The Saxon Bride

The Norman Conquest #1

by Ashley York

Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780990864028

Rowena Godwinson, a Saxon princess, refuses to go willingly into a forced marriage to one of King William's most favored knights but her struggle against enemy occupation fades away in the pleasurable arms of her Norman husband. Will he bring her people to their knees in his attempt to please his liege lord? Or can she win him over to the Saxon's side even while one of her own plots to overthrow the bastard king?

John of Normandy is a soldier made for battle, ingrained with chivalry and a deep sense of loyalty to his mentor and king. Serving his liege is reward enough. Neither a title nor a child bride will entice him to become an indolent lord. A chance encounter with an alluring beauty, however, releases all his pent up desires and unspoken needs. His young bride has become a passionate woman, tempting him beyond his endurance. Can he win her over before she learns the truth of her father's death?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Medieval, Amazon, Fiction

222 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2014

About the author

Aside from two years spent in the wilds of the Colorado mountains, Ashley York is a proud life-long New Englander and a hardcore romantic. She has an MA in History which brings with it, through many years of research, a love for primary documents and the smell of musty old libraries. With her author's imagination, she likes to write about people who could have lived alongside those well-known giants from the past:

Lachlann's Legacy

Curse of the Healer
Eyes of the Seer
Daughter of the Overking

The Saxon Bride
The Gentle Knight
The Irish Warrior
The Seventh Son

The Bruised Thistle

Reviews

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as ARC in exchange for an honest review.
'The Saxon Bride' by Ashley York is book one in the "The Norman Conquest" series. This is the story of Rowena Godwinson and John of Normandy.

Rowena was 16 years of age she was the last one in her family of a defeated royal Saxon family. Rowena has been decreed to marry Norman knight, who were her families enemy. Rowena has no choice but to marry him. While being taking to the marriage ceremony she is threaten by words that her new husband is set to share her with his fellow men. This adds to her upset and when she meets John she is very upset and confrontational.

John the Norman Knight has been rewarded for his service with Rowena, her lands and a title. John is attracted to Rowena but after she becomes so confrontational he thinks it would not be safe to stay with her after they are married. So John goes off and does not come back for about three years.

Now Rowena has come to the realization that what she was told on her way to the marriage ceremony was false,but she still has issue with her husband just leaving her. John wasn't sure about how Rowena would greet him again but once he sees her again he is more attracted to her than before. Can they work out these hardship feelings and move forward to their happy ever after?

I really enjoyed this book and think that you will too!


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[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 🌟

The book was just meh!

Problems: The MC were rarely together. For a romance, the characters need to be in the same room occasionally. They also didn't consummate the marriage till 50% into the book - a major pet peeve of mine. The story was very predictable and a little boring😴

I would have recommend this book for a preteen, if not for the steamy sex scenes.

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author Ashley York blows me away again with another spectacular book in "The Saxon Bride". It is a total different tale then her previous book "The Bruised Thistle", but just as wonderful to read. This is Ms. York's second novel and again she writes as if she has been doing it for decades. It is definitely her calling as she is a fabulous storyteller in my opinion and I read constantly so I don't say this or endorse this lightly.

In this book the time period so during The Norman Conquest and the heroine of this story Rowena Godwinson is the last living member of the now defeated powerful.Saxon royal family. Rowena is ordered by the Norman's King William to marry a Norman knight, Sir John of Normandy, as she became the Kings ward five years prior when William had usurped her Uncle as rightful King. Also with both parents dead and she only eleven years old she really had no choice, but to obey this Norman King. Now Rowena was sixteen years old and with so so much fear and resentment as this knight would now be given her families castle and lands, power and wealth. As she had finally has decided to make the best of this marriage one of these cruel Norman soldiers tells her falsehood of what her married state will be like and manhandles her cruelly. This totally frightens Rowena so much where she has to be dragged down the isle Rowena screaming "I will not marry that Norman Scum"! Of course these are the Kings wishes and neither bride or groom had any real choice in the matter as they held her and forced her to respond to the marriage vows.

John of Normandy resents having to do the Kings bidding plus lives with guilt of being the one who killed Rowena's father unknown to his wife. Now due to this forced marriage marriage he has become one of the most powerful men in England. Yet all he wants is peace but fearing she will kill him in his sleep and his own guilt for killing his father he received a message that there is trouble in the North. Now without a word to his new wife he leaves and does not return for another three years!

Both Rowena and Sir John want the same thing peace and to be loved to end their own loneliness. Can these two ever trust and resolve their differences. Plus John has to win over the Saxon people which is not an easy task and not look like the Norman scum that abandoned their lady. John sees a different woman three years later and want to finally consummate their marriage as well, but Rowena is confused and both have rivals that would like to see the union ended even in death.

This book was hard to put down as it will have you holding on by the seat of your pants so many mazes and hoops to go through, you don't know if your coming or going. Yes, lots of twists and turns which made this so much fun to read. I advise to have some kleenex nearby as some scenes are so heartbreaking too. There is deceit, murder, betrayal and mayhem and also unrequited love , as well as at long last love.

I totally loved The Saxon Bride By Ashley York as I love true historical facts thrown in a great historical romance which this was. I highly recommend this book as it's a keeper for sure! I look forward to the next book Ms. York releases as I will definitely be reading it as I have totally loved both The Bruised Thistle and The Saxon Bride and can't wait for her next book!~B

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Saxon Bride will sweep you away to another place and time and make you feel part of the war between the Normans and the Saxons. Rowena Godwinson is the last living member of her Saxon family. As a ward of the Norman King William, she is ordered to wed Sir John of Normandy, one of his favored knights. She does her best to try and comply but some of John's soldier's frighten her with threats of sharing her with John, that she fights against the marriage day. John has a heavy heart of guilt because he fought against her family and has a heavy secret that he feels will turn her even more against him. John only wants peace but so does Rowena. There are so many misunderstandings and unspoken thoughts that the two have a hard time coming together. This story has so many facets that will keep you turning the pages to see what will happen next. Murder, betrayal and deceit by many people and in the end a hard fought love that will make your heart melt. I cannot wait to read more by this author who has such a wonderful gift of prose and enmeshing the reader into the life of the characters and the history of the times. Prepare to be grabbed by the first page and not let go until the end!!

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my, oh, my... Well, if the first book of Ashley York's hadn't already made me a fan, I can assure you now, this one did!

The Saxon Bride tells the story of Rowena Godwinson and John of Normandy. Those two seemingly unmatched people are forced to marry each other for the sake of peace and unity, and it's a far cry from what they both want. Rowena hates that she has to marry for duty and not love, especially to a man whose people killed her family. And John dreads the very moment his feisty wife will find out he was the one who took her father's life. Will the newlywed couple be able to co-exist and find love on the way? Or will they let their prejudice and the enemies piling on around them tear them apart?



I must say, though the first book I read from Mrs. York was one of a kind, this one didn't disappoint either. It's hard to love an author's books after having read the first one that got you hooked in the first place, but in some rare cases, it works - and it's then that you know that it wasn't a fluke, that the author in question really has talent on their side.



John and Rowena were wonderful, complex characters, that kept trying to make things right with the cards that life had dealt them, despite everyone betting against them. They were both at fault most of the times they had a fight, both of them instantly jumping to assumptions and both of them really short-tempered. But I think that's what made their dynamic work as a couple, and that's what made them interesting - be it as individuals or as a pair. See, they were not perfect. They kept making mistakes, and yet they kept trying to fix them. It didn't always work, but that added to the realism of their romance and brought on so many plot twists, my head actually spinned at some point.

Not only that, but the plot itself was complimenting their personalities, too. I think that's something Mrs. York is a natural at. She doesn't look like she's creating characters to fit her story. It's almost like she has the characters in her mind, and builds the whole story around them, without missing out on the secondary ones, of course. And when I say secondary characters, I'm talking a whole bunch of them. All fleshed out in detail, and never once mere fodder for the pace to go on. Each one of the characters - even animals - has a purpose, a past, life and breath of their own.

Can you doubt a writer's talent when they can work with a whole crowd so expertly? I know I don't.



I can't wait to read Peter's story next. I was instantly attracted to the guy, and I'm sure glad he got his own book!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com/

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book is like getting hit by a truck. It never slows down. And while this might be construed as a good thing, trust me when I tell you it's not. From the very beginning, the MC's are constantly running away from one another, and it gets extremely annoying, extremely quickly. They never talk. Even when one of them says, "We need to talk", they don't. And I could not understand the hero's weird logic. He'd tell himself he wouldn't "take her" until she was willing, right? Noble and all. But he's already screwed up by not consummating the marriage (making him susceptible to being charged with treason). So he'll start mackin' on the heroine and get her all hot and bothered and, dare I say it, willing...and then he'd...walk away.



I just couldn't get on board with any of this. It was frantic and sloppy and illogical.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a clutter of ideas, a disconnect in most sequences, conversations that go in circles, major characters troubling themselves with perpetual thoughts on whether their arranged marriage was a blessing or a curse, minor characters popping out as either allies or foes, romantic moments that turn ambiguously acerbic out of the blue, romantic moments that flood the pages when you’re not even expecting one, and an epilogue that will make you muse (or perhaps, want to scream): “wait—that’s it?”

I finished this novel with a headache.

[Farrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite historical romance, but an overall okay read. The Saxon Bride fell a little flat for me. I didn't dislike it, but I can only say that it was a nice read.

I had mixed feelings about both character. On one hand, Rowena was resilient and strong-willed, while also being fair-minded and John was a good and fair leader, who was also very sweet and quite adorable. However, there was just so much going in circles with them. One minute they trusted each other, the next doubts crowded their minds. It just became repetitive. So while I liked their characters overall, they weren't my favorite.

The romance was a bit troublesome, because of the aforementioned trust issues. But, I did think Rowena and John were sweet together. Despite their doubts, they did eventually choose to trust each other and that was what really counted in the end. So, I thought they were a good couple.

The plot was another issue, because I never felt fully engaged. I don't know if it was just because I didn't connect to the fickle characters or if the story just didn't draw me in, but I can only say that I was somewhat interested throughout the story. However, I didn't find it to be an overall decent read.

The Saxon Bride wasn't the best historical romance, but I was able to enjoy it despite its faults. I don't know if I would recommend it, but it might be worth looking up.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Joann Herley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley York's The Saxon Bride (The Norman Conquest #1) was captivating. This story takes you on a roller coaster of conquest, betrayal, devotion, mistrust, honor, fear, hatred, and love. Rowena, a young Saxon girl, is forced to marry John, a Norman, by order of the King. He leaves her after the wedding without consummating their marriage. Returning after years away from the castle he tries to reunite with his wife. There are those that have not bent the knee to the King leading to hidden traitors. Unrest in the lands surrounding the castle brings pain and suffering to the land and he races to protect them. This story moves at a good pace and the constant action kept me turning the pages. If you like Historical Action/Romance, this book is for you.

[Ashley York]

A child bride and a seasoned warrior...
Her father was the Earl of Essex and died at the point of her husband's sword
His King demands he take his rightful place at her side and in her bed
Did their love ever have a chance?

[Averil Reisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley York’s novel, The Saxon Bride, is a fascinating romance set in the life and times of the eleventh century immediately after the Norman Conquest of Saxon England. In an era when women were pawns moved around a political chessboard at the whim of fathers, kings and guardians, Rowena Godwinson, the daughter of a Saxon earl, finds herself married at sixteen to Sir John of Normandy, a knight who has been charged with the responsibility of creating peace with the conquered people. Journeys at the king’s behest, local uprisings and youthful misunderstandings and misinterpretations conspire to keep the couple from making their own peace in this novel that uniquely displays the few options noblewomen of the time had to create a happy life for themselves. Those who read this novel expecting 21st century behavior of the female characters will be disappointed. The author has skillfully reconstructed an era in which women of high birth were considered chattel and men were absent for great periods of time, and allowed her characters to grow and learn to love each other within that historical framework. I can’t wait to read her next novel.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fairly good read. Though it was not clear to me where a fugitive like Leofrid found gold to bribe unscrupulous villeins or was it Arthur who brought Abigail from Normandy and where did they get their information about Abigail in the first place? Why should a whore like Abigail have more power in Rowena's castle than the wife of the Lord? And why should Rowena be vulnerable to Arthur's and Abigail's separate presences without any guards around? Was John that remiss as a commander and Lord? Whatever happened to William's soldier who groped Rowena's breast and threatened her while escorting her to her royal sanctioned wedding? Who really ordered Rowena's mother's tree cut and why was he not found and punished or at least questioned? There are so many loose ends here, But if I am wrong, please disregard the questions if they have been answered in the book. I might do a re~read and edit this review later.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great idea not very well executed. On the whole I enjoyed the tale, but found several eye-rolling plot-holes. For example:
Non-consummation classed as treason yet he faffs about getting them both hot & bothered then walks away. All she’d have to do is speak up and there’d be hell to pay. Actually, there’d potentially be his life to pay.
Abigail: all Rowena had to do was have her guards throw the damned woman in the vault. Problem solved.
Question: The tree - WTF was that about?
John & Rowena circle each other constantly, but don’t really achieve anything in the relationship initially.
A really GOOD editor would have sorted these problems out, tighten up the plot and the writing, helped character development, and made the book more of a 5 star title.
Three stars because I read to the end and was moderately engaged.

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story of intrigue, treachery, conquest and a love! The story moved at a great pace, and there was always something going on. As I kept reading, it just kept drawing me in more and more. I loved all the little moments in the book that just make me fall in love with it even more, like when John returns to claim her and the holding, she is willing to try to make a marriage, but there is treachery in the making when their enemies try to ensure there is no happily ever after for this couple. In the end love prevails.. or does it? Read it and find out why this story is so captivating!


I highly recommend this book to anyone, and I look forward to the next installment!

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read beyond 5 stars count put the story Dow . Downloaded it yesterday midmorning was reading it till midnight was up at 5:30 am itching to continue. 2 people were forced to Marry one Norman and one Saxon. They mistrusted each other at the beginning. The Knight left the same day as the wedding. Yrs later he came back and couldn't believe his eyes how beautiful his wife was. Only problem was once they started falling for each other people in the Castle were throwing problems their way. They loved each other so much. A must read to find out what problems they had. a. Love so strong Ashley wrote a great love story

[Sharon Manos · Rating 2 out of 5]

👎

Poor character development and disjointed timeline. It had a good concept but lacked substance . Writing SCUM on the chest of a Norman soldier made absolutely no sense, a modern word and in a time period where very few could read and write.

[Kathleen Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love political intrigue and this story has it in spades. Of course, the love story between John and Rowena doesn't hurt the story either. Enjoy, all you fans medieval era stories!

[Zoe]

No rating, read only 20%.

I don't feel anything for the lead characters. And I decided not to continue.

I never do well with kindle unlimited or prime library books.

[Book Nook Kitten · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made mindless by lust heroine! Yup, one of those stupid reads. Awful! There are huge problems with this book despite fact I barely read to 20%. List as follows-

1. It makes no sense. The heroine is threatened with gang rape by the hero's men yet, well, nothing. It seemed thrown in with the sole purpose to create distress in that instant, so she could act out wild and unwilling to marry him, just minutes after promising to be a good and amiable wife, who does her duty to her new husband, in order to help her people. Shakes head.

2. The Norman Lord and now her husband does not follow his King's orders to consumate the marriage, despite constantly claiming he would never disobey his King, even after disobeying his King on this matter. Again shakes head. Not that he should force her, of course not, but it was just so irritating hearing him continuing to think this.

3. Not that he would have had to force her, because the heroine was once again back to being determined to be the amiable wife, waiting in her bed for him to come to her, even wanting him come to her. Because unfortunately she is one of those stupid women who become completely mindless in their instant lust for the strange male she is forced to marry, and whom she now wants so much that she looses all ability to care or remember or to think about anything important. Like the small, tiny, little fact that he killed her beloved father,and I front of her. Or the fact that it was his men who threatened to gang rape her moments before. Again it was eye roll awful!

4. Not that there needs to be any more reason to completely avoid this book, the 'made mindless by insta-lust heroine' in point 3 is enough reason. But the list of problems continues. The hero is just as bad, he always just ups and walks away. Argh. There is nothing, zero, zilch, nada, nothing between them. No scenes. No reason for lust or love to happen because there is nothing written happening between them here.

5. Despite constantly claiming she would be a good, dutiful and amiable wife, to try to gain his loyalty, to get him care for her people, as is her duty, she constantly contradicts her promise and is not actually amiable at all to him, not any of the times he tries to approach her.

6. This author's Norman Lord is not a man of the time, in allowing the heroine to get away with all she does. He is a submissive man, not an Alpha, not the Norman warrior stated.

7. The constant back and forth is tedious. The book is basically just a tiresome will they, won't they, and they only reason they don't is because of one miscommunication and misunderstanding after another. Irritating.

8. The repetition was even more irritating. Yes, we know she was given to the ungodly Norman, yes, we know that despite him killing her father, she will be amiable and dutiful, or not as it turns out. Yes, we know she ridiculously dreams and wants and lusts and waits for him, the Norman with warm brown eyes, eye roll, to grace her bed. Yes, we know she was left an untouched virgin because he did not come to her bed. And on and on and on. We are made to re-read all these things over and over, and many more before the book even really gets going. So basic. Nothing to this story.

9. The writing is awful. Not only the lack of scenes created to actually allow the hero and heroine to interact, which were sorely lacking, not only the non-existent depth to the characters or the story, but also the constant flicking back and forth between very modern language and medieval style, in both the dialogue and the prose.

10. I've only just begun to read medieval romances, I usually prefer Highland and pride and prejudice era historical romance, so I have only read a few Norman/Saxon stories, yet they all have had this exact same plot, of a Saxon daughter being given to the savage Norman conquerer. Every single one of them. This was the worst. I'm not an expert in the genre but I'd say read The Bargin, (Medieval Warriors) by JA Templeton, instead of this. Because even though I didn't rate it highly compared to the books in my preferred genres of dark romance and biker romance, even it was much better than this, with the exact same plot. 1 star. The writing of this really was not good.

[Candace N · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started off strong but then it shifted and I had a hard time following because it just didn’t flow. It frequently jumped weeks, months, and years into the future with no warning. I didn’t even know what happened, it was a bit frustrating. There was very little character development in my opinion and I just couldn’t connect to the characters. This could have been sooo good if it had just remained consistent and the gaps were filled. That is just my opinion and preference though, I think it’s perfect for those looking for a fast paced read. It wasn’t horrible. There was definitely parts I liked. I even think I’d try reading another book by this author... I just wasn’t sold on this one.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing for the time period, this story introduces John of Normandy, unwavering in his loyalty yet possessing simple needs. His reward: a child bride and the lands of the Saxon he felled in battle – her father. His bride is a passionate woman, her spirit a beacon to a man like him. Rowena is stubborn, determined that this Norman will not harm her people as she takes her place as lady of the manor. Passion flares between them, yet she strives to instill in him the Saxon ways of managing their estate. Unseen by either, a darkness gathers, poised to overthrow the Norman King, a danger that shadows them both. Theirs is an adventure set in perilous times, the journey of two adversaries learning to love and live alongside each other.

[LINDA Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best that I have read

From the moment that I started to read this story I felt that I was their watching the the story unfold what a great book I had to read the next chapters till the end. It was so complying and I could not just put it down. This is the first book that I have read by Ashley York and it will not be the last just brought the next one in the The Gentle Knlght and can not wait to start it.. Any one who loves historical romances I would highly recommended this author and her new series set the years of the Norman Conquest.

[Timothy Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I like the historical nature of the book. I enjoyed the book and the characters. I felt the book ended a little abruptly. I expected more. The book in some areas when on and on and so I was surprised at the abrupt ending. I am a genealogist and have traced some ancestry into this era and some actual events that I have run into with some ancestors would have paralleled some of the events and feelings in the story.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very muddled book that could have been much improved by a thorough edit. Characterisation and events are inconsistent, things that seem like important plot points are brushed over in favour of unimportant details. Language and attitudes are also inconsistent, sometimes being noticeably modern.
Sped read most of the second half but did finish so 2 stars. I don't think I'll read anything else by this author.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glimpse into medieval history

An intriguing tale where a saxon bride & her legacy are handed over to the conqueroring knights. She does all she can to help her people while the new lord neglects his bride & new estates.
Lots of intrigue, advenure & the sad lack of humanity in ruling classes.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowena and John were married by order of King William. There life was a rough one considering that their families were enemies. Intriguing interplay and misunderstanding throughout the book. Often just when you think at last they are Happy something else happens. A book to keep you on your toes. I liked it.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story

An interesting romance told from viewpoint favorable to Normans. Even though William is on the throne and attempting to unite the conquered Saxons under his rule, there are pockets of resistance, which adds an element of suspense.

[Mervin Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This is a great book! The romance is earned in this book and is emotional to the reader. The author wrote this book from the heart. I look forward to her next book.

[Mary Stockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding

This is such an outstanding, well written book. It gives the reader so much insight into what life must have been like during those times.

[Sharonb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this as a freebie glad I didn't pay for it!