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Ladies of Lore #1
The Lady of the Garter
When Henry VII takes the throne, not all are loyal to the new king. Garter knight, Sir James, is charged with bringing dissenters to justice. Determined to fulfill his vows, he’s unprepared for Lady Elena, a girl from his past.
Lady Elena defies her family and disguises herself as a squire to reunite with the man she’s always loved. Determined to thwart the norms of the day, she risks all to learn the secrets of the Garter knights. Although she wields a sword like a man, she must fight with her feminine heart.
Thrust into a world of danger and family rivalry, James and Elena must each choose between personal sacrifice and great consequence as they navigate a second chance at love.
Will Elena find the courage to fight to save James from a dark knight set out for revenge, but loose her chance at knighthood?
Can James avenge his father’s death and find passion, or will his Garter oaths hold him to a life of service without love?
The Lady waits to tell her tale.
Lady Elena defies her family and disguises herself as a squire to reunite with the man she’s always loved. Determined to thwart the norms of the day, she risks all to learn the secrets of the Garter knights. Although she wields a sword like a man, she must fight with her feminine heart.
Thrust into a world of danger and family rivalry, James and Elena must each choose between personal sacrifice and great consequence as they navigate a second chance at love.
Will Elena find the courage to fight to save James from a dark knight set out for revenge, but loose her chance at knighthood?
Can James avenge his father’s death and find passion, or will his Garter oaths hold him to a life of service without love?
The Lady waits to tell her tale.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2014
268 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Dillon
7 books145 followersMarisa Dillon’s fascination with historical places started at an early age. Add in a love of all things romantic, a passion for writing, and a fully charged laptop, and you’ll find Marisa creating adventures not for the faint of heart.
Marisa is the author of The Ladies of Lore, a three-book Tudor romance series. Her new Regency Era release, The Duchess Heist, is the first book in the Art of Love Series.
When she's not working with fictional characters, Marisa writes and creates for the television industry. With a B.A. from The Ohio State University in Journalism, she’s an award-winning producer/director/writer working on commercial production, product branding and social media.
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Marisa is the author of The Ladies of Lore, a three-book Tudor romance series. Her new Regency Era release, The Duchess Heist, is the first book in the Art of Love Series.
When she's not working with fictional characters, Marisa writes and creates for the television industry. With a B.A. from The Ohio State University in Journalism, she’s an award-winning producer/director/writer working on commercial production, product branding and social media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 27, 2015
3 and ½ Stars… Entertaining Medieval Romance with a Heroine who wants to be a Knight
Set in 1486, beginning in Warwick Castle, this is a somewhat fanciful story in which a young woman becomes infatuated with a knight and decides to become one herself. In furtherance of her mission, Lady Elena becomes a squire for Garter knight, Sir James of Somerset—the man she loves.
Sir James has been tasked by Henry VII to bring the rebels in Gloucestershire to justice. He has no idea one of his new squires is Elena, a girl from his past.
There’s jousting, action and an evil knight, Sir Nicholas, the Earl of Dunster, who is eager to see the end of James. And there’s enough history to put you in the era. At first I thought this must be a second in a series because of the references to Elena and James’ earlier meetings and Elena’s attraction for the knight that arose when she was younger, but, upon checking, I see this is actually the author’s first book.
While the writing is good and the dialog snappy, I often found myself wanting more vivid descriptions of the setting and more feeling for the history the author occasionally gave us. For the 15th century, the heroine (an innocent raised as a lady), seemed a bit too comfortable with getting naked and giving herself to a man she was not married to. And I had trouble seeing her with enough strength to actually fight a trained knight but she does. All that aside, it’s an entertaining read and, for those who like spunky heroines who take on a man’s role, it will delight.
Set in 1486, beginning in Warwick Castle, this is a somewhat fanciful story in which a young woman becomes infatuated with a knight and decides to become one herself. In furtherance of her mission, Lady Elena becomes a squire for Garter knight, Sir James of Somerset—the man she loves.
Sir James has been tasked by Henry VII to bring the rebels in Gloucestershire to justice. He has no idea one of his new squires is Elena, a girl from his past.
There’s jousting, action and an evil knight, Sir Nicholas, the Earl of Dunster, who is eager to see the end of James. And there’s enough history to put you in the era. At first I thought this must be a second in a series because of the references to Elena and James’ earlier meetings and Elena’s attraction for the knight that arose when she was younger, but, upon checking, I see this is actually the author’s first book.
While the writing is good and the dialog snappy, I often found myself wanting more vivid descriptions of the setting and more feeling for the history the author occasionally gave us. For the 15th century, the heroine (an innocent raised as a lady), seemed a bit too comfortable with getting naked and giving herself to a man she was not married to. And I had trouble seeing her with enough strength to actually fight a trained knight but she does. All that aside, it’s an entertaining read and, for those who like spunky heroines who take on a man’s role, it will delight.
rom-historical
January 30, 2016For a star rating and full review please visit InD'tale magazine online, April 2015 issue www.indtale.com http://www.indtale.com/reviews/histor...
March 17, 2018
Good read.
Very good read. The characters were real and strong. Looking forward to reading your other books. Your imagination is great
Very good read. The characters were real and strong. Looking forward to reading your other books. Your imagination is great
February 27, 2018
INTENSELY ENTERTAINING READ, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! WOW LOVED IT...
The Lady of the Garter earns 5 STARS as one of the books that I was so involved that I read it from page 1 straight through to the end. Elena/Edward is on a quest to train as a knight in her disguise as a squire, for the knight she has loved for years, Sir James. The Order of the Garter, was actually real history wise, is an order of Knights who are loyal to their King, with a allegiance Vow of Life & to God, these Knight's basically spent years tending solely to the King and the King's business before they had separate lives and got married. As James journeyed on King's business with other Knights of the Order then on a rescue mission of James's Mother from kidnapping, Edward/Elena is tested yet also learns more of the knighly profession. The two are both intent to the happiness of each other but their long intense journey which emotional hardships and new enemies greet them almost daily. Wonderful and Entertaining. Get it and read. Today. WARNING: 18 yr & up SIMPLE SEXUAL COUPLING PG
The Lady of the Garter earns 5 STARS as one of the books that I was so involved that I read it from page 1 straight through to the end. Elena/Edward is on a quest to train as a knight in her disguise as a squire, for the knight she has loved for years, Sir James. The Order of the Garter, was actually real history wise, is an order of Knights who are loyal to their King, with a allegiance Vow of Life & to God, these Knight's basically spent years tending solely to the King and the King's business before they had separate lives and got married. As James journeyed on King's business with other Knights of the Order then on a rescue mission of James's Mother from kidnapping, Edward/Elena is tested yet also learns more of the knighly profession. The two are both intent to the happiness of each other but their long intense journey which emotional hardships and new enemies greet them almost daily. Wonderful and Entertaining. Get it and read. Today. WARNING: 18 yr & up SIMPLE SEXUAL COUPLING PG
April 25, 2018
For about the first half, I didn't really enjoy it, as it seemed to be a very stereotypical girl dresses up as a man to be with a man she loves story. However, she was discovered early and I was wondering where the story would go from there. It ended up being an interesting story involving an evil plot and suspenseful action on top of the hidden identities.
March 11, 2018
Excellent!
Interesting book! Very different from anything I have read. Sometimes almost tongue in cheek humor and other times very serious. Well worth reading. Definitely too explicit scenes.
Interesting book! Very different from anything I have read. Sometimes almost tongue in cheek humor and other times very serious. Well worth reading. Definitely too explicit scenes.
February 24, 2018
Hummm
Easy story to follow and read. Some things were surprisingly interesting to say the least. Happy endings if your into that too.
Easy story to follow and read. Some things were surprisingly interesting to say the least. Happy endings if your into that too.
Read
March 6, 2018Looking f orward to the next - different and very interesting and enjoyable
October 25, 2018
Sweet!!!
