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A Steamy, Medieval Romance
Blaise Laurent's word is never questioned. A Medieval Guardian, Blaise has protected women for centuries, and demands absolute obedience from those around him - from servants to nobility. When he takes Madeleine Defoe under his protection he's unprepared for a woman who refuses to follow orders and defies him at every turn.
Madeleine loves nothing more than to provoke the fearsome but handsome Guardian, never imagining that he hides a secret about her past. When she tweaks the tail of the tiger one time too many, neither Blaise nor Madeleine can imagine the events that will be set in motion.
From Chapter 6
A cool wind blew out of the north, sweeping across the beach and carrying the scent of ocean spray. Gulls circled overhead, their calls piercing the cold morning air as the sound of waves crashed against nearby cliffs. The first rays of sunshine broke over the hills behind Madeleine and cast rosy light over the dunes.
“I thought you weren’t an early riser, Blaise. Is that what makes you such an ogre?” Madeleine stood on the beach trying not to tremble. Her mother’s swim suit billowed around her like a ship sail’s in a brisk wind. It had fit once, when Pierre called on her – or was it Jon Paul? She couldn’t be sure. The linen kirtle covered leggings that reached past her ankles. The garment covered her arms as well but hardly offered anything in the way of warmth. The fabric was snug across her chest but hung around her legs. Her teeth chattered and she cast glances at the stormy waves that crashed on the shore; the water was the color of granite.
Blaise made no reply, instead busying himself with the fire he’d built. Driftwood – logs bigger than she, were piled in the pit he’d dug. It was astonishing, the strength he had. After staring for a long while, she wandered to the water’s edge, wriggled her toes in the surf. The frigid water made her bones ache and she considered running back to the fire and huddling close to the flames.
Strong arms lifted her in the air and she shrieked as she was hoisted over Blaise’s immense shoulder. He strode into the water with her while she shrieked and flailed in his grasp.
“It’s best to get it over with,” he said. “Inching in one toe at a time will only be painful.”
She tried to find something to hold onto, but he’d taken off his tunic and was bare-chested. She wanted to scream for help, but no one was about to see her plight; a half-naked lunatic was taking her to the icy waters in revenge for some offense.
“You want me to apologize don’t you?” she cried out. “For calling you an ogre?” The water was already to his waist and in seconds she would be dunked by her captor.
“You don’t need to apologize. You need to swim, and then go sit by the fire like a good girl while I take my swim. Then we’ll have our little chat.”
She wriggled and pounded on his broad back with her fists. “You’re a beast!”
He smacked her bottom, one stinging blow. The next instant she was airborne, flying through the salty wind and landing with a splash in the waves. The water closed around her and she sank down to the sandy bottom, the icy water closing in over her head. She found her footing and pushed to the surface. Her sopping hair hung over her eyes and she swiped it out of the way. More than anything, she wanted to unleash a torrent of abuse, but was taken aback by the expression on his face. He glowered, his eyes lit with something like anger, or fury.
Blaise Laurent's word is never questioned. A Medieval Guardian, Blaise has protected women for centuries, and demands absolute obedience from those around him - from servants to nobility. When he takes Madeleine Defoe under his protection he's unprepared for a woman who refuses to follow orders and defies him at every turn.
Madeleine loves nothing more than to provoke the fearsome but handsome Guardian, never imagining that he hides a secret about her past. When she tweaks the tail of the tiger one time too many, neither Blaise nor Madeleine can imagine the events that will be set in motion.
From Chapter 6
A cool wind blew out of the north, sweeping across the beach and carrying the scent of ocean spray. Gulls circled overhead, their calls piercing the cold morning air as the sound of waves crashed against nearby cliffs. The first rays of sunshine broke over the hills behind Madeleine and cast rosy light over the dunes.
“I thought you weren’t an early riser, Blaise. Is that what makes you such an ogre?” Madeleine stood on the beach trying not to tremble. Her mother’s swim suit billowed around her like a ship sail’s in a brisk wind. It had fit once, when Pierre called on her – or was it Jon Paul? She couldn’t be sure. The linen kirtle covered leggings that reached past her ankles. The garment covered her arms as well but hardly offered anything in the way of warmth. The fabric was snug across her chest but hung around her legs. Her teeth chattered and she cast glances at the stormy waves that crashed on the shore; the water was the color of granite.
Blaise made no reply, instead busying himself with the fire he’d built. Driftwood – logs bigger than she, were piled in the pit he’d dug. It was astonishing, the strength he had. After staring for a long while, she wandered to the water’s edge, wriggled her toes in the surf. The frigid water made her bones ache and she considered running back to the fire and huddling close to the flames.
Strong arms lifted her in the air and she shrieked as she was hoisted over Blaise’s immense shoulder. He strode into the water with her while she shrieked and flailed in his grasp.
“It’s best to get it over with,” he said. “Inching in one toe at a time will only be painful.”
She tried to find something to hold onto, but he’d taken off his tunic and was bare-chested. She wanted to scream for help, but no one was about to see her plight; a half-naked lunatic was taking her to the icy waters in revenge for some offense.
“You want me to apologize don’t you?” she cried out. “For calling you an ogre?” The water was already to his waist and in seconds she would be dunked by her captor.
“You don’t need to apologize. You need to swim, and then go sit by the fire like a good girl while I take my swim. Then we’ll have our little chat.”
She wriggled and pounded on his broad back with her fists. “You’re a beast!”
He smacked her bottom, one stinging blow. The next instant she was airborne, flying through the salty wind and landing with a splash in the waves. The water closed around her and she sank down to the sandy bottom, the icy water closing in over her head. She found her footing and pushed to the surface. Her sopping hair hung over her eyes and she swiped it out of the way. More than anything, she wanted to unleash a torrent of abuse, but was taken aback by the expression on his face. He glowered, his eyes lit with something like anger, or fury.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2015
6 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 28, 2016
A very enjoyable paranormal medieval story about a guardian. Now guardians are sent to watch over and protect those who have tried to protect others.
In this story Blaise is sent to be guardian to Gwen (a sweet older lady). In his duties he comes across Madeline or Maddy as he calls her. They have a great little battle of wills going on but underneath it all they want to be together.
She knows he would never be with her so she goes about making her life and gets engaged to another only to have him secretly ruin it.
Now the story goes on after she is left at the Alter. Blaise convinces Maddie to come and be the companion to Lady Gwen.
I will not give anything else away but they have issues on both sides to deal with before the dust settles.
I must say I am really enjoying this author. I like her writing style and her twist on characters.
Totally enjoyable and I will continue to look out for her books
Happy reading.
Please note: that it would have been a 5 star read if there had been more drama. I am a total nut for drama.
In this story Blaise is sent to be guardian to Gwen (a sweet older lady). In his duties he comes across Madeline or Maddy as he calls her. They have a great little battle of wills going on but underneath it all they want to be together.
She knows he would never be with her so she goes about making her life and gets engaged to another only to have him secretly ruin it.
Now the story goes on after she is left at the Alter. Blaise convinces Maddie to come and be the companion to Lady Gwen.
I will not give anything else away but they have issues on both sides to deal with before the dust settles.
I must say I am really enjoying this author. I like her writing style and her twist on characters.
Totally enjoyable and I will continue to look out for her books
Happy reading.
Please note: that it would have been a 5 star read if there had been more drama. I am a total nut for drama.
December 28, 2020
This was a nice little medieval novella with a hero that is exactly as a like. He’s been watching over the heroine for years and has intervened to keep her separate from other men. I loved that he was fiercely protective and possessive. While this doesn’t have a lot of character development due to the length, and the plot line is simple, it was still very enjoyable and I will definitely be checking to see if there are other books that followed.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
December 22, 2021
An enjoyable read even if I tried to figure out what it was trying to be. A historical? Check! It’s set in medieval France. Is it a Pnr? Kinda-sorta? Doesn’t really explain how the hero, once a human, and initiated into an immortal band of guardians upon his death can suddenly become a wolf shifter. Also would’ve liked to see more of his wolf.
However if you don’t think too much about to, it was a cute, fast, sweet story with some steamy moments. My FAVORITE part of the book was that the hero had threatened and run off every man interested in the heroine. Be still my swooning heart!! I love a jealous, possessive hero!
Hero celibate, no deets on past, although he’s been alive for several centuries. Innocent heroine. No “real” others, even tho heroine was betrothed. No cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue
However if you don’t think too much about to, it was a cute, fast, sweet story with some steamy moments. My FAVORITE part of the book was that the hero had threatened and run off every man interested in the heroine. Be still my swooning heart!! I love a jealous, possessive hero!
Hero celibate, no deets on past, although he’s been alive for several centuries. Innocent heroine. No “real” others, even tho heroine was betrothed. No cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue
August 24, 2017
Another awesome Sasha Gold slow burn story. A hero who at one moment made me want to punch him in his face then the next one completely understood the heroines confusion. The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars was the lack of I love you from the Hero. I need those words if there's any type of pushing away or fighting feelings.. But I still couldn't put it down.
