Forever and a Knight

The Knight Legends #2

by Bridget Essex

A warrior woman, a DJ from Boston, and a love story that's out of this world...Josie Beckett is a shock jock DJ--she's sarcastic, funny and doesn’t believe in anything at all, certainly not in magic. But she’s going to start believing when she finds herself no longer in her apartment’s basement…but in the wild woods of another world entirely. And falling (literally) onto a woman who makes her heart skip a beat. Attis, the mysterious, dashing woman Josie unceremoniously fell onto, was once a knight…but tragedy caused her to give up her dream. Josie is now on another world, a world where cheap coffee, twenty-four hour hot dog stands and radio don't exist--and she has no idea how to get home. When Attis offers to let Josie accompany her to the capital city of this strange, magical country, Josie embarks on the ride of her life. There's so much more to Attis than meets the eye, and in the span of a couple of days, Josie finds herself falling for the brooding, quiet warrior woman who was there to catch her. Can the two women find a way back to Josie’s world…or will love make Josie want to stay? And, of course, there’s the tiny problem that, in the dark woods of this strange, new world, there is something following Josie and Attis...FOREVER AND A KNIGHT is a light-hearted, fantastical romance that will take you on a journey you’ll never forget.This novel is set in the same world as A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER, but is a stand-alone book. It is part of Bridget Essex's Knight Legends women knights, real world hi-jinks and love stories that transcend time.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Audiobook

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2015

About the author

My name is Bridget Essex, and I write about werewolves, vampires and lady knights; about two strong, courageous women who fall deeply in love with one another, living love stories that transcend time. I'm married to the love of my life, author Natalie Vivien.

I'm best known for my Knight Legends series, stories about women knights, real world hi-jinks and love stories that are out of this world. My Sullivan Vampire novellas are a popular series lauded as "TWILIGHT for women who love women," and I have several other series and stand-alone novellas, and I'm always putting out something new. Learn more at http://bridgetessex.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Forever and a Knight (The Knight Legends #2)” reminds me of the adage “if you always do what you’ve always done, you always get what you’ve always gotten”. And so, once again, I’ve listened to a Bridget Essex love story between an otherworldly knight and an earth girl…and been sorely disappointed.

Earth girl Josie starts out as an arrogant, annoying person. Then she spends most of the book just being annoying, vacillating between wanting to find a way back home….to a life she doesn’t enjoy, while at the same time wanting to be with the love of her life…whom she met just a couple days ago.

Former knight, now mercenary for hire, Attis is, of course, attracted to Josie for no apparent reason other than Essex writes these books from the viewpoint of a lonely teenage girl who dreams of a princess or knight coming to rescue her from a boring life.

Note that although this is Book #2 in the knight series, events actually take place after Book #3, so if you don’t want the ending of Book #3 to be spoiled, you have to read Book #3 before Book #2. Yeah…doesn’t make sense to me either.

Narrator Stephanie Murphy does a good job with the material, but the quality of the audiobook recording is disappointing. Lots of tape hiss sorts of sounds throughout.

When Essex and the audiobook is on, I really enjoy them. When they’re not on….I kick myself. So now my butt hurts from hitting both cheeks with the heels of my feet. 2* for “Forever and a Knight”.

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel that is stand alone yet does have an update of Virago and Holly from book 1. (Yas!)

Mostly this book is about a new set of love interests and their adventures in Arktos.

Josie is a lonely radio DJ at a bit of a loss in life. She winds up in the world from where Virago of the previous book hailed. Crash landing right into her very own lady knight in shining armour, Attis, who agrees to help her get back home.

Both ladies have a history of hurt to get over, which is exposed over their travels together.

I loved seeing and hearing more about this strange new world of magic and knights and meeting a fun host of characters along the way. Plus the vulnerable hearts of the two lovers.

I admit, I am hooked on this series and cannot wait to read the rest.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next book set in the A Knight to Remember universe. I enjoyed this one more since it was set in the fantasy world of Agrotera, it was interesting learning more about the world Attis and Virago are from. We also get to learn more about the knights and the kingdom of Arktos. It's also nice to see Virago and Holy make an appearance. If I had to find a flaw in the book, it's that all the women seem to be supermodels, which to most probably is not be a big deal. Overall a fun book and I hope there will be others in this series.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending on this took me by surprise. This is an exciting adventure for another woman from Boston who falls through the portal to Agrotera where she meets Attis, a former knight, who is still dealing with the trauma of losing her previous lover 10 years earlier. This book includes encounters with a bear, cannibal werewolves, a goddess, and Josie’s cat who managed to travel through a portal to find Josie. There are some links to events in previous books but this stands alone well. I did appreciate the scenes with Holly and Virago, although there was a bit of inconsistency with their return to Agrotera from the events in Date Knight.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I read the book that I didn't think I'd read. I didn't think I'd read it because it didn't continue the story of Virago and Holly from the first book in the series, but, instead, injected two completely new people. And . . . I rather dislike when series do that. Sometimes I continue the series, sometimes I don't. Most often, now-a-days, I don't. There is a high likelihood that I wouldn't have this time either, except I had read three other stories by Essex on the same day (when was that, yesterday? the day before), and I liked them so much that I just had to continue this specific series. Since there so few stories that actually are continued by Essex, even if this was only continuing the universe, not the people (though the people did have a cameo).

So. A radio DJ. Very sarcastic and bitter. I might not be remembering right, but if I am, the only creature they are close to in life is Wonder, the DJ's cat (and the DJ's sister, but sister is dead). I've named the cat but not the main character. heh. Josie.

Josie works for public radio and the grant that basically funds the place just got pulled. So she's out of work. Abruptly. There's one last shot at the board that runs the trust that gives out the grant. Josie and her, apparently, bitter rival will jointly present the idea that pulling the grant is stupid. Present this idea the next day.

Noticing that all she has clean in her apartment, clothing wise, is thin tiger pants and Scooby Doo shirt, Josie heads down to the "haunted" basement to do some laundry. Which is important to mention, because while down there, she falls through a portal between worlds. And lands on the world Virago came from.

Well, no. More accurately she bounced on that world, got all confused, tripped, fell down a hill, and eventually stopped moving after she fell onto a woman. In armor. A woman named Attis.

And so, Attis and Josie go on a quest towards a specific city where Attis knows someone who might, just might, be able to help Josie return home. Most of the book involves following Attis and Josie on their journey. Almost immediately, and this is quite important, Josie stopped the journey. Right when it was about to start. Because heard mewing. Mewing that sounded suspiciously familiar. Josie charged back up the hill she had previously fallen down and found her cat. So, see, important. Cat, Josie, Attis, and horsie go on this journey.

Solid book. Solid characterization. Somewhat annoying in terms of the dragging romance, and the ending was kind of weird.

And, despite having "knight" in the book title and series title, Attis isn't a knight. But a mercenary. Who used to be a knight. Meh, just something to note. I guess "Forever and an ex-Knight" doesn't work as well. And something like "The (ex)Knight Legends" or "The Knight and ex-Knight Legends" works even less well. So . . .. *shrugs*

[Mark Rochford · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think "A Knight to Remember" was good well this book is even better.

The characters have got a far bigger back-story. You can tell that the author enjoyed writing this book as there is more to work on. Imagine being a girl in the 21st Century suddenly finding yourself in a land of Knights horses and no mobile phones or WIFI. This is a fascinating story and you also meet the main characters from her first book. This book can either be read as a stand alone or as part of this Knight series. I would suggest that if you want to know about Holly and Virago I would suggest you read A Knight to Remember.

This is not just a straight forward love story you have a lot of lovable knight, a cat and a Silver Bear.

This is a lovely way of showing you that if you want you can change your life but the decision is all yours.

Thanks again for writing such a fantastic book

[Glyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few separate times, I had to stop and take a screenshot of the prose because something absolutely perfect happened.

One was this SUPER romantic moment, and it just punched me in the face with feelings and made me swoon, because it's still so incredible to me that books with stories like this exist.

I also really dig how the book features the plot of 'normie falls into fantasy world' but subverts it by the normie wanting to go back home after the adventure is over, because yeah this place is great and all but it isn't home. Off the top of my head, I can't recall any other book ever doing that, so that was really cool.

I'm totally in love with.... god, whatever this world is named, I can't remember. It's so wonderful and enchanting and I love getting to visit it through these books.

The thing about the main character's dead sister acting as kind of a spirit guide in her dreams, was really cool. Those moments were incredibly effective.

Also the whole thing with the suicidal ghost, that was really fucking cool.

Now for negatives.

I felt like the ending was unsatisfying - I guess Ursa's assistance in the final battle showed she WAS a force of good, but that still doesn't explain who was whistling and who opened the portal to the magic world? And the knight just kinda.. showing back up... Also I legit feel bad for her, having to come to Earth, not sure if she'll like it here. What with homophobia and also knights not being a thing anymore, since her whole deal is being a good protag in a video game basically.

And it irked me that this is book 2 in the series, yet book 3 takes place before this book, so now that I'm reading book 3, I know that Holly and her lady knight will stay in the magic world.

Finally, I get that there's supposed to be some kind of dramatic tension, and that it can't always be easy, and their similar emotional baggage is part of why they work together as a couple -- but. The "I can't do this" was SO angsty, and then it felt like she gave in SO easily. It flipped from one extreme to the other.

Still, complaints aside, this book is lovely and it was a lot of fun to read.

[Valtier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the whole Knight series, but the formula is kinda the same through all of the knight books.
The story is about Josie, who one night falls into a portal and meets the ex-knight Attis. The journey together to Aktos City to find a way to get Josie back home.
In the book you learn a little bit of background on both Josie and Attis. The death of Josie’s sister and Attis her lover, but that’s as much background you get. I would have loved to know more about Attis and why she is an ex-knight. It was mentioned how much she misses it, so why can’t she go back to being a knight? Essex made up this awesome world (Lesbian paradise) but we know so little of it. Sometimes I would prefer she cut on the inner monologues her characters always have and fill it with something more meaningful.

The ending of this book, where the wolf attack begins and the way it ends is utterly dissappointed. She could have done so much more with that. So Ursa saved the day? but why did Ursa the silver bear goddess connects to Josie and Attis in the book is never explained. Also how did Attis managed to get to Earth? Considering what Virago told about portals and travelling back and forth with Holly.

Lots of parts I loved about this book, but also a lot of things I would have loved deeper explainations for and more background. The romance parts Essex nails like a boss and I always love when those come along.

Since I almost read all the Knight books now, just “Just One Knight” and hopefully soon “Ladies Knight” comes out so I can get started.

(First review I write)

[Shelley Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series about another world that’s full of lesbian knights, but I thought it was the second book. In the first book, a knight comes to our world and falls in love with a nerdy librarian. In this book, a lady from our world falls through a portal and finds herself in the lady knight land. I liked reading about the other world, and was glad that the author decided to write a story set there. It took me a while to connect with Josie, the main character, though. She’s a radio DJ who’s fighting to keep the public radio station from going under, and the first scene involves her being kind of mean to some radio guests. I get that Josie starts as a skeptic, but it just seems rude to invite people who think they saw a monster onto the show and then mock them. Especially when we knew that there really WAS a monster in the first book. I was kind of glad when the funding was pulled and her show cut off halfway through, because I felt bad for her guests. I warmed up to her as the story went on, and I liked all the stuff about her sister and the way that losing her sister connected her to Attis. Overall, I thought it was a pretty fun romance novel, with the added bonus of taking place in a mystical land.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK. I've dragged my feet for too long. After reading three books in this series, I have to admit: I love it.

