Within a Forest Dark

The Knights of England #3

by Mary Ellen Johnson

His belief in the Perfection of Knighthood challenged by battlefield atrocities, Matthew Hart returns to London, wishing to reunite with his first love, Margery Watson.

Her cruel husband now dead, Margery is a wealthy widow with no intention of returning to the bonds of marriage. But she cannot turn away her once Golden Knight, no matter the depth of innocent blood he spilled in the name of honor and duty.

As Matthew forces himself to fulfill feudal obligations, and Margery's unrest turns treasonous, the forces of king and kingdom may prove the lovers' ultimate undoing.


THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND, in series order
The Lion and the Leopard
A Knight There Was
Within A Forest Dark
A Child Upon The Throne

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2017

About the author

Mary Ellen Johnson's writing career began with her passion for Medieval England. Her first book, THE LION AND THE LEOPARD, related the doomed reign of Edward II. She also collaborated on a second historical, THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER, which was published under the pseudonym, Mary Ellen Dennis.
Mary Ellen is nearing completion of a five-book series, KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND, which spans the fourteenth century--a time that includes the Black Death, the Peasant's Revolt, the beginnings of the Hundred Years War, as well as the reign of England's greatest medieval king. THE LION AND THE LEOPARD (completely reworked), A KNIGHT THERE WAS, and WITHIN A FOREST DARK are all currently available in both print and electronic form. A CHILD UPON THE THRONE and Mary Ellen's final book, detailing the tragic reign of Richard II will be published by the end of 2017.

Reviews

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steeped in history, Within a Forest Dark speaks of a brutal time in fourteenth century England and France. Ms Johnson's obvious knowledge and research of that era is astounding and she therefore has the ability to bring it alive for the reader. However, this is not for the fainthearted as the standards of civilised behaviour that govern us today, did not apply in medieval England. Dame Margaret and Sir Michael's love story is interwoven throughout the events of the time, but it is a love story that is constantly under threat by maliciously minded people. I found the book heavy going at times, just from the sheer weight of the events taking place, but it was also educational and enlightening about a time that not too many people are familiar with, except in the broadest of terms. The closing chapter brought solace to the characters in the story whilst acting as a balm to the reader's heart. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[LuAnn Rodriquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author's knowledge of English history through the 1300's is impressive, and she is an excellent writer. I found that time period both oppressive and difficult to read but would have not survived it as I've lived with a life-threatening chronic condition in this one longer than most. The main characters were the stars of Book 2, and this was a difficult time to live for many people. Both as a woman, especially when the marriage the main female character was tricked into was cruel and abusive, but also because of the life hardships most experienced. The main male character is a good man but also a product of his times and station, a knight and a warrior. This book is real and true to its time and setting and certainly helped increase my gratitude over living in the present! I do recommend it, but it is not a piece of reading fluff.

I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.