100% Safe
Celibate hero after seeing heroine.. Heroine a virgin.
100% Safe
Celibate hero after seeing heroine.. Heroine a virgin.
March 11, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read the first book and snagged this from the freebie list but it appealed to me. Blaise Laurent's playful nature towards Madeleine Defoe is the secret the author had in holding my attention. I go for all variety of H personalities but I really got a kick out of him. He is a shapeshifter (wolf) and is immortal, known by his black heart to never laugh. He is a friend of Maddy's family and comes to take her to be a companion for Lady Gwen. She was humiliated when her betrothed jilted her and married another so Maddy is eager to escape the embarrassment. Let the teasing begin when Maddy attempts conversation with Blaise on their journey to Moreau.
The real villain in this story is Blaise's heart. He witnessed his parents death and closed it off a long time ago. He isn't even aware that this his love for Maddy exists. The extents he has went to to protect her are hilarious. Hilarious because there were a couple suitors who clearly deserved to get chased off but Charles did nothing wrong except pick the wrong girl. Maddy believes something is wrong with her. Her mother has always described her as beautiful and yet she is headed into spinsterhood.
The story continues in this vein as Maddy adjusts to her new situation and her attraction to Blaise burns brighter than ever. He agrees to taking her swimming and once again playful Blaise comes out. Those surrounding them have also taken notice to Blaise's change. He laughs and he stares a lot at Maddy but will he ever admit to himself and her what he feels inside or will he take her back to Dijon with her parents? There are some love scenes and they are prior to a promise of devotion but I was pleased with how it all unraveled. There was real love there even if both parties were not clear on what they shared. This is also a stand alone which I mention because sometimes with series you need to start at the beginning in order to understand it all.
The real villain in this story is Blaise's heart. He witnessed his parents death and closed it off a long time ago. He isn't even aware that this his love for Maddy exists. The extents he has went to to protect her are hilarious. Hilarious because there were a couple suitors who clearly deserved to get chased off but Charles did nothing wrong except pick the wrong girl. Maddy believes something is wrong with her. Her mother has always described her as beautiful and yet she is headed into spinsterhood.
The story continues in this vein as Maddy adjusts to her new situation and her attraction to Blaise burns brighter than ever. He agrees to taking her swimming and once again playful Blaise comes out. Those surrounding them have also taken notice to Blaise's change. He laughs and he stares a lot at Maddy but will he ever admit to himself and her what he feels inside or will he take her back to Dijon with her parents? There are some love scenes and they are prior to a promise of devotion but I was pleased with how it all unraveled. There was real love there even if both parties were not clear on what they shared. This is also a stand alone which I mention because sometimes with series you need to start at the beginning in order to understand it all.
July 22, 2015
Blaise and Maddy. It's a quick read with an even quicker ending. But it was was pretty entertaining. Blaise is an immortal who is tasked with protecting women who are in danger and have risked their lives for others. Over the years Maddy has watched him come an go from her village and crushed from afar. Then after she is left at the alter by her fiance, he requests her help as a companion to the elderly woman he is charged with protecting. Maddy is lovely and men tend to notice her but for some strange reason their attention never lasts, so she never believes that Blaise could return her love. But thing aren't really as they seem and Blaise is one grumpy guy who just needs a little persuasion. My only complaint is that the ending was rather an abrupt 180 but there is a wee bit of an epilogue to make up for it. I also wish there had been more detail in the world building, but perhaps that comes as you read the series? I would definitely read this author again!
March 21, 2015
This author can write. I appreciated this story, even more than the preceding one, "Crimson".
Will be waiting for more installments in this series, "Medieval Guardians".
I only don't understand what this genre is exactly: paranormal? Medieval fantasy?
I would try a Gold's real medieval tale. I'm sure she can do very, very well!
Will be waiting for more installments in this series, "Medieval Guardians".
I only don't understand what this genre is exactly: paranormal? Medieval fantasy?
I would try a Gold's real medieval tale. I'm sure she can do very, very well!
April 2, 2015
A romance must have
A little bit of drama with lots of very serious romance going on. It's definitely an adult read, but well worth it...please be sure to read the first book in this series because this one is a sorta continuation...I really enjoyed it...happy reading!!!
A little bit of drama with lots of very serious romance going on. It's definitely an adult read, but well worth it...please be sure to read the first book in this series because this one is a sorta continuation...I really enjoyed it...happy reading!!!
July 15, 2015
interesting.
May 23, 2016
Underwhelming
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews