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Knights are Forever #1
If Not For The Knight
In 1066 the Normans brutally defeated the Saxons and William the Conqueror was crowned the King of England.
Even though their country now belonged to William, the Saxons continued to rebel against his rule. But they were no match for the seasoned Norman knights who ruthlessly put down the rebellions.
Against his wishes, Calder Wyndym, one of the king’s most valued knights, becomes Overlord of a small village in the North. He is tasked to build a castle to protect the King’s lands and to find a way for everyone under his protection to learn to live together peacefully.
Calder endeavors to follow his King’s decree but, in the process of doing so, he gives his heart to a lovely, young Saxon woman. Their relationship causes an even deeper rift between the Normans and Saxons.
Will the strength of their love be able to overcome the hatred and prejudice? Or will the deceit, disrespect and betrayals from both sides tear the lovers apart?
Even though their country now belonged to William, the Saxons continued to rebel against his rule. But they were no match for the seasoned Norman knights who ruthlessly put down the rebellions.
Against his wishes, Calder Wyndym, one of the king’s most valued knights, becomes Overlord of a small village in the North. He is tasked to build a castle to protect the King’s lands and to find a way for everyone under his protection to learn to live together peacefully.
Calder endeavors to follow his King’s decree but, in the process of doing so, he gives his heart to a lovely, young Saxon woman. Their relationship causes an even deeper rift between the Normans and Saxons.
Will the strength of their love be able to overcome the hatred and prejudice? Or will the deceit, disrespect and betrayals from both sides tear the lovers apart?
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2005
60 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Boek
11 books17 followersDebbie Boek is an independent author who lives in upstate New York. Her most recent novel, Maelstrom, is a suspenseful thriller which takes place in the last decade of the 19th century.
She has published four historical romance novels, If Not For The Knight, When the Knight Falls, Winter’s Knight and Sommers’ Folly.
Debbie has also published five books in the Devereaux Chronicles series, Devil’s Bait, Devil’s Retribution, Devil’s Gathering, Devil’s Veil and Devil’s Jubilee. They are supernatural thrillers where ghosts, demons, witches, and even Bigfoot come to visit.
Devil’s Bait, as well as all three books in the Knights Are Forever series have also been released as audiobooks.
For more information, please check out her website at debbieboek.com
She has published four historical romance novels, If Not For The Knight, When the Knight Falls, Winter’s Knight and Sommers’ Folly.
Debbie has also published five books in the Devereaux Chronicles series, Devil’s Bait, Devil’s Retribution, Devil’s Gathering, Devil’s Veil and Devil’s Jubilee. They are supernatural thrillers where ghosts, demons, witches, and even Bigfoot come to visit.
Devil’s Bait, as well as all three books in the Knights Are Forever series have also been released as audiobooks.
For more information, please check out her website at debbieboek.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 14, 2020
If Not for the Knight was an enjoyable historical romance. It follows a Saxon woman named Regan and shows how she was isolated and bullied after she's presumed to have ventured into a "relationship" with a Norman warrior. Calder is the man who put Regan's reputation into question. He was instantly attracted to the woman and never considered the implications of his actions.
I thought this storyline had a good flow. I liked the historical backdrop. In addition, the characters were well developed and easy to relate to. I was moved by the demonstration of human cruelty to each other. These people had prejudices against one another based on their backgrounds, without ever taking the time to know the other person. The beauty of Calder and Regan's relationship is that it's a perfect way to unify two opposing groups of people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this reader's copy. I chose to voluntarily review it and the words contained within are my own.
I thought this storyline had a good flow. I liked the historical backdrop. In addition, the characters were well developed and easy to relate to. I was moved by the demonstration of human cruelty to each other. These people had prejudices against one another based on their backgrounds, without ever taking the time to know the other person. The beauty of Calder and Regan's relationship is that it's a perfect way to unify two opposing groups of people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this reader's copy. I chose to voluntarily review it and the words contained within are my own.
March 3, 2021
Good but needs improvements
I really wanted to like this book. I really want to cheer for a new author, but I really felt it needed a lot of editing. I’m finding a huge difference between
the self published books on amazon vs big publishing house authors.
Polish. Fine tuned. Clean.
This book lacks that from the story itself, to the flow, to the language used, to the missing words. The grammar was not as bad as some self published books I’ve read on Amazon recently but it still had instances of missing words. I don’t like to play fill in the blanks while reading. I don’t know if these self published authors aren’t spending the money to hire professionals editors which is expensive. Most books should have multiple edits (for story, flow, grammar, spelling ect) totaling a typical cost of over $3000. So I suspect many self published authors aren’t spending the money on that.
Too much of the story is telling not showing.
There was also too much that was contrived and unrealistic in this story. It made it unbelievable.
I almost set this book down after chapter one. Not much of a spoiler: this happened on like page 15. The sex was not what most would consider consensual. That’s a problem. The hero claimed he’d been without too long to stop once he realized she was a virgin and likely not consenting. That’s rape and rape apology. Sure totally acceptable I’m 1067. Not acceptable in 2021. The whole idea that a man can’t stop is ridiculous and not acceptable that is pure rape apology and has no place in a book written now.
I found it hard to believe that a night of questionably consensual sex formed a bond between the characters.
There was also too much pointless sex in this book. It becomes repetitive and unnecessary. The number of scenes could be cut in half easily.
The story has potential. This author has potential. I think with some real edits this book could be a 5. As it stands it’s barely a three.
I hope this doesn’t discourage the author if she reads this review but helps her become a better writer because clearly she’s got some talent and passion.
I really wanted to like this book. I really want to cheer for a new author, but I really felt it needed a lot of editing. I’m finding a huge difference between
the self published books on amazon vs big publishing house authors.
Polish. Fine tuned. Clean.
This book lacks that from the story itself, to the flow, to the language used, to the missing words. The grammar was not as bad as some self published books I’ve read on Amazon recently but it still had instances of missing words. I don’t like to play fill in the blanks while reading. I don’t know if these self published authors aren’t spending the money to hire professionals editors which is expensive. Most books should have multiple edits (for story, flow, grammar, spelling ect) totaling a typical cost of over $3000. So I suspect many self published authors aren’t spending the money on that.
Too much of the story is telling not showing.
There was also too much that was contrived and unrealistic in this story. It made it unbelievable.
I almost set this book down after chapter one. Not much of a spoiler: this happened on like page 15. The sex was not what most would consider consensual. That’s a problem. The hero claimed he’d been without too long to stop once he realized she was a virgin and likely not consenting. That’s rape and rape apology. Sure totally acceptable I’m 1067. Not acceptable in 2021. The whole idea that a man can’t stop is ridiculous and not acceptable that is pure rape apology and has no place in a book written now.
I found it hard to believe that a night of questionably consensual sex formed a bond between the characters.
There was also too much pointless sex in this book. It becomes repetitive and unnecessary. The number of scenes could be cut in half easily.
The story has potential. This author has potential. I think with some real edits this book could be a 5. As it stands it’s barely a three.
I hope this doesn’t discourage the author if she reads this review but helps her become a better writer because clearly she’s got some talent and passion.
January 27, 2021
Only another author can appreciate the amount of research that went into this novel to make it authentic and factual, always valuing books where one can learn so much. It surrounds the era when the Normans under King William conquered the Saxons and a knight (Calder) is granted a large area of land to develop (involving the building of a keep) after his brother dies from poisoning. Taking the task out of obligation, he had come across an injured lass (Regan) who becomes part of his life through his child she bears, first unknown to him. Despite being married off to another, she and the child are shunned through her associations with the Normans, involving many underlying issues of defiance amongst the Saxons. Once she is widowed, much has to be resolved with the King and enemies for them to be officially married, considering their different ethnicity. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates learning the struggles involved in this spellbinding historical novel detailing the era when history is made in England.
November 7, 2020
Pure enjoyment!
I seldom write a review but this book called for it. Born has captured her characters personalitys as real people. Calder was an honorable knight who could be as stern as necessary ,at the same time he was caring and loving . Regan was staunch in her beliefs and her kindness and love shown thru for Calder and also her people. Born has written a book that holds your attention throughout. Greatly enjoyed it. Thank you , Debbie.
I seldom write a review but this book called for it. Born has captured her characters personalitys as real people. Calder was an honorable knight who could be as stern as necessary ,at the same time he was caring and loving . Regan was staunch in her beliefs and her kindness and love shown thru for Calder and also her people. Born has written a book that holds your attention throughout. Greatly enjoyed it. Thank you , Debbie.
February 3, 2021
If Not For The Knight
I love the history of this era in part because my family claims to descend from landed yeomen, and I love understanding what went on then.
This is one of the best stories I have read from that era in a long time. The people are real, the pain is real, the interfighting between the Normans feels more than real.
A brilliant story with more then enough reality for anyone.
Very well done.
I love the history of this era in part because my family claims to descend from landed yeomen, and I love understanding what went on then.
This is one of the best stories I have read from that era in a long time. The people are real, the pain is real, the interfighting between the Normans feels more than real.
A brilliant story with more then enough reality for anyone.
Very well done.
September 29, 2019
Loved the story of Calder and Regan. The love they had for each other endured through many hardships. This is a story about a hardened war torn Knight and the love he found with a village maiden. How her love changed him and brought warring nations together under one kingdom. I highly recommend this book. You will love their journey together.
August 22, 2021
It was okay. I am not a fan of the "omniscient" point of view. It's too distracting for me. I like to be in one person's head at a time. I don't need to know what the villagers as a whole were thinking. Some parts were well written, and the idea of the story was good. The first interlude between the hero and heroine, though, seemed a little like rape, which was a bit off-putting.
January 28, 2021
Knights to the Rescue
Exciting and fast action keeps the reader at the edge of your seat to keep turning the page to find out how the knight and his love will survive. Will read the next in the series.
Exciting and fast action keeps the reader at the edge of your seat to keep turning the page to find out how the knight and his love will survive. Will read the next in the series.
February 8, 2021
I could not put this book down, I am reading the second one in the series now.
February 27, 2021
Good book
This is a good book, doesn't have the characters trying to find a reason not to love each other. It's a fun read.
This is a good book, doesn't have the characters trying to find a reason not to love each other. It's a fun read.
May 5, 2021
Boy did I enjoy this one
Twists and turns but the love and attraction felt by the main characters held it together. Enjoyable read begining to end!
Twists and turns but the love and attraction felt by the main characters held it together. Enjoyable read begining to end!
November 1, 2022
Great story. Please improve editing.
Really good story kept me enthralled. But editing is quite poor which I find really irritating. Please edit it! Another star for editing
Really good story kept me enthralled. But editing is quite poor which I find really irritating. Please edit it! Another star for editing
January 26, 2020
This book was a captivating historical romance story and the characters that were very intriguing. This was a well-written book that kept my attention throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Thanks for the advanced copy #netgalley #ifnotfortheknight
November 14, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to read a historical fiction set in medieval England at the time of the Conquest and to read a book from an indie author. However, I cannot say I was overly impressed with this one.
"I did not know you were an innocent. But I cannot stop now. It has been too long a time and we've gone too far." I nearly gave up on this one within the first couple of chapters when the main character is raped and it is played off as if it's a "sweet" thing. I do NOT like when rape is used as a plot device, even when it was done in one of my favorite books (Outlander). I don't know if the comment made by the male main character, Calder, was supposed to make the scene endearing or what, but it certainly did not.
Additionally, I found some of the descriptions to be a bit cringy and felt like I wasn't totally immersed in the setting. I'm not entirely sure much research was done on the period as some aspects did not mesh with what I know of the time period. I also struggled with the frequent change in point of view and felt like the final confrontation with the main antagonist was wrapped up quickly and a happy ending was achieved very shortly there after. The book spent a long time on the build-up to this confrontation and the difficulties between Regan and the Saxon villagers, and it felt like it did not reach it's natural conclusion.
Besides the uninspiring main characters, the overall progress of the story made it still an engaging read. I think with more background research and more development of the characters and the setting, this could have been a good read.
1.5 stars, rounded up to 2.
"I did not know you were an innocent. But I cannot stop now. It has been too long a time and we've gone too far." I nearly gave up on this one within the first couple of chapters when the main character is raped and it is played off as if it's a "sweet" thing. I do NOT like when rape is used as a plot device, even when it was done in one of my favorite books (Outlander). I don't know if the comment made by the male main character, Calder, was supposed to make the scene endearing or what, but it certainly did not.
Additionally, I found some of the descriptions to be a bit cringy and felt like I wasn't totally immersed in the setting. I'm not entirely sure much research was done on the period as some aspects did not mesh with what I know of the time period. I also struggled with the frequent change in point of view and felt like the final confrontation with the main antagonist was wrapped up quickly and a happy ending was achieved very shortly there after. The book spent a long time on the build-up to this confrontation and the difficulties between Regan and the Saxon villagers, and it felt like it did not reach it's natural conclusion.
Besides the uninspiring main characters, the overall progress of the story made it still an engaging read. I think with more background research and more development of the characters and the setting, this could have been a good read.
1.5 stars, rounded up to 2.
November 7, 2019
The potential was there but this book was just okay for me. I read till 70% and then skimmed. The book takes place in the year 1067. Calder's brother has rule over some lands for the king. The villagers are not happy about this. Calder ends up in charge and falls for a pretty maiden. The villagers do not like that she is with the enemy so she is ostracized. They try to bring everyone together but there is always trouble brewing. There were things that just did not work for me. Calder has to leave during the wintertime, yet he does not make sure Regan has plenty of supplies while he is gone? Regan gets sick and her mom does not stay with her to help her, and again not noticing her lack of wood supply during the winter? Regan can barely feed her and her son so Calder gets them a dog?
August 6, 2019
Picked it up didn’t put it down until I was done. Debbie tells a story that actually makes you feel like you know the characters and connects you so deeply to the book. I can’t wait for the sequel. This is a MUST READ!!!
November 19, 2019
Unusual
O don't normally read books about Norman's but thoroughly enjoyed this. I suffered and pitied the heroine and got carried away with Calder. Looking forward to reading the sequal
O don't normally read books about Norman's but thoroughly enjoyed this. I suffered and pitied the heroine and got carried away with Calder. Looking forward to reading the sequal
March 14, 2023
Hated
Well, another great book. I had a great time reading this book. It was so hard to put down, because I wanted to finish it to see what happened and how it ended.
Well, another great book. I had a great time reading this book. It was so hard to put down, because I wanted to finish it to see what happened and how it ended.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews