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The Graistan Chronicles #4
Autumn's Flame
Upon her husband's untimely death Elyssa of Freyne petitions England's court to avoid a third forced marriage and to gain custody of her frail son. Never again will a man control her life or her fate. But the shire's new sheriff is no ordinary man. Although Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray owns the beauty of an angel--save for the scars his dead wife laid on him--it's said he's the Devil's own spawn. He proves his black heart when steals her frail son from her. To save her son she must reveal that she is with child and put herself in the sheriff's custody.
Geoffrey FitzHenry curses the law that demands all pregnant widows live as the sheriff's ward until their babes are born. Taking this coppery-haired firebrand into his sphere threatens all he seeks to protect behind the rumors of his supposed evil nature.
Geoffrey FitzHenry curses the law that demands all pregnant widows live as the sheriff's ward until their babes are born. Taking this coppery-haired firebrand into his sphere threatens all he seeks to protect behind the rumors of his supposed evil nature.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1995
440 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
About the author
Denise Domning
49 books268 followersWhat can I say? I’m single and over sixty, I write and I farm on eight acres of slowly improving red earth (it originally looked like Mars had exploded!) on Oak Creek in northern Arizona. I started with chickens, then there were turkeys and Jersey milk cows. But with livestock came the predators: coyotes, bald eagles, black hawks, mountain lions, and, worst of all, raccoons. Dang those nasty creatures! They kill just because they can; think dogs with opposable thumbs. (Five chickens in one night–they reached in through the chain link and killed the birds with no expectation of being able to eat them.) They are the reason I keep livestock guardian dogs. There's the massive Polar Bear, a 135 pound Hungarian Kuvasz, Radha, the svelte and sleek 90 pound Anatolian Shepherd and her new chew toy, Rupert who is some sort of terrier mix and small enough to walk under her belly.
As for what my dogs guard, it's my growing herd of Dorper Sheep, a South African breed that (supposedly) doesn’t need to be sheared and gains all their weight on grass alone. I've also fallen in love with pigs, which are just dogs with snouts. Oh, how those rapscallions make me laugh!
If you're interested in keeping up with my farm antics, you can visit my blog at denisedomning.com or thefarmonoakcreek.com
As for what my dogs guard, it's my growing herd of Dorper Sheep, a South African breed that (supposedly) doesn’t need to be sheared and gains all their weight on grass alone. I've also fallen in love with pigs, which are just dogs with snouts. Oh, how those rapscallions make me laugh!
If you're interested in keeping up with my farm antics, you can visit my blog at denisedomning.com or thefarmonoakcreek.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 9, 2017
Geoffrey, Lord Coudry, is sheriff of the shire and responsible for all wardenships. Elyssa and her son, Jocelyn, are wards of the sheriff. She will fight tooth and nail to protect her son. Geoffrey will do anything to protect his daughter, Ceilia. He is developing feelings for Elyssa. Can Geoffrey find happiness with Elyssa and still protect his daughter? Can Elyssa protect her son when women are seen as possessions and weak?
I've tried to sum up this book without giving spoilers. There is much more to this novel than what I have written. The history is excellent. The main characters are well drawn. The secondary characters are sometimes confusing. This is probably because I have not read all of the novels in the series. The description is vivid and draws the characters's lives and emotions. The plot and subplots keep the reader turning the pages. I look forward to reading the books I have missed in this series.
I've tried to sum up this book without giving spoilers. There is much more to this novel than what I have written. The history is excellent. The main characters are well drawn. The secondary characters are sometimes confusing. This is probably because I have not read all of the novels in the series. The description is vivid and draws the characters's lives and emotions. The plot and subplots keep the reader turning the pages. I look forward to reading the books I have missed in this series.
March 11, 2016
I read all four of Denise Domning's Seasons books in rapid succession. Each features a different Graiston brother, yet Geoffrey, the lead in this fourth book, is the one who is nearly unknown. He has willfully separated himself from his brothers, to the degree that he takes a sheriff position in order to have separate status from them.
As sheriff he finds himself, annoyingly, serving as warden to Elyssa and Jocelyn, a widowed lady and her newly-titled, minor son. Jocelyn's inheritance is insecure and due to the suspicious nature of Lord Freyn's and the eldest son's deaths, the pregnant Elyssa is clearly in danger as well. With the other books in the series, action and battle are more central to the plot, but in this installment, only the end amps up for medieval skirmishes.
This book has a more poignant psychological edge, and the struggles of Elyssa's son and Geoffrey's daughter are central to the plot. Elyssa comes to love the mute Cecilia, while Geoffrey disengages Jocelyn from smothering expectations. Beyond that, Geoffrey has suffered the ultimate tragedy and it is his melancholy that attracts Elyssa and features prominently in the first seduction scene. It is an unusual mood, but very titillating.
