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A LEGEND BEGINS...

Can love triumph despite duty?

Lynette, companion to Princess Vivian, has learned to trust the princess' visions and so, guards the dark and powerful secret of the man in the cave.

Cadfael the Black, battle commander to High King Vortigern, lives only to kill Saxons, to avenge the brutal murder of his family at their hands. At the court of King Gwilym, the very heart of Roman Britain, he meets the beautiful Lynette, a woman who could thaw his frozen heart.

When duty thrusts them together, Lynette's secret clashes with Cadfael's suspicious nature and threatens to tear them and the entire kingdom asunder. But, Lynette must keep her secret at all costs to protect Princess Vivian's unborn child. A child who would become known as...

MERLIN.

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This novel is part of the ancient historical romance series, Once and Future Hearts, set in Britain during the time of King Arthur.

Once & Future Hearts:
Book 1: Born of No Man
Book 2: Dragon Kin
Book 3: Pendragon Rises
Book 4: War Duke of Britain
Book 5: High King of Britain
Book 6: Battle of Mount Badon
Book 7: Abduction of Guenivere
Book 8: Downfall of Cornwall
Book 1: Vengeance of Arthur
Book 10: Grace of Lancelot
Book 11: The Grail and Glory
Book 12: Camlann

205 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2018

177 people are currently reading
456 people want to read

About the author

Tracy Cooper-Posey

206 books974 followers
Tracy Cooper-Posey is an Amazon #1 Best Selling Author. She writes romantic suspense, paranormal, urban fantasy, futuristic and science fiction romances. She has published over 100 novels since 1999, been nominated for five CAPAs including Favourite Author, and won the Emma Darcy Award.

She turned to indie publishing in 2011. Her indie titles have been nominated four times for Book Of The Year and Byzantine Heartbreak was a 2012 winner. Faring Soul won a SFR Galaxy Award in 2016 for “Most Intriguing Philosophical/Social Science Questions in Galaxybuilding” She has been a national magazine editor and for a decade she taught romance writing at MacEwan University.

She is addicted to Irish Breakfast tea and chocolate, sometimes taken together. In her spare time she enjoys history, Sherlock Holmes, science fiction and ignoring her treadmill. An Australian Canadian, she lives in Edmonton, Canada with her husband, a former professional wrestler, where she moved in 1996 after meeting him on-line.

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5 stars
137 (49%)
4 stars
79 (28%)
3 stars
50 (17%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Paulette.
613 reviews12 followers
September 29, 2024
Quick easy read based on Arthurian legend. That's a hook that always gets me.
Profile Image for Jayne Castel.
Author 94 books398 followers
May 8, 2018
Wow ... this is a fantastic story. The author takes us straight into the heart of Arthurian Britannia with a tale that gives us the origins of the story of Merlin. At its heart though, it's a powerful romance: the story of Lynette and Cadfael the Black. She's a princess's handmaid, he's a powerful battle commander. She's loyal to a fault, while he's embittered after the brutal loss of his wife and son many years earlier, and has vowed to never live again.

Although this isn't a big book, the main characters are fleshed out excellently. Lynette is strong, sensitive, and tough. Cadfael is attracted to her from their first meeting, but held back by suspicion and bitterness. The scenes where their attraction deepens are fantastically written and filled with tension. I found their resolution highly emotional, and was delighted that they got their happy ending.

Tracy Cooper-Posey does her research too. Her descriptions of the historical setting, political set-up, and how people lived felt really authentic.

There aren't enough romances written in the Dark Ages so I was delighted to discover this one. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Tiny Elf Arcanist.
176 reviews17 followers
December 29, 2022
This is part of a series of historical romances set in an Arthurian setting. They share some notable characters while following different storylines with minor ones. I'm glad I had forgotten what this book was about when I started it so I could be surprised by the reveals.

Many characters are named on the first pages and it was hard to keep track of them. There's so much lore packed in this short book, foretelling an epic series.

I only found our protagonist and a secondary character likeable. The love interest is justified in his toxicity because he lost everyone he loved. He is sexist, violent, and impulsive. Their relationship develops too fast, and for an enemies-to-lovers arc, I found it lacking.

One character promises another to teach them how to write so they can send an urgent letter. I would’ve loved to see how that went.

I loved the writing style and it’s clear there was effort put into the world-building. The issue is the focus was somewhere else. I would've liked for it to be a little longer so every element had the deserved attention.
Profile Image for Catherine Sullivan.
651 reviews
October 12, 2021
A historical fiction set in the world of King Arthur legends. It's told from Lynette's point of view, as she and her love navigate the brutal political world that gives rise to needing Arthur to intervene and save the people. I would not want to be a woman at this time.
201 reviews5 followers
April 27, 2018
What a wonderful beginning to another series by Tracy Cooper-Posey. Starting off in “Born Of No Man” we meet Princess Vivian, and Lynette who are out riding in the rain. Where they come across a man who is caught in a snare. Because of the rain the man, Emrys, catches fever so the women take him to a cave and take care of him. So right off the bat the book catches my attention that I couldn’t put it down until I was reading the last word. Then in walks the politics with trying to get ally’s with other King’s to protect the borders. Cadfael the Black comes to King Gwilym’s palace to help King Mabon convince him to show loyalty to the High King Vortigern, when he sees Princess Vivian and Lynette looking suspicious. When he learns he’s going to keep an eye on them to learn there secrets for he is very suspicious. A secret he found worthy in uncovering. Especially after talking with Lynette in the yard. There is just so much going on that it keeps you turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. Especially with the unexpected information with what happened in Caer Daim. What I liked the most was the imagery Tracy Cooper-Posey describes. It drew me right in. I highly recommend this book and honestly cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Rhonda Wise.
317 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2025
A very surprising but well done retelling of the very start of the Merlin Saga. It is full of the kind of detail I like. showing history and culture with nice clear descriptions that are not pedantic or over the top. I enjoyed the rich background as much as I enjoyed the characters and their interactions. Technically, the main characters, Cadfael and Lynette, are minor characters in the legend (unnamed in even the oldest traditions) but the way they are wound through the legend is awesome.

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Arthurian fiction. I want it well written and engaging. I want the author to like the legend and to obviously write to expound. augment and most of all express that in their writing. Tracy Cooper-Posey does that. The book caught me and did not let me up for air until I was finished reading it. I will have to go back and re read just to get in the many details that rushed past as I read. (the use of the women's daily activities linking scenes, weaving, hairpins... so many tiny details I caught and need to think about). For how short it was it was jam packed with detail.

Lynette is a great character. Yes. she is mostly quiet and demure, as is fitting for the local king's daughter's companion. But she is courageous and strong when needed, also very stubborn. She is the quintessential "proper lady" that is held up as a young girl's heroine and icon. No, she doesn't wield a sword. she wields her intelligence and her polite stubbornness. She is loyal. She is smart. She knows how to get things done without fighting but when it comes down to it. she stands her ground and will not back down.

Cadfael is the dark haired Celtic legendary hero with the tragic backstory I grew up reading and hearing tales about. He is mainly seen from Lynette's point of view and only has a few sections where he is the narrator but it works well within the story. He is a warrior at heart, wanting to free Britain from the Saxon threat. He is not all brawn and sword, however. He is smart, patient, and cunning enough to be a good war leader and know how to get things done within the politics of dark medieval Britain.

I wish this had be longer as I have not doubt there could be much more said between the the last chapter and the epilogue and I would have enjoyed that unspoken run. now I have to actually hunt down the second book
Profile Image for Mariana.
440 reviews9 followers
January 30, 2023
3 ⭐️

Born of No Man was a strong start for this series.

Plot

Lynette, Princess Vivian's companion, has come to trust the princess' visions and so she keeps the sinister and potent secret of the caveman a secret.

Cadfael the Black, High King Vortigern's combat commander, only exists to kill Saxons in retaliation for the terrible murder of his family at their hands. He encounters the stunning Lynette in the court of King Gwilym, in the very center of Roman Britain, a lady who just might melt his icy heart.

Lynette's secret clashes with Cadfael's skepticism when duty forces the two of them together, posing a threat to their relationship as well as the kingdom as a whole. But Lynette must maintain her secrecy at all costs in order to safeguard the unborn child of Princess Vivian.

The plot of the book was interesting and was good seeing how different Britain was before Arthur's reign. The pacing was also really good and I actually liked the ending, but the book was too small.

Characters

Lynette


Lynette was a good protagonist. I actually liked her. She was brave, strong and wasn't afraid of speaking her own mind. I really liked her relationship with Vivian.

Cadfael

Cadfael was also good. He can be loyal and is tormented by the death of his wife and son because of the Saxons. I wish I could have seen more of him in this novel.

Vivian

Vivian was really interesting and I wish I could have her POV. She was really mysterious in some way. By the end of the novel she gives birth to Merlin.

Writing

I like the author's writing. It's simple and keeps me engaging the entire time. The dialogue between the characters was also good.

World-Building

In this series I haven't read the first four books, so I decided to read them now and it was interesting to see how different it was Britain and the atmosphere around the country during Vortigern time.

Romance

The romance wasn't bad, but because the novel wasn't bigger, sometimes the romance felt a bit rushed. I wish I could have seen more of Cadfael and Lynette and their relationship.

Final Thoughts

A solid start to the series and a very good retelling of the legend of King Arthur.
Profile Image for Amanda.
165 reviews17 followers
July 5, 2019
A Beautiful short story

There are no others words to describe this story other than beautifully done. It was hard to put it down once I started reading it and enjoyed almost all characters. I won't go into details because you really have to read it yourself to find out, but the romance is touching and full of healing. Lynette is a strong woman who stands her ground and fights for what she believes is right . She doesn't shy away from telling the truth or her opinion and it's that quality which draws in the hero.
The main focus is Lynette and Cyndael (probably spelled his name wrong) and their romance , but the secondary characters are just as important. The love scenes are brief and not that descriptive, which was very acceptable in my opinion. No ugly words or dirty talk, so another plus.
Definitely will check out more of this author's work.
Profile Image for Samantha.
23 reviews
January 9, 2025
couldn't get into it

So I picked this book up hoping this would be a good read, but I was just throughly uninterested in it. The book was too slow moving for me at the start, and then I started reading more into it and all of a sudden it got really violent and hard to understand, especially between the characters Cadefel and Lynette. From what I understand Cadefel kept threating to kill her? Why? Additionally, he was mad she was literate and her mom taught her to read and write I think thsts just messed up. This book is a prequel ro rhe once and future Hearts series which is a retelling based on Merlin.
2,514 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2018
This is a story of courage, loyalty and love. A 5th century warlord named Vortigern hires the Saxons to help the British fight the Picts. Then the Saxons battle to conquer Britain for themselves. Brave, clever men and women quietly resist both Vortigern and the Saxons while watching for a chance to free their land. Before a savior king arises, the Kingmaker must be born—Merlin!

This tale is wonderfully written with crisp, believable dialogue and plot. Mix in a little suspense and sweet romance, and you have a five star novel!
1,918 reviews18 followers
January 10, 2021
The author has created a retelling of Merlin's birth that is down-to-earth, true to the historical period and realistic without discounting the magical elements. I thought that only Mary Stewart and Jack Whyte were able to do that; I am pleased to admit that I was wrong. Not only is the story true to the legend of Merlin, it still manages to speak of romance, life choices, women's strengths and the meaning of honour in ways that capture my imagination. I am definitely going to see if the author will be able to continue this with the rest of this series.
Profile Image for Cherie S.
1,101 reviews19 followers
July 18, 2021
Captivating Romance Story:
The title of this books means more than you realize.
This intelligently written romance story had me captivated from the first paragraph.
It is a complex story with several characters that is filled with intrigue, passion, terror,
mystic powers, and more. The main characters are strong and are emotionally driven to
reach their goals and on the way they discover who they really are and find true love.
A wonderful story that I hope will continue into another book?
Cover gets 5 Stars:
Profile Image for A. P..
24 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2022
The danger of ebooks is that unless you go looking for it, you don't have a frame of reference for how long the book is or how far into it you are. I thought I was reading the small-scope introduction to an epic sweeping story, when abruptly I noted that in fact I was 70% of the way through and it was just a very small-scope story.

It's fine for what it is, I guess, but my overwhelming feeling at the end was really "That's it?" So little actually happened!
Profile Image for Anna Bushi.
Author 13 books27 followers
March 11, 2024
I am drawn to Arthurian stories, and this one did not disappoint me. The novel can be read as a standalone romance tale, painting a vivid portrait of Britain before King Arthur. The protagonists, Lynette and Cadfael, are drawn to each other from the start. While they get their happily ever after, what kept me turning the pages was the side story of Vivian and Emrys. All in all, it's an easy read for fans of the legend of King Arthur.
287 reviews3 followers
April 14, 2022
Wonderful Story

Tracy Cooper-Posey wrote a gripping tale about the British Isles before King Arthur.
Just a wonderful story, easy to read, easy to understand, and very Romantic,! There is a lot of action in this book. I read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down and what a surprise it will leave you wanting to read the next book, too.
Profile Image for Eirlys.
1,763 reviews16 followers
June 1, 2022
Enchanting tale

An exciting story of the time before the rise of King Arthur. I liked the the way that I was plunged into this violent world, which felt real and believable. The characters sprang into life, fully formed and feeling authentic. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Amena.
Author 10 books43 followers
September 28, 2022
great story but some loose ends

I thought this was a fascinating and original retelling of the origins of Camelot, and I really enjoyed it, even as it made me uncomfortable. The 4 stars is for loose ends about the characters (like why Lynette was even in the south in the first place).
Profile Image for Anne Patkau.
3,711 reviews70 followers
January 10, 2024
ReRd. Anything Merlin, Camelot, King A or his Knight, paint me in. If you like supernatural, mystery, Camelot (watch cover for regular romance or steaming teakettle hot passion) this is your author.

Saxon commander Cadfael admires Lynette, handmaiden to Princess Vivian on a visit to the Roman Briton castle. Viv sees the future in visions, directs trusting Lyn, plot, holds all secret, even from readers. Annoying.

At the end, you can predict the mage name for her coming son. Ah well. The author has a fun surname, meaning a handful of flowers for the barrel-maker. She is a talented Indie author, favors romance, gets lots of 5* reviews. Many book covers with naked male chests are too graphic inside for my current to-read list. But check her out.
9 reviews
June 29, 2018
Just found a great new historical author

It is hard to find to good historical authors now that Roberta gellis has retired. This book combines history and fantasy in a way that is uncommon, especially from a woman's perspective. Tracy Cooper Posey is now on my to follow list
Profile Image for Belinda K Miller.
227 reviews
January 27, 2021
Great story line! Strong women and strong men and love!

Exciting story! All kinds of angles keeping you wondering where it all leads! One of the greatest wizards comes into the world from the love of two people!
10 reviews
May 17, 2021
Gods are made of men.

I really enjoyed this story. I got angry at the injustice. And cried at the unfairness women went through. And I rejoiced when I read the how they came out to do what was needed for their world. Very great story.
2 reviews
June 13, 2021
Immersive writing

This book was written with a bard’s voice.
There were times I wanted to say, “so get on with it”. But the story line and details were so immersive that I clung to each line and note. Strong characterization with excellent historical research.
316 reviews
October 11, 2021
I liked the fast pace of this story. It follows two women who are trusted companions and the men who become important in their lives. book is the first book in a series but can be read as a stand alone with a HEA ending .
Profile Image for Lindy Studt.
249 reviews
December 11, 2021
Vivian, Lynnette, and Cadfael

I like historical fiction, but this read more like a history book to me. I liked the descriptions of how the women were sequestered. I didn't like the brutality.
Profile Image for Sheila Walker.
461 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2022
Britain at war after the Romans

A caring princess and her faithful maid have a hand in saving England from the Saxons and both find love along the way. A good story well written and very exciting, if you enjoy historical stories then this is for you. Enjoy
10 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2023
Absolutely loved this book

A beautifully written book. Having discovered this Author recently I am now an avid follower. Great characters and a a story that pulls you in. I couldn't put this down and have gone on to reward the second.
71 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2025
The book is well-written and engaging. The setting and political aspects are where it shines. The romance didn't have enough depth for me, and the romantic interest was too dark for my taste. I didn't realize there was a brief sex scene, so be warned.
19 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2021
Very Enjoyable

This is a different take on the time when the Romans, Celts and Saxons were forming a new Great Britain. I found it a very entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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