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A dark and stormy knight...No really. It was storming...and rather dark in the Tower. An unexpected trip to London was supposed to be the perfect distraction from Anna's stress-filled life. Minding her own business, drooling over so many jewels, Anna Waters winds up hopelessly lost and finds herself locked in the infamous tower. Who knew an antique locket would lead her to a knight with a heart buried underneath thirty feet of stone? Searching for a way out, she stumbles over an antique locket with half the picture missing. Lightning strikes and when Anna wakes...she's still in the Tower of London...700 years in the past. She crossed an ocean of time for him. Can she save them both before it's too late? John Thornton almost lost his head and saw his family ruined all because of a woman. Presumed dead, he became the infamous bandit of the wood. Captured and awaiting execution in the Tower of London, a strange woman appears out of the darkness. As they flee across England, John finds himself chipping away at the stone surrounding his heart. And longing for a life with his mysterious rescuer. No matter the cost.

190 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2016

197 people are currently reading
580 people want to read

About the author

Cynthia Luhrs

98 books303 followers
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“Would you like an adventure now, or should we have our tea first?”
-Alice in Wonderland

Cynthia Luhrs spends her time out on the deck, looking out over the mountains, imagining what if. She writes women’s fiction, time travel romance, contemporary romance, family sagas, paranormal romance, and thrillers. Readers say her books (well not the thrillers, those are gritty) are light-hearted reads to escape reality.
She lives in the mountains of North Carolina, has always been a reader, and is overly fond of sparkly flip flops and pretty pens. Though now that she lives in the mountains she’s going to have to find fabulous boots, mittens, and hats!

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5 stars
277 (50%)
4 stars
152 (27%)
3 stars
100 (18%)
2 stars
19 (3%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Alaina.
7,388 reviews203 followers
September 13, 2018
I'm finally writing this god damn review - WHOOPIE!

Darkest Knight is one of those books that reminds me of Batman. No, he isn't in this book.. but it's because of that damn movie. Then there's the fact that I wouldn't normally dive into a book like this.. but for a certain challenge, that I created for my group, I dove into it. Honestly, I enjoyed it. I blame the accents.

Now I will admit.. I listened to the audio. Lately it has been super hard for me to find time to read kindles and physical books. I try to make my weekends revolve around those.. when I'm not at wineries or work.

In this book, you will meet Anna who accidentally travels through time. She travels to the Medieval Period, which honestly sounds like a fun adventure... maybe? Was the plague happening then? Who knows - I can't think right now. Back to Anna, well she went from the year 2016 to 1331. While in that time zone, she meets John Thornton, aka The Bandit in the Woods. Low and behold, he's kind of locked up and going to die.

Throughout the book they get to know each other a bit more.. and they also form an attraction to one another. Of course there's the whole elementary school love drama: does she/he love me? does she/he love me not? It was cute though. Besides all of that, there's the whole how long is she going to stay in this time? Will she ever be able to go back? Also.. this is one hell of a vacation for this girl.

Overall, I really liked that I took one random ass chance on this book. If I find the next book on my audible romance package (for free), I will most definitely be getting it.
Profile Image for Ana M. Román.
655 reviews94 followers
April 16, 2022
Teniendo en cuenta de que la protagonista aterriza en otro siglo en mitad de la Torre de Londres cuando esta cumplía como cárcel, esperaba mucho más.

La historia daba para más tensión y sobresaltos. Daba para haberme tenido con el corazón en un puño, para intrigas palaciegas y alguna que otra escaramuza a golpe de espada.

También me ha faltado algo de chispa entre los protagonistas. Aún así, es una historia entretenida y de rápida lectura.
Profile Image for Lorraine.
1,161 reviews87 followers
October 22, 2017
The Medieval Era is a favorite time of mine. Thus, by choosing Cynthis Luhrs’ Darkest Knight (Thornton Brothers Time Travel #1), I was able to experience living during Medieval Period in England, one of my very favorite places. I met the Thornton brothers who I would very definitely like to be my friends. The author used some special twists to draw in the reader. What first grabbed me was where the story started - The Tower of London which I have seen about 5 times. I love going there. Anna, the main character time traveled from 2016 to 1331 in the Tower. I wish that I could have done that when I was there, but now I feel I have done it through Ms. Luhrs’ book, Darkest Knight. Another way the author dealt with time travel was language. She had Anna answer a knight whom she met with a one word answer that is used today, and that is “Whatever.” I laughed out loud at that! There are some others, but if you wish to know what they are, please pick up a copy of Darkest Knight. It is a light fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Profile Image for Angie ~aka Reading Machine~.
3,746 reviews134 followers
March 22, 2016
John Thornton, is Lord Blackmoor and also known as The Bandit in the Woods, currently locked up in The Tower of London awaiting his death. John was betrayed by one of his own but won't let that stop him from repaying the betrayal in return. Anna Waters is taking her first vacation in five years to London. Anna is visiting famous tourist attractions such as The Tower of London. She gets hopelessly lost on her way out of The Tower of London. She finds a locket with a partial portrait in it while a terrible storm rages on. Anna wakes up to find torches lit and a voice asking whose there. Anna thinks she's just discovered Mr. Hollywood in John Thornton. John doesn't know who this lady is but is grateful any way for the escape from The Tower. The more time John spends with Anna the more he finds himself attracted to her inspite of pushing her away. Anna comes to care for John yet doesn't know how John feels about her. Can Anna go back to her time? Will John let Anna slip away? Your answers await you in Darkest Knight.

Please read A Knight to Remember before starting this series. Cynthia Luhrs is one of my favorite authors that I love to read time and again. I can easily read her book in one sitting that's just how much I love reading her books. The Thornton Brothers Time Travel Series is off to a great start with John's book. The characters and story are raw, honest, compelling, real, fascinating, and down to earth too. I'm really excited to read more of this series in the future.
Profile Image for Maria Dodd.
488 reviews15 followers
March 12, 2016
This is a spin off from the Merriweather Sisters Time Travel series where we first met John as the Bandit. I liked him then, love him now!

As usual in all of Cynthia Luhrs' books the men are hot and incredibly caring and the women are strong and feisty.

The characters are well written, consistent and very likable. If I'm being picky there wasn't quite as much historical information in this book but little references that reminded me of the books before added to it. Although this is perfectly fine to read as a stand alone much more will be gained from reading the Merriweather Sisters first. Not only because they were great books :-)

A really good read and I can't wait to read more of the Thornton brothers - all hot, tough and inclined to punch each other on meeting. All good fun!
4.5 stars

I received this book as an ARC from the author in exhange for an honest review. THANK YOU
Profile Image for Dottie.
87 reviews29 followers
December 8, 2020
This is the fourth book and I think one of the only ones that had me crying. This one was good it was better than the last two and it was sad but happy and adventurous.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
March 6, 2016
** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

'Darkest Knight' pulled me in from the beginning and didn't let go. I've been hooked on the historical time travel romance genre from the first book I read, 'A Knight to Remember' from 'A Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Series'. The storyline was well written and well thought out. The story was creative and full of descriptive scenery. The characters were great. Anna was fun. She was headstrong and feisty. John was a hot mess. I want my own bad-ass, sexy bandit. This story was a great HEA romance with adventure and unfortunate events. I can't wait to read more. The 'Thornton Brothers Time Travel Series' is a must read.
Profile Image for kellie.
1 review
May 15, 2016
Absolutely wonderful!!!! I couldnt put it down!!!

Held me captive to its pages from beginning to end! I love time travel romance and she always delivers a great, unforgettable story!
Profile Image for Laura Wonderchick.
1,625 reviews183 followers
March 15, 2016
Who wouldn't want a Thornton brother after reading this book?! Highly entertaining & fast paced! I love all the characters & the time travel! These books are so addicting!
Profile Image for Patricia.
2,958 reviews17 followers
July 15, 2017
I finished the Merriweather sisters trilogy and charged right ahead with the Thornton brothers series,curious to read John Thornton's story. This book I would rate 2.5 and round it up to 3.

Initially, it was refreshing to have a female lead who wasn't an Amazon. However, she seemed to have no talents at all. Even her sense of direction turned out to be untrue. Anna's self esteem was low and constantly talked about in Anna's self talk. Her looks were put down by others and by herself. It was all a constant whine and it bugged me. Admittedly, she cared about her father but even that seemed now and again like something she may not fight for. I even doubted her ability to weed. It was hard for me to see the attraction between the two. Her primary strong quality was proximity.

John, who had been so clever and in charge in book 2 of the Merriweather series, seemed like a lost waif in this one. Quite a disappointment.

I thought it odd that Charlotte did not reveal to Anna the specifics of returning through time. Clearly the sisters had it down better than that.

Also the otherworldly visitation of Anna's parents was a strange interlude and out of place. It did the job of relieving Anna of the guilt of not returning but it was weird.

This has been my least favorite book of the two series. I may need a palate cleanser or two between the books at this point. Ah well. On to book 2. I hope for better ahead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Claudia.
729 reviews24 followers
March 1, 2018
I was so excited to start a new series with a lot of time traveling.
It started OK-ish. Few chapters (5) in the story the heroine was not yet in the past but roaming the London tower.
Once in the past I was excited for Anna to meet John and then....meh. It was like boy meets girl but they are 5.
John a the successor of Robin Hood and Anna, well, a woman. It felt like I am reading a disjointed full of wholes story.
In the romance department, well, there was no romance. Both characters barely spent time together. There was no talk of love, attraction, barely an attempt to talk. No flirting, wooing, or hanky panky. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Few moments of action caused by Anna's own stupidity. Some sibling fights and barely bonding fast forward they are in London Tower, again. Oh, as an after though, in love. The end.

So, a very predictable story, boring enough to regret I pick it up. NO romance. No redeeming moments. Nothing. Not even holding hands.

I will not move forward with this author and the rest of the books from the series. If I wanted a PG13 story I would have went to movies.
I personally cannot recommend the story.
Profile Image for EJ.
162 reviews
August 4, 2017
New Series of Only child Time-travelers

Cynthia really avoided boring her readers to death with this book as the first installment to the the Thornton brothers series that featured only child as the main female love interests.

It's got a fresh start. Different from how the previous series started with all of the ladies found somewhere in the middle of the road without a chaperone.

John Thornton is a really dark character. Nothing would be able to justify him than deliriously dark. I love it. Just like what the title.

Truthfully, I've been waiting for this guilt-battered bandit to have his love life ever since he was introduced in the Merriweather sisters series. If you've been waiting too, it's now here! Just reading John's name in the blurb made my fingers push the BUY button without thinking. Still, worth it.
Profile Image for Alice.
1,189 reviews39 followers
January 18, 2022
Heroine needs to watch Doctor Who

Please let me read one of your novels without the heroine throwing up. The plot was good. The Hero was dashing and had appeared in the Past Novels. The heroine was ok but seemed obtuse in the matter that the man she loved had escaped prison and was condemned to be Drawn And Quartered. That's not just a humdrum exicution. That's a horrific death. She couldn't wait for his brothers to fix things. No she just had to do what she felt should be done. She time traveled so what makes her think the same time is passing between modern and medieval?
Profile Image for Suzie.
238 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2021
Darkest Night

This series is special in the Time Travel books that are once again so popular. Traveling back 700 years to find true love started with three sisters each traveling back one at a time and connecting one at a time. This fourth story involves the brothers again with a new time travelers There are a couple more books in the series and a couple more brothers who not yet met their Lady Love. I can't wait to meet the new time traveler and see what trouble she'll find herself in with the latest nobleman brother.
116 reviews3 followers
January 28, 2019
John Thornton & Anna

Gosh what a journey this story has been, something like Robin Hood and Maid Marion, in this case, John and Anna. One of the more scarier story. I’m in tears as the ending was so sad. There is a bigger insight to old England’s Tower of London and Dungeons. Along with ruthless men and more action than the other books. It’s a journey to experience so I hope you will enjoy your.
20 reviews
January 2, 2019
Can Mr. Wrong be Mr. Right 700 years in the past?

This is a paranormal time travel story, one in a series, can be read alone, but the characters carryover from the first three books. I think the heroine in this story seems a little lighter in character than the others. But, I'm glad I found this author. Good read. Few typos.
92 reviews
December 29, 2017
Must Read

Cynthia writes great historical time travel books, great suspense and characters you will fall in love with. Start with the Merryweather sisters books first you will love them
Profile Image for Lisa.
2,156 reviews24 followers
August 18, 2019
Weaver of magic! I love time travel novels, sexy characters with a perfect mix of history. I loved that this one didn’t wast time getting down to business. These brothers are a thing of magic, I want one for my very own.
Profile Image for Elis.
37 reviews
March 1, 2022
Nice and cute read. Predictable plot. It was a far cry from outlander. A walmart version of outlander. It was a quick, simple read. Three stars means average for me. Not bad, not great, would lightly recommend.
Profile Image for Bigbear Woolliscroft.
351 reviews
June 5, 2018
I love the Merriweather Sisters/Thornton Brothers series. It may not be high literature, but it is a great series to wind down with in the evening or take on holiday.
Profile Image for Kbee.
1,532 reviews4 followers
January 6, 2019
Audible Romance Package

AUDIOBOOK: ReadJanuary 5 2019
5hrs 35min

Narrator: Kristina Blackstone does a good job.
Bit more dramatic and paranormal then the others but I liked it.
Profile Image for Ashley Lavering.
Author 10 books125 followers
February 19, 2020
Good book

I enjoyed this story. Knights are always fun to read about. The love came kinda insta love but it was a fun tale
76 reviews3 followers
September 1, 2020
A twist and a turn

Great book. I love the twists and turns. It is so descriptive that you can just see it in your minds eye. I can not wait to get to the next book
Profile Image for Kylie Cantwell.
70 reviews22 followers
November 18, 2020
I like the storyline, and her writing is improving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cristina.
154 reviews
April 29, 2021
This was not that exciting as the others. I already guessed the how and when. But I enjoyed John character.
Profile Image for Aida.
338 reviews
February 2, 2022
The weakest book in series so far.
Everything seems rushed, too easy and not convincing.
And the heroine is not very likeable, I missed her having at least one special skill or some knowledge 🙄
115 reviews
February 20, 2022
Book 3 was a let down, but Luhrs got her mojo back with this one.
525 reviews
December 24, 2023
The stupidly of the women in the last two books was amazing. They think they can travel alone in that time with no sense of direction & get to their destination. I'm done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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