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Hostage Heart
Please note: This novel takes place in a harsh era when spoils were often treated as commodities. While the violence toward women and children is period-appropriate, it is never gratuitous. The story focuses on adaptation, survival and, ultimately, love in the Dark Ages before Arthur was made king.
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Elsbeth of Olmsbury desires nothing beyond helping her father run his dukedom – until the duke’s forces are overwhelmed, his castle torched and Elsbeth seized for the invading king’s personal spoil. Expecting the same abuse as the other surviving women of her house, Elsbeth instead finds the king, Leodegrance, treating her with a civility that belies his flagrant desire for her. A desire that will have her his consort in Cameliard once he can convince her rank and duty alone forced his hand against her father.
But Elsbeth is not so easily won. There is the matter of Leodegrance gifting his steward with an unwilling young handmaid from Elsbeth’s household. Of his marriage of convenience to his Byzantine queen. And of his plans to subjugate more of Britain’s citadels and unite the wild isle under Roman rule.
If Elsbeth can’t find her tangled way to forgiveness with the king – or escape the dark designs and perverse desires of Uther Pendragon, enemy to them both – then a legend of Camelot may never be conceived, never be born, and never change history forever ...
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Previously published under the title SPOIL OF WAR.
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Elsbeth of Olmsbury desires nothing beyond helping her father run his dukedom – until the duke’s forces are overwhelmed, his castle torched and Elsbeth seized for the invading king’s personal spoil. Expecting the same abuse as the other surviving women of her house, Elsbeth instead finds the king, Leodegrance, treating her with a civility that belies his flagrant desire for her. A desire that will have her his consort in Cameliard once he can convince her rank and duty alone forced his hand against her father.
But Elsbeth is not so easily won. There is the matter of Leodegrance gifting his steward with an unwilling young handmaid from Elsbeth’s household. Of his marriage of convenience to his Byzantine queen. And of his plans to subjugate more of Britain’s citadels and unite the wild isle under Roman rule.
If Elsbeth can’t find her tangled way to forgiveness with the king – or escape the dark designs and perverse desires of Uther Pendragon, enemy to them both – then a legend of Camelot may never be conceived, never be born, and never change history forever ...
__________
Previously published under the title SPOIL OF WAR.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2016
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176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 5, 2017
I'm trying to articulate how I feel about this book, and all that comes to mind is my daughter's favourite word. Meh.
September 9, 2016
Flawed
I need to feel attached to the characters. In this I felt little or none. I liked the idea and the direction but no emotional attachment.
I need to feel attached to the characters. In this I felt little or none. I liked the idea and the direction but no emotional attachment.
March 14, 2016
Very well written and a unique perspective. This book shows how a decision, an action, or simple spoken word can change the future (in this case Arthur's reign) beyond imagination. Descriptive scenes allow the reader to picture the area, along with being able to feel it as well. The most well known Arthur characters appear briefly and sometimes unexpectedly - a nice touch.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews