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Innocent's Champion
To win a knight's protection
When Gilan, Comte de Cormeilles, dodges an arrow aimed straight for his head, the last person he expects to be holding the bow is a beautiful, courageous woman… Despite her innocence, Matilda of Lilleshall is no simpering maiden. She'll stop at nothing to protect her land.
Believing he'd never again feel anything but guilt after his brother's death, Gilan must now confront the undeniable desire Matilda incites. Can he throw off his past and fight to become the champion she needs?
"Fuller brings this tale to life with vivid descriptions." —RT Book Reviews on Captured by the Warrior
When Gilan, Comte de Cormeilles, dodges an arrow aimed straight for his head, the last person he expects to be holding the bow is a beautiful, courageous woman… Despite her innocence, Matilda of Lilleshall is no simpering maiden. She'll stop at nothing to protect her land.
Believing he'd never again feel anything but guilt after his brother's death, Gilan must now confront the undeniable desire Matilda incites. Can he throw off his past and fight to become the champion she needs?
"Fuller brings this tale to life with vivid descriptions." —RT Book Reviews on Captured by the Warrior
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 18, 2014
4 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Meriel Fuller
38 books16 followersMeriel Fuller spent her early childhood with her nose buried in books. After school, she would walk to the town library where her mother was head librarian and happily read her way through the historical romance section. Her love of the past comes from her father, a keen amateur historian who took Meriel and her sister on long hikes searching for ruined castles and medieval villages.
Meriel went on to study English literature at Edinburgh University where she met her husband who was, literally, her knight in shining armor. Breaking her ankle at a party, her future husband gallantly carried her to the hospital and kept her company as her foot was put into plaster. Eight years after they first met, they were married in rural Dorset. Although Meriel has written as a hobby throughout her life, it was only when her youngest child was a toddler that she decided to write a historical romance. She was thrilled when Harlequin told her that her manuscript would be published: a real dream come true!
Meriel went on to study English literature at Edinburgh University where she met her husband who was, literally, her knight in shining armor. Breaking her ankle at a party, her future husband gallantly carried her to the hospital and kept her company as her foot was put into plaster. Eight years after they first met, they were married in rural Dorset. Although Meriel has written as a hobby throughout her life, it was only when her youngest child was a toddler that she decided to write a historical romance. She was thrilled when Harlequin told her that her manuscript would be published: a real dream come true!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 26, 2020
B- so 3.5 stars This medieval definitely had a different feel to it than many I've read, and that was largely a positive. When I initially read the cover blurb, I feared I would be dealing with a standard issue "feisty" heroine. Jerky heroes trying to force "feisty" heroines into submission is pretty much my least favorite historical romance plot ever.
Thankfully this book took things in a much different direction. There is an overbearing male in one of the side plots of the story, but he is most definitely not the hero. Instead of a foot stomping, curl tossing heroine, we have Matilda of Lilleshall. With her family having largely fallen apart after her father's death, she is bravely trying to hold together her family's land holdings and protect them from a predatory brother-in-law. At times she gets in over her head, but she doesn't go out of her way to court foolish risks. Some of the more off the wall decisions she makes are made because she is backed into a corner with few or no good options, so I admired her more than judged her.
As the story opens, Matilda is accompanying her pregnant sister on a pilgrimage when their small party is attacked by bandits. In the confusion of the attack, Matilda confronts Gilan, Comte de Cormeilles, who is part of a party of soldiers who heard the ruckus and rode to the rescue. This gets sorted out, but there is one small problem. Gilan rides with the exiled Henry of Bolingbroke, but Matilda's brother-in-law, with whom she is staying, is loyal to King Richard. Bringing Henry's party into the home could cause trouble, to put it mildly.
From here, what emerges is a plot that continually throws Matilda and Gilan together around the castle. Their attraction grows, but there are definitely complications. Not only does Gilan need to follow Henry, but he is haunted by his brother's death in battle. And on Matilda's side of the ledger, she needs to find her wayward brother and raise help in order to secure her lands and her family's future.
Much of this book is a road romance of sorts, and even though some of the events felt a tad improbable, it was highly engaging for the most part. The initial "I'm not good enough for you" dance of the main characters dragged on a little long for me, but otherwise this was an entertaining read set against a fascinating point in medieval English history.
Thankfully this book took things in a much different direction. There is an overbearing male in one of the side plots of the story, but he is most definitely not the hero. Instead of a foot stomping, curl tossing heroine, we have Matilda of Lilleshall. With her family having largely fallen apart after her father's death, she is bravely trying to hold together her family's land holdings and protect them from a predatory brother-in-law. At times she gets in over her head, but she doesn't go out of her way to court foolish risks. Some of the more off the wall decisions she makes are made because she is backed into a corner with few or no good options, so I admired her more than judged her.
As the story opens, Matilda is accompanying her pregnant sister on a pilgrimage when their small party is attacked by bandits. In the confusion of the attack, Matilda confronts Gilan, Comte de Cormeilles, who is part of a party of soldiers who heard the ruckus and rode to the rescue. This gets sorted out, but there is one small problem. Gilan rides with the exiled Henry of Bolingbroke, but Matilda's brother-in-law, with whom she is staying, is loyal to King Richard. Bringing Henry's party into the home could cause trouble, to put it mildly.
From here, what emerges is a plot that continually throws Matilda and Gilan together around the castle. Their attraction grows, but there are definitely complications. Not only does Gilan need to follow Henry, but he is haunted by his brother's death in battle. And on Matilda's side of the ledger, she needs to find her wayward brother and raise help in order to secure her lands and her family's future.
