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House of Summerlin #1
The Legend
Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN: B008GPV2OE
1270 A.D.
An epic story of loss, love and redemption. On the Seventh Crusade, Sir Alec Summerlin makes a horrible mistake that costs him everything.
Once the greatest swordsman in the realm, he lays his weapon down and refuses to ever wield a broadsword again. Surrendering his spurs, he retires to his father's castle in self-imposed exile. His father, however, has other ideas for his greatest son and betroths him to a local ale heiress.
The Lady Peyton de Fluornoy is as resistant to marriage as Alec is, but she gradually begins to warm to the man who has given up on life. Alec comes to know a lady of spirit, beauty and intelligence. Before their marriage can happen, however, Alec's father is blackmailed by a neighbor who wants Peyton for his own son. Now deeply in love, Alec elopes with Peyton and an entirely new world of danger and passion opens up for them both.
As the conflict with the neighbor heats up, deep and horrific secrets are revealed, and Peyton ends up in grave danger. Alec must recant his vow and draw his sword again to save the woman that he loves as The Legend is once again reborn.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
614 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Le Veque
324 books2,085 followersJuggernaut Indie author Kathryn Le Veque is a 'tour de force' in publishing.
Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.
Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.
Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.
Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 6, 2021
A re-read to write review.
Want to read
August 14, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/14/2019)! 🎁
August 6, 2022
Read: 4/29/21
Reread: 8/5/22
This book started out rocky and only improved halfway into the book.
I liked Alex the " legend ". Peyton on the other hand was an immature shrew. This couple got old with the whole hate/ love/ hate/ love.... actually I should say hate/ passion. It wasn't until 70% into the book that this pattern stoped.
Alex's family were horrible. His father is weak and indecisive. He is willing to give his daughter to a rapist murderer to avoid a scandal. His mother is a shrew who either is slapping or berating her son. His eldest brother has the mind of a child, but his character is ignored. His sister is a fat, giant lesbian who tried to kill the hr twice. Too many crazy ppl. in one family.
The best character by far is Ali. He is a black man born and raised in England. He is treated horribly. He cant be knighted, even though he fought for England. The church does not recognize his humanity, so he cant get married. Through it all he retains his humour and strength. He gets his HEA with Ivy. I wish he could have had his own book.
I gave the book 3 stars, bc even though it was an aggravating story I still kept reading.
Sidenote: there was no raccoons in England and there was no pox yet either. Sloppy research KLV.
Reread: 8/5/22
This book started out rocky and only improved halfway into the book.
I liked Alex the " legend ". Peyton on the other hand was an immature shrew. This couple got old with the whole hate/ love/ hate/ love.... actually I should say hate/ passion. It wasn't until 70% into the book that this pattern stoped.
Alex's family were horrible. His father is weak and indecisive. He is willing to give his daughter to a rapist murderer to avoid a scandal. His mother is a shrew who either is slapping or berating her son. His eldest brother has the mind of a child, but his character is ignored. His sister is a fat, giant lesbian who tried to kill the hr twice. Too many crazy ppl. in one family.
The best character by far is Ali. He is a black man born and raised in England. He is treated horribly. He cant be knighted, even though he fought for England. The church does not recognize his humanity, so he cant get married. Through it all he retains his humour and strength. He gets his HEA with Ivy. I wish he could have had his own book.
I gave the book 3 stars, bc even though it was an aggravating story I still kept reading.
Sidenote: there was no raccoons in England and there was no pox yet either. Sloppy research KLV.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2018
Late night read
Too many factual errors to take seriously:
Raccoons?? In ENGLAND???
A horse 'grazing contentedly on a cluster of buttercups' (Buttercups contain a toxin that makes them taste bitter)
A man wearing armour diving beneath the surface of a bog????
The characters were so cliched it was laughable. ]
I gave up at 92 %
Predictable, badly-researched bodice ripper.
Too many factual errors to take seriously:
Raccoons?? In ENGLAND???
A horse 'grazing contentedly on a cluster of buttercups' (Buttercups contain a toxin that makes them taste bitter)
A man wearing armour diving beneath the surface of a bog????
The characters were so cliched it was laughable. ]
I gave up at 92 %
Predictable, badly-researched bodice ripper.
July 27, 2016
5***** I would like to give this 10 stars. I have read quite a few of Kathryn Le Veque's books but this one is the best yet. A true historical romance. Set in the time of King Edward longshanks. Alec our hero has laid down his sword after a tragedy,not an easy thing for a knight of legendary prowess to do. Peyton our heroine is a heiress to a famous brewer who just wants to carry on her father's business with her sister. The secondary characters (Ali and Ivy) have their own very special part in the story. There is so many characters in this book that are so interesting. Some very sad parts that make you cry but much more that is fun and will make you smile. Anyone who reads romance will love this book. Even if historical is not your usual flavour of choice. Thank you Kathryn for a marvellous read.
April 11, 2013
The role of women in England in the 13th century are clearly defined -- they are the property of their
father, husband or liege lord. Peyton, the heroine, is intelligent, well educated, a successful businesswoman, wealthy, strong willed, and unwed. After she marries her husband becomes her "lord and master" he "owns" her and her property.
There are several sex scenes and I'm not a prude but they could have been shortened and described in less
detail without diminishing the romantic aspect of the story.
These were violent times and there are non graphic details about war, murders, and brutality.
father, husband or liege lord. Peyton, the heroine, is intelligent, well educated, a successful businesswoman, wealthy, strong willed, and unwed. After she marries her husband becomes her "lord and master" he "owns" her and her property.
There are several sex scenes and I'm not a prude but they could have been shortened and described in less
detail without diminishing the romantic aspect of the story.
These were violent times and there are non graphic details about war, murders, and brutality.
May 19, 2013
I'm really starting to love this author. All her books so far I've read are page turners, I can't stop I HAVE to know what happens next. The heroine is kind of a brat at first in this book, but thankfully turns it around. I loved that they were two love stories in this book. And I especially loved the friendship between the two men. But once again as with her other stories I've read I was disappointed by a killing in the book. I just felt it wasn't necessary. Regardless, READ HER BOOKS. Do it now, don't wait. ;) With that said I am on to her next book!
February 14, 2018
I did not finish, I'm afraid. The initial premise sounded promising, but the story was just foolish. The women dress themselves up to be ugly, but then we are told not long before the eldest daughter is probably the most beautiful woman in England, I hardly think by blackening a few teeth and messing up their hair that people wouldn't be able to see right through their disguises. Plus, in an earlier chapter it is mentioned that the eldest daughter is an heiress to a wealthy brewery and land, so doesn't matter if she was an ugly old crone the hero's father would have married his son to her regardless. Beauty was much admired, but in those days land and power where much more valuable.
I also found the descriptions of the characters as quite overdone, and they didn't always make sense from the characters perspectives, like would the hero's father really be that concerned with his son's looks. It is too bad because I quite like the idea of a knight that has decided to give up the sword.
I also found the descriptions of the characters as quite overdone, and they didn't always make sense from the characters perspectives, like would the hero's father really be that concerned with his son's looks. It is too bad because I quite like the idea of a knight that has decided to give up the sword.
March 18, 2018
How sad to give an extra star because there weren't as many typos as so many free books have? The story was ridiculous, improbable, and too long. Many details were just badly researched. Family relationships were schizophrenic, and I wonder why they were so excited for another baby, given that half the Summerlin kids obviously had issues. If my Kindle hadn't showed I was so close to the end, I would have bailed when a fully-armoured man dove repeatedly into a bog. Ugh.
June 10, 2022
Christ
I didn’t like that you used ‘Christ’ as an exclamation so often.
We don’t earn Salvation. It is a free gift. Jesus said to the thief on the cross ‘today you will see Paradise’. The thief didn’t have to do anything but believe and accept that Jesus was the long awaited Savior. Peter didn’t have to do anything but repent of his sins and accept Jesus as Savior to be awarded a place in Heaven.
I didn’t like that you used ‘Christ’ as an exclamation so often.
We don’t earn Salvation. It is a free gift. Jesus said to the thief on the cross ‘today you will see Paradise’. The thief didn’t have to do anything but believe and accept that Jesus was the long awaited Savior. Peter didn’t have to do anything but repent of his sins and accept Jesus as Savior to be awarded a place in Heaven.
January 10, 2019
This is the first LeVeque hero that I despised. My only hope is that Alec doesn't pop up in other novels like the horrid Lady Dustin (Rise of The Defender). The whole family was awful and showed zero steps on the path of redemption.