This was another sweet love story from Marisa Dillon!! I don't think I will ever tire of her writing. I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a wonderful love story.
This was another sweet love story from Marisa Dillon!! I don't think I will ever tire of her writing. I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a wonderful love story.
August 21, 2023
a interesting romance
So many unique things in this storyline. Who would have even thought a woman would want to become a knight? Marisa captured my attention and kept it to the end. I’m ready for more.
So many unique things in this storyline. Who would have even thought a woman would want to become a knight? Marisa captured my attention and kept it to the end. I’m ready for more.
February 28, 2018
Very enjoyable !
This was my first Marisa Dillon book. I truly enjoyed it. Her characters are rich and bold. And you transported to the days of Jousting. I highly recommend this book!
This was my first Marisa Dillon book. I truly enjoyed it. Her characters are rich and bold. And you transported to the days of Jousting. I highly recommend this book!
April 2, 2018
Great book.
I really liked this story. It was easy to read. I liked the romance and drama. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
I really liked this story. It was easy to read. I liked the romance and drama. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
January 3, 2023
In the English countryside in 1486, ladies were supposed to marry, produce children, and run a household. Lady Elena wants all that for herself, but first she must get the attention of her girlhood hero Sir James. Her method? She dresses as a lad and becomes his squire. She must keep him from getting killed while jousting, join his quest to rescue his kidnapped mother, and convince him to teach her the art of combat. He’s taken a vow to never marry, so she has that to overcome too. So fast paced and exciting, I stayed up past my bedtime reading just one more chapter and then another. Action, adventure, humor, sex play without seduction. Read this book. You’ll love it.
September 6, 2019
Worth reading
Slow start but builds well. Love history and a good love story. Builds to a good ending with siblings ending it.
Slow start but builds well. Love history and a good love story. Builds to a good ending with siblings ending it.
February 27, 2018
Short Read
This was a short read and well written. Some parts were silly but truthfully it was a good book. Religion is written in to this book.
This was a short read and well written. Some parts were silly but truthfully it was a good book. Religion is written in to this book.
April 14, 2015
Vikki’s Musings
I discovered The Lady of the Garter through the Kindle Unlimited program and since I enjoy anything set during the Tudor reign, I immediately downloaded it. I quickly became enmeshed in this unique story of a young woman whose brother wants her to act as squire for Sir James a man she has been in love with since childhood.
Elena of Warwickshire has wanted to train to become a knight since a young child and her brother has forced her to by pledging her service as a squire to Sir James. While Elena wants to train, she knows she can never become a Garter knight. The king would never allow a women in their midst. When she is assigned to help Sir James to remove his armor, she valiantly goes to the tent. She soon has his breast plate off and finds she is eye level with Sir James’ muscular chest, stepping back, she stumbles off a stool and lands in a heap at his feet.
This first meeting does not go well, and he tells her to get out. During the banquet after the tournament, her brother plies her with drink and the next thing she knows she awakens and sees her knight’s naked back. As she tries to sneak out, he awakens, the very naked Sir James orders her to dress him. When she hands him his britches, he snatches them from her and again dismisses her. Later that morning, he comes to her aid when the king’s master falconer accuses her of making off with one his majesty’s falcons. This leads to a truce as they set out for Gloucestershire to break up a band of Yorkists.
Now that Sir James has accepted her as his squire, Elena now wonders how she can ever win his love now that he believes she is a lad. Will James forgive her when he learns of her duplicity, or will he send her back to her father, forever ending her chances of earning his love?
I enjoyed The Lady of the Garter. It is fast paced, easy read. At times, the story did become fairly predictable, but not so much that it took away from my reading pleasure. The plot is somewhat different and while a bit unbelievable at times, it still made an interesting tale. After all, it is fiction. Some things can be far-fetched if it makes for an interesting story.
I found the character well-developed for a short book, especially for a debut novel. I particularly liked Elena’s feistiness and determination to rise above the norm of the day for women. She goes after James with fervor to win his heart. Now James on the other hand, took a bit of a while for me to warm up to him. He is a bit too brusque to Elena in the first part of the story for my tastes.
Nonetheless, I did like the book and will look to more books from Ms. Dillon in the future. If you like a book with a nice bit of history worked into the plot, then you will enjoy this delightful, action-packed story. Happy reading!
I discovered The Lady of the Garter through the Kindle Unlimited program and since I enjoy anything set during the Tudor reign, I immediately downloaded it. I quickly became enmeshed in this unique story of a young woman whose brother wants her to act as squire for Sir James a man she has been in love with since childhood.
Elena of Warwickshire has wanted to train to become a knight since a young child and her brother has forced her to by pledging her service as a squire to Sir James. While Elena wants to train, she knows she can never become a Garter knight. The king would never allow a women in their midst. When she is assigned to help Sir James to remove his armor, she valiantly goes to the tent. She soon has his breast plate off and finds she is eye level with Sir James’ muscular chest, stepping back, she stumbles off a stool and lands in a heap at his feet.
This first meeting does not go well, and he tells her to get out. During the banquet after the tournament, her brother plies her with drink and the next thing she knows she awakens and sees her knight’s naked back. As she tries to sneak out, he awakens, the very naked Sir James orders her to dress him. When she hands him his britches, he snatches them from her and again dismisses her. Later that morning, he comes to her aid when the king’s master falconer accuses her of making off with one his majesty’s falcons. This leads to a truce as they set out for Gloucestershire to break up a band of Yorkists.
Now that Sir James has accepted her as his squire, Elena now wonders how she can ever win his love now that he believes she is a lad. Will James forgive her when he learns of her duplicity, or will he send her back to her father, forever ending her chances of earning his love?
I enjoyed The Lady of the Garter. It is fast paced, easy read. At times, the story did become fairly predictable, but not so much that it took away from my reading pleasure. The plot is somewhat different and while a bit unbelievable at times, it still made an interesting tale. After all, it is fiction. Some things can be far-fetched if it makes for an interesting story.
I found the character well-developed for a short book, especially for a debut novel. I particularly liked Elena’s feistiness and determination to rise above the norm of the day for women. She goes after James with fervor to win his heart. Now James on the other hand, took a bit of a while for me to warm up to him. He is a bit too brusque to Elena in the first part of the story for my tastes.
Nonetheless, I did like the book and will look to more books from Ms. Dillon in the future. If you like a book with a nice bit of history worked into the plot, then you will enjoy this delightful, action-packed story. Happy reading!
October 5, 2019
Elana wants to be a knight.
Some of the stuff she goes through is scary. The story has suspense, travel and romance.
James is her knight. When she decides she is going to make it as a knight, her brother helps her become a squire for James. He had promised to marry her, but he never returned to keep his promise so she decided he was going to help her dream of becoming a knight.
A good story!
Some of the stuff she goes through is scary. The story has suspense, travel and romance.
James is her knight. When she decides she is going to make it as a knight, her brother helps her become a squire for James. He had promised to marry her, but he never returned to keep his promise so she decided he was going to help her dream of becoming a knight.
A good story!
January 20, 2020
What a incredibly awesome book!
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book, but was so glad I did! Turned out to be a great storyline and loved the ending! Hope the next is just as captivating!
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book, but was so glad I did! Turned out to be a great storyline and loved the ending! Hope the next is just as captivating!
January 19, 2020
Lady in Fight
Loved the story of a woman fighting for her man however long it took. And to get it through his thick skull.
Loved the story of a woman fighting for her man however long it took. And to get it through his thick skull.
May 8, 2015
Full of exciting elements such as jousts, kidnapping, mystery and deception while combining elements of chivalry and love, this historical takes the reader on an adventurous and romantic ride!
Read full review in the 2015 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2015 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
February 25, 2018
Save your time
Too many inconsistencies in this story, poor spelling and grammar errors. Choppy sentences made it hard to finish reading this book, in the end, I mostly skimmed through it. It could have been an interesting read had there been more attention to the story details.
