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Ancient Kings of Anglecynn #1

The Whispering Night

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1197 A.D.

Sir Garren le Mon is an agent for Richard the Lion Heart in the political war against his brother, John. Under the command of William Marshall, Chancellor of England, Garren is the king's most trusted and loyal servant.

When Garren is ordered to marry into a family deeply loyal to Prince John, the knight is understandably reluctant; the House of de Rosa is infamous for its bloodlust and bizarre characters. Upon meeting the Lady Derica de Rosa, however, Garren thinks perhaps that the marriage may not be all that unpalatable.

Derica is beautiful and humorous, and Garren is smitten. Upon the eve of the betrothal, however, Garren's identity as a spy is discovered and he is set upon by the de Rosa's. With Derica's help, he escapes execution and together the two of them begin an enormous trek across England and Wales to flee her pursuing family. When William Marshall discovers that Garren has deviated from his orders, he too goes in pursuit of him, undermining Garren's trust with a friend he has known since childhood.

Duty soon separates them and Garren stages his own death in battle in order to free himself of William Marshall's directives. But news of his death gets back to Derica, who finds herself a pawn between her family and William Marshall as she grieves for the man she loved and now has lost. It is a race against time for Garren to return to his wife before she is forced to marry another, all in the name of politics.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2003

214 people are currently reading
326 people want to read

About the author

Kathryn Le Veque

324 books2,086 followers
Juggernaut 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.

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5 stars
658 (68%)
4 stars
190 (19%)
3 stars
82 (8%)
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17 (1%)
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11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Simon.
Author 5 books159 followers
unfinished
November 20, 2012
OK, I thought I'd give this a whirl, and enlarge my horizons, but I had to give it up when, on the first page, Richard the Lionheart is described as Richard the Second!
Profile Image for Kat Green.
1,147 reviews19 followers
November 8, 2021
Dang it! I hate to write a full review and then my iPad cuts off before I’m finished. Well, this is an enduring love story with a long waited for hea. This is one of Kathryn’s earlier books, and it was good, but I think she has grown so much over the years that the newer ones just blow you away with great detail, superb characters you’ll fall in love with, while being filled with emotionally charged action. You’ll need tissues for many of her newer ones. Anyway, this is a good book (fabulous new cover art for the book) and the audiobook is well narrated also if you prefer that format. ❤️
Profile Image for Jen.
19 reviews
July 29, 2012
Enjoyed this book very much. Especially loved the last chapter. Not many books go into detail of what happens later and i loved learning of their family after their harrowing tale.
Profile Image for Allie.
Author 34 books28 followers
February 10, 2013
Slow at times, but a good story. Then ending brought tears to my eyes!
Profile Image for Liloshadow (ReNee).
90 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2013
Full of intrigue, love, and friendship. Very Character rich...

I freely admit I am a big fan of this authors stories! I despaired that I would ever find another author that wrote great medieval love stories. This author doesn't write the usual romance story where the H/h figure out they are in love at the very end and get married. They are refreshingly opposite that way. In these they USUALLY fall hard and fast...and the rest of the story is about their trial and tribulations together. As a reader she also keeps you on your toes. You never know who may die, who a villain may be, who's a spy, or how a story may end...its usually a happy ending; but not always in the way you expect. Sure, sometimes you are able to guess...but she usually slips a couple surprises in there somewhere.

The Whispering Night as a few surprises for the reader...not as big as some of her other stories. The last story I read by this author made me stop reading and gasp "Holy Crap!"

With all that said, this story has battles, castles being sieged, spies, love, romance, fierce friendship, fearsome knights, and a brave spunky heroine.

Garren is a knight of William Marshall. The Marshall sends Garren on a mission to spy in the camp of his enemy. From that moment on Garren's life will never be the same. He begins a journey that takes him from that of a lonely knight to a life rich in love, then to utter heartbreak and finally back to love again. He is the kind of knight all men fear but secretly want to emulate. The heroine Derica is spunky and brave not afraid to speak her mind or go after what she wants. There are too many minor characters to name here, but you can't help but fall in love with some of them as well.

They are also some humorous scenes mixed in...I wont say here, but its not something you see everyday in a Medieval romance! ; )

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Seon Ji (Dawn).
1,051 reviews275 followers
June 10, 2016

Just read this as part of a historical romance collection. It is an older work of Le Veque's and one of her better ones!

It is a sweet read with a wonderful hero and a strong intelligent heroine.

The heat level is mild, not as spicy as her neweer stuff, and is filled with wonderful historical details that I always loved in her books.

It is a shame that her newer work has changed so much.
Profile Image for Anne.
546 reviews130 followers
June 22, 2018
I just loved the characters in this wonderful story. You couldn't help but cheer for the main two to be able to be together! Sorry this had to end!
Profile Image for Kiesha ~ Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd .
422 reviews16 followers
March 19, 2016
The story was "OK" - not her strongest but tolerable.

My biggest issue was the narrator. He sounded OK as long as he was speaking as a character but when he read the story outside of character, he sounded awful. He appeared to add an "ah" to the beginning of Garren's name so it sounded like "Ahgarren" and he did the same with Derica. Although his character voices were not bad, the reading was too much. I never want to hear him narrate again.
128 reviews
May 23, 2019
Are You Really Alive?

The Knight Sir Garren le Mon was sent to spy on King John's supporters; the De Rosa family for Intel about John's armies and movements. His cover was to marry the daughter Lady Derica. William Marshall thinking he would not be recognized felt Garren was perfect for the task in spite of Darren's objections. He like most men resisted marriage. Much to his and Derica's surprise they had an almost instant attraction that quickly became love. Her father's spy quickly identified Garren and they imprisoned him with the intent to kill him. Derica's ploy to kill herself rather than see him dead worked and he was freed. Garren with the help of his friend kidnapped her and married her while running from her father and family.
William Marshall forced Garren to leave her and head his Army into battle against King John's forces. Garren got word she was missing and presumed dead causing him to take drastic action and fake his own death to be free to go look for her. She in the meantime was told of his death and assigned to a new fiance; much against her wishes.
The story of these two lovers and their desperate search for each other and the fear that the other was dead is heart touching. This story as all of this wonderful writer's stories makes you feel the joy and pain of the characters. I have read ever book she has written and this is the second time around for this one. She is the number one writer of Medieval Romance and has helped me connect the dots on much of the history of this part of the world.
1,038 reviews4 followers
February 4, 2022
Garren and Derica.

I loved Garren from the beginning. He is a strong knight in The Marshal’s stable who is given the task of marrying Derica in order to infiltrate her father’s home as a spy. He does not want to marry until he sees her. She is instantly drawn to him as well. When he is identified as a spy, beaten and put in the vault, Derica convinces her father to let him go. Garren does not want to be apart from her so he has his friend Fergus kidnap her and bring her to him. I love Fergus! Then their adventure begins. It includes love, marriage, friendship, separation, loss and so much more. A good read but there were a lot of errors that the proofreader should have caught.
86 reviews
October 19, 2018
Epic medieval romance

This book is just a bucket of fun from beginning to end, and very entertaining reading.

There is a cross dressing knight who sobs through his mascara on hearing his niece Derica is about to marry.

Derica is an over protected daughter surrounded by an all male family who just want to kill her suitors.

Suitor Sir Garren Le Mon is forced to marry Derica as part of his spying job description. He really doesn’t want to until his eyes meet Derica’s across the room full of fighting relatives.

Add two adorable children, an abandoned castle and a legendary ghosts and you have it all. Recommended escapist reading.
1,229 reviews15 followers
March 29, 2024
Excellent, Medieval, Romantic Adventure

They were going to marry for duty, but when they met, it was love at first sight. He was to spy on her family. What happened when her father discovered the truth?

Derica and Garren would take us on a journey of romance and adventure. They faced danger, treachery, and many trials. This story kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It is one of my favorite Kathryn Le Veque novels, and I have read most of them. I loved this story and would recommend it to those who like medieval historical romance that keeps you turning the pages.
19 reviews
September 30, 2019
This Has It All

There are great battles, absconding with woman, sibling interference, exquisite love story, myths, mists and rain, the bonds of the knighthood just to name a few. LeVeque's ability and agility keeps all the plot lines from becoming a tangled mess. This is equally a great read for men and women.
642 reviews
October 6, 2019
Loved it!

I loved this story of Garren le Mon and his Lady love, Derica. I just pray that this author never stops writing - I don't know what I did before or what I will do after I read her final book! I am constantly in the middle of one of her books while searching for the next one online.
Profile Image for Jeanne .
408 reviews
May 1, 2020
Love that endures all is by far the best!

What a rollercoaster ride of emotions! Sir Garren Le Mon was quite an unexpected surprise! And the love he finds with Lady Derrica da Rosa and what it endures to survive gives every heart hope for a small piece of their same devotion and happiness!
Profile Image for Crystal Butler.
519 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2023
Exciting story

Garren of Chateroy castle was a ferocious knight who worked for William Marshal. William Marshal has decided to marry Garren to Derica deRosa and spy on the deRosa’s to find out what the prince is planning. Little did Garren know that he would truly fall in love with Derica. All was well until someone recognized Garren and told the de Rosa’s.
Profile Image for Kathy Tatum.
176 reviews
October 29, 2023
Engaging Love Story

Handsome Alpha knight Garron Le Mon meets Derica La Rosa. Story includes William Marshall's requiring Garron to infiltrate Framlingham Castle as a spy, and to marry the daughter Derica he was betrothed to.
Many escapades; fleeing the LaRosa's twice; fierce battles of Prince John and King Richard's forces. A must read novel by award winning, Kathryn LeVeque.
Profile Image for Shirley Hamlod.
1,118 reviews7 followers
July 9, 2024
Again, I can only say what a brilliant and entertaining novel this is. Garren and Derica’s story is very complicated and emotionally charged. There are several twists and turns in this story. This story takes place in various places and in separate parts. A lot happens to Garren and Derica. It seems that fate will keep them apart. Great entertainment!
7 reviews
September 25, 2018
Excellent reading

In Kathryn’s usual style she masterfully weaves her story. This book, as all of hers, was hard to put down. Entertaining, romance and suspense. It has it all. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sylvia Laurel.
157 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2020
A Love Struggle

This story was a romantic struggle between a couple who were very attracticed to each other even though their family were political enemies. They had many misadventure before they were able to live together as man and wife.
65 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2021
Really Enjoyed

Enjoyed this book. Have read many of this authors books and enjoy her stories. This one kept me guessing. Not sure who was dead and who wasn't. Not sure who to believe or not. Fun read.
Profile Image for Marjorie.
2,099 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2021
Great love story

I enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. Ancestry keeps putting things about my ancestors and my husband's. I am supposed to have more welsh in me. My family has English and his has Scottish and English.
Profile Image for Debbie Odachowski.
491 reviews
June 2, 2021
Starting with book #1

I have read all the de Wolfe books and realized that I needed to start back and read Kathryn Le Veque first books and I am so happy I did. Garren and Derica 's love story is full of twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged.Read it in one day.Enjoy!
60 reviews
June 10, 2021
Whispering Night

I cannot seem to get enough of these stories and the book.I love the history and love stories written around this history.The characters are so real and the way things are finished are perfect. Even a few tears and smiles,I love them all.
Thank you
52 reviews4 followers
November 5, 2021
Very interesting.

I have read a lot of Kathryn LeVeque,s books and have never found a one that was not interesting. You just have to keep reading to see what happens next. Just cannot put her books down. Keep up the good books and thank you.
220 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2022
Another great Romance

Wonderful intriguing full of anguish, action and undying love. As ever the heroic executioner knights fight for their King and their loved ones- one of the most romantic stories of this amazing series. Thank you Kathryn.
Profile Image for Tammy Coleman lancaster.
62 reviews
May 7, 2023
This one will steal your heart!

I love this author I just started reading her a couple of months ago and I can't put her books down they all have heart and and laughter and packing your seat drama! If you're looking for a new author or just a new series you can't do any better!
359 reviews
September 8, 2023
Great reading

Do enjoy reading from Kathryn Le Veque. She is a great story teller she will keep you reading until the end. I have a very hard time trying to put down the book I want to finish reading it.
209 reviews
January 11, 2024
Terrific story

Exciting, intense, Romantic a perfect romance novel. Strong exciting characters that will keep you on the edge of your.
Bit of a tear jerker when the hero and heroin may not stay together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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