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The Montbryce Legacy #12
Finale
Sir Barr de Montbryce strives to prevent the assassination of a prominent archbishop, but the assassins believe they are carrying out King Henry’s wishes.
Hollis de Moreville suspects her brother of plotting to murder Thomas Becket. As a woman alone, she can do little to stop him. Joining forces with Barr de Montbryce brings her more than just an unexpected ally.
Originally published as The Holly Bears a Berry in the Christmas Knights anthology
Hollis de Moreville suspects her brother of plotting to murder Thomas Becket. As a woman alone, she can do little to stop him. Joining forces with Barr de Montbryce brings her more than just an unexpected ally.
Originally published as The Holly Bears a Berry in the Christmas Knights anthology
- GenresHistorical Romance
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2018
About the author
Anna Markland
246 books254 followersAnna Markland is a Canadian author with a keen interest in genealogy. She writes historical romance about family honor, ancestry and roots. Her novels are intimate love stories filled with passion and adventure. Following a fruitful career in teaching, Anna transformed her love of writing and history into engaging works of fiction. One of the things she enjoys most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research required to provide the reader with an authentic experience.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 1, 2023
2.7 is my real rating.
This medieval story could have been very nice and engaging, however I didn't like the author's way of writing.
___THE STORY begins with a fact that actually happened in English history, which I had read about just last month, in a medieval "whodonit".
1170. The English King Henry II, after years of disagreements with Archbishop Thomas Becket and after receiving news of excommunication from the Archbishop, has an outburst of anger and asks aloud who would free him from that man.
At that point 4 lords take the initiative and decide to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury (this is not a spoiler, it's a true historical fact).
The hero of the story, Sir Barr de Montbryce, senses the truth (this is the fiction part) and sets off with his squire in an attempt to stop them.
----> What should have been a romantic story actually continues for half the book as a kind of mystery or adventure. This didn't bother me too much because I love mysteries.
During the journey, ( HMM... WHAT KIND OF HERO is he???? )
Well... the fake mystery has resolved itself into a "no result and who cares" and the historical facts confirm it.
Now the real romance begins.
Well...there's nothing romantic here
As I said, the basic idea could have been nice:
1)historical facts and characters who actually lived, which always fascinates me in novels,
2) a hint of mystery (but it had to be better developed),
3) a bit of adventure,
4) pleasant characters,
5) and romance (which however in reality was only a sterile description of physical gestures... which in my opinion has lapsed into the vulgar).
So I only half enjoyed the story and I won't read anything else by this author.
( Sorry for any errors in my text, English is not my native tongue )
This medieval story could have been very nice and engaging, however I didn't like the author's way of writing.
___THE STORY begins with a fact that actually happened in English history, which I had read about just last month, in a medieval "whodonit".
1170. The English King Henry II, after years of disagreements with Archbishop Thomas Becket and after receiving news of excommunication from the Archbishop, has an outburst of anger and asks aloud who would free him from that man.
At that point 4 lords take the initiative and decide to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury (this is not a spoiler, it's a true historical fact).
The hero of the story, Sir Barr de Montbryce, senses the truth (this is the fiction part) and sets off with his squire in an attempt to stop them.
----> What should have been a romantic story actually continues for half the book as a kind of mystery or adventure. This didn't bother me too much because I love mysteries.
During the journey, ( HMM... WHAT KIND OF HERO is he???? )
Well... the fake mystery has resolved itself into a "no result and who cares" and the historical facts confirm it.
Now the real romance begins.
Well...there's nothing romantic here
As I said, the basic idea could have been nice:
1)historical facts and characters who actually lived, which always fascinates me in novels,
2) a hint of mystery (but it had to be better developed),
3) a bit of adventure,
4) pleasant characters,
5) and romance (which however in reality was only a sterile description of physical gestures... which in my opinion has lapsed into the vulgar).
So I only half enjoyed the story and I won't read anything else by this author.
( Sorry for any errors in my text, English is not my native tongue )
November 4, 2019
Finale
The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition Book 12
Anna Markland
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hollis de Moreville is positive that her brother has plotted to murder Thomas Beckett, but as a woman alone in a world ruled by men she can do little to stop him. Joining forces with Barr de Montbryce brings her more than just an unexpected ally because as most of us know the Montbryce’s are a most powerful family.
Sir Barr de Montbryce strives to prevent the assasination of a prominent archbishop, but the assassins truly believe that they are only carrying out King Henry’s wishes.
Can Hollis and Barr find common ground or even love amongst the striff and dangers that will certainly come their way weather they want them to or not?
Anna Markland is incredibly fabulous and just gets better with each book she writes. I totally adored her characters and found them to be so sweet and loving. I honestly can’t wait to see what Ms. Markland comes up with us next time.
Note: This is the 12th and final episode of The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition. However, it is not the last you’ll hear of the Montbryce family.
The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition Book 12
Anna Markland
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hollis de Moreville is positive that her brother has plotted to murder Thomas Beckett, but as a woman alone in a world ruled by men she can do little to stop him. Joining forces with Barr de Montbryce brings her more than just an unexpected ally because as most of us know the Montbryce’s are a most powerful family.
Sir Barr de Montbryce strives to prevent the assasination of a prominent archbishop, but the assassins truly believe that they are only carrying out King Henry’s wishes.
Can Hollis and Barr find common ground or even love amongst the striff and dangers that will certainly come their way weather they want them to or not?
Anna Markland is incredibly fabulous and just gets better with each book she writes. I totally adored her characters and found them to be so sweet and loving. I honestly can’t wait to see what Ms. Markland comes up with us next time.
Note: This is the 12th and final episode of The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition. However, it is not the last you’ll hear of the Montbryce family.
November 5, 2019
Step back in history as Anna Markland weaves the finale tale in the Montbryce Legacy series. Wow, what a story it is to behold! The crowning of the future King of England, Prince Henry with all the pomp and circumstance and knowing when word reached the exiled Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, who was in France, it would not be good.
Sir Barr de Montbryce, is a strong, confident, handsome knight who is going to try to prevent the murder of the Archbishop. Hollis de Moreville is the sister of the man who may be plotting the murder. As their paths cross the journey begins.
I do not want to give away the story, but trust me, you will not be able to put this one down until you turn the last page. This entire series has been that way and I have enjoyed the Montbryce family with it's strong swoon worthy hero's and heroine's and all of their adventures.
Cannot wait for more from this author!!
Sir Barr de Montbryce, is a strong, confident, handsome knight who is going to try to prevent the murder of the Archbishop. Hollis de Moreville is the sister of the man who may be plotting the murder. As their paths cross the journey begins.
I do not want to give away the story, but trust me, you will not be able to put this one down until you turn the last page. This entire series has been that way and I have enjoyed the Montbryce family with it's strong swoon worthy hero's and heroine's and all of their adventures.
Cannot wait for more from this author!!
September 25, 2024
Finale is book 12 in the Montbryce Legacy series by Anna Markland. This is a rich collection of stories based on the Norman Conquest of England. Finale tells the real life events of the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket. I enjoyed this last book in the series. I thought Sir Barr de Montbryce was a bit like his swoon worthy ancestor Ram de Montbryce from book 1. He is strong, confident and handsome. My only real qualm with the story is that the romance took so long to begin. The entire first half is all about the assassination. But once the romance begins, it grows quite steamy, quite fast. Markland is a master with weaving true events with her fictitious Montbryce characters - each one is unique in his or her own way. Bravo Ms. Markland for closing an awesome series so well. I was given a copy of this book.
May 17, 2020
Loved this series 💕
I have read every book in this series..loved the courage and the love this family have for each other. I feel as if l have travelled through time and experience every day with them. Anna makes every story realistic and l couldn't wait to read the next book. The stories reveal the conflicts of this era, the loss of lives through greed and power..love,passion, not a series to be missed. Five stars from me ♥️
I have read every book in this series..loved the courage and the love this family have for each other. I feel as if l have travelled through time and experience every day with them. Anna makes every story realistic and l couldn't wait to read the next book. The stories reveal the conflicts of this era, the loss of lives through greed and power..love,passion, not a series to be missed. Five stars from me ♥️
August 14, 2022
I think this story was one of the best
I enjoyed it so much with a little sorrow too. It's the end if this series. I loved Barr and Hollis. Each character I have read about in this series were so well developed that you felt like the were real people you would want to meet. I think this series would make an awesome mini series.
Thank you Ms. Markland for a wonderfully interesting series.
I enjoyed it so much with a little sorrow too. It's the end if this series. I loved Barr and Hollis. Each character I have read about in this series were so well developed that you felt like the were real people you would want to meet. I think this series would make an awesome mini series.
Thank you Ms. Markland for a wonderfully interesting series.
April 18, 2022
A beautiful finale to the legacy. As usual, I was enthralled by Anna's brilliant story mixing fiction with well researched and known facts. I am looking forward to reading more in the spinoff of this series deWolf.
July 15, 2024
Loved the story
Barr Montbryce son and heir of Comte Alexandre Montbryce feels he will never marry again after his wife dies in childbirth. When he sees a women at the palace he cannot get her out of his mind. When they finally meet he knows she is the one.
Barr Montbryce son and heir of Comte Alexandre Montbryce feels he will never marry again after his wife dies in childbirth. When he sees a women at the palace he cannot get her out of his mind. When they finally meet he knows she is the one.
July 7, 2021
Loved this series
It took me 3 days to read all 12 books in this series. I love the stories about the demon they've and the Fritz ram families. I was unable to put the books down.
It took me 3 days to read all 12 books in this series. I love the stories about the demon they've and the Fritz ram families. I was unable to put the books down.
November 8, 2019
Set in June, 1170, at the coronation of young Prince Henry, by order of his father, King Henry, at the hand of the Archbishop of York. Note, that it is NOT the Archbishop of Canterbury presiding, as decreed necessary by the pope. This act of rebellion in the coronation, sets off a series of events that culminates in the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury. 4 men, serving King Henry, take it upon themselves to relieve the king of the burden the Archbishop seems to place on the king.
Our story views the happenings from the viewpoint of one of the men’s spinster sister who is raising his motherless sons. The hardships Hugh de Moreville places on his sister and young sons begin even before his involvement with the murder of the Archbishop, at which point he abandons all three to run for his life to Scotland.
Woven around, and through, this sad tale is a love story of Sir Barr de Montbryce and Hugh’s sister, Hollis, which has its beginnings at that very coronation event. These 2 parallel stories—the plot to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the love story—develop separately, but overlap at key points. The tension builds——will Sir Barr be able to save Hollis in the confusion following the assassination? Will they have a love to overcome all barriers? Will Barr’s parents accept Hollis, despite being the sister of a murder of an Archbishop? The twists and turns, build on actual historical events, keeps the reader turning the pages until there are no more! Please, Anna Markland! Give us more!
Our story views the happenings from the viewpoint of one of the men’s spinster sister who is raising his motherless sons. The hardships Hugh de Moreville places on his sister and young sons begin even before his involvement with the murder of the Archbishop, at which point he abandons all three to run for his life to Scotland.
Woven around, and through, this sad tale is a love story of Sir Barr de Montbryce and Hugh’s sister, Hollis, which has its beginnings at that very coronation event. These 2 parallel stories—the plot to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the love story—develop separately, but overlap at key points. The tension builds——will Sir Barr be able to save Hollis in the confusion following the assassination? Will they have a love to overcome all barriers? Will Barr’s parents accept Hollis, despite being the sister of a murder of an Archbishop? The twists and turns, build on actual historical events, keeps the reader turning the pages until there are no more! Please, Anna Markland! Give us more!
November 8, 2019
This is a sweet, romantic and intriguing story. Barr and Hollis first caught sight of each other during a royal celebration, and neither could forget it. When Barr is tasked to deliver a note to the King sometime later, they find out who each other was. Barr ends up escorting Hollis and her nephews to England, during which time they fell in love. Their journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty, but also with love. This is the last book of this fascinating saga, but the first one that hasn't torn m heart out. I'm looking forward to reading the next series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
November 10, 2019
The Montbryce Curse
I have loved reading about the Montbryce family from beginning to the Finale, but I sure hope this family will live on with the nobility of personality as well as heart. From the terrible war and struggle at the beginning and the gains made as a family I have loved every person that represent this line in all of the different country's history's. I appreciate the actual times and places and the effort made to blend them together. I truly loved the sacrifice made by Barr Montbryce even knowing his life could stand in the balance. This has been typical of the hero's in this family.
I have loved reading about the Montbryce family from beginning to the Finale, but I sure hope this family will live on with the nobility of personality as well as heart. From the terrible war and struggle at the beginning and the gains made as a family I have loved every person that represent this line in all of the different country's history's. I appreciate the actual times and places and the effort made to blend them together. I truly loved the sacrifice made by Barr Montbryce even knowing his life could stand in the balance. This has been typical of the hero's in this family.
October 26, 2019
I devoured this book in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. History comes to life in this story, and even if you know what’s going to occur it takes your breath away. Ms. Markland is a wizard at combining historical events with fiction, producing spellbinding tales that grip you and hold on until the final page. I’m sorry that Finale is the final book in this series as I’ve fallen in love with this illustrious family and the curse of true love they all succumb to. A wonderfully written romance!
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November 4, 2019The book is filled with Norman history and the events of the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket. Hollis de Moreville is positive that her brother has plotted to murder Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket. Who better to help her than Sir Barr de Montbryce a man with integrity and loyalty. The two embark on an adventure into to political world where they find more than either bargained in this intriguing romance story. A great finish for the series!!! An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a reviews.
November 5, 2019
Sir Barr Montbryce and Lady Hollis will come together to intrigue you into continuing to turn pages in this outstanding story. There is an assassination plot developing and also an intense love that will captivate your attention.
Pick Finale up and discover a love story along with some history that helps transport you for a brief period of time into a world that will keep you glued to your seat. This author does a fabulous job in developing her plots and romance. This is the 12th story in the Montbryce anniversary edition series.
Pick Finale up and discover a love story along with some history that helps transport you for a brief period of time into a world that will keep you glued to your seat. This author does a fabulous job in developing her plots and romance. This is the 12th story in the Montbryce anniversary edition series.
November 6, 2019
Curse of Montbryce
A beautiful love story to close out one era of Montbryces. Sir Barr de Montbryce and Hollis de Moreville fell in love on first sight. He only saw her beauty at first and then he realized the strength and happiness she gave him. Hollis knew Barr was her destiny, her future and her forever. “All Shall Be Well” because this story doesn’t end here. We will continue reading about the fabulous Montbryce family and their children’s feats of honor. Long live the Montbryce!
A beautiful love story to close out one era of Montbryces. Sir Barr de Montbryce and Hollis de Moreville fell in love on first sight. He only saw her beauty at first and then he realized the strength and happiness she gave him. Hollis knew Barr was her destiny, her future and her forever. “All Shall Be Well” because this story doesn’t end here. We will continue reading about the fabulous Montbryce family and their children’s feats of honor. Long live the Montbryce!
November 12, 2019
A beautiful Canterbury tale about destined love!
Why oh why cannot our present day have men like Barr Montbryce for every young woman to be blessed to fall in love with? He is one of the truest men of character set on doing what is right without forcing his way of wrongdoing his will to do it! With a passion and teasing sense of humor and dedication every woman should be blessed to experience! I loved Barr and Hollis' love story and can't wait to see who their son, Beckett grows up to be!
Why oh why cannot our present day have men like Barr Montbryce for every young woman to be blessed to fall in love with? He is one of the truest men of character set on doing what is right without forcing his way of wrongdoing his will to do it! With a passion and teasing sense of humor and dedication every woman should be blessed to experience! I loved Barr and Hollis' love story and can't wait to see who their son, Beckett grows up to be!
November 14, 2019
Wow, what a great finale to the Montbryce Legacy. The entire series makes you fall in love with this entire upstanding family circle, from the beginning to this ending. They are full of compassion, supportive of one another and boldly open about showing their love. I love how the author uses the detailed turmoil of historical events to add interest and intensity to this love a first sight story. Another very well written, heartfelt & enthralling medieval romance.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
October 28, 2019
What a wonderful end to an amazing historical saga. Couldn’t put it down this families trials keep the reader enthralled from start to finish.
Barr and Hollies story takes them from Normandy to England where they met and back to Normandy to spend the rest of there lives. The adventure and intrigue in between keeps the reader from putting this book down.
Loved it
Voluntary reviewed this book for an honest review.
Barr and Hollies story takes them from Normandy to England where they met and back to Normandy to spend the rest of there lives. The adventure and intrigue in between keeps the reader from putting this book down.
Loved it
Voluntary reviewed this book for an honest review.
November 4, 2019
Absolutely fabulous, i have always loved the Montbryce stories and this is a page turning, exciting and thrilling read that i had a hard time putting down, amazing.
I received a copy and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion
I received a copy and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion
November 4, 2019
I loved this book! Fast paced, interesting and steamy story. Lots of complex characters. This is a wonderful series!
November 5, 2019
Barr and Hollis form an unlikely alliance to find out who is behind an assassination plot. Loved the story. Great ending to this series. I received an ARC of this book.
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