Unkissable Knight

by Anna Markland

Dervenn de Roure is a celebrated hero of the Battle of Hastings, the same conflict that left Victorine de Toeni orphaned and facing poverty when her father’s wealth is inherited by a distant male cousin. She must marry to survive. Dervenn's scarred face bears testimony to his sacrifice, but the haughty Victorine cannot overlook the fact he is a Breton, not a Norman.

As Yuletide celebrations progress, it might take the scheming of an unlikely matchmaker like William the Conqueror to make her see Dervenn is the man she needs.

Originally published in the Under the Kissing Bough anthology

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Medieval, Christmas

Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2016

About the author

Anna Markland is a Canadian author with a keen interest in genealogy. She writes historical romance about family honor, ancestry and roots. Her novels are intimate love stories filled with passion and adventure. Following a fruitful career in teaching, Anna transformed her love of writing and history into engaging works of fiction. One of the things she enjoys most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research required to provide the reader with an authentic experience.

Reviews

[Lori ◡̈]

I only got to about page 34 of 72 pages. Super short story that looks to take place over a few days time.

Which brings us to the dreaded insta-lust and love. Within a few hours of meeting our lovely heroine, the hero’s male urges were twitching away and he was kept awake at night worrying about the little princess. And by lovely heroine, I mean a bitch. She was an arrogant noblewoman looking down her nose on anything and everyone. I saw no reason for the hero to be remotely attracted to her.

So I didn’t buy why the hero should be attracted to the heroine, and I also didn’t buy the hero’s ESP qualities. The heroine said her father was famous and everyone knew him. The hero immediately understand, from that comment, that the father didn’t love his daughter and she was hurt from it. How? How did the hero pick up on that tidbit? It was true the father neglected his daughter over his sons, but it was unrealistic that the hero could have figured it out so easily.

So silly things like that. I’ll try this author again, if it’s a full length story.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unkissable Knight
Anna Markland
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dervenn de Roure is a hero of the Battle of Hastings, which was the same Battle that left Victorine de Toeni orphaned, all alone, and facing absolute poverty because her father's wealth was inherited by a distant male cousin. She doesn't have a choice she must marry if she is to survive. Dervenn has a horrific scar on his face that bears testimony to his sacrifices however it seems the haughty Victorine can't overlook the fact that he is a Breton, and not a Norman.

William the Conqueror has made Victorine and some other orphans his wards and has had them all brought to England. As the Yuletide celebrations progress, it seems it might take the matchmaking skills of King William himself to make Victorine see that it is Dervenn is the man for her. He is the man she needs, but will Victorine see it in time or will she set her eyes on another Knight hoping to marry well?

Anna Markland is absolutely brilliant. This book was wonderful. It pulled me in right from the start and I just could not put it down. I was rooting for Dervenn to win over the aloof Victorine from the get go. This is one novella that you won't want to miss. Ms. Markland you have once again outdone yourself.

[Petula · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the end of the year 1066 William is King and he is busy rewarding those he feels deserve it most with land in Britain and marriages. 

After the deaths of her father and brothers,  Victorine de Toeni and several other orphaned Ladies are taken under the guardianship of King William.  He will find worthy husbands for them. 

Battle scarred Sir Dervenn de Roure is escorting the orphans to William.  He knows that he can have one of them as a wife, but will not force anyone to look at his ugly face everyday. 

In this medieval romance we have an entitled and arrogant heroine and a sensitive and intelligent hero.  

A lovely look into the lives of our characters and what could be the begining of a dynasty.  

A very enjoyable story.  

[Rosina · Rating 2 out of 5]

He took her hand and kissed it.
“I have loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
“I was an arrogant bitch.” He chuckled.
“That you were, but I like feisty women.”

Enough said.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think I would get into this, as it's not my usual type of story. Although I really loved it!
A very enjoyable story. 5☆

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down, I read it in one sitting! This fast paced romance gives readers a glimpse of the days following the Battle of Hastings and the possibilities of orphans left behind. An interesting look at the lot of those women and the lack of choice many had. Our heroine is feisty and arrogant, but love has a way of pealing away haughtiness and bringing one down to earth. Another good book by one of my favorite historical authors.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different type of story compared to some I've read. A battle at Hastings has left some dead and others heroes. Victorine was left an orphan since her fathers and brothers died there and their wealth went to a cousin. So she has nothing and needs to marry. But to the scarred knight, she didn't know. HEA.

[Anne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Anna Markland has written an amazing tale. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the scarred knight and the haughty female who eventually found loved.
Brilliant

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victorine de Toeni, arrives with other orphans in England under the protection of William the Conqueror. As her guardian, it is his command to find her a husband. Sir Dervenn de Roure escorts all the orphans to Westminster and William, now the king. At first Victorine is put off by Dervenn's scar, but the more she's with him, the more attractive he becomes. Will he take her as his wife? Dreams can come true at Christmastide. A short romance that develops without a kiss under the mistletoe.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good story with a great cast of characters and a wonderful storyline. Dervenn de Roure Is the hero of the Battle of Hastings, but it came with a price for him, because while saving William the Conqueror's life he suffered from a severe cut to his head, scaring his face badly, but he is blessed to still have the use of both eyes. Victorine de Toeni has also suffered a huge loss from the battle as her father and brothers were killed there and a distant cousin has inherited the estate of the de Toeni's. She must marry to survive. King William sends Dervenn to bring Victoirine and 3 other young orphaned women back to the estate he is at, so that he can assign them husbands. Victorine is very haughty and considers herself above Dervenn who she considers hideous as well with his scared face. Also he is not Norman. A great read to see how all unfolds as William wants Victorine to be Dervenn's wife. I really enjoyed the characters in this story though initially Victorine is someone that not many would care for to start with. You will not want to put this wonderful page turning story down until you have finished it!!

[Carole Burant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do so love a scarred hero and it always make my heart happy when they find true love, no matter how disfigured they are. Love, after all, has nothing to do with looks, it's what's inside that counts the most!! Anna Markland has written a beautiful love story between Dervenn and Victorine (love the names!) and I always enjoy the historical facts peppered throughout the story.

At first, Victorine comes off as very spoiled and selfish but it doesn't take long to realize that she actually has a big heart and it's the circumstances in her life that makes her behave the way she does. Dervenn sees right through her airs and doesn't let that stop him from wanting her. Ever since he was scarred he didn't believe he'd ever find love or marry, not wanting to put a woman through having to look at his scarred face every day but when he sees the spark of interest in her eyes, he feels he might just have a chance! This is a very easy novella to read.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and sweet story. King William has declared that the girls who were orphaned after the recently fought battle are under his guardianship, and he's taking them to his new seat. Dervenn is one of the men escorting them, and the man the King wants to marry to a special orphan, Victorine. Dervenn wasn't sure if that was what he wanted, because all she saw was his scarred face. Victorine agrees to be courted by someone else, and the King puts Dervenn in charge of her temporarily. Victorine gets to know him, but is stubborn and snobbish. Dervenn is caring, chivalrous and humble. This has an engaging and intriguing storyline, and the characters are all very likable. I enjoyed it immensely.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and humorous read. Witty and enjoyable. Sad given the time period as well. Several orphans travel to England to become wards of the new King William of Normandy and to be arranged marriage to knights whom fought bravely at Hastings. Really love this short story and glad Marie was able to go with the main characters at the end. To lose be an orphan at the age of 7 years old and then moved to a new country to live. Glad she was loved by the knight and his lady as her siblings. It got me emotional not gonna lie when reading how the girls grieve for their loss of brothers and fathers. So very sad. Wonderful story. Highly recommended and highly recommend Anna Markland's books. She's just as amazing as Julie Garwood.

[Roslyn Stillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful short read. The characters were wonderfully written. The hero was not your usual handsome man but a war hero with the scars to show for it and a heart full of compassion and love. The heroine is your usual arrogant noblewoman but she allows her heart to rule her head and what she has been brought up to believe and love a man her father would have said was beneath her in every way. The secondary characters were lovely with lots of humor and adventure to help to make the story a great read. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story. Victorine had to work through her snobbish training to see what was in front of her. Dervenn figured he would never find a woman due to his scar. I loved the fact that these two were thrown together by William the Conqueror who saw what their hearts already knew. This was an interesting look at the people of that time and how things played out.

I received an ARC, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King brings all the orphans to his home to find them husbands . . . and the husbands are soldiers he is rewarding with a wife and an estate. So a lot of them have scars . . . and that is all Victorine sees in her knight. But he IS kind . . . . THIS is a superb book and I enjoyed every minute of it!!

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devrenn is such a loveable hero. Victorine is feisty, not fickle but a survivor making the best of the hand she's dealt. I enjoyed their story because it is straightforward, humorous and Devrenn and Victorine have great chemistry even though they attempt to deny it for reasons that really don't matter to the heart. Great matchmaking.

[melaniepower · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect story from a great story teller.

Well researched and authentic story. I don’t often venture into this Genre but this attracted me by the cover ,title and I loved it. Prompting me to delve into reading More from this prolific author.

[Ruth Gowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and authentic story. I don’t often venture into this Genre but this attracted me by the cover ,title and I loved it. Prompting me to delve into reading More from this prolific author.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this one but it was worth the effort. Not a great book, certainly there is room for development, but it’s enjoyable never the less.
Give it a go!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

another wonderful story by a fabulous writer, lots of interesting characters and wonderful story will capture you and keep you interested to the last page.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the characters. The story kept me very interested. I received an arc of this book.

[Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading

This book was a historical romance page turner. I definitely recommend. If you read this, you will not regret it. I want more.

[Marta Cervantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

I really enjoyed this book and read it in one seating. I love every Anna Markland book I've read so far!

[Candy Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victorine de Toeni is the last of her family. Her father and brothers were killed at the Battle of Hastings. William is now king and he is rewarding people that fought for him. Dervenn de Roure is
such a man. He received an awful scar on his face-saving the king's life.
Victorine has come with others in her situation. She has become the ward of the king. She has always been lonely and felt unloved. Her father had no interest in her, she was only a female. She hopes things will change and she gets a kind husband.
It is a good story and exciting. He was gentle and kind to the girls. The book flows well and is easy to read. It is a novella, which is not as long as a novel. But it is so worth reading. I highly recommend it.
I received this Arc from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella - read as part of the Under the Kissing Bough collection.

Breton knight Dervenn escorts Lady Victorine to an audience with the King after her family is killed. She is spoiled and arrogant. He is charming and handsome - but for the scar on his face. Will the kissing bough soften her toward him?

[Sabrina (Soter) Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

"Lui allentò la presa e Victorine prese a tracciare la pelle irregolare dal sopracciglio al labbro, sopraffatta dalla fiducia che l’uomo riponeva in lei. La realtà di quanto poco ci fosse mancato che perdesse un occhio le strinse la gola, ma fu l’orgoglio a inondarle il cuore, non la pietà. «Il mio guerriero bretone,» sussurrò"

Una deliziosa novella natalizia medievale, tra lo sfarzo della corte e i rametti di vischio. Ho dovuto togliere un mezzo punto a causa della protagonista che per gran parte del libro è una megera insopportabilmente snob ma Dervenn, il nostro guerriero ironico, romantico, forte e silenzioso compensa l'acidità della sua dolce metà e riesce anche a trarre ironia e divertimento dalle sue risposte pungenti... alla fine per fortuna anche Victorine si riscatta e mostra tutto il suo amore all'uomo che l ha voluta aspettare e l'ha accettata non per editto reale ma solo per amore <3