Knights are not usually up my alley. I hear the word knight and I reflexively yawn. But recently, my book club chose the first book to read and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it enough that, knowing there was a sequel with the same characters, I read it, because I loved the characters so much. Having loved both of those books, I was emboldened to try the rest of the series, even though I felt certain I wouldn't enjoy them.

But it wasn't just the characters in A Knight to Remember that I loved. It appears to be all of Bridget Essex's characters that I've met so far. So, I will definitely be continuing with this series, despite not initially expecting to enjoy it. You win, Bridget Essex! Now, where's the next book in the series…

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

This is a very well written tale with well developed characters and an engrossing storyline. It is another great story about lady knights and the women who love them. Transported from Earth to another world is enough to shake up anyone. But finding love in this new world and then having it ripped away when transported back to Earth, that's almost too much for anyone. It takes real strength to go on. If you love tales of strong women, be sure to add this book to your must-read list.

[Ernest Crowder · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a truly hard book to get through. The main couple had absolutely no chemistry. The protagonist kept committing on how she fell in love with the other character so quickly. However the only thing she ever mentioned about the character was how attractive she was and their sex life. The reason these were the only things that drew her to the other character was because they never once had a real conversation to get to know one another. The protagonist had more chemistry with the side characters than she did with her love interest, and the ending was not earned and fell flat.

[Ms. Cyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karma

Who knew that two worlds could be so small. Carly's nemesis, Josie, is a believe it when I see it type of woman. She has always been rather rude to Carly but Carly knows first hand that magic is real. Now Josie gets first hand experience as well. I love Karma sometimes.

The romance between Josie and Attis is fairly calm and then roars fast. It's not quite love at first sight but lots of heat. I love the legends that always pop up in this series too. This time it is the legend of the Ursa.

[Tila Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to force myself to get through this book. I didn’t feel for Josie nor did I feel a meaningful connection between her and Attis. Their journey was like a timeline of events. The concept is interesting, but maybe the delivery was just not for me. Maybe I’ll try another one in the series or a different book by the same author.

Also, how did she wear the scooby doo shirt and leopard pants the whole time and no one say anything?

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful continuation

I am a lover of the knights series, it’s no secret, so of course I enjoyed this one also. The characters are written believable with hard fronts and the ability to fall (sometimes literally) in love. While I’m not usually a fan of first person writing, these are always done so carefully and lovely that the reader can feel everything and experience the story as it should be.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever and a Knight was an interesting read. I enjoyed the characters and plot, and I only skimmed the makeout and sex scenes. Essex seems to be a good writer. There were a few typos that I noticed, but it didn't detract from my experience.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart feels so soft and full of rainbows from reading this. There were a lot of parts where I was grinning like an idiot from the sweetness of it all. It is a lovely and romantic read. Also, I loved Virago in the first book and am glad to see her again.

[Keziah Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s like Narnia, but for women who love other women.

This book built on the first by exploring this magical world and expanding the characters. It’s an enjoyable, easy read with relatable characters as their stories develop throughout the plot.

[Coral Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it very swoony😍

[Wendy Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in Bridget Essex's "Knight" series. We start the story with a Josie, a shock jock DJ from Boston's public radio station. When the grant is pulled that funds the radio and television station, Josie and Carly (an unlikely pair who as a rule don't like each other) are asked by the station manager to approach the funding body to try to convince them to continue their funding.

The story continues as we follow Josie into an almost dream like world as she falls through a portal in her basement that takes her to . Here she meets Attis, a lady knight who says she knows someone who can help get her back to her world. Attis has a darkened past but Josie is falling for her and wants to find out why this beautiful red head has such troubles.

We go through all the ups and downs as we follow their love story through Jodie's thoughts on falling in love with a woman from another world. And find out what it is that is so captivating about these lady knights.

I love the way Bridget Essex writes her stories. There is so much feeling and passion to them and I can really feel the way she has thought out the process of the story she is presenting to the reader. Her writing flows nicely and I found very few grammatical errors in this book and I think this novel keeps a good pace to keep the reader wanting to turn the pages. At a little over 300 pages it is a good length and at just $7.99AU it is a fair price to pay for the quality of the book. If you haven't read "A Knight to remember", then I suggest getting that first but this one is definitely worth picking up after that. 5 stars for you Bridget on a job well done.

[Kirsty Morrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better read than the other two books in the series, there's a simpler plot that does tie up nicely. Still the characters seem to fall IN love way too quickly!

There could be a bit more to this story, again it had so much potential in the storyline, and it just falls short. I didn't understand the need to involve Carly as a character at all, I thought that maybe it was Carly in the end to help Josie and yet this proved to be a dead end! It ended up making no sense to involve her at all.. The wolves were a good inclusion in the story and it was tied nicely with that.

Again this book was coloured in purple prose, like the other 2 in the series, and it's not something that would bother me too much. However, the same descriptive words are used over and over, it seemed like the author only had a limited amount of vocabulary and it was used extensively!

I would have given this book a rating of 3.5, if I was able.

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes yes yes!

It was awesome, funny, heartbreaking, romantic, adventurous and well written. I'm not a cat person but I really loved Wonder, a very singular cat. It was so special to me that Virago and Holly came back in this story. Virago has a special place in my heart and together with Attis, they are my amazing knights. I missed Virago and Holly and I was quite happy to see them back. I loved all the interaction between the knights, their humor, their chivalry and I wish I could live in Agrotera, Arktos. It's a great place for us, women. I absolutely enjoyed this one and please Bridget, give us a follow up. I can honestly say to anyone that if you read this you'll come to love it.

[DefinitelyNotARabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying these short stories about knights from a world known as Agrotera and ladies from Earth. A lot of the established concepts seemed to stick around in this one, like obvious mutual attraction and the like. It seems that when women from the two realms meet they fall in love rather quickly. Soul bonding or something, I don't know. It's usually very cute and light hearted, so it's nice to get away from the angsty will they won't they love that I'm used to. This one has a touch of angst for sure with pinings for dead loved ones, but together they heal. So far I have to say if you're looking for something light and fun and are into the idea of otherworldly lady-knights falling in love with women of our world then check these out. They're quick, enjoyable reads.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read...ends too quickly

I love the knight stories! However this being a stand alone I am not so sure. Too much from the previous book ties into this one. The beast, Virago, Carly... it just may give away too much of the previous had readers not read A Knight To Remember first. Also, the ending happens a bit too quickly for me. The whole story keeps you so captivated then it ends so suddenly. And what did Carly want to talk to Josie about?? All in all I am loving this series and can't wait for more.

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a struggle to put this book down! I devoured it in two sittings. Great sequel. Cute and sweet, with likable leads. I'm a sucker for a good romance, and this kind is one of my favourites - especially when you have ladies falling for knights. I mean, come on. Women knights? That's hard to resist.

I do miss Holly and Virago, but they make an appearance. Can't wait to get my hands on the sequel to Holly and Virago's story next (Date Knight)!

[Nadin Albrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the follow up book from "a knight to remember", introducing new main characters (We also meet Holly & Virago again, as they show up at the end of the book). I really loved these characters, especially Josie with her dry humour and sarcasm, as she literally tries to survive in this strange new World. All in all, a very enjoyable and funny read that ended way too soon.

[Lynnae Inama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh!

If you like a good story than you will like this. I don't care about writing style or how well. Edited a book is. I just want a good story.

[susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

Ok Bridget always ends her stories when I want more. I love her knights. The love stories are just classic. I tear up every time the stories end.

[Kate Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh emmmm gggeeeee. I just... and like... well... and seriously!

I can't formulate my review like I'd like. I can't talk about this the way I'd like to be able. I loved it. I can tell you that.

[charles clayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍉♨🔥🌈ENTERTAINING🌈🔥♨🍉
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
It was that and so much more ! However there is a confusing part of the tale . Why is it listed as the 2nd book in the series ? And yet it mentions events that occur from the story that tales of holly adventures in Agrotera !