Too many inconsistencies in this story, poor spelling and grammar errors. Choppy sentences made it hard to finish reading this book, in the end, I mostly skimmed through it. It could have been an interesting read had there been more attention to the story details.
August 12, 2018
Impressive!
This was a quick read full of action. Elena, the main character, wants to be a knight and with the help of her brother and cousin, she becomes the squire of her first love. James is a brave knight, but dense in realizing that his squire is a woman. They both encountered an evil foe on their way to rescue his mother. The ending was sweet and hilarious
This was a quick read full of action. Elena, the main character, wants to be a knight and with the help of her brother and cousin, she becomes the squire of her first love. James is a brave knight, but dense in realizing that his squire is a woman. They both encountered an evil foe on their way to rescue his mother. The ending was sweet and hilarious
February 10, 2015
I had a Fabulous time reading this book. Even though most romance novels are pretty cookie cutter predictable. I feel this was a real page turner. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. This book made you really root for the hero and really hate the bad guy. Loved it!!
March 9, 2018
Not bad
Not a bad read but lacks connectivity. Characters jump from scene to scene with no explanation of how they got there. Seems as though pages or paragraphs are missing.
Not a bad read but lacks connectivity. Characters jump from scene to scene with no explanation of how they got there. Seems as though pages or paragraphs are missing.
June 25, 2018
Predictable story, but I enjoyed it.
February 25, 2019
The laddy of the garter
A fantastic and true love story filled with intriguing stories twisted relations and enjoyable scenes. I enjoyed a lot. Thankyou
A fantastic and true love story filled with intriguing stories twisted relations and enjoyable scenes. I enjoyed a lot. Thankyou
January 18, 2020
The Lady of the Garter is book one in The Ladies of Lore Series by Marisa Dillon. I struggled through this story. The writing is quite choppy in spots and the plot gets confusing at times. The idea of a medieval maiden wanting to be a knight felt ludicrous at first. I read the first few chapters with a growing skepticism. And then I remembered a true medieval warrior woman - Joan of Arc. So even though a woman fighting was rare, it's not unheard of and therefore not as far-fetched a notion as I originally thought. The heroine Elena disguises herself as squire to a knight she loves. The hero James does seem dense to not recognize the heroine in her “disguise”, especially when he discovers her completely nude. I thought it would have been nice for Dillon to give some back story early on explaining the supposed “love story” between James and Elena. The one person who I feel stole the show was the villain Sir Nicolas. Overall, I would give this first book a 3.5 stars.
October 7, 2019
DNF at 25% I love this kind of story - girl dressing up as boy to become knight - but this was terrible. I can forgive the spelling errors and clunkiness of the story. However I can’t forgive the complete inconsistency of the main character, who flip flopped from being worldly and used to men (four brothers who she fought with and saw naked, and saying that James’ horse needed a good ride, just like he did) and then half swooning when she saw his nipple and not being able to even take off his armour. Her knowledge in battle when she always seemed so incompetent. And the ‘battles’, oh these are so poorly written they were laughable. I just couldn’t do it. It’s not my style of writing at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2019
I had to give up. The punctuation errors were annoying but might have been overlooked had the story made more sense. The author did not succeed in convincing me that any of this might have been remotely possible, and the book even seemed to start in the middle of the plot with only bits of explanation of why and how.
August 11, 2020
Plot Acceptable
The plot is okay—not good but readable. The grammar and spelling are completely unacceptable. I would go so far as to say they are atrocious. Also words are misused. There are many instances where a homonym is used—allude rather than the correct elude comes to mind. If this book were properly edited, I would give it three stars.
The plot is okay—not good but readable. The grammar and spelling are completely unacceptable. I would go so far as to say they are atrocious. Also words are misused. There are many instances where a homonym is used—allude rather than the correct elude comes to mind. If this book were properly edited, I would give it three stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews