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Shadow Rider

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Sybilla Corbuc has an uncommon understanding of the horses she cares for, but there are men who distrust such wisdom in a woman. Forced to become a nobleman's servant to avoid prison, Sybilla finds herself bound by chains that are stronger still—she cannot deny her passionate feelings for her new master, Sir Guy of Warwick. Neither is prepared to submit to the other, but his dark eyes and his unbridled desire are too potent a force to resist.

Brought together by the birth of a mysterious colt—an animal of supernatural power that may foretell their destiny—they embark upon a perilous journey as the kingdom crumbles around them, a journey that will bring them ever closer to each other—and to the danger that lies ahead. And only love can save them.

339 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

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Kathrynn Dennis

4 books1 follower

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Katie(babs).
1,880 reviews529 followers
May 19, 2009
Sir Guy of Warwick is known as a shadow rider, one who rides deep into the night. Guy is so full of hatred and despair because he wants revenge against Lord Hamon, who he believes killed his sister and her newborn baby. He will not stop until Hamon pays, and the answer he is looking for is in a newborn foal that will help him on his quest. His former lover, Morna, who is a seer, told him a prophecy about him and this horse.

Sybilla Corbuc is a horse midwife who must stop practicing her trade because it is against the law. If she is caught, she will be sentenced as a Separate, which is a witch, and put into prison. She decides to help with the birth of a foal from a horse she owns. She will call him Regalo, which means "God's gift." Minutes after Regalo is born, Sir Guy comes to the barn and sees Regalo. The horse is much like the one Guy was told to search for, and now he will take him. But Sybilla insists that Regalo is hers. Before both can argue about ownership, the sheriff catches them and wants to put Sybilla in prison. Sir Guy saves Sybilla by saying that he has claimed her as his servant...and her horse. All seems well until Hamon comes upon them, wanting Regalo and to kill Guy. Both Guy and Sybilla are able to escape, but barely, with their lives intact.

Guy finds a safe haven with Lord Philip, a powerful friend of his. They will both stay there for three months until Guy can petition the royal court with his case against Hamon. After the three months, Guy will release Sybilla as his servant, and hopefully justice will be served against Hamon. Sybilla must stay quiet and keep Regalo under control because the colt is a bit off in its head. But even the sanctuary given to Guy and Sybilla doesn't mean that they are safe. There is still danger all around them, and Hamon won't rest till he ends Guy's life.

I found SHADOW RIDER to be a very creative story that is part paranormal and part medieval romance. Kathrynn Dennis can sure write some interesting characters, but I for one found myself taking some time to warm up to this story. I am all for a character wanting revenge for the wrongs done against him and the ones he loves, but I couldn't wrap my brain around the whole plot with Regalo the magic horse, or what I assume was magic, but again that was a bit vague in its telling.

The chemistry between Guy and Sybilla is a bit lacking because these two are constantly looking over their shoulders. I don't see how they would have time to allow their feelings for each other to grow, because they never have a moment together where they can be at ease. Yes, they act on their attraction for each other but I found it a bit out of place because it was very sudden.

What I really did enjoy was the secondary story about Hamon and his wife, Morna, whom he abuses horribly. He accused her of being a witch because of his jealousy and obsession with her. And because Morna is still very much in love with Guy, she suffers under Harmon's hand and becomes crazy. I was so interested in these two that I longed for more appearances by them, even over Guy and Sybilla.

SHADOW RIDER should appeal to fans of medieval romances who are in the mood to read a story with a very different type of plot. The intrigue and suspense that Kathrynn Dennis has written will keep you reading even though there may be some confusion about Regalo and his part in helping Guy succeed. Fans of Kathrynn Dennis's books will definitely want to check out this one, even though I may be on the fence about my reading experience on this latest by her.
Profile Image for Paranormal Romance.
1,324 reviews46 followers
February 14, 2023
Banished from her profession of horse midwifery by the church, the heroine is homeless, pour and surviving only on the kindness of strangers. Then, one night, a colt is born in the small town, a colt with 4 white feet and she knows without a doubt that this horse is destined to be hers. With him she can earn enough to survive the harsh world she lives in. Then, just as soon as she bonds with the baby, a handsome knight storms into the barn-sees the horse- and proclaims the colt to be his. See the hero has also been searching for a horse with these markings, a horse prophesized to him to lead him to the proof to avenge the murder of his sister and his nephew. He didn't count on the beautiful and proud peasant girl who refuses to give the horse up. And he needs her as the colt has bonded with her in his madness. Also, the hero can't very well leave the woman to the church-she'll be imprisoned or worse. No, he bargains for the colt and he girl and takes them both with him on the road to his master’s castle.

As a free woman who knows how her mother suffered under the rule of a master, the heroine is terrified to now be under the power of a master, no matter how beauty and kind he is. And this reluctance to be a servant remains well into their journey but as time goes on, she realizes that the horse does indeed need her with him as well and she herself becoming just as bonded to the hero. But he is a secretive man who holds his thoughts and emotions tight to his chest. It's only from his friend and fellow knight that she learns of his intense grief and guilt over his sister’s death and though she knows he needs her to care for the colt, she's completely ignorant of the fact that he's come to care for her just as much. And so life at the castle goes on with the heroine trying to keep her head done and do her work and the hero riding off nearly daily to seek ways to bring his sisters murderer to justice. All the while they become so close and connected despite not actually becoming intimate until well into the story.

Their love started with friendship then turned to intimacy which allowed for a better developed relationship in my opinion. I can say that though this book had the feel of a cheap harlequin romance, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The main reason was the well-developed and pleasantly level-headed characters. Yes, there was passion and drama as any good romance novel has but it was tame and had its roots in reality. The heroine was stubborn and often lead into trouble by her need to help but at the same time she listened to the hero when he ordered her to do things and was able to employ reason to the conflicts she finds herself in. I really liked the fact that she wasn't the obnoxious female who disregarded orders because she thinks she knows best and only ends up causing the hero trouble. Whenever she did finds herself in trouble it was usually at no fault of her own. The hero at first meeting was painted a bit of a rake and a gambler. But quite quickly the notion was disregarded as the reader can plainly see he is a generous and kind man who quite literally gives people the shirt off his back. He is single minded in his search for revenge and he does suppress the idea that the heroine means more to him than just a keep of his horse but never once was a cruel to her and come to think of it he never ever raised his voice to her. He is haunted by the ghost of his sister (both via his guilt as well as the keep actually haunted) but when is comes down to the colt and the heroine in exchange for a trial, he chooses the woman who's come to mean the world to him. This was why I enjoyed the book so much-the characters personalities and interactions. The plot was a bit flat and not entirely exciting but I found myself trapped within the pages, not wanting to put it down until it was finished.
Profile Image for Regiane Moreira.
Author 71 books15 followers
April 19, 2019
Depois de ler "A Feiticeira", senti curiosidade para ler mais livros da Kathrynn Dennis e não me arrependi.
Que delícia. Uma jovem, filha bastarda de uma ex serva e um lorde, tem um dom especial para fazer o parto em cavalos. Mas a igreja considera uma falta de pudor e prende e julga as parteiras de cavalo como um tipo de bruxas.
E para fugir de ser pega quando ajudou no parto de um potrinho mágico, ela se torna aquilo que jurou para sua mãe nunca se tornar... uma serva.
A aventura se Sybilla e de Sir. Guy, o Cavaleiro das Sombras que quer vingar a morte de sua irmã e sobrinho, é repleta de aventuras, perigos e tem até alguns momentos divertidos.
Envolvente e com um final surpreendente.
Recomendo 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Aline Damasceno.
188 reviews2 followers
Read
April 17, 2020
Gostei bastante da história, mas confesso que amei mais o outro. Me faltou algo, sei lá, principalmente no desfecho. Esperei realmente que eles tivessem uma conversa mais séria sobre o passado dele.
Profile Image for Mudpie.
861 reviews8 followers
August 31, 2015
I had a hard time getting into the story...it was by no means slow-moving plotwise but I just found it so draggy. I spent all the time wondering about the purpose of the horse but his magic was revealed only at the very end. I literally skimmed through the book because I'm not one to not finish a book. Will give this book away...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews