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Knights of Champagne #4
Lady Rowena's Ruin
Stolen from the convent!
Kidnapped by a masked horseman, Lady Rowena despairs. Her cloistered convent life is in tatters, her reputation surely ruined. Until she discovers her abductor is her father's favored knight…
Loyal, honorable Sir Eric of Monfort has done as Rowena's father commanded. And though his body might crave her, he will not bed an innocent maiden. But as danger circles, there is only one way for Eric to protect Rowena—by making her his lady in every sense!
Kidnapped by a masked horseman, Lady Rowena despairs. Her cloistered convent life is in tatters, her reputation surely ruined. Until she discovers her abductor is her father's favored knight…
Loyal, honorable Sir Eric of Monfort has done as Rowena's father commanded. And though his body might crave her, he will not bed an innocent maiden. But as danger circles, there is only one way for Eric to protect Rowena—by making her his lady in every sense!
Paperback
First published December 1, 2015
About the author
Carol Townend
63 books92 followersCarol Townend writes atmospheric Historical Romances and Sagas set in England and Europe. Born in Yorkshire, she went to a convent school high on the Whitby cliffs. Later, she studied history at Royal Holloway College, London. She lives in London with her husband and daughter.
Carol's first novel, Sapphire in the Snow, won the RNA New Writers' Award. Two other novels were shortlisted for the RoNA Rose award - Betrothed to the Barbarian in 2013 and Unveiling Lady Clare in 2015.
Carol loves research, and spends too much time hunting for excuses to go on research trips. She can often be seen teetering on the battlements of various stately homes or castles.
Carol's first novel, Sapphire in the Snow, won the RNA New Writers' Award. Two other novels were shortlisted for the RoNA Rose award - Betrothed to the Barbarian in 2013 and Unveiling Lady Clare in 2015.
Carol loves research, and spends too much time hunting for excuses to go on research trips. She can often be seen teetering on the battlements of various stately homes or castles.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 12, 2016
B- read, so 3.5 stars I'm always in the mood for a good medieval and unlike most on the market, this novel is set in France instead of England. The plot involves Lady Rowena, only child of the Count of Sainte-Columbe. She has professed a religious vocation and while normally the only child of a landed nobleman would be expected to marry to secure the succession, her godfather, the very pious King Louis IX, approved her entry into a convent.
This does not please Rowena's parents and so they have enlisted the aid of a knight, Eric of Monfort, who was one of the Count's most trusted men until he earned his own small manor holding. They ask Eric to essentially kidnap Rowena from her convent and force her to marry him. While the idea of marrying Rowena, whom he always liked, and becoming heir to the Sainte-Columbe lands holds plenty of appeal, Eric is not inclined to force a woman into marriage - or anything else.
This is to his credit. While Eric does go through and kidnap Rowena, he's got to be one of the most honorable kidnappers I've encountered in historical romance. He's not perfect, but he does treat Rowena decently and in the scenes where he takes her back to his manor at Monfort, we see him determined to deal fairly with those who serve under him at his holding as well. And then there's the romance of course. The courtship between Eric and Rowena is actually romantic, for all that it started off in a contrived fashion.
I wasn't sure what I would get with this book, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. There is all manner of adventure as it becomes obvious that someone does not want to see Rowena wed, and then there is the court intrigue that ensues as Rowena leaves her holy vocation and marries without royal permission.
I only had two major quibbles with the book and both are really spoilers, so I've hidden the text for those who don't want their read spoiled. First of all, And then with regard to the ultimate unmasking of the villain,
This does not please Rowena's parents and so they have enlisted the aid of a knight, Eric of Monfort, who was one of the Count's most trusted men until he earned his own small manor holding. They ask Eric to essentially kidnap Rowena from her convent and force her to marry him. While the idea of marrying Rowena, whom he always liked, and becoming heir to the Sainte-Columbe lands holds plenty of appeal, Eric is not inclined to force a woman into marriage - or anything else.
This is to his credit. While Eric does go through and kidnap Rowena, he's got to be one of the most honorable kidnappers I've encountered in historical romance. He's not perfect, but he does treat Rowena decently and in the scenes where he takes her back to his manor at Monfort, we see him determined to deal fairly with those who serve under him at his holding as well. And then there's the romance of course. The courtship between Eric and Rowena is actually romantic, for all that it started off in a contrived fashion.
I wasn't sure what I would get with this book, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. There is all manner of adventure as it becomes obvious that someone does not want to see Rowena wed, and then there is the court intrigue that ensues as Rowena leaves her holy vocation and marries without royal permission.
I only had two major quibbles with the book and both are really spoilers, so I've hidden the text for those who don't want their read spoiled. First of all, And then with regard to the ultimate unmasking of the villain,
April 12, 2026
Although this title and unusual plot description had made me hesitant initially, I'm very glad I read this lovely book! I think it's standing out out in comparison to other novels. No tall, broody, dark handsome stranger luring a lady away in a forbidden romance, no, not all.
I love it's here two characters who know each other since childhood and Rowena's parents make them basically to get married although both do not want at first (but it seems like the parents did know best (; ). Both, Eric and Rowena suffering from past loss, but slowly falling for each other, expressing it in the most beautiful way, confiding love slowly to themselves and finally to each other. Eric, charming and popular on the surface, is ready to protect his lady, but still even more protecting his heart against the aches of love, and Rowena, delicate on outside, but ready to develop a strong-minded, rebellious side, ready to fight for their love, will they finally be ready for their endless love?
It's such a sweet romance in my opinion; even though the initial wedding is rushed (with a short weddingn night scene), it's basically clean and includes a lot of reflection and beautiful ideas about love, especially their awkward tries and reactions on little gestures of affection. For me, it felt very noble in comparison to some popular "steamy", but actually rather "dirty" novels... Have I already said I love this book? This book is entirely possible to read as standalone in this series. It's with no violence on screen and only little action scenes, but very well to imagine everything of past life and also nature, with amazing detail description. There is some mystery, also dealing with the loss in the past and a terrible crime, but it's rather a nice suspense without being too heavy which makes you to read more and read more. I love also the aspect of religion included, with the showdown being in Paris and mentioning the construction of Notre-Dame. Well, somehow I had for the villian exactly Claude Frollo in mind!
To be said, I think this book is perfect to be read through the whole year, as it starts in spring and ends in winter around Christmas, which is rather unusual in comparison. It takes a realistic time for the characters to develop, truly fall in love and discovering the solutions for all the mysteries.
I really recommend this book and author, and it's definitely something I'll remember in my heart...Best of all, our lady is even more a horse lover than her knight (;
I love it's here two characters who know each other since childhood and Rowena's parents make them basically to get married although both do not want at first (but it seems like the parents did know best (; ). Both, Eric and Rowena suffering from past loss, but slowly falling for each other, expressing it in the most beautiful way, confiding love slowly to themselves and finally to each other. Eric, charming and popular on the surface, is ready to protect his lady, but still even more protecting his heart against the aches of love, and Rowena, delicate on outside, but ready to develop a strong-minded, rebellious side, ready to fight for their love, will they finally be ready for their endless love?
It's such a sweet romance in my opinion; even though the initial wedding is rushed (with a short weddingn night scene), it's basically clean and includes a lot of reflection and beautiful ideas about love, especially their awkward tries and reactions on little gestures of affection. For me, it felt very noble in comparison to some popular "steamy", but actually rather "dirty" novels... Have I already said I love this book? This book is entirely possible to read as standalone in this series. It's with no violence on screen and only little action scenes, but very well to imagine everything of past life and also nature, with amazing detail description. There is some mystery, also dealing with the loss in the past and a terrible crime, but it's rather a nice suspense without being too heavy which makes you to read more and read more. I love also the aspect of religion included, with the showdown being in Paris and mentioning the construction of Notre-Dame. Well, somehow I had for the villian exactly Claude Frollo in mind!
To be said, I think this book is perfect to be read through the whole year, as it starts in spring and ends in winter around Christmas, which is rather unusual in comparison. It takes a realistic time for the characters to develop, truly fall in love and discovering the solutions for all the mysteries.
I really recommend this book and author, and it's definitely something I'll remember in my heart...Best of all, our lady is even more a horse lover than her knight (;
February 13, 2017
Eeek...
I'm so glad you abducted me!
This book is what happens when a twenty first's century mind writes a twelveth century love story. There is medieval wifey psychotherapy people!
I'm so glad you abducted me!
This book is what happens when a twenty first's century mind writes a twelveth century love story. There is medieval wifey psychotherapy people!
February 13, 2016
quite enjoyable, closer to a 3.5 but not quite a 4 star book, entertaining read with interesting characters who sometimes ring too modern for medieval characters.
Entertaining, look forward to more in this series.
Entertaining, look forward to more in this series.
October 26, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Loved it! A well written and well rounded storyline that will keep your interest until the last page!
Loved it! A well written and well rounded storyline that will keep your interest until the last page!
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: Knights of Champagne
Read
January 10, 2016Miniseries: Knights of Champagne
February 24, 2016
Interesting premise, but a lot of plot threads were unresolved at the end, which seemed abrupt.
June 21, 2016
Un dernier tome qui m'a beaucoup plu. mon avis complet via le lien.
https://songedunenuitdete.com/2016/06...
https://songedunenuitdete.com/2016/06...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews