My Champion

Knights of de Ware #1

by Glynnis Campbell

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN B0074J5CIA can be found here.

Romance Writers of America RITA Finalist for Best First Book and Best Historical Romance!

The Knights of de Ware...From a long line of legendary warriors come three brothers to carry on the rich and powerful de Ware legacy:  Duncan the Champion...Holden the Warrior...Garth the Hero...

MY CHAMPION: Book 1

Sir Duncan de Ware is a sworn champion of the common man and a master of disguise.  So when he finds plucky maiden-in-distress Linet de Montfort facing off against a notorious pirate, noble Duncan goes undercover to come to her rescue, despite her insistence that she can take care of herself.  When the pirate abducts her, Duncan and Linet are caught up in a breathless adventure of danger and romance on the high seas.  And soon Linet realizes her only hope is to trust her mysterious hero—with her life and her heart.

Book Details A full-length novel originally published by Penguin-Putnam Revised by the author in 2012 R-rated for sensual passages

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Medieval, Fiction, Ebooks

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

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GLYNNIS CAMPBELL is a USA Today bestselling author of swashbuckling "medieval action-adventure romances," mostly set in Scotland, and a charter member of The Jewels of Historical Romance--12 internationally beloved authors. She has over two dozen books published in eight languages. Glynnis once rocked in an all-girl band called The Pinups on CBS Records, did voiceovers for the MTV animated series, "The Maxx," Diablo and Starcraft videogames, and Star Wars audio adventures, and is married to a rock star. She loves to transport readers to a place where the bold heroes have endearing flaws, the women are stronger than they look, the land is lush and untamed, and chivalry is alive and well!

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BOOK LIST

The Warrior Maids of Rivenloch
The Shipwreck
A Yuletide Kiss
Lady Danger
Captive Heart
Knight's Prize
A Rivenloch Christmas

The Warrior Daughters of Rivenloch
The Storming
Bride of Fire
Bride of Ice
Bride of Mist
My Champion
My Warrior
My Hero

The Warrior Lairds of Rivenloch
Laird of Steel
Laird of Flint

Medieval Outlaws
The Reiver
Danger's Kiss
Passion's Exile
Desire's Ransom

Scottish Lasses
The Outcast
MacFarland's Lass
MacAdam's Lass
MacKenzie's Lass

California Legends
The Stowaway
Native Gold
Native Wolf
Native Hawk

Reviews

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to bail almost as soon as I started. Hated the people. Hated the plot. Just hated it all. Miserable reading. It was like suffering through one of those bad movies from 1960 where Tony Curtis is wearing satin and a bad wig and trying to fake an English accent like he's Errol Flynn, only you can't suspend your disbelief long enough to ignore that awful Bronx accent, and you wish Basil Rathbone had at least gotten more licks in, just because.

Yes, there's sex, but it's full of bad imagery of things like "stars exploding" and is more annoying than titillating. The weird bigotry and constant waffling also got on my last nerve.

Harumph.

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, no. There really wasn't much to like about this book. I guess the plot was okay, but that was hard to enjoy because of the characters. I don't remember when I've read a book where I really disliked both the main characters. I'll start with Duncan. He didn't bother me as much as Linet, but that's not saying much. There just wasn't much to like about him. The worst part for me, and I understand it happened all the time during this period, was the fact that he had 19 or 20 "by-blows." Yeah, no. It just didn't work for me.

What to say about Linet? Another reviewer described her as the girl in the horror movie who is too stupid to live. That is pretty spot on. Also, she was so snobby and rude. Probably one of the most least likeable characters I have ever read about. If you want to be frustrated the whole way through, go ahead and read this book. If not, I'd pass.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

My Champion is the first book in the de Ware's trilogy by Glynnis Campbell. This trilogy is a bit older than some of her other books and I have enjoyed this author since reading one of her shorter stories in a anthology years ago and wanted to read more of her work. I have had My Champion on my kindle for quite some time and I realized that I needed to pick this one up and read it because I wanted something more refreshing and this book delivered that for sure. This was no fluffy regency....this was real, angsty, and full of frustration at times but I still liked it quite a bit.

The story starts off with our hero, Duncan de Ware, who is honorable and kind. He is always taking in strays or people in need of help. When he sees a lone woman, spite a spaniard and his wine, he knows how dangerous her situation is even if she doesn't. So he decides he will be her protector until the danger has passed. But Linet doesn't believe that there is any danger. She is proud of her heritage, and isn't afraid to stand on her own feet. She doesn't believe Duncan especially when he is just a "peasant" and doesn't believe that she is in any kind of danger. But where she was selling her cloths of high value, her place during the special market for a couple weeks is destroyed she heads on home only to be kidnapped by a very dangerous man who wants to sell her to pimps. Duncan saves the day once again, but she still doesn't see him more than a beggar. But soon the chemistry builds between them and Linet can't deny what she feels for this "peasant" and when she learns the truth about who he really is, will her love change or be constant...

This was a story that for the most part I truly liked. I loved the historical aspects that come into play and I honestly felt like I was back in the medieval ages with honorable knights, and beautiful gowns. But I had one major issue that really took much of my enjoyment from the actual story...the heroine. Now I am not like most romance readers, I am not as picky on my heroines like some can be. I try to be more accepting of their faults, but Linet really rubbed me the wrong way. I just hated how she treated the hero here, it was just awful to see. The hero is such a good guy at heart. He is kind and generous. But Linet is always demeaning him, even slapping him when he doesn't say anything wrong or acted out against her. She acts like a spoiled brat a lot of the time, and even after she admits that she loves him, keeps betraying him and hurting him. I just wanted to slap her myself because the way she acts is horrid. Now she eventually learns her lesson and redeems herself in the very end, but it wasn't enough to honestly have me like her very much even in the end there. And even though the hero wasn't always nice to her (which is understandable seeing how she acts towards him) the later half of the story just became too angsty at times. But I did enjoy the built up of the plot, and the ending was sweet and happy in the way I like. So not all of it was bad for me, just mostly the heroine's character. I do plan on reading books 2 and 3 though, since I adored this de Ware family, they were so fun to read about here and I really want to learn more about them because their family dynamics just draw you in.

Overall My Champion is a historically authentic romance that has some thrilling plot points that keep you engaged and a passion hot romance that will give the reader some laughs and entertainment.





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[Shiran · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning! This review will contain spoilers and unfavorable remarks

This was one of the worst pieces of crap I've ever read. I don't usually like to give scathing reviews but since I gave up several hours of my life, that I will never get back to this book, I think I'm due a little bit of a rant. When I saw that this book was written by Glynnis Campbell I was excited to read it. Her Warrior Maids of Rivenloch Series was phenomenal, filled with strong, powerful and engaging woman. I thought for sure I would be reading something exciting and fun with great characters, but this book had none of that.

I absolutely HATED the characters in this book, especially Linet de Montfort. In fact, I don't think I've ever despised a character more than I did Linet. She was a moronic, self-centered, weak, arrogant, bigoted pain in the ass and through most of the book, I wished someone would kill her. She spent the entire book with Duncan, saw the kind of man he was, said she loved him, and yet, no matter what he said and did she still didn't believe him. Hell, she betrayed him several times and acted like a moron at every turn. I mean the 70 year old maidservant (who Linet considered stupid and beneath her) saw and trusted Duncan's identity after 20 min with him. Yet, Linet still didn't believe him until the very moment he sat down next to his mother... and then the fucking retard gets angry at him?! That was the point at which I decided that this book was beyond horrible and deleted it off my Kindle with 15% left to read. I had no desire to see how the story ended. In fact, I really didn't want to see Duncan forgive her and marry the idiot.

As for the story itself, it was painfully chaotic. They get caught, they run, they hide, they get caught again, they run, they hide, they get caught again... and so on. The story was nothing more than a continuous series of events where the bad guys are almost as stupid as Linet and poor Duncan is Mr Magoo's faithful dog always trying to keep Linet out of trouble. Though, God only knows why, I would have let her bigot ass get killed.I did enjoy Duncan's character, as well as his family, but unfortunately he lost all of his appeal with his constant saving of Linet.

All in all, I hated the characters, hated the story and hated that I didn't drop it sooner... my poor faith kept me reading with the hope that something would get better. I love historical romance and the empowerment most books in this genre give to woman, and I fear this book only sullies the thing I love the most about this series.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance and danger

Try as I might, I never really liked the characters. The hero was arrogant, condescending, and quick tempered. The same could be said of the heroine--only add distrustful, rude, and reckless. The hero was supposed to be honorable, but he had all these illegitimate children every where--doesn't sound very honorable to me. The heroine was a snob and extremely prejudiced and she couldn't see the truth in any given situation because of her narrow-mindedness. . The constant headstrong bickering between the characters grew tedious. I was relieved it finally ended. I will try to read more by this author because I think it was just this book and these characters I didn't warm up too.

[Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

I dislike giving poor reviews, if for no other reason than I am aware that each book takes a great deal of time and effort on the part of the author. However, I disliked this one a good deal. I was confused at times as to whose perspective I was reading in; it would be Linet whose mind and actions I was reading then it would switch without warning to Duncan's which left me feeling a bit disjointed story wise.

I despised Linet as a character. I'll be blunt. Linet comes across as an obnoxious elitist jerk with the survival sense of the stereotypical horror movie blond who runs screaming up the stairs and trips on the landing after going to investigate a noise in the basement. She's that bad.

[Kimi Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never laughed so hard in my life. This book was so much fun to read. The bantering back and forth kept me rolling and wanting more. I loved this book. So exciting, funny, and sweet. You never want to stop reading, really, because she has you either laughing or wondering what could POSSIBLY happen next to top the previous. Then their is the fighting and saving and the rescues, the blumbers, and so much more.

I cannot say enough about this book. Take the time, read it.

[Therese Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to say I really enjoyed this book. It was just about everything I would normally give four, probably five stars. So why only two? I just could not condone the hero supposedly having so many "blow-bys" that he doesn't know which are his. And, it is referred to repeatedly as if it is something to be proud of!

[Suzan Tisdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this entire series! Not only is the writing beyond beautiful, each of the heroes are swoon-worthy warriors.

[Rainelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Champion, by Glynnis Campbell is a story that is well written. The talent that exploded in this book from the writer clearly showed in this romance story. The writer was able to keep the readers attention from beginning to end. The drama was intense as well as the action that played out. The action scenes are very detailed for the reader.
The writer was able to share a vision with the readers that could pull them in the book. The drama. Suspicions. Mystery. Suspense and tragic situations, will leave the reader yelling at the characters to kick their tale into gear, and get down to business.
The writing flowed like a lazy river from one scene to the next. This kept the reader hanging on to each line page after page. At each chapter the end gave the reader more to savor before the next big dilemma smacks them in the face. You will enjoy the commentary between the many characters. Their whit and charm will have you chuckling as you get familiar with their part in the story.
The lead characters, Duncan and Linet are two very special and unique people. Linet more so than Duncan. Duncan and his smooth ways landed himself as a protector to Linet. Linet and her naive stubborn ways, tells Duncan on many occasions that she doesn’t need his help. Well why would she do a thing like that you ask?
Family and people, believing that they are high and mighty foolishly raised her in a bubbled world. Duncan would and did not stand for that. Instantly danger ensues. Linet finds herself in a middle of a war. She is totally oblivious to the notion, that she caused this situation.
Duncan takes Linet on a crazy, action packed journey, to flee the danger that stays attached to their tales. In time Duncan realizes that he is falling for Linet as her veneer slowly chips away. But then someone does things that tramples on ones trust, leaving them distraught and unable to feel anything. Linet finds herself falling for Duncan, but she tries everything to avoid him because he’s a commoner. Nothing but a beggar. Oh how the high and mighty is so blind that they cant see the truth that stands there in front of them. My fellow readers, I recommend this book with two snaps and Margret! Bring me my sword. I have business to take care of. Until next time my fellow readers... read on!
I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy. Rated R- for sensual passages.

[Lennie Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knights and Pirates and Damsels and Romance, OH MY. Get lost in Medieval life and love!

This is the perfect novel for readers who want a more romantic verses warriors twist to the medieval novel. That's not to say there isn't any fighting. Glynnis Campbell`s series "Knights of de Ware" has it all, but mostly LOVE.

The De Ware family consists of Father, Stepmother, Duncan, and two brothers. "My Champion" is the title of #1. Duncan is the champion of this first one. He is suave, noble, dashing, kind, and always ready to protect and serve his village. Duncan finds himself protecting a damsel abducted by a pirate. Linet, who is claiming to be a member of a noble family, is very spoiled to the life of Nobility. They tangle in a relationship of extreme desire for each other. Linet believes Duncan is a beggar and not a proper Noble, so she hates herself for giving in to his advances. Little does she know he is of the highest Nobility. And so it goes, back and forth through adventure, kidnapping, escaping death, two people intensely in love and don't want to admit it.

[Julie]

I generally enjoy this author's writing, but I had such a hard time with this book. I didn't like the heroine at all. She had to be rescued so many times because of her own stupidity, seemed to have no sense of what love and honor were truly about, treated the hero horribly and didn't have very many, if any, redeeming qualities to be seen, even at the end. I couldn't see what the hero loved so much about her that he would allow himself to be treated like that, which said a lot about him. I did finish this book, but don't think I'll be continuing on with the series.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Duncan de Ware, a knight of the people, the commoners, he’s vowed to protect and serve. The first born son and heir to the kingdom, Duncan and his brothers, the knights of de Ware are known far and wide across the land for their swordsmanship, the best of the best and not ones you want to mess with. Duncan with locks of black hair, a well toned muscled body Duncan meets his match when he happens across a spitfire gal Linet de Montfort and has to go undercover to save her from revivers, bad ones to boot, but more than that he has to save her from herself. You see, Linet comes from a noble family but a family that has been disowned for marrying into the commoners. But she's been raised well by her father and has grown up fully realizing her so called status in life and with a bad stomach for the common folk. The very people that Duncan has vowed to serve and protect.

The sparks fly from the start between these two as Duncan poses to be a Begger, a poor commoner however good to the eye, Linet fights him tooth for tooth and tries her best to rid herself of this poor man. But Duncan has vowed to protect her and they embark on a journey on the high seas, across many a land, through brothels, muck and moor.

This is a great book and I loved this author’s style of telling the story of Duncan and Linet. Her characters are funny, passionate, reckless, heroic and tough. There are some action scenes not a lot though; the sexual scenes are few but very tastefully written. The editing is good I have to say, there were only a couple spots that there were some two and three letter words missing.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was quite pleased with her style of portraying her char haters and bringing them to life in my mind. Her writing was concise and she didn’t drag the story, but you won’t find out the books secrets till toward the end. But all in all it moves along at a good pace.

I would recommend this book and I’m anxious to read more in this series. After all there are three de Ware brothers

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/10/2020)! 🎁

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knights De Ware #1
★★★★★
A marvellous medieval historical romance.

Linet is a wool merchant, working her first year in the guild since her father's death. Her father was born a nobleman but was cast out by his family for marrying a commoner. Linet Is a bit of a snob, always aware of the difference in class between herself and the common people. She has unfortunately made a dangerous enemy.
Duncan de Ware is the eldest of the de Ware brothers and has always been at his happiest helping the poor and taking in strays.
Duncan is at the village fair in disguise when Linet attracts trouble and he takes it on himself to be her protector. That turns into the start of a disastrous series of events that goes from bad to worse. Linet has No idea who the man who insists on protecting her is, but she knows she doesn't need or want his type of help.

I found this book so much fun. I think Duncan should have just spanked Linet to bring her down a few pegs. He is far too gentle for that. They have a very difficult journey with Duncan forever rescuing Linet from problems she causes.
There are love scenes but sweet not hot. I can't wait to read the other brothers stories. I loved every page.

[SandJ10 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hero rapes heroine--this is not romance.

I can't believe more reviews of this book don't come out and say it--the hero rapes the heroine at around the 1/3 mark, then gets mad at her and blames her. He uses his hands on her to make her orgasm (without explaining that it's all part of his plan to trick El Gallo, which somehow is supposed to make it ok). Then when she tells him that she is upset that he violated her, he tells her she should be grateful, and that it is partially her fault anyway.

I'm also disturbed that so many reviewers commented on how unlikeable the heroine is. Yes, she's shrewish and elitist and very annoying--I didn't like her either. But the hero is a total asshole who claims to be noble and honorable, but at every turn he expects the heroine to be grateful for violating her, lying to her, and keeping her in the dark with what he's doing. He forces her again and again into impossible situations. When she rejects his help, he not-so-subtly threatens her with the knowledge that without his help she'll be turned over into the hands of evil men. Wow, what a heroic thing to do.

What started out as a fun, if a bit silly, romance, turned absolutely disgusting to me. This is not romance--it's rape.

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duncan is such an honourable knight (he has adopted 20 street orphans) that when he sees the lovely wool merchant, Linet, getting herself into trouble with a notorious Spanish ship captain he decides she will need his help. Duncan tries very hard to keep Linet safe but he should have just wrapped her loose tongue up. She continues to get herself in trouble thus vexing Duncan who wonders several times if he really is not wasting his time on her.

Unfortunately, Duncan is falling in love with the curious woman, and she is falling for him (though neither will admit that).

What follows is a series of mishaps as Duncan "saves" Linet, and she tries to shake him off.

Both are endearing. Many times I rolled my eyes at Duncan for insisting upon being the hero, and at the same time I wanted to tell Linet to 'shut up and stop ticking people off!'

It is a delightful read and one that will be a joy to revisit later.

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and researched medieval romance and adventure of a young woman, selling her wares who was saved by whom she thought was a beggar. Sympathetic to those in need, Duncan of a royal family, vows to keep her safe against her wishes because she believes he is a beggar. Being born of 1/2 royalty, she promised her dying father because of the common mother who abandoned her at birth that she wouldn't trust or associate with the lower class. This full length novel involves kidnapping, pirates, escapes, searches for Lynette's royal uncle in France, much violence and seduction all the while that Lynette was in denial as to who Duncan really was. Stubborn, impulsive, naive, and extremely independent Lynette continued to run from him despite his good intentions, while Duncan desired for her to love him for who he was and not just his title. Recommended to those who enjoy swashbuckling action and sensual romance genre.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL IS JOINED!
Ladies, Beware of the De Wares!!
Based on the behaviour of the oldest brother, these lads will break uour heart, even if they love you and intend to wed you.
This book is mildly sultry at the end, but it is amusing, tense, suspenseful, and totally hilarious by turns. The author's wordcraft is top of the line, and as a result, the story is firmly set down, so all the reader has to do is enjoy it!
The characters are described in splendid detail, a set of word-pictures so delightful they can't be expunged from memory once they have entered; my brain will probably carry El Gallo for the rest of my days. As a villain, he was incredible, as was his vicious sidekick.
And as heros? The de Ware boys will take on all comers, sword in each hand, and let the battle royale commence!

[Jann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great historical romance with enough twists and turns to satisfy a Shakespeare devotee. The action involved disguises and assumed names and a goodly share of villains. At times the sweet heroine finds that her self-reliance tends to get her deeper into trouble. This is why the swashbuckling hero has to use all his wits and strength to extricate her from the wily schemes of the privateer she has humiliated and his nasty henchman. Naturally it all works out well in the end but at times the reader is left thinking that it will be almost impossible. It's a lovely book with romance, a gentle touch of erotica in a period setting to get lost in for a while.

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

man I don't give bad reviews often. I have given 1 star twice and this is my 3rd. I think the writing is ok. I just despise the heroin. I am all for spirits, strength and courage in a woman. but this is not what Linet displays. The heroin is a brat who opposes the one person who is t trying to help her. there is no courage, it's stupidity.
I usually finish reading any books, even when they are just so so reads. I finish them and give them 3 stars. Can't do that with this book. I want to kick Linet in the behind. She is an awful woman and I cannot follow such characters.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book free for an honest review.

I confess I've read Glynnis Campbell books before and really enjoyed them. I guess it's my Scottish/English/Irish/Welsh Ancestory but I do love Historical and Medieval Romance Books.
This story was no different, it has the Feisty Female and the Chivalrous Champion and all the usual misunderstandings. It contains a great mix of tragedy and triumph with a delightful dose of humour. If, like me, you enjoy these storylines you are going to love Glynnis Campbell books so do yourself a favour and read some, you won't regret it

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me awhile to finish this book when usually a book only takes me a couple of hours. I immensely disliked the heroine. She was always getting into trouble which was a result of her own foolishness - and not in a good way. I understand that the hero is supposed to "save the day." What happened to this hero due to her behavior was horrible. I do not understand how he "fell in love." There was nothing of substance between the two of the characters.

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Linet is one of the most frustrating and non endearing characters I read in 600 or more books. I keep hoping somehow the scales would even out but she continues to do everything she can to hurt the hero and he seems a glutton for punishment because to him she is still an "angel". Her ignorance is maddening.

[Stephanie Fischer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. The main woman, Linet, is a complete moron and snobbish. Has no regard for anyone. Only cares about herself. And Duncan just follows her around like a puppy. I don't know what it is about this book, but the characters were just written terribly.

[Gail Moshier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

This is a wonderful story. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes adventure, scary times, and wonderful endings!!! That's my review!!

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical romance. Very sweet and funny and I couldn’t put it down!

[Trenchologist · Rating 2 out of 5]

September Readathon

I have the whole trilogy, and will read the whole trilogy, and hope one among them strikes me better than this one did.

The POV shifts without warning, and often, page to page or paragraph to paragraph. Disconcerting at first but I learned to look for it and read accordingly. And 'where they are in space, in relation to others' didn't always make sense, wasn't always clearly written.

I didn't hate either leads; they each have their moments. But I didn't really like them either. She was best at the very beginning, he was best toward the end.

The heroine was a ninny and a prig and fought-and-argued at the wrong times and gave in at the other wrong times. She fights the hero at every turn, and not as an enemies-to-lovers sense, but just sheer bullheadedness that continues to get them in bigger trouble, despite all the times the hero says MAYBE JUST TRUST ME and it's proven she should have by how much more befalls them when she doesn't.

I don't know what the hero wanted with her other than his imagined idealized sense of her, and his own lust.

The hero could have come clean much sooner. Almost immediately. He was supposed to be kindhearted and loyal -- and this was proven by his 20 bastards (!?) he gladly took into court, not to raise as his own, but at least so they wouldn't starve. Perhaps we're to imagine the heroine strikes him first as another waif or stray to claim and protect, but from the start he's attracted to her so that doesn't quite follow.

It's fine that through everything they up and fall in love. It happens in books with less to go on than this one. I think they'll settle down, now that they're together--the epilogue shows this, where they're basically different personalities, smug and settled and married--but his dogged presumption of doing so much for her and never explaining himself, and her dogged stupidity and unwillingness to trust him, didn't make me swoon for their coming together.

The hero is a goof for too long. He's also a total manwhore, but one with a heart of gold--even though he pursues and beds virgins as indiscriminately and happily as anyone else. Considering the time period, that's hardly chivalrous or knight's code or upstanding of him.

He thought of the heroine as his angel and I'm not sure why. Give him more reason to like a woman who fights, perhaps, give her more reason to be standout because of that -- when what you're told about a guy is he's loyal and protects the underdog and will champion a cause to its bitter end, and then loses his mind over a mean little snot who endangers and degrades and literally continues to beat/slap him.

A lot of action. And a lot of the action is written out and not just summarized, which I always appreciate. The events/decisions are less successful, to me. They run, they bungle their running, they suffer and have sex, they escape and run again.

And then the hero's family acts almost like jesters, elbow-ribbing and giving chase and trading quips in the background.

It was too bad the heroine didn't get on-page recognition and reconciliation with her estranged noble family.

It's also too bad she was so stubbornly classist and awful for so long. It's supposed to make it so she falls in love with *the real him* and get over her own snobbishness and all, but she's such a ninny and do so little to help once they're on the move--and does more to hinder them, including getting him captured and beaten and nearly flogged--this small detail of loving him *anyway* falls to the side.

And beggars can't bear arms, or train to fight, or write, or speak multiple languages... and I say, if I was kidnapped and dragged onboard a ship to who knows where, and the one person who might help me shows up and offers to get me through with my life, I'd do more than screech 'get away from me, beggar!' at every turn. Let her fight him a few times, but then let the dynamic grow so she fights with him, and then *for him.*

At the end she's still is a snob, she just realizes after all that transpired that peasants have feelings too. Her prejudices are deep-seated, I get that. She's also naive, which I also get. But not even amid life-changing and life-threatening could she drop her elitism and realize her father wasn't always correct and this man she needed to trust wasn't always wrong.

Coming to trust him felt more important than wanting him *anyway* even thinking him a beggar, and him knowing she wanted him for himself. But that never really happened, and I'd have liked to have seen it.

The C-plot with the friend finding insta-love and marrying her and that easing the diplomatic way to end the would-be fight with another country's nobles... convenient!

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

**Glynnis Campbell has come a long way**

After my exposure to—and falling in literal love with— the Rivenloch series, I figured I’d delve into another work by Glynnis Campbell. Little did I know, the direction I’d chosen to go was backwards into what I’ve now discovered to be Campbell’s first book. Not a necessarily bad thing, but….definitely a noticeable one. Given how drastically different the writing felt, I just HAD to look up the reason why things were so much rougher around the edges.

And I tell ya: if you’re ever curious how far a favorite author has come, especially if you’re only familiar with modern works, challenge yourself to read their earlier ones. You’ll appreciate their growth that much more, assuming you can withstand the periodic chore of getting through something so…unseasoned. Such can be said of this first book written by Glynnis Campbell, which was rather difficult to get through, if I’m being honest. Lacking in the delight I feel when reading her newer works.

Now look, I was intrigued for like the first 4 or 5 chapters. My attention was arrested, my curiosity aroused. But once that 6th chapter hit, all literary hell broke loose. What was once starting to feel like a carefully crafted story now flailed around with no meaningful structure to be had. The pacing floundered, the developments suffered, and the believability crumbled. It was amazing how slapped together things started to feel. It became nonsensical.

It also didn’t help that the heroine, Linet, was constantly dipping her toes into the realm of unbearable. Her personality was annoying and her stupidity was astounding. She never once grew on me. To make matters worse, the hero, Duncan was reduced to a pitiful simp of a knight who made shockingly bad and questionable decisions to prove himself simply because of a pretty woman with boobs and a vagina. Combined, the two of these leads were just the WORST.

I didn’t find myself rooting for the “love,” (a word I use lightly) in this story at ALL. It just felt lazy, rushed, uncompelling, and so, so, cringy. After a while, I was getting just plain tired of this clunky story and was desperate for it to end, even resorted to some skimming to get it done. I’m so glad Glynnis has mastered her craft since this book, but I think I’ll just stick around in her later works from now on. I’m uninterested in the rest of this series.

[Evelyn Grabas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it was a good story, which is the reason I gave it 4 stars, but the characters left much to be desired.
Let's look at Linet first. A rather spoiled, arrogant, snobbish little b----, who has no regard for anyone that is not ranked a noble, looking down on all others. I disliked her from the start. What she caused to happen to poor hapless Duncan was unconscionable. As the story progressed, my dislike for her became intense and about three-quarters of the way through the book, I hated her.
And then she purportedly redeems herself at the end- too little, too late. That's like intentionally causing someone to lose , say, an eye, and saying I'm sorry, I had no idea that it would cause you to lose your eye. Doesn't bring the eye back, does it. So, she goes to the bottom of my barrel.

Then we have Duncan, that good, honorable Knight that aids damsels in distress, aids the poor and those of the poorer general populace, and in general appears to be the salt of the earth. Wow, we all love him. That is, until we realize that he beds virgins and other women, leaving them broken-hearted and impregnated, without feeling or taking responsibility for their issue. I believe I recall him saying he had about 19 or 20 by-blows, as I believe they are called. He most certainly was prolific. In the beginning of the book, when the "waifs" are being read a story, the teller thinks about how many are probably his, judging by the coloring of the hair and eyes. I inadvertently thought it was his father, James, that was telling the story as his coloring was the same as Duncan's. I re-read it a couple of times as it was unclear as to who the teller was, and made the decision that it couldn't be good, clean, honorable Duncan. But that was certainly cleared up when he claims the 19 or 20 by-blows. I really felt it was terrible that he should endure so much injury and pain (which was excessive). But, then again, thinking about his nonchalance in bedding and impregnating women, maybe he deserved it. And so, to the bottom of the barrel he goes.

So, now Linet and Duncan are at the bottom of the barrel. Guess maybe they deserve each other., huh!

In any case, I won't be reading the next two books, which I would assume would be about Holden and Garth. If they are also Knights, I'd rather not. I like my Knights white not black.