Domning has done the ultimate service for a reader. The four stories are interwoven very well, but the brothers do not heavily overlap in the stories. Each has unique plot devices and movement to the narrative. New medieval locales are explored in each, although there are connecting characters within the nobility and the church. Finally, each couple has its own trials and tribulations and personalities. Their love stories were fresh and different and unique. This series was total enjoyment.
As sheriff he finds himself, annoyingly, serving as warden to Elyssa and Jocelyn, a widowed lady and her newly-titled, minor son. Jocelyn's inheritance is insecure and due to the suspicious nature of Lord Freyn's and the eldest son's deaths, the pregnant Elyssa is clearly in danger as well. With the other books in the series, action and battle are more central to the plot, but in this installment, only the end amps up for medieval skirmishes.
This book has a more poignant psychological edge, and the struggles of Elyssa's son and Geoffrey's daughter are central to the plot. Elyssa comes to love the mute Cecilia, while Geoffrey disengages Jocelyn from smothering expectations. Beyond that, Geoffrey has suffered the ultimate tragedy and it is his melancholy that attracts Elyssa and features prominently in the first seduction scene. It is an unusual mood, but very titillating.
Domning has done the ultimate service for a reader. The four stories are interwoven very well, but the brothers do not heavily overlap in the stories. Each has unique plot devices and movement to the narrative. New medieval locales are explored in each, although there are connecting characters within the nobility and the church. Finally, each couple has its own trials and tribulations and personalities. Their love stories were fresh and different and unique. This series was total enjoyment.
October 4, 2017
4 and ½ Stars - A Medieval Rich in Historical Detail
Set in 1194, this is the story of Elyssa of Freyne, a pregnant widow, who seeks to avoid a third, forced marriage. She also wants custody of her young son Joselyn, who she considers too weak to be a squire, as everyone would have him. However, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray, the shire's new sheriff, disagrees. As sheriff, he must make Elyssa his ward until her child is born and he thinks Joselyn should be sent away to become a squire. Instantly he and Elyssa are at odds.
Geoffrey is scarred from the attack on his face by his mad wife, now dead. All women except Elyssa are repulsed by him. Worse, he despairs of ever having the love of his young daughter, who once loved him but now avoids him. Elyssa’s coming will change all that.
Domning vividly creates the world of late 12th century England with a story that is rich in colorful characters. It’s also a story of a mother's love that holds her young son too close. She will learn many lessons from a man she thought to hate. And he will find the widow too attractive to leave alone.
The action scenes are quite good including an attack on the Freyne castle and the historical detail reflects much research. However, as this is part of a series and other couples appear, I recommend reading it in order so as not to be confused when the other folks show up en masse.
The Graistan Chronicles, 1194-1197, (aka the Seasons series)
Winter’s Heat
Summer’s Storm
Spring’s Fury
Autumn’s Flame
A Love for All Seasons
Set in 1194, this is the story of Elyssa of Freyne, a pregnant widow, who seeks to avoid a third, forced marriage. She also wants custody of her young son Joselyn, who she considers too weak to be a squire, as everyone would have him. However, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray, the shire's new sheriff, disagrees. As sheriff, he must make Elyssa his ward until her child is born and he thinks Joselyn should be sent away to become a squire. Instantly he and Elyssa are at odds.
Geoffrey is scarred from the attack on his face by his mad wife, now dead. All women except Elyssa are repulsed by him. Worse, he despairs of ever having the love of his young daughter, who once loved him but now avoids him. Elyssa’s coming will change all that.
Domning vividly creates the world of late 12th century England with a story that is rich in colorful characters. It’s also a story of a mother's love that holds her young son too close. She will learn many lessons from a man she thought to hate. And he will find the widow too attractive to leave alone.
The action scenes are quite good including an attack on the Freyne castle and the historical detail reflects much research. However, as this is part of a series and other couples appear, I recommend reading it in order so as not to be confused when the other folks show up en masse.
The Graistan Chronicles, 1194-1197, (aka the Seasons series)
Winter’s Heat
Summer’s Storm
Spring’s Fury
Autumn’s Flame
A Love for All Seasons
December 15, 2010
Anything that starts "Come forth, you cocksucking spawn of satan." has got to be a good book!
In typical Medieval fashion, Elyssa (no last name) has been forced to wed two older men, one right after the other. When the second is killed while hunting boor (where the quote came from), she is remanded to the Sheriff who gets stuck with all pregnant widows until birth, then they are thrown back into the wind.
The sheriff, Geoffrey is a soft-hearted man pretending to be the devil incarnate in order to protect his silent, grief-stricken daughter. However, Elyssa sees right through him and even though he has taken her young sickly son from her and fostered him elsewhere, she finds herself for the first time, falling in love. But she's been married twice and has finally gained her freedom, so she fights the attraction with all she has.
It's definitely a test of wills and might. It isn't until disaster strikes that Elyssa realizes that love trumps all.
A marvelous book with a disfigured hero and a very strong-willed heroine in a time where women were chattel.
In typical Medieval fashion, Elyssa (no last name) has been forced to wed two older men, one right after the other. When the second is killed while hunting boor (where the quote came from), she is remanded to the Sheriff who gets stuck with all pregnant widows until birth, then they are thrown back into the wind.
The sheriff, Geoffrey is a soft-hearted man pretending to be the devil incarnate in order to protect his silent, grief-stricken daughter. However, Elyssa sees right through him and even though he has taken her young sickly son from her and fostered him elsewhere, she finds herself for the first time, falling in love. But she's been married twice and has finally gained her freedom, so she fights the attraction with all she has.
It's definitely a test of wills and might. It isn't until disaster strikes that Elyssa realizes that love trumps all.
A marvelous book with a disfigured hero and a very strong-willed heroine in a time where women were chattel.
February 14, 2012
I wish I had some graph paper and rulers to make some charts at the first of the book. If you've been reading her series, some of the characters are slightly familiar, some only mentioned, but they run through relationships so fast, it's hard to keep up. The ladies visiting, was priceless, but too much at one time, I felt I needed to make a chart I mentioned earlier. Read opening chapters several times, and have found several areas so far I've had the pleasure of rereading because I missed something. It's interesting how Domning can take the same general theme in the four brothers and make them all so different. I've enjoyed the series, and the glimpse into 12th century England it gave.
October 18, 2025
A widow is desperate to keep her young son at her side and a sheriff is determined to keep his daughter out of the hands of his deceased wife’s relations. The fourth FitzHenry brother, Geoffrey, is getting his story and he has a spitfire of an independent woman for his romance partner. Denise Domning continues to bring the medieval England world to life and produce plots that crackle with tension and romance.
Autumn’s Flame is the fourth in a closely tied The Seasons (sometimes called the Graistan Chronicles) series. In fact, it overlaps time-wise and part of the story with Spring’s Fury, the previous book so they really need to be read in order.
Autumn’s Flame begins with a dreadful hunting accident at Feyne Manor leaving Elyssa a widow for the second time and the follow-up death of her step-son leaving her own son heir of the manor. Elyssa rejoices in her own independence, but is desperate to keep estate and her son out of the hands of anyone save herself. Her husband’s brother and a powerful lord on the next estate both have covetous eyes on Freyne and think she is alone and unprotected until the King’s new sheriff, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray arrives.
She is only marginally happier to see him take charge of the estate because he also takes charge of her precious son. She won’t be left behind so is taken along with the sheriff to his castle.
Geoff has no desire to be saddled with the fiery-tongued vixen who mollycoddled her son into thinking he was an invalid and has atrocious behavior. Geoff has the task of whipping this mama’s boy into a man who is fit to run the Freyne estate and Elyssa and the boy fight this at every turn. She also gets through to his mute, hurting daughter when he couldn’t which makes him jealous and more irritable. He holds a secret close to him that even his brothers don’t know and keeps him estranged from them.
Then the crisis comes. Geoff and Elyssa must both lose their need to go it alone and rely on each other and those who stand their friends if they are to survive let alone be happy.
Like with Spring’s Fury, I struggled for a time with the heroine of Autumn’s Flame. Man did Elyssa dance on my nerves. She is determined to have her way. She’s as naïve as all get out and it takes her ever-patient companion and Geoffrey some time to get it through her skull that her “love” is ruining her own child and she has an unborn child that does need her mothering. Her determination to not have a man around in this sort of situation wasn’t bright either when she knows her husband’s old cronies are circling like vultures.
But, she learns and grows so that I was actually cheering her on to use all that fiery tartness for a good cause when she helps Geoff’s little girl and him to heal from the horrors of their past with his deceased wife (who was truly insane).
There is an intrigue and suspense element building in the background away from Geoff and Elyssa so the reader knows that eventually it will be sprung on them at some point. Like with previous books, there is some intense action scenes with medieval warfare and arms involved. The young son gets put in wardship with Geoff’s brother and that side of the story is told in Spring’s Fury then culminates in this book.
It was obvious this was the final FitzHenry story because there was a magnificent reunion of all the previous couples. There is a fifth book in the series so I’ll be curious to see how it ties in since this felt like a grand finale to me.
Autumn’s Flame was a fiery battle of wills between the two main characters until they made little connections and worked through it against the background of a sheriff’s castle. The historical element in this one was the fate of widows and children after the lord of the manor dies, what recourse they have by law and what comes next.
I can’t recommend this series enough to those who enjoy medieval romance that digs deep into the historical setting and portrays some wonderful complex characters and plots.
My full review will post on 10.5.25 at Books of My Heart.
#SeriesOnSunday
Autumn’s Flame is the fourth in a closely tied The Seasons (sometimes called the Graistan Chronicles) series. In fact, it overlaps time-wise and part of the story with Spring’s Fury, the previous book so they really need to be read in order.
Autumn’s Flame begins with a dreadful hunting accident at Feyne Manor leaving Elyssa a widow for the second time and the follow-up death of her step-son leaving her own son heir of the manor. Elyssa rejoices in her own independence, but is desperate to keep estate and her son out of the hands of anyone save herself. Her husband’s brother and a powerful lord on the next estate both have covetous eyes on Freyne and think she is alone and unprotected until the King’s new sheriff, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray arrives.
She is only marginally happier to see him take charge of the estate because he also takes charge of her precious son. She won’t be left behind so is taken along with the sheriff to his castle.
Geoff has no desire to be saddled with the fiery-tongued vixen who mollycoddled her son into thinking he was an invalid and has atrocious behavior. Geoff has the task of whipping this mama’s boy into a man who is fit to run the Freyne estate and Elyssa and the boy fight this at every turn. She also gets through to his mute, hurting daughter when he couldn’t which makes him jealous and more irritable. He holds a secret close to him that even his brothers don’t know and keeps him estranged from them.
Then the crisis comes. Geoff and Elyssa must both lose their need to go it alone and rely on each other and those who stand their friends if they are to survive let alone be happy.
Like with Spring’s Fury, I struggled for a time with the heroine of Autumn’s Flame. Man did Elyssa dance on my nerves. She is determined to have her way. She’s as naïve as all get out and it takes her ever-patient companion and Geoffrey some time to get it through her skull that her “love” is ruining her own child and she has an unborn child that does need her mothering. Her determination to not have a man around in this sort of situation wasn’t bright either when she knows her husband’s old cronies are circling like vultures.
But, she learns and grows so that I was actually cheering her on to use all that fiery tartness for a good cause when she helps Geoff’s little girl and him to heal from the horrors of their past with his deceased wife (who was truly insane).
There is an intrigue and suspense element building in the background away from Geoff and Elyssa so the reader knows that eventually it will be sprung on them at some point. Like with previous books, there is some intense action scenes with medieval warfare and arms involved. The young son gets put in wardship with Geoff’s brother and that side of the story is told in Spring’s Fury then culminates in this book.
It was obvious this was the final FitzHenry story because there was a magnificent reunion of all the previous couples. There is a fifth book in the series so I’ll be curious to see how it ties in since this felt like a grand finale to me.
Autumn’s Flame was a fiery battle of wills between the two main characters until they made little connections and worked through it against the background of a sheriff’s castle. The historical element in this one was the fate of widows and children after the lord of the manor dies, what recourse they have by law and what comes next.
I can’t recommend this series enough to those who enjoy medieval romance that digs deep into the historical setting and portrays some wonderful complex characters and plots.
My full review will post on 10.5.25 at Books of My Heart.
#SeriesOnSunday
February 15, 2011
Overall Rating: 3.85 // Action: 3.25 / Emotion: 4.75 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 2.75 / Intrigue: 3.75 / Medieval Flavor: 5 / Humor: 8 / Tears: 6
Readers who really enjoy medieval romances should read Autumn's Flame , the fourth book in Denise Domning's The Graistan Chronicles. Domning has done an incredible job of giving the reader a true flavor of medieval life in this book (as with the entire series) -- the conversations, the action, the feelings -- all have the tone of twelfth century England.
The hero, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray, is the third son of Henry of Graistan. Even though the widower hates living at Crosswell (shire's seat), Geoffrey has purchased the duties of sheriff in the shire that oversees the lands that house his father-by-marriage, Baldwin de Gradinton in an effort to keep his now mute and fearful daughter out of Gradinton's grasp. The death of Gradinton's three sons have caused him to go to great lengths to gain custody of Cecilia, his only living heir.
Autumn's Flame is the story of how Geoffrey becomes the ward over Lord Freyne's newly widowed wife and her son, Jocelyn, a weak, monastery-bound, momma's-boy. Geoffrey is not happy to have to take the sharp-tongued, "won't stay in her subservient place" widow. Geoffrey is afraid that the strong-willed Elyssa of Freyne will unearth secrets that would ruin Cecilia's future. That conflict will arise between Geoffrey and Elyssa is guaranteed, because Elyssa is determined to find out why Geoff would let himself be perceived as evil, so she can extort her freedom and gain custody of her son, Jocelyn.
Autumn's Flame has the characteristics of a good read: {1} scarred, strong, alpha hero with plenty of emotional baggage, who goes to great lengths to protect the daughter he loves; {2} beautiful, headstrong, alpha heroine who will go to inordinate lengths to protect the son she loves from ruling, controlling men; {3} bits of action thrown into the day-to-day lives of the characters; {4} continual intrigue about how Geoffrey and Elyssa will end up overcoming all the barriers placed in their paths; {5} strong, vibrant, show-stealing supporting characters (Reginald, Clare); {6} the interesting, well-developed supporting roles of the protagonists' children (Jocelyn, Cecilia); and {7} sexual tension and spicy love scene between Geoffrey and Elyssa.
A more detailed, spoiler-ridden synopsis/review of Autumn's Flame appears at Wolf Bear Does Books
Readers who really enjoy medieval romances should read Autumn's Flame , the fourth book in Denise Domning's The Graistan Chronicles. Domning has done an incredible job of giving the reader a true flavor of medieval life in this book (as with the entire series) -- the conversations, the action, the feelings -- all have the tone of twelfth century England.
The hero, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray, is the third son of Henry of Graistan. Even though the widower hates living at Crosswell (shire's seat), Geoffrey has purchased the duties of sheriff in the shire that oversees the lands that house his father-by-marriage, Baldwin de Gradinton in an effort to keep his now mute and fearful daughter out of Gradinton's grasp. The death of Gradinton's three sons have caused him to go to great lengths to gain custody of Cecilia, his only living heir.
Autumn's Flame is the story of how Geoffrey becomes the ward over Lord Freyne's newly widowed wife and her son, Jocelyn, a weak, monastery-bound, momma's-boy. Geoffrey is not happy to have to take the sharp-tongued, "won't stay in her subservient place" widow. Geoffrey is afraid that the strong-willed Elyssa of Freyne will unearth secrets that would ruin Cecilia's future. That conflict will arise between Geoffrey and Elyssa is guaranteed, because Elyssa is determined to find out why Geoff would let himself be perceived as evil, so she can extort her freedom and gain custody of her son, Jocelyn.
Autumn's Flame has the characteristics of a good read: {1} scarred, strong, alpha hero with plenty of emotional baggage, who goes to great lengths to protect the daughter he loves; {2} beautiful, headstrong, alpha heroine who will go to inordinate lengths to protect the son she loves from ruling, controlling men; {3} bits of action thrown into the day-to-day lives of the characters; {4} continual intrigue about how Geoffrey and Elyssa will end up overcoming all the barriers placed in their paths; {5} strong, vibrant, show-stealing supporting characters (Reginald, Clare); {6} the interesting, well-developed supporting roles of the protagonists' children (Jocelyn, Cecilia); and {7} sexual tension and spicy love scene between Geoffrey and Elyssa.
A more detailed, spoiler-ridden synopsis/review of Autumn's Flame appears at Wolf Bear Does Books
October 5, 2017
4 and ½ Stars - A Medieval Rich in Historical Detail
Set in 1194, this is the story of Elyssa of Freyne, a pregnant widow, who seeks to avoid a third, forced marriage. She also wants custody of her young son Joselyn, who she considers too weak to be a squire, as everyone would have him. However, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray, the shire's new sheriff, disagrees. As sheriff, he must make Elyssa his ward until her child is born and he thinks Joselyn should be sent away to become a squire. Instantly he and Elyssa are at odds.
Geoffrey is scarred from the attack on his face by his mad wife, now dead. All women except Elyssa are repulsed by him. Worse, he despairs of ever having the love of his young daughter, who once loved him but now avoids him. Elyssa’s coming will change all that.
Domning vividly creates the world of late 12th century England with a story that is rich in colorful characters. It’s also a story of a mother's love that holds her young son too close. She will learn many lessons from a man she thought to hate. And he will find the widow too attractive to leave alone.
The action scenes are quite good including an attack on the Freyne castle and the historical detail reflects much research. However, as this is part of a series and other couples appear, I recommend reading it in order so as not to be confused when the other folks show up en masse.
The Graistan Chronicles, 1194-1197, (aka the Seasons series)
Winter’s Heat
Summer’s Storm
Spring’s Fury
Autumn’s Flame
A Love for All Seasons
Set in 1194, this is the story of Elyssa of Freyne, a pregnant widow, who seeks to avoid a third, forced marriage. She also wants custody of her young son Joselyn, who she considers too weak to be a squire, as everyone would have him. However, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray, the shire's new sheriff, disagrees. As sheriff, he must make Elyssa his ward until her child is born and he thinks Joselyn should be sent away to become a squire. Instantly he and Elyssa are at odds.
Geoffrey is scarred from the attack on his face by his mad wife, now dead. All women except Elyssa are repulsed by him. Worse, he despairs of ever having the love of his young daughter, who once loved him but now avoids him. Elyssa’s coming will change all that.
Domning vividly creates the world of late 12th century England with a story that is rich in colorful characters. It’s also a story of a mother's love that holds her young son too close. She will learn many lessons from a man she thought to hate. And he will find the widow too attractive to leave alone.
The action scenes are quite good including an attack on the Freyne castle and the historical detail reflects much research. However, as this is part of a series and other couples appear, I recommend reading it in order so as not to be confused when the other folks show up en masse.
The Graistan Chronicles, 1194-1197, (aka the Seasons series)
Winter’s Heat
Summer’s Storm
Spring’s Fury
Autumn’s Flame
A Love for All Seasons
December 2, 2012
Started out confusing, with too many characters. Not a bad read, but kinda dull.
October 26, 2008
I couldn't resist picking this one up as soon as it arrived having enjoyed the first three books in this series. And I was even more curious because the heroine's son is a secondary character in book nº 3 and he made me curious about his mother.
Released from an unhappy marriage when her husband suddenly dies, Lady Elyssa of Freyne hopes for a better life, until she is put under the care of the notorious sheriff Geoffrey FitzHenry, whom she vows to resist at any cost.
When her second husband dies leaving her with a 12 year old son and pregnant Elyssa believes she will be finally free of men and able to live as she wants. However the king makes her son the sheriff's ward and she has to go live with them to be close to him. Soon it is obvious that Elyssa and Geoffrey have very different ideas about how to educate Jocelyn.
I thought this book had a lighter tone than the previous stories. First because although Geoffrey has had a difficult past and his scars lead people to call him the devil he is not bitter or rash, only sad that he can't go close to his daughter. And despite seeming a bit cold and intimidating at first once he decides Elyssa is what he wants he pursues her in a rather sweet way, totally at odds with his reputation. The book is centred in them and their feelings and maybe because of that there was less "medieval atmosphere". There isn't exactly a mystery in this book although it takes Elyssa some time to pry the truth about his first wife's death out of Geoffrey and a villain is working in the shadows against her well being.
I found this really curious information about the plot on the author's website:
The rest of the story came out of a wonderful reference book by one N.J.G. Pounds entitled "The Medieval Castle in England and Wales; A Social and Political History". Did you know that the Medieval sheriff is required to take into his custody all pregnant widows (at least those with property) and witness the births of their babies? Sensible, when you think about it. After all, a greedy widow might try to substitute a peasant's healthy child for her own stillborn baby in order to have control over her dead husband's property. Or, some unscrupulous relative might try to kill the newborn new heir. And there it is in a nutshell--the plot of Autumn's Flame.
I had no idea and I found it really interesting...
Grade: B+
Released from an unhappy marriage when her husband suddenly dies, Lady Elyssa of Freyne hopes for a better life, until she is put under the care of the notorious sheriff Geoffrey FitzHenry, whom she vows to resist at any cost.
When her second husband dies leaving her with a 12 year old son and pregnant Elyssa believes she will be finally free of men and able to live as she wants. However the king makes her son the sheriff's ward and she has to go live with them to be close to him. Soon it is obvious that Elyssa and Geoffrey have very different ideas about how to educate Jocelyn.
I thought this book had a lighter tone than the previous stories. First because although Geoffrey has had a difficult past and his scars lead people to call him the devil he is not bitter or rash, only sad that he can't go close to his daughter. And despite seeming a bit cold and intimidating at first once he decides Elyssa is what he wants he pursues her in a rather sweet way, totally at odds with his reputation. The book is centred in them and their feelings and maybe because of that there was less "medieval atmosphere". There isn't exactly a mystery in this book although it takes Elyssa some time to pry the truth about his first wife's death out of Geoffrey and a villain is working in the shadows against her well being.
I found this really curious information about the plot on the author's website:
The rest of the story came out of a wonderful reference book by one N.J.G. Pounds entitled "The Medieval Castle in England and Wales; A Social and Political History". Did you know that the Medieval sheriff is required to take into his custody all pregnant widows (at least those with property) and witness the births of their babies? Sensible, when you think about it. After all, a greedy widow might try to substitute a peasant's healthy child for her own stillborn baby in order to have control over her dead husband's property. Or, some unscrupulous relative might try to kill the newborn new heir. And there it is in a nutshell--the plot of Autumn's Flame.
I had no idea and I found it really interesting...
Grade: B+
February 27, 2015
The fourth book in the season's series was okay for me. I feel like it could have been better but the way Elyssa cried in every scene she was in was kind of a downer. Otherwise it was cool to see how Jos started out and how he ended up after living with Gilliam and Nicola.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2015
Good story
Good storyline and strong characters. As always a great love story, her writing makes you feel as though you are there, thankfully we are not..life was too difficult then
Good storyline and strong characters. As always a great love story, her writing makes you feel as though you are there, thankfully we are not..life was too difficult then
November 23, 2016
Brilliant!!
I have read all four books and although you can read them as stand alones it is most enjoyable following the brothers and brides-to-be within the series.
I found the characters within the stories became my friends and my enemies in line with the stories. I looked forward to picking up the story again after the necessary breaks - to sleep and work! The substance was exceptional and the era was brought to life for me, having not read any books set in this era before. The storylines moved beautifully and seamlessly and it was refreshing to feel so comfortable in the ride they took me on.
Of course, the heroes were good looking, big (in all ways!), strong, manly, passionate and sensitive to women's needs, oh and Knights - where are these paragons today? I was very jealous of the ladies involved and wondered, wistfully, what it would be like to be beloved of a man like that :).
I will try book five but with a little trepidation as I don't want to be disappointed and can only hope the quality continues.
Even if the twelfth century isn't your thing, it wasn't mine, try book one - my bet is you'll be pleasantly surprised and possibly even love it enough to follow the trail of breadcrumbs through to book five!
Thank you Ms Domning, these books are very well worth the blood, sweat and years they probably took to bring to a very satisfactory fruition - your characters are now my friends.
I have read all four books and although you can read them as stand alones it is most enjoyable following the brothers and brides-to-be within the series.
I found the characters within the stories became my friends and my enemies in line with the stories. I looked forward to picking up the story again after the necessary breaks - to sleep and work! The substance was exceptional and the era was brought to life for me, having not read any books set in this era before. The storylines moved beautifully and seamlessly and it was refreshing to feel so comfortable in the ride they took me on.
Of course, the heroes were good looking, big (in all ways!), strong, manly, passionate and sensitive to women's needs, oh and Knights - where are these paragons today? I was very jealous of the ladies involved and wondered, wistfully, what it would be like to be beloved of a man like that :).
I will try book five but with a little trepidation as I don't want to be disappointed and can only hope the quality continues.
Even if the twelfth century isn't your thing, it wasn't mine, try book one - my bet is you'll be pleasantly surprised and possibly even love it enough to follow the trail of breadcrumbs through to book five!
Thank you Ms Domning, these books are very well worth the blood, sweat and years they probably took to bring to a very satisfactory fruition - your characters are now my friends.
March 2, 2018
Very good story
I enjoyed the book very much. The setting in the 12th century is the fourth book of this series. The last of the four brothers is well done as scars are revealed and romance is again sparked.
The lives of women of this time are hard to comprehend as they are weighted under the strictures of church and morals that treated as nothing but chattel. Women were bartered into marriage as early as age 12, and it seems most of nobility were wed by matches made by families for property and advancement. Women had no choice as to spouse nor home. That opinions were not considered.
The children of these same women were considered property of their spouses or their spouse's family if the husband died prior to his wife. Reading this series made me grit my teeth at times as women then seemed powerless....... Until you read, for example, this book and see how women used alternate methods to exercise inner strength. We've come a long way, baby!
I definitely recommend to readers of historical romance fiction!
I enjoyed the book very much. The setting in the 12th century is the fourth book of this series. The last of the four brothers is well done as scars are revealed and romance is again sparked.
The lives of women of this time are hard to comprehend as they are weighted under the strictures of church and morals that treated as nothing but chattel. Women were bartered into marriage as early as age 12, and it seems most of nobility were wed by matches made by families for property and advancement. Women had no choice as to spouse nor home. That opinions were not considered.
The children of these same women were considered property of their spouses or their spouse's family if the husband died prior to his wife. Reading this series made me grit my teeth at times as women then seemed powerless....... Until you read, for example, this book and see how women used alternate methods to exercise inner strength. We've come a long way, baby!
I definitely recommend to readers of historical romance fiction!
October 4, 2018
The fourth in this series of novels about the FitzHenry brothers follows, Geoffrey, who appeared briefly in Gilliam's story.
The novel follows the same format as the previous ones, where our hero meets a woman and falls passionately in love and has to overcome obstacles to be with his heart's desire. In Geoff's case, the object of his affections is the irritating Elyssa, a woman who takes every tiny thing and magnifies it a thousand times. Her son can't ride a horse because she once fell off one. He can't throw a ball because one once hit him in the face. The list goes on.
Because I've read all these books in order one after the other, I already know how Jocelyn's story goes, which took away a little from this novel.
Ms Domning writes well and clearly knows her time period. Geoff's back story is interesting and I could have read more about that. It was also lovely to see all four brothers come together towards the end of the book.
Although the romance in these books is often a little cloying, I've enjoyed them as a series.
The novel follows the same format as the previous ones, where our hero meets a woman and falls passionately in love and has to overcome obstacles to be with his heart's desire. In Geoff's case, the object of his affections is the irritating Elyssa, a woman who takes every tiny thing and magnifies it a thousand times. Her son can't ride a horse because she once fell off one. He can't throw a ball because one once hit him in the face. The list goes on.
Because I've read all these books in order one after the other, I already know how Jocelyn's story goes, which took away a little from this novel.
Ms Domning writes well and clearly knows her time period. Geoff's back story is interesting and I could have read more about that. It was also lovely to see all four brothers come together towards the end of the book.
Although the romance in these books is often a little cloying, I've enjoyed them as a series.
May 27, 2017
Headstrong and stubborn? Who will survive?
Now widowed twice Elyssa of Freyne finds she is yet again under a mans control until at least her unborn child is born. But she refuses to be ordered about. Her only goal is to protect her son and then he is taken from her. How will she survive? And above all else the man she should hate is bypassing all her walls! Can she remain strong? After two abusive marriages can she believe not all men are brutes? And what will happen if she dies in child birth?
Geoffrey Sheriff of Crosswall hates the task that has been given him. Lady Freyne is at every turn fighting him on everything! And her son uses her emotions against all. He decides that it is best to squire him out then to keep him near for his benefit. Now he only needs to deal with this infuriating Woman til she gives birth. When did she get under his skin
Now widowed twice Elyssa of Freyne finds she is yet again under a mans control until at least her unborn child is born. But she refuses to be ordered about. Her only goal is to protect her son and then he is taken from her. How will she survive? And above all else the man she should hate is bypassing all her walls! Can she remain strong? After two abusive marriages can she believe not all men are brutes? And what will happen if she dies in child birth?
Geoffrey Sheriff of Crosswall hates the task that has been given him. Lady Freyne is at every turn fighting him on everything! And her son uses her emotions against all. He decides that it is best to squire him out then to keep him near for his benefit. Now he only needs to deal with this infuriating Woman til she gives birth. When did she get under his skin
June 20, 2017
Just finished the five-book series (so glad I got the set from the beginning), and my mother and I both loved every page! This series is so well researched (kudos, Mrs. Domning!), and the characters and plots so well interwoven, that we were both entranced. The writing was plausible and did not rely on those obvious miscommunication gaps that so many of these period novels display. I am glad to see strong women featured who are yet vulnerable and full of flaws, as are we all. I will definitely read more of Domning's books!
September 15, 2017
I am not reading this series in order, and perhaps it would be better if I had. The story line and the characters are likable and interesting. The action is terrific, the nasty characters are really nasty, and the medieval setting seems true. Ms Domning dwells rather overlong on lovemaking scenes. I have no objection, but I prefer to have a little left to my imagination.
(I always enjoy reading the reviews of others on Goodreads. I feel mine, when I bother to do them, are lacking. My apologies.)
(I always enjoy reading the reviews of others on Goodreads. I feel mine, when I bother to do them, are lacking. My apologies.)
June 2, 2017
A strong intelligent woman, who was never safe, creates a sickly selfish mama's boy. The sheriff charged with their care, scared on many levels by his mad dead wife, is driven to distraction by this determined pregnant widow.
I enjoyed the tale as they both reflected each others strengths, short comings & need for absolute control. All the plotting was intriguing.
Great addition to series
I enjoyed the tale as they both reflected each others strengths, short comings & need for absolute control. All the plotting was intriguing.
Great addition to series
September 2, 2019
While I liked the time period and the promise of romance, the length seemed too long--- allowing for spots that dragged on a bit. The characters were mostly true to historical form, but confined to sad roles. This story was not really the type I enjoy, but many others do. It is not a clean romance, but not super heated either.
April 8, 2024
I had high hopes and I enjoy this author’s writing but it’s too long and I stopped and started another book 50% in so I’m sad to say it just didn’t keep my attention.
She seemed ridiculous always telling her son he is going to die and that she is so frail and going to die but she’s a spitfire … it didn’t match up or make sense.
She seemed ridiculous always telling her son he is going to die and that she is so frail and going to die but she’s a spitfire … it didn’t match up or make sense.
October 10, 2018
This book was a really good read. I liked the evilness of the villain.
I was never really sure what would happen next.
However, I was a bit put off by the heavy petting at the wedding feast.
The ending was somewhat anti-climactic after such a slow simmering build up.
I was never really sure what would happen next.
However, I was a bit put off by the heavy petting at the wedding feast.
The ending was somewhat anti-climactic after such a slow simmering build up.
June 13, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable. Great characters and a real 'feel' for the era. I am definitely going to read more other books by this author.
July 13, 2017
Autumn's Flame
This was a well written book however I felt it often got bogged down with tribal details. For people who enjoy historical romances you should enjoy this book.
This was a well written book however I felt it often got bogged down with tribal details. For people who enjoy historical romances you should enjoy this book.
July 25, 2017
I enjoyed the characters and the rich historical detail.
October 12, 2017
Could not put it down
Great story about interesting characters, strong and weak at the same time. Great siege scene, and a rocky road to creating a new family.
Great story about interesting characters, strong and weak at the same time. Great siege scene, and a rocky road to creating a new family.
November 23, 2017
Great story.
Wow it is amazing that all four brothers found the loves of their lives. I loved this story. The drama was good and so was the romance. I'm glad it had a happy ending.
Wow it is amazing that all four brothers found the loves of their lives. I loved this story. The drama was good and so was the romance. I'm glad it had a happy ending.
September 22, 2021
I enjoyed this tale of Geoffrey and Elyssa. Each comes bearing their own baggage, but manage to work things out.
Well done.
Well done.
November 25, 2023
It was ok
November 14, 2016
3.5 stars
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