June 20, 2021
No Cliffhangers; Happily Ever After
The Legend is one of LeVeque’s earlier works, first published in 2010, and is the first in the Summerlin series. Unlike her later works, Legend is more romance than historical fiction, but it’s just as good.
The plot isn’t a rare one, but it is truly well developed. Two people “forced” into marriage, hate each other at first, then fall in love, all while battling an enemy family. Every time I hit a crossroads where I thought, “cliffhanger to be resolved in the next book,” LeVeque kept the tale going until she reached a well earned happily ever after.
The character development is absolutely fabulous. The reader sees Alec go from grief stricken former knight of the Crusades, who wants nothing to do with a marriage to a woman he doesn’t know to loving husband and protector more than willing to give up his inheritance to marry the woman, eventually taking up arms against and joining King Edward in his battles to subdue and claim Wales for England. Lady Peyton deFlournoy’s arc is similarly well developed; disguising herself and behaving in a manner so the idea of her marriage to Alec is given up before they meet, stubborn one minute, charming the next, fighting for survival just as hard as Alec fought in the Crusades. Even the secondary characters are robust and delightfully written, from Aunt Jubil, the world’s first cougar, to Nigel and Colin Warrington, two of the most vile characters to grace the written page (who both meet their violent ends, which they deserved).
What I loved the most however, was the diversity in the book. Eleven years ago people were still struggling to acknowledge homosexuality, accept mixed marriages, and defeat racism. LeVeque tackles all three issues deftly, well ahead of her time. I don’t think I’ve read any other SFW author who’s tried to tackle these issues.
This definitely isn’t a quick read, but it’s a good one. If you can get through 100 pages a day, you’ll be able to read this in a week. It’s certainly worth it.
The Legend is one of LeVeque’s earlier works, first published in 2010, and is the first in the Summerlin series. Unlike her later works, Legend is more romance than historical fiction, but it’s just as good.
The plot isn’t a rare one, but it is truly well developed. Two people “forced” into marriage, hate each other at first, then fall in love, all while battling an enemy family. Every time I hit a crossroads where I thought, “cliffhanger to be resolved in the next book,” LeVeque kept the tale going until she reached a well earned happily ever after.
The character development is absolutely fabulous. The reader sees Alec go from grief stricken former knight of the Crusades, who wants nothing to do with a marriage to a woman he doesn’t know to loving husband and protector more than willing to give up his inheritance to marry the woman, eventually taking up arms against and joining King Edward in his battles to subdue and claim Wales for England. Lady Peyton deFlournoy’s arc is similarly well developed; disguising herself and behaving in a manner so the idea of her marriage to Alec is given up before they meet, stubborn one minute, charming the next, fighting for survival just as hard as Alec fought in the Crusades. Even the secondary characters are robust and delightfully written, from Aunt Jubil, the world’s first cougar, to Nigel and Colin Warrington, two of the most vile characters to grace the written page (who both meet their violent ends, which they deserved).
What I loved the most however, was the diversity in the book. Eleven years ago people were still struggling to acknowledge homosexuality, accept mixed marriages, and defeat racism. LeVeque tackles all three issues deftly, well ahead of her time. I don’t think I’ve read any other SFW author who’s tried to tackle these issues.
This definitely isn’t a quick read, but it’s a good one. If you can get through 100 pages a day, you’ll be able to read this in a week. It’s certainly worth it.
June 20, 2021
The Legend is one of LeVeque’s earlier works, first published in 2010, and is the first in the Summerlin series. Unlike her later works, Legend is more romance than historical fiction, but it’s just as good.
The plot isn’t a rare one, but it is truly well developed. Two people “forced” into marriage, hate each other at first, then fall in love, all while battling an enemy family. Every time I hit a crossroads where I thought, “cliffhanger to be resolved in the next book,” LeVeque kept the tale going until she reached a well earned happily ever after.
The character development is absolutely fabulous. The reader sees Alec go from grief stricken former knight of the Crusades, who wants nothing to do with a marriage to a woman he doesn’t know to loving husband and protector more than willing to give up his inheritance to marry the woman, eventually taking up arms against and joining King Edward in his battles to subdue and claim Wales for England. Lady Peyton deFlournoy’s arc is similarly well developed; disguising herself and behaving in a manner so the idea of her marriage to Alec is given up before they meet, stubborn one minute, charming the next, fighting for survival just as hard as Alec fought in the Crusades. Even the secondary characters are robust and delightfully written, from Aunt Jubil, the world’s first cougar, to Nigel and Colin Warrington, two of the most vile characters to grace the written page (who both meet their violent ends, which they deserved).
What I loved the most however, was the diversity in the book. Eleven years ago people were still struggling to acknowledge homosexuality, accept mixed marriages, and defeat racism. LeVeque tackles all three issues deftly, well ahead of her time. I don’t think I’ve read any other SFW author who’s tried to tackle these issues.
This definitely isn’t a quick read, but it’s a good one. If you can get through 100 pages a day, you’ll be able to read this in a week. It’s certainly worth it.
The plot isn’t a rare one, but it is truly well developed. Two people “forced” into marriage, hate each other at first, then fall in love, all while battling an enemy family. Every time I hit a crossroads where I thought, “cliffhanger to be resolved in the next book,” LeVeque kept the tale going until she reached a well earned happily ever after.
The character development is absolutely fabulous. The reader sees Alec go from grief stricken former knight of the Crusades, who wants nothing to do with a marriage to a woman he doesn’t know to loving husband and protector more than willing to give up his inheritance to marry the woman, eventually taking up arms against and joining King Edward in his battles to subdue and claim Wales for England. Lady Peyton deFlournoy’s arc is similarly well developed; disguising herself and behaving in a manner so the idea of her marriage to Alec is given up before they meet, stubborn one minute, charming the next, fighting for survival just as hard as Alec fought in the Crusades. Even the secondary characters are robust and delightfully written, from Aunt Jubil, the world’s first cougar, to Nigel and Colin Warrington, two of the most vile characters to grace the written page (who both meet their violent ends, which they deserved).
What I loved the most however, was the diversity in the book. Eleven years ago people were still struggling to acknowledge homosexuality, accept mixed marriages, and defeat racism. LeVeque tackles all three issues deftly, well ahead of her time. I don’t think I’ve read any other SFW author who’s tried to tackle these issues.
This definitely isn’t a quick read, but it’s a good one. If you can get through 100 pages a day, you’ll be able to read this in a week. It’s certainly worth it.
April 4, 2020
I did not make it very far into this book at all. It was terrible in every way.
1. It was all "tell" rather than "show" so it got boring very quickly.
2. In typical "trashy romance" fashion, the woman is the most beautiful creature ever to behold. We are stuck reading so many conversations between people about her looks, her perfect figure etc. Come on. Give me at least one flaw. The man is huge, well-muscled, so handsome, and the perfect specimen of male. Please. And that whole bit where the father is thinking that his son is the perfect male is just disturbing.
3. The plot was so forced. E.g. The girls set up their disguise, pull it off and then head home. Oh, but instead of just heading home, they stop along the way to make themselves beautiful again. Not sure why except that it contributes to the storyline. Then, when the girls are fleeing, they hear horses hooves and decide to run in different directions. Because they can't both run together and hide in the big forest or the grove. No. That would be... Well, I'm not sure what it would be except that it means Peyton and Alec end up alone together.
4. As for the romance, the guy is full-on domineering, disrespectful and borderline abusive, but I'm meant to want them to get together because she gets all weak at the knees when he's close? No, no, no. Have him treat her with more respect. Seriously.
5. What is it with blue eyes? I read another book where all the main characters had blue eyes and this one is the same. Are brown, green, or hazel eyes not considered sexy? Not attractive enough?
I got this book as a part of a 5 book set, but I won't be touching any of the others. I wasn't impressed at all with the three chapters I read of this one. Thankfully the book was free so I didn't waste money on it. Just time.
1. It was all "tell" rather than "show" so it got boring very quickly.
2. In typical "trashy romance" fashion, the woman is the most beautiful creature ever to behold. We are stuck reading so many conversations between people about her looks, her perfect figure etc. Come on. Give me at least one flaw. The man is huge, well-muscled, so handsome, and the perfect specimen of male. Please. And that whole bit where the father is thinking that his son is the perfect male is just disturbing.
3. The plot was so forced. E.g. The girls set up their disguise, pull it off and then head home. Oh, but instead of just heading home, they stop along the way to make themselves beautiful again. Not sure why except that it contributes to the storyline. Then, when the girls are fleeing, they hear horses hooves and decide to run in different directions. Because they can't both run together and hide in the big forest or the grove. No. That would be... Well, I'm not sure what it would be except that it means Peyton and Alec end up alone together.
4. As for the romance, the guy is full-on domineering, disrespectful and borderline abusive, but I'm meant to want them to get together because she gets all weak at the knees when he's close? No, no, no. Have him treat her with more respect. Seriously.
5. What is it with blue eyes? I read another book where all the main characters had blue eyes and this one is the same. Are brown, green, or hazel eyes not considered sexy? Not attractive enough?
I got this book as a part of a 5 book set, but I won't be touching any of the others. I wasn't impressed at all with the three chapters I read of this one. Thankfully the book was free so I didn't waste money on it. Just time.
August 9, 2018
A first read from this author and I would definitely try another book. This book is like an old school romance with alpha hero, warring parties for land grab, family and secrets. It was a page turner (a bit of crazy sauce too) I needed something fun after a string of PC historical romances. Alec was a well written hero, who had depth and you can feel his anguish of his past. Peyton was a typical spoilt heroine who gradually changed into a mature woman. All the characters were well drawn and that was a strength in the writing and storytelling.
I gave this book 4 stars - the secondary romance between the hero’s friend and the heroine’s sister just didn’t match the prejudice of people during that time. Had the author skipped the chapters with King Edward meeting Ali, the novel would be more believable. Having read a non- fiction biography on King Edward I, it’s a bit unbelievable that he would show no prejudice to men with dark skin yet in real life he banished the Jews from the British Isles, and wasn’t very pleasant to the Welsh and later in his life the Scots. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that she included a inter-racial relationship, I just wished it was in a more believable setting or under a different King. Other than this historical inaccuracy the story would’ve been perfect.
I gave this book 4 stars - the secondary romance between the hero’s friend and the heroine’s sister just didn’t match the prejudice of people during that time. Had the author skipped the chapters with King Edward meeting Ali, the novel would be more believable. Having read a non- fiction biography on King Edward I, it’s a bit unbelievable that he would show no prejudice to men with dark skin yet in real life he banished the Jews from the British Isles, and wasn’t very pleasant to the Welsh and later in his life the Scots. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that she included a inter-racial relationship, I just wished it was in a more believable setting or under a different King. Other than this historical inaccuracy the story would’ve been perfect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2018
The Legend, Alec Summerlin, returns from the Crusades vowing to not fight again after having inadvertently killed his brother in the midst of an attack. Peyton de Fluorney lost her betrothed to an tournament accident and believes she will mourn him forever.
Nigel and Colin Warrington want Peyton and her land - after 3o years of trying to destroy it, they believe that marriage is a better way to gain what they want - after all, that doesn't mean Peyton has to continue to live once the marriage takes place. They appeal to their liege, Alec's father Brian, to allow the marriage.
Alec meeting Peyton changes both Alec's and Peyton's journey through life, along with a number of others around them. Have read and enjoyed so many of Kathryn Le Veque's medieval romances - this one didn't flow quite as smoothly as the others, but was enjoyable nonetheless. As always, there is an HEA and surprises to read along the way.
Nigel and Colin Warrington want Peyton and her land - after 3o years of trying to destroy it, they believe that marriage is a better way to gain what they want - after all, that doesn't mean Peyton has to continue to live once the marriage takes place. They appeal to their liege, Alec's father Brian, to allow the marriage.
Alec meeting Peyton changes both Alec's and Peyton's journey through life, along with a number of others around them. Have read and enjoyed so many of Kathryn Le Veque's medieval romances - this one didn't flow quite as smoothly as the others, but was enjoyable nonetheless. As always, there is an HEA and surprises to read along the way.
June 16, 2018
This book was so good. Its a story about loss, love and redemption. Sir Alec Summerlin is fighting in the Seventh Crusade and makes a terrible mistake that makes Alec lay down his sword and return home in shame. His father has other ideas for Alec though and makes an agreement for him to wed Lady Peyton. He doesn't want to get married at all. They do get married, but its an uphill road for the two of them as there is someone trying to oust Alec from Lady Peyton's side so he can have her for her land. There is also a 2nd story line in that Alec's best friend Ali had been at war with him and also fostered by his father. Ali is black and in this time and place blacks are looked upon with scorn and considered evil. He has an up hill battle that is also outlined in this book. Highly recommend.
April 5, 2018
Enjoyable read. Edited better than I thought it might be based on earlier reviews. Still a bit to clean up.
Personally, I enjoyed this more for Alec than Peyton. Although, I liked their story, Peyton came across as a spoiled brat on several occasions. Standing up for yourself in a time when women had few rights is one thing, but throwing a temper tantrum is something else entirely. Sometimes I wondered if she wasn't more 12 than 21. It isn't until after Alec and Peyton are married that she starts to think before she speaks, and even that isn't consistent.
Would really have liked to know about the rest of the babies. Did Ivy have a girl or boy? How about Jubil? A few situations/actions didn't seem true to the time, but overall it is a good read.
Personally, I enjoyed this more for Alec than Peyton. Although, I liked their story, Peyton came across as a spoiled brat on several occasions. Standing up for yourself in a time when women had few rights is one thing, but throwing a temper tantrum is something else entirely. Sometimes I wondered if she wasn't more 12 than 21. It isn't until after Alec and Peyton are married that she starts to think before she speaks, and even that isn't consistent.
Would really have liked to know about the rest of the babies. Did Ivy have a girl or boy? How about Jubil? A few situations/actions didn't seem true to the time, but overall it is a good read.
June 29, 2018
The story of Sir Alec Summerlin and Lady Peyton de Fluornoy, is one of love, passion and re-awakening. It is very humorous and romantic and tells the tale of acceptance, understanding and self-forgiveness. But it goes much further than that as the major characters surrounding Alec and Peyton play such a key part in this wonderful tale. They are such a diverse bunch, with their own tales of sadness, prejudice, deception, weakness and betrayal that you cannot be untouched by their stories. I love the way that Kathryn has enlarged this story by adding all these different dimensions to it, it really is a fabulous book and I am sure that you will thoroughly enjoy it as well.
October 24, 2019
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title.
He was so devastated with his brother's death, that he swore not to lift a sword again.
Then, 12 years later, after meeting and marrying a woman that he originally did not want anything to do with, he now had to take up that sword, to save her.
This is a tale of confused and emotional people. Although with a staunch upper lip, the emotions held in check, often came out in inopportune times and ways.
It's also a tale of love and loyalty, of greed and cruelty, of bias and prejudice. It's a drama, a love story and a tale of family pride.
I enjoyed it to the very last word!
He was so devastated with his brother's death, that he swore not to lift a sword again.
Then, 12 years later, after meeting and marrying a woman that he originally did not want anything to do with, he now had to take up that sword, to save her.
This is a tale of confused and emotional people. Although with a staunch upper lip, the emotions held in check, often came out in inopportune times and ways.
It's also a tale of love and loyalty, of greed and cruelty, of bias and prejudice. It's a drama, a love story and a tale of family pride.
I enjoyed it to the very last word!
April 11, 2018
The Summerlin
Just like with any love story Alec and Peyton had their ups and downs. At the very beginning they dislike each other tremendously but the more time they spent together the more they came to understand the need to be together. They not only had to fight each other, they had to fight family, they had to fight enemies even to the point as Peyton almost dying and being pushed back to the world of the living from the brother that Alex accidentally killed this book had me laughing and crying though it was a little darker than I like it was a great read
Just like with any love story Alec and Peyton had their ups and downs. At the very beginning they dislike each other tremendously but the more time they spent together the more they came to understand the need to be together. They not only had to fight each other, they had to fight family, they had to fight enemies even to the point as Peyton almost dying and being pushed back to the world of the living from the brother that Alex accidentally killed this book had me laughing and crying though it was a little darker than I like it was a great read
July 6, 2018
In all my many years of reading historical romances, I have read some fabulous books and have had many favourites but now, after reading "The Legend", I have to say this one has now become my very favourite one!!! It made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me gasp, it made me emotional, it made me angry, it made me cheer, etc. Of all the Kathryn Le Veque books I've read this is THE one that will forever remain in my heart, it has touched me as no other book has. I wish I could award it 10 stars, as 5 stars doesn't do it justice!!
April 1, 2019
Loss & Restoration
A sweeping tale of love, loss and restoration. Characters with depth and heart.
Peyton & Alec have both suffered loss of those they loved. Both have no desire to seek love again - and yet fate or destiny have something else in store for them.
Both these characters had strength and flaws. There were many times I wanted to smack them in the head and other times I wanted hug them and celebrate their successes and joys.
Overall I enjoyed this tale. But some of the inconsistencies and over use of descriptive words frustrated me.
A sweeping tale of love, loss and restoration. Characters with depth and heart.
Peyton & Alec have both suffered loss of those they loved. Both have no desire to seek love again - and yet fate or destiny have something else in store for them.
Both these characters had strength and flaws. There were many times I wanted to smack them in the head and other times I wanted hug them and celebrate their successes and joys.
Overall I enjoyed this tale. But some of the inconsistencies and over use of descriptive words frustrated me.
March 16, 2022
This book had it all and then some. A man tortured by a mistake. A best friend who stands with him.
Two sisters are pledged to be their wives. The oldest sister is still trying to work her way through her sorrow after losing her fiance while he was taking place in some war games. The youngest sister has to get past the fact that her intended is black. Add to this all the other family issues rearing their ugly heads. Add some laughs along the way.
I do love the happy endings that make me cry. Enjoy the ride.
Two sisters are pledged to be their wives. The oldest sister is still trying to work her way through her sorrow after losing her fiance while he was taking place in some war games. The youngest sister has to get past the fact that her intended is black. Add to this all the other family issues rearing their ugly heads. Add some laughs along the way.
I do love the happy endings that make me cry. Enjoy the ride.
May 12, 2018
Totally Enjoyable-could not put it down.
The witty banter between Alec and Peyton gave the characters greater depth. The story had many twists that took an emotional ride from tragic loss to true love. The bad guys were truly evil. I never considered medieval racial prejudice before and believe Ms. Leveque handled that challenge as well as the dysfunctional side of family life extremely well.
The witty banter between Alec and Peyton gave the characters greater depth. The story had many twists that took an emotional ride from tragic loss to true love. The bad guys were truly evil. I never considered medieval racial prejudice before and believe Ms. Leveque handled that challenge as well as the dysfunctional side of family life extremely well.
May 9, 2020
Not bad
This made me laugh a lot. I really liked the Ivy character as she sounded more real in that she was not a “perfect” beauty like the usual characters. On the whole a good story. I would strongly ask that the author desists from including statements that describe a character is better or more powerful than God. That is absolutely unnecessary and blasphemous. It makes me wary of wanting to read any more of her novels because I feel this is wrong.
This made me laugh a lot. I really liked the Ivy character as she sounded more real in that she was not a “perfect” beauty like the usual characters. On the whole a good story. I would strongly ask that the author desists from including statements that describe a character is better or more powerful than God. That is absolutely unnecessary and blasphemous. It makes me wary of wanting to read any more of her novels because I feel this is wrong.
October 16, 2024
unusual and disappointing
The story started out as this authors books usually do with adventure and chaos then it seemed to have difficulty beginning to incorporate the other characters, not unusual to have individual stories about characters within a book but they began to become confusing and ridiculous, seemed like pages kept being added and added just to figure out to come to reasonable ending
The story started out as this authors books usually do with adventure and chaos then it seemed to have difficulty beginning to incorporate the other characters, not unusual to have individual stories about characters within a book but they began to become confusing and ridiculous, seemed like pages kept being added and added just to figure out to come to reasonable ending
June 10, 2025
I gave this book three stars because author spent time writing it. The characters were either crazy, wicked, or flawed in some way. They all had issues. I almost quite reading in the middle but I struggled on. I have all Kathryn's books and give 5 stars to them all. But this one was different. So different that I don't need to re-read this at all. You name it, the plot, characters and events were unrealistic. She must have been tired when she wrote this one.
February 10, 2018
A tale that had its roots from the tragic accidental death of Peter Summerlin in the catacombs of Acra to one of England's strongholds and birthplace of The Legend, Alec Summerlin, England's greatest swordsman. After Acra, Alec forsook his sword and the story actually starts 12 years since Peter's death. This book tells of dark family secrets, and if their are secrets then there is blackmail. Plus there is also the secret that pertains to one's sexual inclinations. All these secrets made the vortex that draws our characters spinning into its very center.
February 13, 2018
A great book
If you want to read a love story with lots of suspense this book is for you! I hated to put it down. It had wonderful twists and turns which kept me interested. I enjoyed how the main characters interacted and dealt with their troubles that almost ruined their lives. A wonderful story!
If you want to read a love story with lots of suspense this book is for you! I hated to put it down. It had wonderful twists and turns which kept me interested. I enjoyed how the main characters interacted and dealt with their troubles that almost ruined their lives. A wonderful story!
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