your soulmate is not the gender you would expect, would you love him or her anyway? This is what really got me in this book. Of course, his squire is actually a woman, so that prevents him from genuinely breaking the cultural norms of his time and people. But it does make for fascinating, insightful reading.
September 15, 2014
After Mulan, this is the best chicks-in-pants stories I know! Morgan is definitely kick-ass! (200 push-ups!! I can't even do 10 :P)
There weren't so many holes in the plot that I couldn't let them go. I found the parts where Zander is angry and when they're both drunk hilarious! :D
The Reveal was a bit of an anti-climax - I was expecting an accidental reveal and anger and hurt, etc. After the reveal, female Morgan's character did seem weak compared to male Morgan. Also there were times when it felt a bit too much like lust rather than love.
The first half of the book was awesome, second half was only just the wrong side of average, conclusion: great candidate book for fanfic ;)
There weren't so many holes in the plot that I couldn't let them go. I found the parts where Zander is angry and when they're both drunk hilarious! :D
The Reveal was a bit of an anti-climax - I was expecting an accidental reveal and anger and hurt, etc. After the reveal, female Morgan's character did seem weak compared to male Morgan. Also there were times when it felt a bit too much like lust rather than love.
The first half of the book was awesome, second half was only just the wrong side of average, conclusion: great candidate book for fanfic ;)
April 29, 2023
3.5 Morgan Stars
This one started and it was amazing but after a while it started dragging and it became boring... it could have been way better if it had just stopped a little over the middle... The ending somewhat saved the story but still, it felt like 1000 pages...
This one started and it was amazing but after a while it started dragging and it became boring... it could have been way better if it had just stopped a little over the middle... The ending somewhat saved the story but still, it felt like 1000 pages...
July 13, 2017
Ugh, this book! Here we have an obsessed, pussy whipped metrosexual (possibly bisexual) "hero" who falls in love with the heroine thinking she is a man! Yep, putting his tongue down her throat when he thinks it's a dude he's kissing! Even professes his undying love to her when he thinks she is a dude- A DUDE!
And then we have our arrogant, cocksure, unsympathetic "killing machine" heroine Morganna, who is known as Morgan the male Squire for the vast majority of the book.
Now I'm all for women warriors, but this outrageous work of fiction was absolutely, painfully ridiculous. Homegirl is perfect at everything! Now when I say everything I mean EVERYTHING. She is a master of every single weapon that she touches. Master hunter. Master fencer, and the list goes on and on and on and on. Did I also mention that she Is cut like an Adonis with eight pack abs, sinewy arms, and rockhard muscles?! Throughout the book she collects legions of followers, both men and women adore her and want to be her lover (while thinking she is a man) yup, even guys want to hit it.
But what really made me want to gouge my eyes out while reading this book was the fact that the heroine had absolutely no empathy, no sympathy, couldn't spell the word humble if it was rammed down her throat. And as for the pathetic, hero, she bested him in everything they compete in-even push-ups! Now you tell me, what woman on this planet can do 300 push-ups?!
And the ending! Where his bitch ass takes her last name?! WTF?! Remember, this is like the middle-fucking ages. What guy during that time is going to take his wife's last name to show his undying love for her?!
Best of all, while the hero is crying his undying love to "Morgan", she never reciprocates-never, never, never, never!!!
I'm sorry, but I like my men with a set of balls and a spine. This story was a zero, but I'm giving it two stars because crappy as it was it was well written.
And then we have our arrogant, cocksure, unsympathetic "killing machine" heroine Morganna, who is known as Morgan the male Squire for the vast majority of the book.
Now I'm all for women warriors, but this outrageous work of fiction was absolutely, painfully ridiculous. Homegirl is perfect at everything! Now when I say everything I mean EVERYTHING. She is a master of every single weapon that she touches. Master hunter. Master fencer, and the list goes on and on and on and on. Did I also mention that she Is cut like an Adonis with eight pack abs, sinewy arms, and rockhard muscles?! Throughout the book she collects legions of followers, both men and women adore her and want to be her lover (while thinking she is a man) yup, even guys want to hit it.
But what really made me want to gouge my eyes out while reading this book was the fact that the heroine had absolutely no empathy, no sympathy, couldn't spell the word humble if it was rammed down her throat. And as for the pathetic, hero, she bested him in everything they compete in-even push-ups! Now you tell me, what woman on this planet can do 300 push-ups?!
And the ending! Where his bitch ass takes her last name?! WTF?! Remember, this is like the middle-fucking ages. What guy during that time is going to take his wife's last name to show his undying love for her?!
Best of all, while the hero is crying his undying love to "Morgan", she never reciprocates-never, never, never, never!!!
I'm sorry, but I like my men with a set of balls and a spine. This story was a zero, but I'm giving it two stars because crappy as it was it was well written.
April 13, 2016
I read this awhile ago before I was a member of GR. I remember loving it. The h is badass, the H I remember really liking. I plan to read it again, and when I do, will write a better review with a refreshed memory.
Want to read
September 6, 2014Kindle FREEBIE today 9/5/14......
highly
recommended by lovely Lindsay!!!!
May 21, 2022
The guy almost went insane with lust thinking it was a man 😂.
Heroine is more better swordsman and is a legend 🤩
Heroine is more better swordsman and is a legend 🤩
March 10, 2011
AUTHOR: JACKIE IVIE has a dialogue style. The characters talk to each other in such a way that it brings you directly into their lives. She writes to make you feel included and with humor
SYNOPSIS
This book is about her rise to becoming a national hero and within that rise, love blooms.
Setting in the Scottish Lowlands. A time of wars between clans and during a time when Scotland invaded by the Sassenach (Englishman).
Left behind the clan wars are mostly the children of dead clansmen. They are poor and destitute. They are forced to raid the bodies on the battlefield for anything of value that will help them to survive
A battlefield thief, a young woman dressed as a boy, arises and become a national hero.
Her journey starts when she is forced to become the squire of a warrior pretending to be dead on the battlefield.
The only problem: Her mind is set on avenging her clan's deaths and the warrior comes from the clan that she wants to take out revenge.
FAVORITE PART: She defeats the best Englishman in a competition that shows her talent.
LEAST FAVORITE PART: She is forced to walk for a day or so with a back injury. (I cried)
YOU WOULD LIKE THIS BOOK IF: You enjoy reading about a female rising from being destitute to becoming a heroine (but disguised as a boy). She has a talent that will best the best of any man. The confusion and disgust coming from a clan warrior that cannot figure out why he is desperately attracted to a person he believes to be a male.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS given because "I" hated the continuous use of God's name used in vain and some of the dialogue seemed to drag along. However, I recommend you read this book (
SYNOPSIS
This book is about her rise to becoming a national hero and within that rise, love blooms.
Setting in the Scottish Lowlands. A time of wars between clans and during a time when Scotland invaded by the Sassenach (Englishman).
Left behind the clan wars are mostly the children of dead clansmen. They are poor and destitute. They are forced to raid the bodies on the battlefield for anything of value that will help them to survive
A battlefield thief, a young woman dressed as a boy, arises and become a national hero.
Her journey starts when she is forced to become the squire of a warrior pretending to be dead on the battlefield.
The only problem: Her mind is set on avenging her clan's deaths and the warrior comes from the clan that she wants to take out revenge.
FAVORITE PART: She defeats the best Englishman in a competition that shows her talent.
LEAST FAVORITE PART: She is forced to walk for a day or so with a back injury. (I cried)
YOU WOULD LIKE THIS BOOK IF: You enjoy reading about a female rising from being destitute to becoming a heroine (but disguised as a boy). She has a talent that will best the best of any man. The confusion and disgust coming from a clan warrior that cannot figure out why he is desperately attracted to a person he believes to be a male.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS given because "I" hated the continuous use of God's name used in vain and some of the dialogue seemed to drag along. However, I recommend you read this book (
January 2, 2010
I really loved this book! The author did a great job of showing Zander's struggle with his feelings for his squire Morgan. It really wrenched at my heart-strings to see how his feelings tore him up.
******SPOILER ALERT**********
I loved when Zander stepped out at their wedding wearing Morganna's family's plaid. My heart just melted.
******SPOILER ALERT**********
I loved when Zander stepped out at their wedding wearing Morganna's family's plaid. My heart just melted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2013
What can I say? It's perfect. I love Morgan(na), love Zander, love their lust/love.
I just love the *entire* package. I've re-read this book so many times I've lost track.
I just love the *entire* package. I've re-read this book so many times I've lost track.
September 20, 2018
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Verboden passie - Candlelight Historische roman 640
Heerlijk verhaal voor elke feminist , een meisje /jonge vrouw die wraak wil nemen op moordenaars en zich daarvoor bekwaamd in het messen werpen en boogschieten en daar zo ongelooflijk goed in wordt dat ze de schotse koning Robert the Bruce ermee kan helpen alle schotse clans te verenigen . Geschiedkundig gezien is het waarschijnlijk allemaal onzin maar het is wel leuk om te lezen : )
Heerlijk verhaal voor elke feminist , een meisje /jonge vrouw die wraak wil nemen op moordenaars en zich daarvoor bekwaamd in het messen werpen en boogschieten en daar zo ongelooflijk goed in wordt dat ze de schotse koning Robert the Bruce ermee kan helpen alle schotse clans te verenigen . Geschiedkundig gezien is het waarschijnlijk allemaal onzin maar het is wel leuk om te lezen : )
November 26, 2019
wow, this was a mess
November 24, 2018
This book is gender bender if your into the heroine disguising as a man. The heroine Morgana aka Morgan is the last living of her clan kilCregger. Everyone was murdered and she vows for vengeance. She lives as a man and was one day was kidnapped and forced into being his squire by the hero Zander FitzHugh. Coincidence it works out in her favor because she is after him at first but learns its his laird shes after. So she does not fight him and waits patiently for the kill. But There is instant connection between the two. They can't resist each other which is funny because he is straight and she is a woman in disguise. The plot is just so farfetched I've never read anything remotely close to this but that's what makes this book different. It's so bad to the point zander goes into repent asking a priest for forgiveness. Still with that being done he is still in love with his squire who he has no idea is a woman. As the book goes on he becomes possessive and if he cannot have him(her) no one else can too. Zander is blind and all his brothers knows she is a lass and not a lad. They try to convince her to tell him the truth to put him out of his misery but she is stubborn. It gets to point where zander is so screwed in the head he becomes some what suicidal. she divides to end this charade and reveals to him she is a woman by coming to him in the night as her trueself....so this is all I will be telling. Hope you've enjoyed this teaser.
December 31, 2018
"Remember when I spoke of a woman's power, Morganna?" he said.
She nodded. It was the most she was capable of.
"It is in the life she gives. The life she creates for the men about her, it's the realms of valor, gallantry and chivalry that she makes a man strive toward, just so he can be noble enough to deserve to be at her side. And it is the life she grows within her. A man canna' do any of these things. This is the power that women have. I ask you again, Morganna, and I beg of you not to lie to me...do you carry my bairn?"
Such profound words from a man who could be as dense as a rock. Zander FitzHugh is wounded in battle when Morganna KilCreggar rolls him over to see if he is dead. He thinks she's stealing from the dead and accuses her of such. Morganna is dressed like a boy and has gone to great lengths to hide her gender. When he decides to make her his squire, she refuses to swear an oath to him, but goes along with him anyway.
Zander soon discovers that Morgan is an expert at weaponry. She can hit small targets from long distances with dirks and arrows. He sees her potential in battle. What he wasn't counting on was falling for her while he thought she was a boy. He kissed her and it made him feel so bad, he went to a priest for absolution. He'd roughed her up before he'd gone and she was still sore when he got back. He took no pity. He was still angry with what he'd done and she did nothing to put him at ease. That was frustrating for me. There were many times she could have come clean with him and she didn't.
But he wasn't any better. Morganna wore a long braid. He threatened to cut it off and she begged him not to. He threatened to cut it off several more times in the book. They traveled from place to place, putting her skills on display. They shared a tent. She was secretive about taking care of her business. I couldn't believe that Zander didn't figure it out before he did. His brothers figured it out before he did. I loved Zander, but holy cow, he was dense. He went so far to set her up with a whore who knew she was a girl and put on a big show like they were having a great time, if you know what I mean.
When he finally--and I mean FINALLY--figured out that she was indeed a female, everything changed. They still kept her gender under wraps, but they were sharing a bed and he was intentionally trying to get her pregnant.
But Morganna had an agenda of her own. Phineas FitzHugh, laird of the FitzHugh clan, had obliterated Morganna's family while she was still a child. He'd raped her sister and had caused a miscarriage and then had burned the place to the ground with the family still inside. But Morganna got away and vowed her revenge. Years later, it threw a wrench on it when she discovered Zander was Phineas' brother.
There were some touching moments in the book. I opened this review with one of my favorite scenes. Another one was when she showed him that he was left-handed. He had no idea. The shield is held on the left arm and the sword is held in the right hand because that's just the way it was done. He had to learn to reverse it, but not much was mentioned of it. At the same time, it was refreshing that Zander was illiterate in that he couldn't read or write. I read historical romances a lot and this is the first one where the hero wasn't able to read or write. But he spoke well and even had me laughing a few times. I couldn't help but adore him.
Morganna was a tough cookie. She didn't want anything to dissuade her from her vow and she was prepared to die for it. She had no real appreciation for life until Zander came along. She stayed focused on honing her skills with the dirks,the bow, and hunting. She had to survive until she could get to Phineas. She figured she was going to die in the process. Zander turned that around for her. It was sweet to witness that.
This book is a fast mover with a great plot, fantastic characters, and a love story that I don't think I will forget any time soon. Zander made me laugh a lot and Morganna's pensiveness counteracted his playfulness and kept the book on an even keel.
I loved it.
By the way, the guy on the cover looks nothing like Zander and the title of the book doesn't match the story. Zander wasn't a knight.
She nodded. It was the most she was capable of.
"It is in the life she gives. The life she creates for the men about her, it's the realms of valor, gallantry and chivalry that she makes a man strive toward, just so he can be noble enough to deserve to be at her side. And it is the life she grows within her. A man canna' do any of these things. This is the power that women have. I ask you again, Morganna, and I beg of you not to lie to me...do you carry my bairn?"
Such profound words from a man who could be as dense as a rock. Zander FitzHugh is wounded in battle when Morganna KilCreggar rolls him over to see if he is dead. He thinks she's stealing from the dead and accuses her of such. Morganna is dressed like a boy and has gone to great lengths to hide her gender. When he decides to make her his squire, she refuses to swear an oath to him, but goes along with him anyway.
Zander soon discovers that Morgan is an expert at weaponry. She can hit small targets from long distances with dirks and arrows. He sees her potential in battle. What he wasn't counting on was falling for her while he thought she was a boy. He kissed her and it made him feel so bad, he went to a priest for absolution. He'd roughed her up before he'd gone and she was still sore when he got back. He took no pity. He was still angry with what he'd done and she did nothing to put him at ease. That was frustrating for me. There were many times she could have come clean with him and she didn't.
But he wasn't any better. Morganna wore a long braid. He threatened to cut it off and she begged him not to. He threatened to cut it off several more times in the book. They traveled from place to place, putting her skills on display. They shared a tent. She was secretive about taking care of her business. I couldn't believe that Zander didn't figure it out before he did. His brothers figured it out before he did. I loved Zander, but holy cow, he was dense. He went so far to set her up with a whore who knew she was a girl and put on a big show like they were having a great time, if you know what I mean.
When he finally--and I mean FINALLY--figured out that she was indeed a female, everything changed. They still kept her gender under wraps, but they were sharing a bed and he was intentionally trying to get her pregnant.
But Morganna had an agenda of her own. Phineas FitzHugh, laird of the FitzHugh clan, had obliterated Morganna's family while she was still a child. He'd raped her sister and had caused a miscarriage and then had burned the place to the ground with the family still inside. But Morganna got away and vowed her revenge. Years later, it threw a wrench on it when she discovered Zander was Phineas' brother.
There were some touching moments in the book. I opened this review with one of my favorite scenes. Another one was when she showed him that he was left-handed. He had no idea. The shield is held on the left arm and the sword is held in the right hand because that's just the way it was done. He had to learn to reverse it, but not much was mentioned of it. At the same time, it was refreshing that Zander was illiterate in that he couldn't read or write. I read historical romances a lot and this is the first one where the hero wasn't able to read or write. But he spoke well and even had me laughing a few times. I couldn't help but adore him.
Morganna was a tough cookie. She didn't want anything to dissuade her from her vow and she was prepared to die for it. She had no real appreciation for life until Zander came along. She stayed focused on honing her skills with the dirks,the bow, and hunting. She had to survive until she could get to Phineas. She figured she was going to die in the process. Zander turned that around for her. It was sweet to witness that.
This book is a fast mover with a great plot, fantastic characters, and a love story that I don't think I will forget any time soon. Zander made me laugh a lot and Morganna's pensiveness counteracted his playfulness and kept the book on an even keel.
I loved it.
By the way, the guy on the cover looks nothing like Zander and the title of the book doesn't match the story. Zander wasn't a knight.
January 22, 2023
1 star. I gave up in the end. I was just so over it!
This book started out so well. A girl pretending to be a boy and also being the best at all the usual (Middle Ages) boy skills aka knife throwing, sword fighting, push-ups, etc. Why is (s)he so good? well, because she has devoted her life to avenge her slaughtered family who, surprise, surprise, is coincidentally her new master’s clan. She and Zander (the knight) we’re pretty funny together. She didn’t take shit from him and they had pretty amusing banter between the two. I was really enjoying it and looking forward to what came next. As all girls pretending to be boys books go, the very masculine hero starts to develop inappropriate feeling for the beautiful boy. Since it’s the Middle Ages that is absolutely against the grain and therefore a big no no. Until now the story is still enjoyable. Then they get to the castle and here everything starts to slowly fall apart. Morgan(na) is slowly being stripped of her freedoms and is being manipulated more and more for the gain of other people. This takes a mental toll on the girl and she slowly starts unraveling bit by bit and we start to loose the strong, prideful heroine that we fell in love with. Unfortunately we don’t get that heroine back. She keeps losing all the characteristics that made her such an enticing character. She also becomes more and more managed by Zander, especially when he finds out she is a woman. And although he continuously tells her how much he loves her he also takes more and more choices away from her. And she, seemingly having lost all her original fierceness, always submits to it with lots of tears and self pity. It’s no longer comfortable to read honestly. Love is not a free pass to take away a persons choices. So as this book started to disintegrate I abandoned ship and left it for what it is: a story I would not recommend to anybody.
This book started out so well. A girl pretending to be a boy and also being the best at all the usual (Middle Ages) boy skills aka knife throwing, sword fighting, push-ups, etc. Why is (s)he so good? well, because she has devoted her life to avenge her slaughtered family who, surprise, surprise, is coincidentally her new master’s clan. She and Zander (the knight) we’re pretty funny together. She didn’t take shit from him and they had pretty amusing banter between the two. I was really enjoying it and looking forward to what came next. As all girls pretending to be boys books go, the very masculine hero starts to develop inappropriate feeling for the beautiful boy. Since it’s the Middle Ages that is absolutely against the grain and therefore a big no no. Until now the story is still enjoyable. Then they get to the castle and here everything starts to slowly fall apart. Morgan(na) is slowly being stripped of her freedoms and is being manipulated more and more for the gain of other people. This takes a mental toll on the girl and she slowly starts unraveling bit by bit and we start to loose the strong, prideful heroine that we fell in love with. Unfortunately we don’t get that heroine back. She keeps losing all the characteristics that made her such an enticing character. She also becomes more and more managed by Zander, especially when he finds out she is a woman. And although he continuously tells her how much he loves her he also takes more and more choices away from her. And she, seemingly having lost all her original fierceness, always submits to it with lots of tears and self pity. It’s no longer comfortable to read honestly. Love is not a free pass to take away a persons choices. So as this book started to disintegrate I abandoned ship and left it for what it is: a story I would not recommend to anybody.
November 10, 2013
I love it. Love it! I've read a few books where the heroine dresses as a man. Where the hero starts to feel something for her before he even figures it out. But this is the first time it's been handled almost exactly as I always hoped it would be.
August 14, 2024
2.5 stars. This is an interesting romance novel which, unfortunately, hasn’t aged all that well. It’s clear the author was trying to handle some delicate themes with care, and I appreciate the effort, but it feels quite out of sync with my current sensibilities as a woman.
If you enjoy the "girl dressed as boy" trope and a historical backdrop, there’s still some fun to be found here, even if the writing leans a bit too much on telling rather than showing, which slows down the pacing and makes it harder to connect with the characters.
All in all, it’s an okay read, probably more appealing if you’re, like me, already a fan of this particular premise. Conversely, if you are expecting more agency from the heroine’s part and less toxic male behavior tossed around this one might not hit the mark.
If you enjoy the "girl dressed as boy" trope and a historical backdrop, there’s still some fun to be found here, even if the writing leans a bit too much on telling rather than showing, which slows down the pacing and makes it harder to connect with the characters.
All in all, it’s an okay read, probably more appealing if you’re, like me, already a fan of this particular premise. Conversely, if you are expecting more agency from the heroine’s part and less toxic male behavior tossed around this one might not hit the mark.
March 17, 2015
Morganna (The Brocade #4)by Jackie Ivie Also published as
**********Lady Of The Knight by Jackie Ivie 382 pages***********
When Morganna "Morgan" KilCreggar was four years old her family was attacked and women and children where slain. The men of the family are away from home , a clan war beings and ends six years later when all the men of the clan are killed in battle. Morgan has sworn revenge and justice on the FitzHugh clan. Morgan disguises herself as a lad, and becomes deadly with all weapons.
Alexander "Zander" FitzHugh makes the boy "Morgan" his squire. Sparks will fly when he sees that she is a woman.
**********Lady Of The Knight by Jackie Ivie 382 pages***********
When Morganna "Morgan" KilCreggar was four years old her family was attacked and women and children where slain. The men of the family are away from home , a clan war beings and ends six years later when all the men of the clan are killed in battle. Morgan has sworn revenge and justice on the FitzHugh clan. Morgan disguises herself as a lad, and becomes deadly with all weapons.
Alexander "Zander" FitzHugh makes the boy "Morgan" his squire. Sparks will fly when he sees that she is a woman.
October 6, 2013
A must read from Jackie Ivie. Morgan is a kick ass female warrior and Morgan is a dark and handsome highlander. Morgan and Zander's relationship will have you laughing and wondering why Zander can't see what is right in front of his eyes.
December 28, 2013
J'ai adoré, enfin un highlander, un vrai et une femme digne d'un guerrier!
Une très bonne lecture que du ++++++ <3
Une très bonne lecture que du ++++++ <3
July 9, 2022
DNF: 70%
this was so, so, SO incredibly disappointing.
what's worse is that it started off great, and for a while i was convinced this would be a 5-star read.
i love books where the FL disguises herself as a man, and i adored the animosity between the FL and ML—i was anticipating a delicious grovel from the ML (which, for the record, i did not receive).
the FL also seemed very capable, like she wasn't one who would let herself be walked all over. i liked that she didn't back down from the ML unless absolutely necessary, and that she gave as good as she got.
sure, there were also some issues. the fact that the ML was named alexander and nicknamed zander was weird (this is set in medieval scotland), and the FL had some... strongly negative feelings about fat women that i'm not sure were necessary. they seemed to come out of nowhere, and tbh i was a little startled. they were also never explained, so i'm almost tempted to think that this was just the author's own prejudices shining through in the writing, although i'm hesitant to say that.
the constant use of the phrase "killing machine" also felt very out of place, and there was lots of talk about the FL's hard nipples somehow giving her secret away (as if men's nipples don't get hard, LMAO), but whatever. i was willing to overlook these because i'm DESPERATE for a good book with the FL disguised as a man trope, especially one where the secret is dragged out for as long as possible. in too many of these books, the ML finds out right away and/or he somehow "just knew" from the beginning, and i find that boring.
but then, as soon as the ML's brothers showed up, everything slowly descended into awfulness.
one brother (named plato) knew that the FL was really a woman the second he saw her. like i said, i absolutely hate that in books like this—we're expected to believe that literally EVERYONE was fooled by the FL's disguise, except for this ONE random dude? give me a break.
and then there was this whole convoluted situation where the ML was unwittingly engaged to plato's lover, and for SOME reason, plato couldn't just like... TELL the ML.
no, instead plato leveraged the FL's secret against her and decided that the she should reveal her true gender to the ML. this way, the ML would forego his marriage with plato's lover and marry the FL instead (which the FL didn't even want, but that's another matter).
yeah, okay, great. so the FL is basically forced to reveal her gender, has painful sex with the ML—there was lots of talk about him "ripping" her—only to find out that plato had a talk with the ML anyway and came clean about his lover??? and the ML broke off the engagement as soon as plato told him?? so why in the world was it necessary for the FL to go through all of this if plato was going to talk to his brother anyway??? make it make sense.
at this point, i started skimming, because the FL had a total personality change. prior to this, she had been fairly strong and stoic (for the most part). sure, she had her moments, but don't we all?
now that she was a ~woman~ though, it's like a switch flipped. there was lots of giggling, and even more crying, and suddenly she could no longer beat the ML at anything. he became incredibly controlling and literally forced her to marry him because she became pregnant (ew), and she resisted a little but for the most part just let him walk all over her. i HATED it.
why would you make the FL this strong, combative character in the first half if you're just going to turn her into this docile little creature at the end? it irks me. i hate pregnancies in books on the best of days, but the one in this book was especially enraging. the FL's agency was just entirely stripped from her, and although i didn't read to the end, i'm sure it didn't get better after that mess of a wedding.
i DO like possessive MLs, but only when the FL doesn't let him control her. a FL who weakly gives into the commands of the ML is boring and annoying, and unfortunately that's what this FL became.
this was so, so, SO incredibly disappointing.
what's worse is that it started off great, and for a while i was convinced this would be a 5-star read.
i love books where the FL disguises herself as a man, and i adored the animosity between the FL and ML—i was anticipating a delicious grovel from the ML (which, for the record, i did not receive).
the FL also seemed very capable, like she wasn't one who would let herself be walked all over. i liked that she didn't back down from the ML unless absolutely necessary, and that she gave as good as she got.
sure, there were also some issues. the fact that the ML was named alexander and nicknamed zander was weird (this is set in medieval scotland), and the FL had some... strongly negative feelings about fat women that i'm not sure were necessary. they seemed to come out of nowhere, and tbh i was a little startled. they were also never explained, so i'm almost tempted to think that this was just the author's own prejudices shining through in the writing, although i'm hesitant to say that.
the constant use of the phrase "killing machine" also felt very out of place, and there was lots of talk about the FL's hard nipples somehow giving her secret away (as if men's nipples don't get hard, LMAO), but whatever. i was willing to overlook these because i'm DESPERATE for a good book with the FL disguised as a man trope, especially one where the secret is dragged out for as long as possible. in too many of these books, the ML finds out right away and/or he somehow "just knew" from the beginning, and i find that boring.
but then, as soon as the ML's brothers showed up, everything slowly descended into awfulness.
one brother (named plato) knew that the FL was really a woman the second he saw her. like i said, i absolutely hate that in books like this—we're expected to believe that literally EVERYONE was fooled by the FL's disguise, except for this ONE random dude? give me a break.
and then there was this whole convoluted situation where the ML was unwittingly engaged to plato's lover, and for SOME reason, plato couldn't just like... TELL the ML.
no, instead plato leveraged the FL's secret against her and decided that the she should reveal her true gender to the ML. this way, the ML would forego his marriage with plato's lover and marry the FL instead (which the FL didn't even want, but that's another matter).
yeah, okay, great. so the FL is basically forced to reveal her gender, has painful sex with the ML—there was lots of talk about him "ripping" her—only to find out that plato had a talk with the ML anyway and came clean about his lover??? and the ML broke off the engagement as soon as plato told him?? so why in the world was it necessary for the FL to go through all of this if plato was going to talk to his brother anyway??? make it make sense.
at this point, i started skimming, because the FL had a total personality change. prior to this, she had been fairly strong and stoic (for the most part). sure, she had her moments, but don't we all?
now that she was a ~woman~ though, it's like a switch flipped. there was lots of giggling, and even more crying, and suddenly she could no longer beat the ML at anything. he became incredibly controlling and literally forced her to marry him because she became pregnant (ew), and she resisted a little but for the most part just let him walk all over her. i HATED it.
why would you make the FL this strong, combative character in the first half if you're just going to turn her into this docile little creature at the end? it irks me. i hate pregnancies in books on the best of days, but the one in this book was especially enraging. the FL's agency was just entirely stripped from her, and although i didn't read to the end, i'm sure it didn't get better after that mess of a wedding.
i DO like possessive MLs, but only when the FL doesn't let him control her. a FL who weakly gives into the commands of the ML is boring and annoying, and unfortunately that's what this FL became.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2017
Ooooo guys I really liked this one! Obvi by the four star review but honestly I haven't dipped my toes in a true Scotland laird filled romance in a while and ooo what a way to dive back in! This was a phenomenal book in that it really made me feel like I was reading a real life historical fiction. The use of cultural aspects and words, even the realness of the characters actions had me devouring this book. True it started out a bit hard to read, honestly becuase the dialogue was so accurate, this my friends is actually the sign of an amazing writer, it definitely got easy to read the dialect as the story went on. Oh and how it went on, I just LOVED Morganna, she reminded me of a realistic bad ass Katniss Everdeen with more skill with weapons. She frustrated me at times with her inability to touch her own emotions and connect dots but that really just speaks to the charachter the author was building. As for Zander I adored him, all his play and fun but also his real seriousness and grumpiness at times it was all endearing, almost every aspect of him I loved and the few that I didn't really just survived to make him feel more real and even more the frustrating Scottish warrior he was. The dynamic between them was so intense and frustrating in the beginning, poor Zander really didn't get why he was all the sudden so gay for his beautiful squire, really did make you feel for the poor guy. That whole aspect was super brilliantly done though by the author, and it had me holding my breath for when the reveal would happen. It reminded me very much of a Mulan and Shang dynamic except disney never touches on the fact Shang was also probably going through a minor sexual crisis. The sex was hot hot hot as soon as it happens and overall fire romance. Really loved his book so much and so glad it turned out to a precious gem I definitely was not expecting! WOO! for Jackie Ivie I'm excited to see what she has in store next.
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