Much of this book is a road romance of sorts, and even though some of the events felt a tad improbable, it was highly engaging for the most part. The initial "I'm not good enough for you" dance of the main characters dragged on a little long for me, but otherwise this was an entertaining read set against a fascinating point in medieval English history.
December 1, 2020
Une histoire sur laquelle je me suis un peu ennuyée. Il y avait du potentiel et l'héroïne était intéressante. Mais la fin est trop précipitée et des situations sont traitées trop vite. Un peu bâclé peut être. Une lecture sans prise de tête mais avec un goût d'inachevé.
January 9, 2019
The good - I liked the heroine Matilda she was feisty and courageous and fought for her family hereditary rights. The book was well written and the author can write a sex scene with0ut being uncouth. Mind you, I thought if I read the expression corded muscle once more, I would throw the book at the wall. It was rather overused. Good conflict provided by the wicked brother-in-law.
The not-so-good - I felt that the plot was a little far fetched. For example, Matilda travels to Wales disguised as a boy in the entourage of the Duke of Lancaster. She is warmly clad in hot weather and never downs her hood. Not one soldier was curious or got suspicious, except perhaps Henry Lancaster himself who did not follow through. Not realistic is a suspicious climate. Gilan backtracks to confront someone following them (who happens to be Matilda) and Henry is not concerned when he is gone overnight, even though it was raining.
I could not really warm towards the hero, Gilan. He lost control and had his way but was still not prepared to marry Matilda, not at all honourable in a historic setting.
Despite the some of the unrealistic plot the story was entertaining enough, hence 3 stars. I liked it.
The not-so-good - I felt that the plot was a little far fetched. For example, Matilda travels to Wales disguised as a boy in the entourage of the Duke of Lancaster. She is warmly clad in hot weather and never downs her hood. Not one soldier was curious or got suspicious, except perhaps Henry Lancaster himself who did not follow through. Not realistic is a suspicious climate. Gilan backtracks to confront someone following them (who happens to be Matilda) and Henry is not concerned when he is gone overnight, even though it was raining.
I could not really warm towards the hero, Gilan. He lost control and had his way but was still not prepared to marry Matilda, not at all honourable in a historic setting.
Despite the some of the unrealistic plot the story was entertaining enough, hence 3 stars. I liked it.
September 27, 2017
This was a DNF for me. The writing wasn't bad, but the historical accuracy was. On the one hand, I'm guessing that the descriptions of clothing etc. were extremely accurate; on the other hand, the mindsets seemed Ye Olde Generic Medieval. During the harrowing childbirth scene(s), for example, while people were very worried that the baby might die, the fact that the mother might die while delivering a breech baby with a really bad midwife didn't even occur to anyone to worry about. (Also, did they give birth in beds by then? Wasn't it still birthing stools?) The heroine's manor has two part-time servants living in it (?). It just... didn't feel medieval, and the characters weren't compelling enough that I felt the need to keep going.
September 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this novel. The author incorporated a lot of well-researched details and created a balanced plot of romance and adventure. Typically, I am more of a stickler regarding historically accurate linguistics but I loved Matilda and Gilan so much as characters that I was able to overlook the many contractions and modern lingo that featured in the book's dialogue. Each main character was multi-dimensional and the personal growth of our hero and heroine as well as their love for one another was gradual and believable. A great whirlwind weekend read!
February 19, 2016
Gilan, Comte de Cormeilles, dodges an arrow as it flies by his head during an attack on a caravan carrying Lady Matilda of Lilleshall and her very pregnant sister to a shrine to pray for a safe delivery of Katherine's baby. Little did Gilan realize at the time that it was Matilda shooting the arrow at the vagabonds attacking the caravan. Once the discovery is made however, he insists on accompanying them back to Katherine's home when Katherine goes into labor. Matilda sneaks out to get her mother's help for the difficult delivery when Gilan catches her and goes along. As they continue to spend time together, Gilan realizes that Matilda is brave, courageous and will go to any lengths to protect what is hers! Touched by tragedy, Gilan thought he could never feel again but this brave unusual lady slowly peels away his hardened heart while Matilda, meanwhile, falls completely in love with Gilan from the start. Considering they are on different sides of the Henry/King Richard debate can they find true love?
The story began very strong with the attack on the caravan and Katherine's difficult labor. Then it dragged while the main characters dithered about their relationship. Matilda needed to find her brother who was fighting with King Richard and Gilan was with Henry who was hunting the king. That she found her brother and the outcome of the meeting of Henry and the king's army was treated in one sentence was a big disappointment and anti-climatic. The ending was a HEA but a weak one.
The story began very strong with the attack on the caravan and Katherine's difficult labor. Then it dragged while the main characters dithered about their relationship. Matilda needed to find her brother who was fighting with King Richard and Gilan was with Henry who was hunting the king. That she found her brother and the outcome of the meeting of Henry and the king's army was treated in one sentence was a big disappointment and anti-climatic. The ending was a HEA but a weak one.
November 2, 2020
This was my first foray into the world of Romance novels....and it was fun!
Fiesty females, mysterious knights, evil brother-in-laws...lots of drama and romance and a famous face from history thown in.
I shall be returning to the library to find some more.
Fiesty females, mysterious knights, evil brother-in-laws...lots of drama and romance and a famous face from history thown in.
I shall be returning to the library to find some more.
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January 12, 2016"Vibrant descriptions of action and the historical era are Fuller's hallmarks - and she doesn't skimp on either" (RT Book Reviews).
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews