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The Dark Knight's Captive Bride
She is the daughter of his enemy... and the keeper of his heart.
Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king's every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy — a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay.
Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she's forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy. In the halls of Black Hawk's great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate — and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight.
As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she's in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice-or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers...
Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king's every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy — a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay.
Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she's forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy. In the halls of Black Hawk's great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate — and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight.
As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she's in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice-or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers...
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2016
1153 people are currently reading
1155 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Wild
19 books58 followersNATASHA WILD is a Southern girl with a love for all things medieval. When she’s not dreaming about knights and castles, she’s watching cute cat videos and planning how to talk her husband into getting another cat (they have two already). Natasha loves cats, dogs, horses and hot men. She’d happily collect them all except for the aforementioned Mr. Wild, who has put his foot down about how many of each she can have. (His answer on the hot men, for the record, is one – him. And really, one man is enough to keep a girl busy for life, right?)
THE DARK KNIGHT’S CAPTIVE BRIDE is Natasha’s debut novel. She hopes you enjoy it. You can reach her at Natasha@NatashaWild.com.
THE DARK KNIGHT’S CAPTIVE BRIDE is Natasha’s debut novel. She hopes you enjoy it. You can reach her at Natasha@NatashaWild.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
November 6, 2016
If you are in the mood for a retro medieval romance, with the feel of vintage Julie Garwood or Elizabeth Lowell, then I recommend you pick up this book. Often, I am disappointed in the Kindle Unlimited offerings for historical romance, but this debut book was a delight, and really took me back stylistically to some of the earlier romance books.
First off, those of you who envision "cheating" as the main male character having relations after meeting the main female character, even if she was only 15 years old, then stop. Don't read any further. You won't like this book. Earl Richard de Claiborne and Princess Gwen meet under unusual circumstances when she is 15 and he is an experienced knight of the Crusades and confidante of King Edward Plantagenet. He goes on to have relations with many, many other women before the two meet again. Was he captivated by young Gwen? Yes. Was she smitten? Yes. But he was English, she was Welsh, and they were at different places in their lives, steered by political negotiations and duty. However, if you like a romance that moves from prejudice to joy, where married fidelity is tested but true, and an impossible love blooms between a young girl and a jaded knight, like those vintage tales from the 1980s, then you will adore this book.
Author Natasha Wild has set her book in medieval Wales at the time the English conquer the last true Prince of Wales, Llewellyn. She has interjected fictitious characters among real people and real events, although liberties are clearly taken with familial ties and ages. The setting and description was done well enough that I wanted even more detail in order to immerse myself in the 13th century. In some ways, the battle scenes and the political intrigue were short-changed in favor of the romance.
Gwen is a beautiful, impulsive, somewhat spoiled girl. It was refreshing, however, to read about a princess who could unleash her "best princess stare" when she needed to wield it. So often in medieval romances these highborn women are like Cinderellas, bowing to the whims of wicked relatives. Gwen was ignored by her kingly father for much of her life, but she also had privileges. She knew the value of herself and how to get what she wanted. She was bartered to the enemy, and she needed to learn how to live with it. Richard, who blamed Llewellyn for his father's death, had a few chips on his shoulder to get past, too. Thus, starts the hate-to-love romance.
These two are a lusty pair. Their physical connection is solidified even before their emotional connection. I can't point to any one thing that tips the scales from hate to love for this couple, but the sense of home and rightness that Richard discovers with Gwen is a beautiful thing to behold. Politics eventually puts these two in an untenable position, and the declarations of love and sacrifice are heart-wrenching. Natasha Wild unreels an ending that just keeps picking up speed. In fact, I felt like I was on that train with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, where I felt there wasn't any way this book was going to end pretty. Let's just say that Richard makes the ultimate sacrifice.
I will be looking for more books by the talented Natasha Wild, especially when I am in the mood for a take-me-to-the-edge-of-the-cliff romance done the traditional way. *Sigh*
First off, those of you who envision "cheating" as the main male character having relations after meeting the main female character, even if she was only 15 years old, then stop. Don't read any further. You won't like this book. Earl Richard de Claiborne and Princess Gwen meet under unusual circumstances when she is 15 and he is an experienced knight of the Crusades and confidante of King Edward Plantagenet. He goes on to have relations with many, many other women before the two meet again. Was he captivated by young Gwen? Yes. Was she smitten? Yes. But he was English, she was Welsh, and they were at different places in their lives, steered by political negotiations and duty. However, if you like a romance that moves from prejudice to joy, where married fidelity is tested but true, and an impossible love blooms between a young girl and a jaded knight, like those vintage tales from the 1980s, then you will adore this book.
Author Natasha Wild has set her book in medieval Wales at the time the English conquer the last true Prince of Wales, Llewellyn. She has interjected fictitious characters among real people and real events, although liberties are clearly taken with familial ties and ages. The setting and description was done well enough that I wanted even more detail in order to immerse myself in the 13th century. In some ways, the battle scenes and the political intrigue were short-changed in favor of the romance.
Gwen is a beautiful, impulsive, somewhat spoiled girl. It was refreshing, however, to read about a princess who could unleash her "best princess stare" when she needed to wield it. So often in medieval romances these highborn women are like Cinderellas, bowing to the whims of wicked relatives. Gwen was ignored by her kingly father for much of her life, but she also had privileges. She knew the value of herself and how to get what she wanted. She was bartered to the enemy, and she needed to learn how to live with it. Richard, who blamed Llewellyn for his father's death, had a few chips on his shoulder to get past, too. Thus, starts the hate-to-love romance.
These two are a lusty pair. Their physical connection is solidified even before their emotional connection. I can't point to any one thing that tips the scales from hate to love for this couple, but the sense of home and rightness that Richard discovers with Gwen is a beautiful thing to behold. Politics eventually puts these two in an untenable position, and the declarations of love and sacrifice are heart-wrenching. Natasha Wild unreels an ending that just keeps picking up speed. In fact, I felt like I was on that train with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, where I felt there wasn't any way this book was going to end pretty. Let's just say that Richard makes the ultimate sacrifice.
I will be looking for more books by the talented Natasha Wild, especially when I am in the mood for a take-me-to-the-edge-of-the-cliff romance done the traditional way. *Sigh*
March 21, 2018
I need this author to write more!!!!! This was SUCH an amazingly well written book with everything I enjoy in a good read: accurate historical setting; strong, well-developed characters; an engaging plot; and smoking hot love scenes. PLEASE WRITE MORE!!
February 26, 2020
OK people: get ready for a teeny, tiny rant.
Set in the late thirteenth century, English Earl Richard (Black Falcon) and Welsh Gwen are forced to marry by the English King. He is fighting to effectively annexe Wales and make it part of England.
Richard calls young Gwen a whore etc, is incredibly insulting about Welsh women generally. They are all whores, apparently. The way the English men talked about Welsh girls while they busily screwed their accommodating English servants actually sickened me. To top it off, our hero was himself the biggest man-whore. Ever. Indeed, It is only an accident that he stays faithful to Gwen after they marry, because he nearly doesn’t on their wedding night,
Richard's theme song.....
What a surprise, then, that Gwen is a virgin. As she should be, he thinks happily, even though he ponders at one stage later in the book that he has “had” women the length and breadth of Europe (and even the Middle East) but Gwennie is the best. Lucky girl.
Then, just when it looks like Richard (yes, the nick-name “Dick” is beautifully apropos here) might be learning to be a good man, he reveals his true, shitty character. How, you ask? When he tells her that he has to go off on the Crusades again and Gwen asks if he will be faithful, he promises that, when the need overtakes him (ie. he has to have sex, because, well, MAN) he will keep her in mind and think only of her while doing the deed! That’s a comfort, I’m sure.
Devastated, Gwen counters with: well, you won’t have any objection if I take a lover then. Boom! The (jealous freak) husband explodes. Poor Dick (who, I might add, can get it up more than four times a night, often straight after ejaculation - shame that a crazy libido does not equal a good man) reluctantly agrees to remain faithful. Must be hard when you are such a stud.
Standard, meet double.
And the recurring theme of Gwen insisting how much she hates him, then bonking him enthusiastically over and over again, got old. Fast.
(This film was so much better than this book, btw)
Final irony- This promiscuous bastard has spent years murdering people (and probably raping women, too) in the Crusades. Why? Well, hey: Christians are so much better than Muslims, folks. Let’s invade their country and impose our religion and culture on them. Oh… isn’t that colonisation? Oops.
The story may well be historically accurate, but I do not enjoy reading about it in a romance novel.
A douche can learn to be kinder. A rake can reform. An arrogant hero can learn humility. This dude took way too long to become even a bit of a better person.
Set in the late thirteenth century, English Earl Richard (Black Falcon) and Welsh Gwen are forced to marry by the English King. He is fighting to effectively annexe Wales and make it part of England.
Richard calls young Gwen a whore etc, is incredibly insulting about Welsh women generally. They are all whores, apparently. The way the English men talked about Welsh girls while they busily screwed their accommodating English servants actually sickened me. To top it off, our hero was himself the biggest man-whore. Ever. Indeed, It is only an accident that he stays faithful to Gwen after they marry, because he nearly doesn’t on their wedding night,
Richard's theme song.....
What a surprise, then, that Gwen is a virgin. As she should be, he thinks happily, even though he ponders at one stage later in the book that he has “had” women the length and breadth of Europe (and even the Middle East) but Gwennie is the best. Lucky girl.
Then, just when it looks like Richard (yes, the nick-name “Dick” is beautifully apropos here) might be learning to be a good man, he reveals his true, shitty character. How, you ask? When he tells her that he has to go off on the Crusades again and Gwen asks if he will be faithful, he promises that, when the need overtakes him (ie. he has to have sex, because, well, MAN) he will keep her in mind and think only of her while doing the deed! That’s a comfort, I’m sure.
Devastated, Gwen counters with: well, you won’t have any objection if I take a lover then. Boom! The (jealous freak) husband explodes. Poor Dick (who, I might add, can get it up more than four times a night, often straight after ejaculation - shame that a crazy libido does not equal a good man) reluctantly agrees to remain faithful. Must be hard when you are such a stud.
Standard, meet double.
And the recurring theme of Gwen insisting how much she hates him, then bonking him enthusiastically over and over again, got old. Fast.
(This film was so much better than this book, btw)
Final irony- This promiscuous bastard has spent years murdering people (and probably raping women, too) in the Crusades. Why? Well, hey: Christians are so much better than Muslims, folks. Let’s invade their country and impose our religion and culture on them. Oh… isn’t that colonisation? Oops.
The story may well be historically accurate, but I do not enjoy reading about it in a romance novel.
A douche can learn to be kinder. A rake can reform. An arrogant hero can learn humility. This dude took way too long to become even a bit of a better person.
September 29, 2017
9/27/17 Ammy freebie
3.75-4 stars
I straight up loved the romance between the MC. The author knows how to write. There is no way that this is her 1st book. Most likely she writes under a different name.
Some slow spots in the middle. Sex scenes were ok. Book is 3rd pov alternating mostly between H & h.
Extra info
This has a a little 80's historical romance feel to it. I loved the H &'really liked the h. Book takes place during medieval times.
The book is priced high for a new SP author. I wouldn't be surprised if she writes under a different name, She has an engaging writing voice.
H was a badazz & h was a good mix of sweet & sassy in a non-witchy way.
Spoilers:
h was a virgin
H never physically abused the h.
--------------------------------------
3.75-4 stars
I straight up loved the romance between the MC. The author knows how to write. There is no way that this is her 1st book. Most likely she writes under a different name.
Some slow spots in the middle. Sex scenes were ok. Book is 3rd pov alternating mostly between H & h.
Extra info
This has a a little 80's historical romance feel to it. I loved the H &'really liked the h. Book takes place during medieval times.
The book is priced high for a new SP author. I wouldn't be surprised if she writes under a different name, She has an engaging writing voice.
H was a badazz & h was a good mix of sweet & sassy in a non-witchy way.
Spoilers:
h was a virgin
H never physically abused the h.
--------------------------------------
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2024
I wish I could erase this book from my mind. Spoilers below
Okay SPOILERS. To the person who said there was no cheating I am only a quarter of the way through and I have seen the H have a lot of sex AFTER he met the h and lusted after her. I do not like the heros to have sex after they meet the H and then the king whose wife loves him and he supposedly loves is having sex with lots of other women and the H is thinking if I don't have sex with her soon And this is AFTER he is married by the way he needs to find somebody to and I totally hate this book. I am afraid to continue I know this is my trigger but if it isn't yours. Go ahead read it. But I find it gross. I don't care if he is turning off the light so he thinks it's the h I don't want to know. Just gross I hate cheating and the king and the H whoring themselves through the crusade is enough to make me sick. But the king loves his wife. Yeah right. And I love cheating. NOT. Just DNF I don't think I can continue. Sorry I bought this. Real sorry. Just be warned.
Okay SPOILERS. To the person who said there was no cheating I am only a quarter of the way through and I have seen the H have a lot of sex AFTER he met the h and lusted after her. I do not like the heros to have sex after they meet the H and then the king whose wife loves him and he supposedly loves is having sex with lots of other women and the H is thinking if I don't have sex with her soon And this is AFTER he is married by the way he needs to find somebody to and I totally hate this book. I am afraid to continue I know this is my trigger but if it isn't yours. Go ahead read it. But I find it gross. I don't care if he is turning off the light so he thinks it's the h I don't want to know. Just gross I hate cheating and the king and the H whoring themselves through the crusade is enough to make me sick. But the king loves his wife. Yeah right. And I love cheating. NOT. Just DNF I don't think I can continue. Sorry I bought this. Real sorry. Just be warned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
I'M FREEEEEEEEEE
This book dragged so much for me, I felt like I was trapped for months 😭 It took me two days to get through this one and now I feel like I can stepped back into the light after a long imprisonment.
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ ➵ What I didn't like
Simply put,
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
This book dragged so much for me, I felt like I was trapped for months 😭 It took me two days to get through this one and now I feel like I can stepped back into the light after a long imprisonment.
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ ➵ What I didn't like
Simply put,
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
March 9, 2021
3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 4 because Richard makes one hell of a come back in this book.
First you all gotta know I don't read many historical romances. I think that makes a huge difference when you are reading a review for a specific genre. Like I'm probably not going to take recommendations for the best shifter book from someone who has only read one.
So this review is based 100% on the smut factor, plot and how I liked the characters. Not on whether or not it is great writing, or if it the timeline makes sense. Considering history is my worse subject (because I don't give a flying fuck about it), this book could be about King Bill Clinton and I wouldn't know if he was alive in the 13th century and was a King. Or whether they knew what the word "fuck" meant. So let's all keep that in mind when reading this review, okay?
This is an enemies to lovers, arranged marriage book that took place around 1245. Gwen is 15 when she makes her first appearance, and I actually have not idea how old our Hero is, but it is older. Their first kiss is when she is almost 17 - before he knows she is the enemy. Then he finds out he is to marry her by order of the King for a peace treaty. He is not happy, but he gets a few years before the wedding.
In the time between their first meeting and the wedding, our Hero is with lots of other women - umm hello she is 15 - and this is the 13th century. Guys actively had mistress and the wives knew about it..... You can't be surprised or pissed. Annoyed yes, but you can't hold it against him.
But don't worry, once he sees her before the wedding he is hooked and can't bring himself to touch any other women.
I fucking love Richard. He truly does a 180, and very early on in this book. He is everything I would want in a warrior husband.
Gwen, we didn't have the same connection. This bitch drove me bat shit crazy. I could not handle her insecurities and lack of faith in her man. Yes I know she is young. Yes I know that she grew up hearing how awful he was. Yes I know that she is having to go against all the beliefs she was raised with. Yes I know it is the 13th century. Yes I know she doesn't have anyone to talk to about her feelings. Yes I know that bitch Ann kept putting shit in her ahead.
Because I know that if I was in her position I would probably act the fucking same way. And that my friends is what pisses me off. I'm mad that I would be just like the heroine that I'm pissed off at and that just fucking sucks.
I want to believe I would be level headed at the age of 20 when I was forced to be with a man that I have spent my entire life fearing because of the awful stories, but I'm not even close to level headed at 38. So if I was the heroine the story would run the same way because I'm a stubborn bitch.
In the end, this book sucked me in. I couldn't put it down, even though sometimes I wanted to. The audio is like 16 hrs and I listened to it in 1 day. The audio is okay, but it takes a really bad narrator to ruin a book for me, so not all with like it.
The HEA felt a little rushed, but guys I love me a good epilogue.
If you are a historical romance addict, I'm not 100% sure if you will love this. But if you love a good trashy book with some angst and a hot AF hero, then definitely give this a whirl.
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First you all gotta know I don't read many historical romances. I think that makes a huge difference when you are reading a review for a specific genre. Like I'm probably not going to take recommendations for the best shifter book from someone who has only read one.
So this review is based 100% on the smut factor, plot and how I liked the characters. Not on whether or not it is great writing, or if it the timeline makes sense. Considering history is my worse subject (because I don't give a flying fuck about it), this book could be about King Bill Clinton and I wouldn't know if he was alive in the 13th century and was a King. Or whether they knew what the word "fuck" meant. So let's all keep that in mind when reading this review, okay?
This is an enemies to lovers, arranged marriage book that took place around 1245. Gwen is 15 when she makes her first appearance, and I actually have not idea how old our Hero is, but it is older. Their first kiss is when she is almost 17 - before he knows she is the enemy. Then he finds out he is to marry her by order of the King for a peace treaty. He is not happy, but he gets a few years before the wedding.
In the time between their first meeting and the wedding, our Hero is with lots of other women - umm hello she is 15 - and this is the 13th century. Guys actively had mistress and the wives knew about it..... You can't be surprised or pissed. Annoyed yes, but you can't hold it against him.
But don't worry, once he sees her before the wedding he is hooked and can't bring himself to touch any other women.
I fucking love Richard. He truly does a 180, and very early on in this book. He is everything I would want in a warrior husband.
Gwen, we didn't have the same connection. This bitch drove me bat shit crazy. I could not handle her insecurities and lack of faith in her man. Yes I know she is young. Yes I know that she grew up hearing how awful he was. Yes I know that she is having to go against all the beliefs she was raised with. Yes I know it is the 13th century. Yes I know she doesn't have anyone to talk to about her feelings. Yes I know that bitch Ann kept putting shit in her ahead.
Because I know that if I was in her position I would probably act the fucking same way. And that my friends is what pisses me off. I'm mad that I would be just like the heroine that I'm pissed off at and that just fucking sucks.
I want to believe I would be level headed at the age of 20 when I was forced to be with a man that I have spent my entire life fearing because of the awful stories, but I'm not even close to level headed at 38. So if I was the heroine the story would run the same way because I'm a stubborn bitch.
In the end, this book sucked me in. I couldn't put it down, even though sometimes I wanted to. The audio is like 16 hrs and I listened to it in 1 day. The audio is okay, but it takes a really bad narrator to ruin a book for me, so not all with like it.
The HEA felt a little rushed, but guys I love me a good epilogue.
If you are a historical romance addict, I'm not 100% sure if you will love this. But if you love a good trashy book with some angst and a hot AF hero, then definitely give this a whirl.
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May 15, 2023
The Book
The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride by Natasha Wild was a solid romance read. More or less. I actually did enjoy this. Even so, this review is going to sound rather negative, as I was more than let down by it, too. The glowing recommendations and high ratings made me have high expectations.
I was more than a bit disappointed after reading it. With a title like The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride, I thought I was in for a gritty, throwback kind of read, but it was lukewarm in that regard.
Therefore, don't expect this contemporary historical romance to resemble a 1970s or 1980s rough-style bodice ripper. However, this book could have fit right in if published in the early 1990s, minus a few explicit love scenes and curse words. While the 1990s may qualify as old-school to most readers, to me, this is merely a retro-romance homage.
The medieval and historical aspects of this story were fine. The love story started out okay, with tension between the hero and heroine, but it quickly became too saccharine for my liking. This is one of those books where the characters start out as sworn enemies, vowing they hate each other due to certain circumstances. The only real obstacle is miscommunication because, after a brief period of bickering, simply talking to each other solves a lot of their issues.
The Plot
Gwenllian, Princess of Wales, is given by order of the King of England to marry the Earl of Dunsmore, Richard de Claiborne, also known as the Black Hawk. With his courageous act of saving King Edward's life during the Crusades, Richard proved his mettle and was granted an influential Earl position in the King's inner circle.
Gwen is in despair over the prospect of being forced to marry the infamous Black Hawk of Claiborne, whose reputation for his merciless ways and incessant cruelty in battle is notorious.
In reality, Richard is a cream puff. Although he and Gwen clash at first, their situation changes soon enough when they open up to each other. Richard does all he can to woo Gwen gently.
In one scene, he brings her to his secret safe space—a magical cave that glitters with seemingly magical rainbows—which he has never taken anyone to before. He reveals his secret hurts and insecurities, and his vulnerability makes Gwen melt. He calls her his fairy princess, and they make sweet, romantic love.
They then go on to make more love as the days pass. And continue to make gentle, caring love even more as the book continues.
The first third of the book featured Gwen and Richard bickering, but not in a passionate way that would make you want to see them channel that energy into an animalistic mating based on lust. It was simply based on easily clarified misunderstandings.
The rest of The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride involved either Gwen and Richard making love, mistrusting each other for silly reasons, making love once more, then mistrusting each other again, and then… you get the idea.
Rinse. Lather. Repeat.
I wanted to see more action instead of quarreling and something...more hardcore in their relationship. Any conflict here was just window dressing. These two had tender feelings for one another, sappy, emotional stuff that made my cynical self curl my lips in disgust.
After months spent together basking in the sweet gooeyness of their marriage, Gwen becomes pregnant, and they happily rejoice together. But when Gwen is secretly taken by her father back home by force, Richard believes she has willingly left him, despite their beautiful time spent together. Overcome with self-pity, he curls up into a ball and cries.
Don't take this the wrong way; I don't mean to disrespect any emotions in men. Men are human beings, entitled to feel just as any other human would.
But in my romances, heroes only cry due to serious trauma or the death of a loved one. If he had wept for Gwen because he believed she and their unborn baby were dead, it would have made me feel genuine sorrow for Richard.
His behavior upon discovering that his previously loving wife had just abandoned him should have been one of rage. He should not have accepted it like an abandoned kitten but should have taken action. The so-called Black Hawk of Claiborne should have stormed his father-in-law's castle to fight for his wife, for she was his! He should have gone to any lengths to bring home his Lady Countess and the mother of his child.
Final Analysis of The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride
But that's just my opinion. And yes, the two lovebirds reconcile at the end; after all, this is a romance. It's just that instead of being the agents of their destinies, Richard and Gwen let the actions and lies of others control their lives.
In a medieval romance, more so than any other romance genre, I expect certain behaviors from the protagonists. If the male main character is called “The Dark Knight,” I want to see him actually being dark. I want to see him be brutal and do morally questionable acts. The conflict here was more in line with a category romance. Not, perhaps, a Harlequin Presents, which would likely have featured a genuinely “dark hero.”
I sound very critical in this review, which is unfair. Wild does write very well, and the romance is truly convincing. That's more than I can say for most post-2000 books. Usually, I can't find any positive points to mention in the increasingly fewer modern-written romances I read.
For there were indeed many enjoyable aspects in Natasha Wild’s The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride.
Simply put, I went into this expecting a neo-bodice ripper or at least some old-school historical romance attitudes, not a treacly love story, so my high anticipation influenced my overall opinion. It was not a bad book, but it was not an excellent one either.
3.5 Stars
The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride by Natasha Wild was a solid romance read. More or less. I actually did enjoy this. Even so, this review is going to sound rather negative, as I was more than let down by it, too. The glowing recommendations and high ratings made me have high expectations.
I was more than a bit disappointed after reading it. With a title like The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride, I thought I was in for a gritty, throwback kind of read, but it was lukewarm in that regard.
Therefore, don't expect this contemporary historical romance to resemble a 1970s or 1980s rough-style bodice ripper. However, this book could have fit right in if published in the early 1990s, minus a few explicit love scenes and curse words. While the 1990s may qualify as old-school to most readers, to me, this is merely a retro-romance homage.
The medieval and historical aspects of this story were fine. The love story started out okay, with tension between the hero and heroine, but it quickly became too saccharine for my liking. This is one of those books where the characters start out as sworn enemies, vowing they hate each other due to certain circumstances. The only real obstacle is miscommunication because, after a brief period of bickering, simply talking to each other solves a lot of their issues.
The Plot
Gwenllian, Princess of Wales, is given by order of the King of England to marry the Earl of Dunsmore, Richard de Claiborne, also known as the Black Hawk. With his courageous act of saving King Edward's life during the Crusades, Richard proved his mettle and was granted an influential Earl position in the King's inner circle.
Gwen is in despair over the prospect of being forced to marry the infamous Black Hawk of Claiborne, whose reputation for his merciless ways and incessant cruelty in battle is notorious.
In reality, Richard is a cream puff. Although he and Gwen clash at first, their situation changes soon enough when they open up to each other. Richard does all he can to woo Gwen gently.
In one scene, he brings her to his secret safe space—a magical cave that glitters with seemingly magical rainbows—which he has never taken anyone to before. He reveals his secret hurts and insecurities, and his vulnerability makes Gwen melt. He calls her his fairy princess, and they make sweet, romantic love.
They then go on to make more love as the days pass. And continue to make gentle, caring love even more as the book continues.
The first third of the book featured Gwen and Richard bickering, but not in a passionate way that would make you want to see them channel that energy into an animalistic mating based on lust. It was simply based on easily clarified misunderstandings.
The rest of The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride involved either Gwen and Richard making love, mistrusting each other for silly reasons, making love once more, then mistrusting each other again, and then… you get the idea.
Rinse. Lather. Repeat.
I wanted to see more action instead of quarreling and something...more hardcore in their relationship. Any conflict here was just window dressing. These two had tender feelings for one another, sappy, emotional stuff that made my cynical self curl my lips in disgust.
After months spent together basking in the sweet gooeyness of their marriage, Gwen becomes pregnant, and they happily rejoice together. But when Gwen is secretly taken by her father back home by force, Richard believes she has willingly left him, despite their beautiful time spent together. Overcome with self-pity, he curls up into a ball and cries.
Don't take this the wrong way; I don't mean to disrespect any emotions in men. Men are human beings, entitled to feel just as any other human would.
But in my romances, heroes only cry due to serious trauma or the death of a loved one. If he had wept for Gwen because he believed she and their unborn baby were dead, it would have made me feel genuine sorrow for Richard.
His behavior upon discovering that his previously loving wife had just abandoned him should have been one of rage. He should not have accepted it like an abandoned kitten but should have taken action. The so-called Black Hawk of Claiborne should have stormed his father-in-law's castle to fight for his wife, for she was his! He should have gone to any lengths to bring home his Lady Countess and the mother of his child.
Final Analysis of The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride
But that's just my opinion. And yes, the two lovebirds reconcile at the end; after all, this is a romance. It's just that instead of being the agents of their destinies, Richard and Gwen let the actions and lies of others control their lives.
In a medieval romance, more so than any other romance genre, I expect certain behaviors from the protagonists. If the male main character is called “The Dark Knight,” I want to see him actually being dark. I want to see him be brutal and do morally questionable acts. The conflict here was more in line with a category romance. Not, perhaps, a Harlequin Presents, which would likely have featured a genuinely “dark hero.”
I sound very critical in this review, which is unfair. Wild does write very well, and the romance is truly convincing. That's more than I can say for most post-2000 books. Usually, I can't find any positive points to mention in the increasingly fewer modern-written romances I read.
For there were indeed many enjoyable aspects in Natasha Wild’s The Dark Knight’s Captive Bride.
Simply put, I went into this expecting a neo-bodice ripper or at least some old-school historical romance attitudes, not a treacly love story, so my high anticipation influenced my overall opinion. It was not a bad book, but it was not an excellent one either.
3.5 Stars
February 12, 2022
The Age🔪🐲 🏰🐎of Bittersweet 💘💔
Alpha Male🐺🔪 Historical Medieval🏰🐎🔪 Political Romance, Circa 1280.
Richard De Claiborne🐺🔪🍆🌋, the huge, handsome, Dark Knight, now an Earl, and right hand man of the English King, Edward👑, is away winning in battle when his father is killed💀 in another battle with the Welsh Prince👑of Wales, Llywelyn, along the border. Richard🐺🔪🍆🌋 is also called the Black Hawk De Claiborne, he is the mightiest of English Warriors!
Richard's victory is ashes, now that his father is dead. He vows to have his revenge!
Black Hawk🐺🔪🍆🌋 is building a castle🏰 after his victory, in a place that will control the distribution of food and trade. He will starve out Prince👑 Llywelyn, unless the Welsh Prince👑 surrenders.
Princess Gwen👸, the daughter of Llywelyn👑, is purported to be the daughter of a fairy maiden💃 that came from the mists, and disappeared back into them shortly after Gwen👸 was born. Gwen👸 is believed to have second sight, even though she is but a maid at 15. She was raised by loving servants.
At Rhuddlan Castle🏰, Wales headquarters of King Edward👑, the surrender of Llywelyn👑 is made. Gwen👸 is given as hostage to King Edward👑 and Black Hawk🐺🔪🍆🌋, the Dark Knight and Earl of Dunsmore.
Gwen's flame red hair👸, beauty, and innocent personality draws Richard🐺🔪🍆🌋 from his darkness into her light. He is smitten 💕with the daughter of his mortal enemy!
The second sight gives Gwen👸 numerous dreams of Richard🐺🔪🍆🌋. She always sees him in armour, with a fierce black hawk upon his arm, one of its leashes dangling free, the other held in a lions mouth. What does it mean?
This is a truly wonderful book! It took me away at once, deep into the history, political intrigue, and primitive but lush lifestyle of the royal people👑 of that time period. I could stay inside this book📑 forever!
Keeping with the times, the Royal👑 men could do about whatever they wanted with women. This is a long, very involved book about life after the Crusades. So, there are instances of adultery, mistresses, and various partners. Just saying! This is how it was..........They came, They saw, They took what they would, because they could!
I highly recommend for lovers of Adult Historical fiction.
YEHAW! Ride Em Bareback, Cowgirl!🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎Ten Studs for this one!
Alpha Male🐺🔪 Historical Medieval🏰🐎🔪 Political Romance, Circa 1280.
Richard De Claiborne🐺🔪🍆🌋, the huge, handsome, Dark Knight, now an Earl, and right hand man of the English King, Edward👑, is away winning in battle when his father is killed💀 in another battle with the Welsh Prince👑of Wales, Llywelyn, along the border. Richard🐺🔪🍆🌋 is also called the Black Hawk De Claiborne, he is the mightiest of English Warriors!
Richard's victory is ashes, now that his father is dead. He vows to have his revenge!
Black Hawk🐺🔪🍆🌋 is building a castle🏰 after his victory, in a place that will control the distribution of food and trade. He will starve out Prince👑 Llywelyn, unless the Welsh Prince👑 surrenders.
Princess Gwen👸, the daughter of Llywelyn👑, is purported to be the daughter of a fairy maiden💃 that came from the mists, and disappeared back into them shortly after Gwen👸 was born. Gwen👸 is believed to have second sight, even though she is but a maid at 15. She was raised by loving servants.
At Rhuddlan Castle🏰, Wales headquarters of King Edward👑, the surrender of Llywelyn👑 is made. Gwen👸 is given as hostage to King Edward👑 and Black Hawk🐺🔪🍆🌋, the Dark Knight and Earl of Dunsmore.
Gwen's flame red hair👸, beauty, and innocent personality draws Richard🐺🔪🍆🌋 from his darkness into her light. He is smitten 💕with the daughter of his mortal enemy!
The second sight gives Gwen👸 numerous dreams of Richard🐺🔪🍆🌋. She always sees him in armour, with a fierce black hawk upon his arm, one of its leashes dangling free, the other held in a lions mouth. What does it mean?
This is a truly wonderful book! It took me away at once, deep into the history, political intrigue, and primitive but lush lifestyle of the royal people👑 of that time period. I could stay inside this book📑 forever!
Keeping with the times, the Royal👑 men could do about whatever they wanted with women. This is a long, very involved book about life after the Crusades. So, there are instances of adultery, mistresses, and various partners. Just saying! This is how it was..........They came, They saw, They took what they would, because they could!
I highly recommend for lovers of Adult Historical fiction.
YEHAW! Ride Em Bareback, Cowgirl!🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎Ten Studs for this one!
April 22, 2021
This was such a roller-coaster.
At the beginning I really hated the Hero, he was cocky and full of himself, but then I found out his age, and he was quite young as well and it did made much more sense.
Also, he redeemed himself and went to Hell and above for our heroine, who, has done some stupid shit. Sorry but I did had the urge to slap her big time when she left... but... anyway. The story explains a little her behavior and, although I don't agree with it, it was understandable and it only gave the character more nuances.
As a whole it was a really good story, well built, with a strong plot and spicy romance.
I'm still wondering why the author hasn't wrote anything ever since. This was such an amazing debut book.
At the beginning I really hated the Hero, he was cocky and full of himself, but then I found out his age, and he was quite young as well and it did made much more sense.
Also, he redeemed himself and went to Hell and above for our heroine, who, has done some stupid shit. Sorry but I did had the urge to slap her big time when she left... but... anyway. The story explains a little her behavior and, although I don't agree with it, it was understandable and it only gave the character more nuances.
As a whole it was a really good story, well built, with a strong plot and spicy romance.
I'm still wondering why the author hasn't wrote anything ever since. This was such an amazing debut book.
July 20, 2020
I enjoyed how this story took me back to some of the historical romances I read when I was first introduced to romance. It did lack some of the raw grittiness of some of my favorites, but it was a nice trip into the past. With a lot more steam, it held fast to the relationship angst that addicted me back in the day, and it will have you wanting to smack some sense into one or both of these characters.
There is a lot of push and pull in this enemies-to-lovers story as well as a good dose of political intrigue. It's a very well written lengthier book that didn’t bog down, which was a nice surprise. I did find the ending to be a bit over the top and a few things had me rolling my eyes, and then rolling them again. Overall, however, I enjoyed this very much.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
There is a lot of push and pull in this enemies-to-lovers story as well as a good dose of political intrigue. It's a very well written lengthier book that didn’t bog down, which was a nice surprise. I did find the ending to be a bit over the top and a few things had me rolling my eyes, and then rolling them again. Overall, however, I enjoyed this very much.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
December 25, 2017
It took me FOREVER to finish this book. But I must say I am truly thankful I was able to savor this one. In the beginning it did take a while for me to become enthralled with this one. But approaching the mid way mark I was completely consumed with this story. It's a miracle I was able to set it aside to finish other reads. Lol.
It blew me away. I'm not big on historical romances. But there have been few and far between that have captured my heart, and this story is definitely one of them. To say I loved this read would be a vast understatement.
So trust me, if you're big on reads in this genre, please pick this one up. And even if you're like me with books of this genre, still, pick it up. You will not be disappointed here.
#HappyRomanticDramaticSexyEroticReads& Kisses ;)
It blew me away. I'm not big on historical romances. But there have been few and far between that have captured my heart, and this story is definitely one of them. To say I loved this read would be a vast understatement.
So trust me, if you're big on reads in this genre, please pick this one up. And even if you're like me with books of this genre, still, pick it up. You will not be disappointed here.
#HappyRomanticDramaticSexyEroticReads& Kisses ;)
Want to read
May 5, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (5/5/2018)!💝
Blurb:
She is the daughter of his enemy... and the keeper of his heart.
Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king's every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy — a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay.
Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she's forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy. In the halls of Black Hawk's great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate — and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight.
As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she's in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice-or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers...
Blurb:
She is the daughter of his enemy... and the keeper of his heart.
Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king's every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy — a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay.
Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she's forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy. In the halls of Black Hawk's great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate — and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight.
As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she's in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice-or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers...
July 26, 2016
3.75 stars. This book was kinda epic and I was very impressed with this debut author. I've read quite a few historicals lately that completely throw out any semblance of historical accuracy. This book while not perfect, definitely provided enough details to make me feel like I was in the right time period and the couple of times a phrase pulled me out of that world a bit are forgivable.
Why not 4 stars, you ask? That's easy. The heroine. She made me want to throw my kindle up against the wall at times. I didn't like her very much and I almost stopped reading it because of her. I know she's young, but she was immature, foolhardy and at times annoying. I honestly think if it wasn't for her beauty, the H would've been done with her long ago. I had a little bit of a hard time understanding why he loved her. I never felt like they were a team that 100% trusted each other and I wanted that. In that world of chaos and war that they lived in, I needed that for them.
February 23, 2020
Can two enemies — a commanding English knight and a spunky-but-naive beautiful Welsh princess — make an arranged married work after war between their people? Finding out kept me captivated on my most recent trans-Atlantic flight. In fact, I had to force myself to put my Kindle down at around 75 percent to ensure I got at least a few hours of sleep. The story had a lot of enjoyable steam (I had one hand permanently up to hide my screen from my neighbor… sigh, economy class seating these days). The book also had a few unbelievable and exasperating twists and unfortunately a slight slut-shaming vibe, but neither issue detracted from my overall enjoyment.
Set during the 13th-century conquest of Wales, the story includes loads of real-life characters, such as King Edward I, his wife Eleanor, and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. There truly even was a Princess Gwenllian of Wales, but she likely had a far less interesting life (or at least less sex) having been confined to a convent from a very young age. In this novel, Gwellian is first a hostage to King Edward and then forced into a marriage with the Black Hawk, Richard de Claiborne, Earl of Dunsmore known for his cruel treatment of the Welsh.
The main characters reminded me of the leads in Julie Garwood’s The Bride and Judith McNaught’s A Kingdom of Dreams, but the hero is less rapey and the heroine less ditzy. I was totally into Richard, a huge Alpha panty-dropper/respected leader of men committed to doing the right thing. I’m not always into the virginal bride thing, but it worked here. Gwen had enough personality and spirit to make her tolerable. As is common in this type of book, she had a tendency to jump to the worst-possible conclusion regarding Richard (luckily, such scenes were at least quickly resolved). Gwen also made at least one rash decision that had deadly implications for people around her and made absolutely no sense to me.
I liked that the book didn’t rely on contrived conflict over whether the couple will admit their feeling for one another and that the relationship was mostly happy once they got to know each other. There was, unfortunately, a bit of slut-shaming regarding Richard’s ex-mistress, a neighboring widow. I wish the author would have focused on her greed and jealousy and left out the whole sex-hungry/insatiable man hunter angle.
The last 10-15 percent (including the fall out from that particularly rash decision of Gwen’s) strained credulity. .
If you liked this, I recommend the historical romances of Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught. I also recommend The King's Manby Elizabeth Kingston. I’m off to figure out what to read to survive my five-hour layover in Munich.
Set during the 13th-century conquest of Wales, the story includes loads of real-life characters, such as King Edward I, his wife Eleanor, and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. There truly even was a Princess Gwenllian of Wales, but she likely had a far less interesting life (or at least less sex) having been confined to a convent from a very young age. In this novel, Gwellian is first a hostage to King Edward and then forced into a marriage with the Black Hawk, Richard de Claiborne, Earl of Dunsmore known for his cruel treatment of the Welsh.
The main characters reminded me of the leads in Julie Garwood’s The Bride and Judith McNaught’s A Kingdom of Dreams, but the hero is less rapey and the heroine less ditzy. I was totally into Richard, a huge Alpha panty-dropper/respected leader of men committed to doing the right thing. I’m not always into the virginal bride thing, but it worked here. Gwen had enough personality and spirit to make her tolerable. As is common in this type of book, she had a tendency to jump to the worst-possible conclusion regarding Richard (luckily, such scenes were at least quickly resolved). Gwen also made at least one rash decision that had deadly implications for people around her and made absolutely no sense to me.
I liked that the book didn’t rely on contrived conflict over whether the couple will admit their feeling for one another and that the relationship was mostly happy once they got to know each other. There was, unfortunately, a bit of slut-shaming regarding Richard’s ex-mistress, a neighboring widow. I wish the author would have focused on her greed and jealousy and left out the whole sex-hungry/insatiable man hunter angle.
The last 10-15 percent (including the fall out from that particularly rash decision of Gwen’s) strained credulity. .
If you liked this, I recommend the historical romances of Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught. I also recommend The King's Manby Elizabeth Kingston. I’m off to figure out what to read to survive my five-hour layover in Munich.
February 22, 2020
I picked this book cause it’s currently for free on Amazon and boy what a good surprise. If you are a medieval romance fan then you have to pick this incredible well written story.Its full of passion,chemistry and love between the protagonists. For this age it’s very realistic written but the author never forget she’s writing a romance and boy it’s perfect.Well done N.W I’ll read for sure an other book by you.Loved loved it !!!
November 16, 2016
I have to say this book kept me pretty hooked!
I thought it started a bit slow, Gwen and Richard meet when she's still pretty young, we flash forward a few years and they meet again and we flash forward another few years and they meet yet again.
That being said once they meet the third time the book really picks up! The king forces a marriage in the hopes of maintaining peace. So we have two married heroes just getting to know each other but with a reason to hate each other. Richard starts off domineering and gruff and Gwen young, naive and temperamental. Sometimes why they were fighting didn't totally make sense, and when they made up they didn't resolve anything, they just had sex.
The action is pretty steady I thought. The characters are either fighting with each other, fighting a battle or having sex!
Speaking of if you're looking for hot sex scenes this is your book! Not only are there multiple ones, but they well written and detailed, but this book doesn't focus on the sex to the detriment of the plot.
There were a couple things I wasn't sure about. Gwen apparently has premonitions in her dreams, but that never seems to affect the plot and at one point the author makes a deal about her having a fear of the dark. This fear resurfaces once or twice and I was expecting it to play a bigger role later, but it never came up again. It was like she was foreshadowing something that never happened.
But the intrigue was done well over all.
I don't know how I felt about the ending, but I don't want to spoil anything. It was ok. Overall I liked it.
Give the book a shot if you're looking for a hot, historical romance and I'll be looking for her next book!
I'll give a more detailed review on my blog!
https://honestromancereviews.wordpres...
I thought it started a bit slow, Gwen and Richard meet when she's still pretty young, we flash forward a few years and they meet again and we flash forward another few years and they meet yet again.
That being said once they meet the third time the book really picks up! The king forces a marriage in the hopes of maintaining peace. So we have two married heroes just getting to know each other but with a reason to hate each other. Richard starts off domineering and gruff and Gwen young, naive and temperamental. Sometimes why they were fighting didn't totally make sense, and when they made up they didn't resolve anything, they just had sex.
The action is pretty steady I thought. The characters are either fighting with each other, fighting a battle or having sex!
Speaking of if you're looking for hot sex scenes this is your book! Not only are there multiple ones, but they well written and detailed, but this book doesn't focus on the sex to the detriment of the plot.
There were a couple things I wasn't sure about. Gwen apparently has premonitions in her dreams, but that never seems to affect the plot and at one point the author makes a deal about her having a fear of the dark. This fear resurfaces once or twice and I was expecting it to play a bigger role later, but it never came up again. It was like she was foreshadowing something that never happened.
But the intrigue was done well over all.
I don't know how I felt about the ending, but I don't want to spoil anything. It was ok. Overall I liked it.
Give the book a shot if you're looking for a hot, historical romance and I'll be looking for her next book!
I'll give a more detailed review on my blog!
https://honestromancereviews.wordpres...
March 7, 2025
This book had all the ingredients to work, and yet, it quite didn't. The romance was nothing but sex; they barely had a proper conversation with each other, and all the problems were solved by f*cking, which was okay the first couple of times. We all know how intense the beginning of a relationship can be; however, I was expecting more depth, more substance.
September 21, 2023
It's not a perfect novel in any sense but I really liked it and for me it deserves 5 stars, because I loved some parts of it.
The plot is pretty simple: a medieval erotic romance between an English warrior and a Welsh princess, in the middle of a war between both kingdoms, but the full story is much more complex than that.
The story begins during a crusade in the Holy Land, in which the English King Edward I participates, accompanied by his beloved Queen Eleanor. Among his English soldiers we find the Earl Richard, nicknamed Black Hawk, who saves the life of Edward I and they become close friends , back in England Edward gives him a lot of money and lands while Richard swears loyalty and obey him in everything.
Upon returning from the holy land, Richard becomes the most important nobleman with castles on the border with Wales from where he is in charge of keeping the Welsh under control , personally he hates Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last Prince of Wales (governor) when Wales was still independent from England, who killed Richard's father, but some time later at the English court Richard meets Gwen who is 15 years old ( 10 years younger than him) she is beautiful, intelligent, brave but stubborn, he likes her a lot and she also feels attraction, but the two quickly realize that they cannot like each other first because Richard realizes that Gwen is an illegitimate (fictional) daughter of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, his enemy, and second because she is too young and noble to take as a leman, she does not have a mother (something interesting happened with her), but she was recognized by her father and is a princess according to Welsh law, she grew up and lives at court of her father but she has a distant relationship with him, who seems to reject her and feel a certain contempt for her (this has a logical and interesting explanation), Gwen still idolizes him and tries to do everything for him, but that will only lead her to disappointment. , when he takes her to England to leave her at the English court as hostage (something common in her time), that's when she meets Richard who she also likes but she despises him because she discovers that Richard is an Englishman who pursues Welshmen and that according to The legend kills and tortures them more viciously than the other English, also at that time England was trying to take over Wales, so Richard and Gwen are natural enemies who have many negative ideas, she of the English and he of the Welsh, so they separate without even touch each other, they spend a year without seeing each other, until a political agreement is decided by which Gwen must marry Richard, neither of them love the idea, but the engagement is fixed although Llywelyn ap Gruffudd who has just married Elionor, the cousin of King Edward I, tries to avoid Gwen's wedding, years pass until they finally end up married, prior to that they had a couple of meetings and shared a kiss, the attraction is there but it is very sexual and there are also the bad impressions, he believes her to be an easy woman let's say exactly what he says "a whore" because he saw her being kissed by King Edward, and because he knows that she had a Welsh boyfriend, (who was actually her fiance) she not only fears him for being who he is, but because she knows that he can hit her if he wants and she also knows that he has mistresses and he won't respects her rights as a welshman would do, ( according to the Welsh law woman had more rights than in other countries) so she is sure that he will make their marriage, hell. Their first moments together are bad, but when he discovers that she is a virgin he begins to believe that she is less bad than he thought then things improve because she proves to be a dedicated and efficient wife, however, their life together is not perfect, they are very attracted to each other but distrust for different reasons (some silly, some interesting), their communication fails a lot but surprisingly Gwen is not the typical passive fool, easily fooled and even within the many political complications, wars, lies and manipulations, their relationship flows until it becomes love, it is true that, as other reviews mention, the sex scenes are many and are throughout the whole novel, between fights and misunderstandings but they are well written, entertaining and are varied and I don't know about the others but I liked it, and to my surprise this is not only a silly romance of misunderstandings , and silly problems, here you have complex, interesting, big political problems (because they are historically accurate), all kinds of characters intervene (mostly historically accurate ) who have complex motivations, who fight for honor, power, their land, and although our protagonists are fictional, they are also characters who feel human, they are not perfect, maybe they are too much in love at times, but they have defects and virtues. Richard, for example, is a man of his time, brutal in many ways, jealous, selfish and ambitious, one who has lovers and relationships with maids, until he gets married of course, many readers may not like that but it is realistic and makes the character someone imperfect and attractive, in fact for me the handling of faithfulness is something that the author did masterfully, this is the Middle Ages, fidelity was not common and it is not in this book, it is stated that love and fidelity do not have to go hand in hand, Edward I, for example, loves his queen with madness but since she is constantly pregnant he has affairs that are merely physical, Richard has similar ideas which is realistic and adds flavor to the story, on the other hand Gwen is also a balanced character although she is beautiful, she knows how to maintain a house in order, she knows how to be an obedient wife of her time, she also makes demands for things that are sometimes very silly, but even if she is angry or doubtful of him, she is loving and good, but she is also insecure, clumsy, jealous and impulsive, and it is that last thing that leads her to commit treason during the war between Wales and England and that betrayal will make the ending of this novel not exactly one of a fairy tale, in fact the last pages were heartbreaking, the author almost had me crying and although the ending is not perfect, I liked it and it seemed realistic to me.
Now something really impressive is that the author thoroughly studied the historical characters, Llewellyn, for example, is a distant father with Gwen but he is a loving husband, a selfish man but a brave and just King, his brother Dafydd ap Gruffydd also appears and is realistic, maybe very bad but to hell he betrayed Wales a lot of times although for me pleasant surprise here he even explains why he did it and it is not a bad reason or an unjustified action, I was surprised that the novel even explains in detail why Wales becomes to reveal when everything was against them, and the explanation makes sense. And why Wales was right, but that doesn't mean that England was not right, both kings and both kingdoms had valid reasons for doing what they did.
Overall it is a good story, I was surprised that it sticks to historical facts, it also brings medieval England to life, giving details of life that you do not expect to read in a novel and I was pleasantly surprised that the characters do not seem obstinate but choose to lose in order to survive or keep their love alive. But as I said at the beginning, it is not perfect, it has some moments where the story becomes very sweet, and Gwen made me desperate, but it is still worth it.
I wouldn't really believe it's possible to create a good story by mixing Welsh history and an erotic novel, and I think a less talented author would definitely never be able to do it, but this novel is so good that I really think it deserves an award, I'll read it. and I will read it again and I wish this author would write more.
The plot is pretty simple: a medieval erotic romance between an English warrior and a Welsh princess, in the middle of a war between both kingdoms, but the full story is much more complex than that.
The story begins during a crusade in the Holy Land, in which the English King Edward I participates, accompanied by his beloved Queen Eleanor. Among his English soldiers we find the Earl Richard, nicknamed Black Hawk, who saves the life of Edward I and they become close friends , back in England Edward gives him a lot of money and lands while Richard swears loyalty and obey him in everything.
Upon returning from the holy land, Richard becomes the most important nobleman with castles on the border with Wales from where he is in charge of keeping the Welsh under control , personally he hates Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last Prince of Wales (governor) when Wales was still independent from England, who killed Richard's father, but some time later at the English court Richard meets Gwen who is 15 years old ( 10 years younger than him) she is beautiful, intelligent, brave but stubborn, he likes her a lot and she also feels attraction, but the two quickly realize that they cannot like each other first because Richard realizes that Gwen is an illegitimate (fictional) daughter of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, his enemy, and second because she is too young and noble to take as a leman, she does not have a mother (something interesting happened with her), but she was recognized by her father and is a princess according to Welsh law, she grew up and lives at court of her father but she has a distant relationship with him, who seems to reject her and feel a certain contempt for her (this has a logical and interesting explanation), Gwen still idolizes him and tries to do everything for him, but that will only lead her to disappointment. , when he takes her to England to leave her at the English court as hostage (something common in her time), that's when she meets Richard who she also likes but she despises him because she discovers that Richard is an Englishman who pursues Welshmen and that according to The legend kills and tortures them more viciously than the other English, also at that time England was trying to take over Wales, so Richard and Gwen are natural enemies who have many negative ideas, she of the English and he of the Welsh, so they separate without even touch each other, they spend a year without seeing each other, until a political agreement is decided by which Gwen must marry Richard, neither of them love the idea, but the engagement is fixed although Llywelyn ap Gruffudd who has just married Elionor, the cousin of King Edward I, tries to avoid Gwen's wedding, years pass until they finally end up married, prior to that they had a couple of meetings and shared a kiss, the attraction is there but it is very sexual and there are also the bad impressions, he believes her to be an easy woman let's say exactly what he says "a whore" because he saw her being kissed by King Edward, and because he knows that she had a Welsh boyfriend, (who was actually her fiance) she not only fears him for being who he is, but because she knows that he can hit her if he wants and she also knows that he has mistresses and he won't respects her rights as a welshman would do, ( according to the Welsh law woman had more rights than in other countries) so she is sure that he will make their marriage, hell. Their first moments together are bad, but when he discovers that she is a virgin he begins to believe that she is less bad than he thought then things improve because she proves to be a dedicated and efficient wife, however, their life together is not perfect, they are very attracted to each other but distrust for different reasons (some silly, some interesting), their communication fails a lot but surprisingly Gwen is not the typical passive fool, easily fooled and even within the many political complications, wars, lies and manipulations, their relationship flows until it becomes love, it is true that, as other reviews mention, the sex scenes are many and are throughout the whole novel, between fights and misunderstandings but they are well written, entertaining and are varied and I don't know about the others but I liked it, and to my surprise this is not only a silly romance of misunderstandings , and silly problems, here you have complex, interesting, big political problems (because they are historically accurate), all kinds of characters intervene (mostly historically accurate ) who have complex motivations, who fight for honor, power, their land, and although our protagonists are fictional, they are also characters who feel human, they are not perfect, maybe they are too much in love at times, but they have defects and virtues. Richard, for example, is a man of his time, brutal in many ways, jealous, selfish and ambitious, one who has lovers and relationships with maids, until he gets married of course, many readers may not like that but it is realistic and makes the character someone imperfect and attractive, in fact for me the handling of faithfulness is something that the author did masterfully, this is the Middle Ages, fidelity was not common and it is not in this book, it is stated that love and fidelity do not have to go hand in hand, Edward I, for example, loves his queen with madness but since she is constantly pregnant he has affairs that are merely physical, Richard has similar ideas which is realistic and adds flavor to the story, on the other hand Gwen is also a balanced character although she is beautiful, she knows how to maintain a house in order, she knows how to be an obedient wife of her time, she also makes demands for things that are sometimes very silly, but even if she is angry or doubtful of him, she is loving and good, but she is also insecure, clumsy, jealous and impulsive, and it is that last thing that leads her to commit treason during the war between Wales and England and that betrayal will make the ending of this novel not exactly one of a fairy tale, in fact the last pages were heartbreaking, the author almost had me crying and although the ending is not perfect, I liked it and it seemed realistic to me.
Now something really impressive is that the author thoroughly studied the historical characters, Llewellyn, for example, is a distant father with Gwen but he is a loving husband, a selfish man but a brave and just King, his brother Dafydd ap Gruffydd also appears and is realistic, maybe very bad but to hell he betrayed Wales a lot of times although for me pleasant surprise here he even explains why he did it and it is not a bad reason or an unjustified action, I was surprised that the novel even explains in detail why Wales becomes to reveal when everything was against them, and the explanation makes sense. And why Wales was right, but that doesn't mean that England was not right, both kings and both kingdoms had valid reasons for doing what they did.
Overall it is a good story, I was surprised that it sticks to historical facts, it also brings medieval England to life, giving details of life that you do not expect to read in a novel and I was pleasantly surprised that the characters do not seem obstinate but choose to lose in order to survive or keep their love alive. But as I said at the beginning, it is not perfect, it has some moments where the story becomes very sweet, and Gwen made me desperate, but it is still worth it.
I wouldn't really believe it's possible to create a good story by mixing Welsh history and an erotic novel, and I think a less talented author would definitely never be able to do it, but this novel is so good that I really think it deserves an award, I'll read it. and I will read it again and I wish this author would write more.
January 15, 2020
3.5 stars
Solid historical romance. The book takes place from 1272-1285 mainly focusing on the disaccord between England and Wales. From a historic POV it pretty accurate especially within a romance novel:)
Ironically, I came across this book on a "not safe list" another reviewer had put together. I have no idea why it was labeled so, nothing warranted it...maybe because it says captive in the title??? which she isn't...So I went into this expecting a dark scandalous read, it was not.
The story follows Richard and Gwen. He is an earl, and she is the princess of Wales. Richard has this savage reputation, but he didn't act like it, not sure if it's been made up to scare people. There is one scene with another woman prior to them being betrothed, but it is quick like four paragraphs. He is faithful throughout the marriage, so I'm not sure where the cheating tags come from. Unless from King Edward, who is madly in love with his queen, but cheats on her constantly. Now he's a prick of a secondary character. I thought he was a tool, he cheats on his wife, and he's an awful friend to Richard. There is no abuse, no rape, and for the most part Gwen is treated well. He is a much better partner to her, than she is to him.
Gwen, man I struggled with her. I thought she was super selfish, and allowed anyone (a skank, an ex & a traitor) or any situation make her doubt Richard, and she always expected the worst of him. He caught her in situations again and again, and always gave her credit. In fact the whole drama at the end in my opinion was her fault. Use your brains woman.
Overall, good read, but with an annoying heroine and a tad monotonous at times. I was torn about shelving under ow drama. I am going to, but it is not a major cause of angst or conflict throughout the book.
Solid historical romance. The book takes place from 1272-1285 mainly focusing on the disaccord between England and Wales. From a historic POV it pretty accurate especially within a romance novel:)
Ironically, I came across this book on a "not safe list" another reviewer had put together. I have no idea why it was labeled so, nothing warranted it...maybe because it says captive in the title??? which she isn't...So I went into this expecting a dark scandalous read, it was not.
The story follows Richard and Gwen. He is an earl, and she is the princess of Wales. Richard has this savage reputation, but he didn't act like it, not sure if it's been made up to scare people. There is one scene with another woman prior to them being betrothed, but it is quick like four paragraphs. He is faithful throughout the marriage, so I'm not sure where the cheating tags come from. Unless from King Edward, who is madly in love with his queen, but cheats on her constantly. Now he's a prick of a secondary character. I thought he was a tool, he cheats on his wife, and he's an awful friend to Richard. There is no abuse, no rape, and for the most part Gwen is treated well. He is a much better partner to her, than she is to him.
Gwen, man I struggled with her. I thought she was super selfish, and allowed anyone (a skank, an ex & a traitor) or any situation make her doubt Richard, and she always expected the worst of him. He caught her in situations again and again, and always gave her credit. In fact the whole drama at the end in my opinion was her fault. Use your brains woman.
Overall, good read, but with an annoying heroine and a tad monotonous at times. I was torn about shelving under ow drama. I am going to, but it is not a major cause of angst or conflict throughout the book.
May 4, 2018
DNF @ 36%
Warnings for dub-con, no-con and unfaithful heroes (at least up until I tapped out).
I was really excited about this one because it got good reviews on Amazon and featured a historic time which I am not totally familiar with but went out of my way to lightly research before/during reading.
While I am under no delusions that arranged marriages are supposed to be romantic, this is also a romance novel and I expect to find something about this story worth spending my time on. What I ended up with was a hero who, on one page, promises to never hurt her... then in the next breath, is slamming her against a cave wall, ready to strangle her over her [misplaced] concern for his welfare. Then he wonders why she doesn't trust him??
My criticism of the hero does NOT mean that I have any affection for our dear Gwenllian. She's as wishy washy as he is -- varying between knowing she's acting like the 16 year old girl she is, and pretending to be some fierce welsh warrior princess. The story advances her age a few years but her maturity level still rides somewhere around a spoiled and sheltered 14 year old brat.
Warnings for dub-con, no-con and unfaithful heroes (at least up until I tapped out).
I was really excited about this one because it got good reviews on Amazon and featured a historic time which I am not totally familiar with but went out of my way to lightly research before/during reading.
While I am under no delusions that arranged marriages are supposed to be romantic, this is also a romance novel and I expect to find something about this story worth spending my time on. What I ended up with was a hero who, on one page, promises to never hurt her... then in the next breath, is slamming her against a cave wall, ready to strangle her over her [misplaced] concern for his welfare. Then he wonders why she doesn't trust him??
My criticism of the hero does NOT mean that I have any affection for our dear Gwenllian. She's as wishy washy as he is -- varying between knowing she's acting like the 16 year old girl she is, and pretending to be some fierce welsh warrior princess. The story advances her age a few years but her maturity level still rides somewhere around a spoiled and sheltered 14 year old brat.
June 26, 2016
If one likes and misses historical romances by Shannon Drake this romance is in that style.
My only issue is the secondary characters story didn't interest me so I skimmed and one more issue the smexy times got boring so I skimmed.
An ok book if you want a bit of school romance feel but not the rapey hero...
My only issue is the secondary characters story didn't interest me so I skimmed and one more issue the smexy times got boring so I skimmed.
An ok book if you want a bit of school romance feel but not the rapey hero...
September 13, 2024
Re read! This is such an amazing book! Truly great unfortunately it’s the authors only one. A welsh prince and an English earl who beat the odds for their HEA. Plot 8.5(1-10) steaminess 8 (1-10)
June 14, 2020
I loved this read. The hr does make one illogical decision that was annoying. The rest of the book was good . I hope to read more from this author.
August 4, 2023
A throwback to medieval historical romances of ye olden times. I was so excited to read a fairly new medieval since publishers gave up on them, it's up to Indies now. But KU and I have a fraught history with books being artificially enlarged with gargantuan page counts for no good reason. In my excitement I didn't check the page count on this one. Sigh.
This is the story of Gwen the last Welsh princess at the time of King Edward's wars against Wales. She is wed to Richard one of Edward's most trusted Earl's for political reasons. He has met her before and has been unable to forget her (she was very young and I tried to ignore that 😒) nothing happens until year later though. They are enemies of course. She hates him for being an English Earl who makes war against her people. But you know he's also super sexy and so they both catch a bad case of the hornies and go at it like rabbits. Until Gwen misunderstands or overhears something and then she's angry. But soon they have sex and it's okay again. Then it's Richard's turn to play the misunderstanding jumping to conclusions game but they have sex and it's magically okay. Rinse and repeat for almost five hundred fracking pages.
I enjoyed the old school feel of this, I loved the use of actual historical events and real historical figures in the story. I thought the writing was decent for a debut and had really sweet and romantic moments. But it was soooo long. The middle drags interminably and it was padded with sex scenes and stupid misunderstandings. It was like reading the same scene over and over again. But I was still enjoying myself then towards the end my girl Gwen does something so unforgivably stupid and she has not been the brightest crayon in the box but this took the cake. I was done by then and skimmed the last part. The end was sweet but abrupt after all the repetitiveness. Overall an okay debut but I really hope this author gets a good editor because had this book been a hundred pages shorter, it would have been a less frustrating and much tighter story.
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Enemies to Lovers
Arranged Marriage
This is the story of Gwen the last Welsh princess at the time of King Edward's wars against Wales. She is wed to Richard one of Edward's most trusted Earl's for political reasons. He has met her before and has been unable to forget her (she was very young and I tried to ignore that 😒) nothing happens until year later though. They are enemies of course. She hates him for being an English Earl who makes war against her people. But you know he's also super sexy and so they both catch a bad case of the hornies and go at it like rabbits. Until Gwen misunderstands or overhears something and then she's angry. But soon they have sex and it's okay again. Then it's Richard's turn to play the misunderstanding jumping to conclusions game but they have sex and it's magically okay. Rinse and repeat for almost five hundred fracking pages.
I enjoyed the old school feel of this, I loved the use of actual historical events and real historical figures in the story. I thought the writing was decent for a debut and had really sweet and romantic moments. But it was soooo long. The middle drags interminably and it was padded with sex scenes and stupid misunderstandings. It was like reading the same scene over and over again. But I was still enjoying myself then towards the end my girl Gwen does something so unforgivably stupid and she has not been the brightest crayon in the box but this took the cake. I was done by then and skimmed the last part. The end was sweet but abrupt after all the repetitiveness. Overall an okay debut but I really hope this author gets a good editor because had this book been a hundred pages shorter, it would have been a less frustrating and much tighter story.
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Enemies to Lovers
Arranged Marriage
historical
January 23, 2019She is the daughter of his enemy... and the keeper of his heart.
Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king's every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy — a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay.
Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she's forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy. In the halls of Black Hawk's great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate — and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight.
As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she's in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice-or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers...
Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king's every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy — a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay.
Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she's forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy. In the halls of Black Hawk's great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate — and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight.
As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she's in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice-or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers...
November 5, 2023
This is my first Natasha Wild book and it was a fabulous read. Very enjoyable with several bodice ripping moments that brought me to tears. Thoroughly recommend it although it was a tad too long
June 10, 2017
A historical romance that transports the reader to 1270-1280s, and the political climate between Wales and England.
For background: Edward I of England (also known as "Longshanks") is well known due to his portrayal in the movie Braveheart; historically he is known a brutal and uncompromising king in his treatment of the Scots. But before he attempted to subdue the Scots, he went after Wales - and succeeded. This story, a love story between Gwen and Richard, takes place during the Wales rebellion against and subsequent subjugation to England.
Richard is a Earl and has pledged his life to serve Edward no matter what. And for 10 long years, he has done just that, His devotion has led him to a position of power and wealth, as well as trust - he is one of the King's most trusted advisors. He is a strong and powerful man in his own right, and has vowed to never love a woman (as he has seen the devastation it can cause when the woman dies and leaves her man all alone). To the Welsh people, he is known as Black Hawk de Claiborne or Gwalchddu. When Richard is commanded by the King to marry the daughter of Richard's sworn enemy, he chafes but does as he is told.
Gwen is a Welsh princess and sole child of Llyweln ap Gruffydd, the Prince of Wales. When she is informed by the King that she is to marry Richard, she refuses (as a Welsh woman cannot be forced to take a husband against her will). But the King insists that since she is a Princess, she is a ward of the King, and thus he can choose her husband and demands she marry the Earl de Claiborne, as a means to secure a tighter alliance between Wales and England.
While both Richard and Gwen desire the other, neither want this marriage. Gwen is especially fearful, as she is a virgin and believes the horror stories told about her new husband. But slowly, Richard realizes he must woo his bride, and Gwen learns to trust him. And the passion between them only grows stronger until they realize they are in love. Yes, there are missteps and hurts along the way, and a huge sacrifice must be made... but in the end, there is a happily ever after.
I am torn between giving this 3 or 4 stars. It was well written, the story was good, the characters were realistic, and I really enjoy that it is a stand alone book so that I am not forced to read a sequel to know how everything ends! But I found myself a bit annoyed here and there at the constant distrust Gwen had for Richard, how she kept telling him how she "hated" him, how Richard was so jaded and prejudicial towards her Welsh upbringing (despite harboring a deep secret of his own), how he refused to communicate with her on major topics (which led to some real issues). These moments passed as the story is quick, but it still left a lingering "eh" feeling as I finished the book. Most of the issues could be attributed to the historical times, but I still feel like this is only a 3, 3.5 at the most.
Side note: if one is a staunch supporter of equal rights for females, this book will annoy at times since Gwen is continually forced to subject herself to the whims of the men in her life. However, this is in-line with what is known of the positions of women in that day and age, and thus true to the historical background of the story and easy enough to read in context without being "disgusting".
For background: Edward I of England (also known as "Longshanks") is well known due to his portrayal in the movie Braveheart; historically he is known a brutal and uncompromising king in his treatment of the Scots. But before he attempted to subdue the Scots, he went after Wales - and succeeded. This story, a love story between Gwen and Richard, takes place during the Wales rebellion against and subsequent subjugation to England.
Richard is a Earl and has pledged his life to serve Edward no matter what. And for 10 long years, he has done just that, His devotion has led him to a position of power and wealth, as well as trust - he is one of the King's most trusted advisors. He is a strong and powerful man in his own right, and has vowed to never love a woman (as he has seen the devastation it can cause when the woman dies and leaves her man all alone). To the Welsh people, he is known as Black Hawk de Claiborne or Gwalchddu. When Richard is commanded by the King to marry the daughter of Richard's sworn enemy, he chafes but does as he is told.
Gwen is a Welsh princess and sole child of Llyweln ap Gruffydd, the Prince of Wales. When she is informed by the King that she is to marry Richard, she refuses (as a Welsh woman cannot be forced to take a husband against her will). But the King insists that since she is a Princess, she is a ward of the King, and thus he can choose her husband and demands she marry the Earl de Claiborne, as a means to secure a tighter alliance between Wales and England.
While both Richard and Gwen desire the other, neither want this marriage. Gwen is especially fearful, as she is a virgin and believes the horror stories told about her new husband. But slowly, Richard realizes he must woo his bride, and Gwen learns to trust him. And the passion between them only grows stronger until they realize they are in love. Yes, there are missteps and hurts along the way, and a huge sacrifice must be made... but in the end, there is a happily ever after.
I am torn between giving this 3 or 4 stars. It was well written, the story was good, the characters were realistic, and I really enjoy that it is a stand alone book so that I am not forced to read a sequel to know how everything ends! But I found myself a bit annoyed here and there at the constant distrust Gwen had for Richard, how she kept telling him how she "hated" him, how Richard was so jaded and prejudicial towards her Welsh upbringing (despite harboring a deep secret of his own), how he refused to communicate with her on major topics (which led to some real issues). These moments passed as the story is quick, but it still left a lingering "eh" feeling as I finished the book. Most of the issues could be attributed to the historical times, but I still feel like this is only a 3, 3.5 at the most.
Side note: if one is a staunch supporter of equal rights for females, this book will annoy at times since Gwen is continually forced to subject herself to the whims of the men in her life. However, this is in-line with what is known of the positions of women in that day and age, and thus true to the historical background of the story and easy enough to read in context without being "disgusting".
May 16, 2018
Wow, haven't read such a great historical like this for a long time! Medieval historical with a bit of the older, epic feel and quality to it, quite a bit of angst, hate to love on both sides of h/H, realistic to the times in many ways which can seem a bit brutal in parts, but the ending/epilogue left me very happy and satisfied. Some reviewers have complained that the hero is not faithful to the heroine, but he is despite the author making the thoughts and frustrations of the realistic ideologies of the time cross the hero's mind and even almost pursuing it a couple times. The not knowing how things would go in numerous parts had me biting my nails at times, but the anxiety it caused me and the staying up all night to finish it just to find out how it ended was definitely worth it. Super fantastic medieval historical romance that you just don't see the quality of story, historical accuracy, realistic character flaws and growth, and longer plot these days anymore. And to think it is the author's debut is even more impressive!
January 1, 2017
Amazing
So beautifully well written. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The attention to details simply blew my mind. Each character was well thought out with emotions so well described that you feel as though you are the character going through each emotion at the same time. This is the first I have read from this author, and hopefully it will not be the last. What surprised me the most was that this is the first romance novel she has written. I am amazed at the writing that completely held my attention. A very wonderful read. I would give 10 stars if it were possible. Very well done.
So beautifully well written. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The attention to details simply blew my mind. Each character was well thought out with emotions so well described that you feel as though you are the character going through each emotion at the same time. This is the first I have read from this author, and hopefully it will not be the last. What surprised me the most was that this is the first romance novel she has written. I am amazed at the writing that completely held my attention. A very wonderful read. I would give 10 stars if it were possible. Very well done.
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