THE WULFRITHS. IT ALL BEGAN WITH A WOMAN A battle. A crown. The conqueror. The conquered. Medieval England—forever changed by the Battle of Hastings. And the rise of the formidable Wulfriths.
DECEIT WRAPPED IN SOMETHING SWEET
After aiding the English resistance who once more fail to reclaim their country from the invaders, Lady Marguerite returns home to Scotland in the aftermath of William the Conqueror’s harrying of the North—and does not come alone. Accompanying the Sparrow of King Malcolm’s Court is a warrior mistakenly believed her enemy, the price for which may be his irreparable loss of sight. Burdened by having laid the trap for a man she regrets not recognizing sooner, and strangely drawn to him, she determines she will be the one to tend this Norman. But that is possible only if he does not learn she is responsible for what could strip the warrior from him. When her deception is unveiled, will he reject what he has come to feel for her? When he leaves, will he take her heart with him?
A WARRIOR CAST IN SHADOWS DEEP
Gifted with a sense beyond the natural, which has made life seem more a sport than a battle, Sir Theriot D’Argent counts himself favored by God—until the night he aids villagers attacked by his fellow Normans and a good deed turns tragic. Stricken blind, his world reduced to shadows amid clouded light, he finds himself a prisoner of the King of Scotland and in the care of a lady whose voice and touch disturb as much as the belief her secrets are not hers alone. Will his sight be restored? Or is this divine punishment for aiding in England’s conquest? And what is he to do with feelings for the one whose trap ensnared him? Even were it possible to forgive her for a life cruelly altered, he would be a burden—and a danger for being unable to protect the lady from her murderous kin.
Tamara Leigh signed a 4-book contract with Bantam Books in 1993, her debut medieval romance was nominated for a RITA award, and successive books with Bantam, HarperCollins, and Dorchester earned awards and appeared on national bestseller lists.
In 2006, the first of Tamara’s inspirational contemporary romances was published, followed by six more with Multnomah and RandomHouse. Perfecting Kate was optioned for a movie, Splitting Harriet won an ACFW Book of the Year award, and Faking Grace was nominated for a RITA award.
In 2012, Tamara returned to writing historical romance with the release of Dreamspell and the bestselling Age of Faith and The Feud series. Among her #1 bestsellers are her general market romances rewritten as clean and inspirational reads, including Lady at Arms and Lady of Conquest. In late 2018, she released Merciless, the first book in the new AGE OF CONQUEST series, followed by Fearless and Nameless, unveiling the origins of the Wulfrith family. Psst!—It all began with a woman. Watch for Heartless in Spring 2020.
Tamara lives near Nashville with her husband, a German Shepherd who has never met a squeaky toy she can’t destroy, and a feisty Morkie who keeps her company during long writing stints.
Connect with Tamara at her website www.tamaraleigh.com, Facebook, Twitter and tamaraleightenn@gmail.com.
Tamara Leigh is the queen of historical fiction when it comes to medieval with a side of romance, with real historical accounts woven within court intrigue and battles. This might have been one of my favorites, since the characters are in Scotland!!!!!!!! As usual, Leigh is an automatic read for me, and a writer who never disappoints on plot line and character development.
Each time Tamara Leigh releases a new novel, I am certain it is my favorite. The release of Boundless have proved the same. From Sir Theriot’s introduction in the first book in the Age of Conquest series, I anticipated his story. The youngest of the D’Argent brothers, he has exceptional senses that aid him as a warrior, until one sense is stolen from him. I was impressed with the authenticity with which Tamara Leigh wrote Theriot’s experience with blindness. It immersed me into his perspective and made me feel deeply for his struggle. Lady Marguerite was introduced in Nameless. At the time, I thought her story was going to end very differently. I couldn’t be more pleased with the twists it took. Most of all, I appreciated Marguerite’s tenacity. Once she committed to a path, nothing could turn her from it. She was not a weak or fickle woman who was unsure of her emotions. She was steadfast and brave. You will surely enjoy this venture into the court of King Malcolm of Scotland. As always, Tamara Leigh includes enough history to give her fictional tale authenticity without encumbering the reader. I find myself doing research of my own into the fascinating time period that she captured for us. Well done, Author! Another Five Star Novel!
Well worth the wait! What a great tale! I personally liked Theriot in the other books very much and was a bit disappointed that we didn't learn more about him earlier on. However, his tale was definitely worth the wait. I liked the silent Margaret, aka Lady Marguerite, in previous books as well. I had no idea her origin and LOVED her story! What a fiery woman. I liked that while she wasn't a damsel in distress, she did find herself in precarious positions. We didn't get to see her wield her weapons but she was quite busy trying to flee her family who would sell her as a tool to barter against King Maxim. And then there's Theriot and his D'Argent qualities of bravery, chivalry, and compassion for those in danger which took him to Scotland, sightless. The Lady and the Chevalier's lives are intertwined in this tale of patience, trust, and staying committed to G-d even though He doesn't answer the way you want. Knowing that He knows best! I loved this one as much as the others in the series and I cannot wait for the last two books!
Held captive and bound isn’t something anyone wants to happen, but add to that being made blind, and you get a very difficult life to live. This is what has happened to Theriot D’Argent, the youngest male in this esteemed family of warriors. It all came about because of one night, and one mistake, that will forever plague him. However, can one woman and one God change all that for him? Tamara Leigh is such a skilled storyteller. Each of her books is an invitation to travel back in time to an era we can only imagine. She brings the medieval world, to life. I’ve said this before, but it needs to be said again; her stories are filled with pageantry, colorful imagery, intrigue, drama, the desire to right wrongs, strong relationships, and struggles over passions that are too fierce to ignore. From the pageantry of the customs to the action of the fighting, as well as the language of the time, there is nothing left amiss. This time she brings to life the culture and flair of Scotland. I loved reading all the beautiful words in a language I don’t know. It made me want to travel to Scotland and experience it first-hand. I could just picture the hills and glens of this country. Wow! Tamara Leigh’s stories have larger than life heroes and heroines, whom you will come to love and cherish. These characters may at first seem flawed, but through their struggles and the trials they have, they develop into persons of honor and integrity. When I first started reading books written by Tamara Leigh I was captivated and amazed at how she writes. As I’ve continued to read her books this feeling has never left me. This author knows how to write books that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the pages and put the book down. I highly recommend this and ALL of Tamara Leigh’s books. Her storytelling will captivate you so much, you will not want to miss one of her books! I’m waiting on pins and needles for the next in this series to come out.
Theriot’s tale at last! There has been a question mark over Theriot’s fate for much of this series, and although some information has been forthcoming in the most recent books, it really only served to make me more curious about what had happened to him rather than less—by design, no doubt. So hurrah for finally get his story, hurrah for Scotland, and hurrah (as always) for Tamara Leigh’s delightful ability to spin a tale worthy of several hours’ enjoyment.
One of the things I love about this series is that while every hero is necessarily a warrior in some capacity, none of them feel like carbon copies or stereotypes. Tamara Leigh always manages to capture those traits common to warriors and package them into men who are as different as their individual circumstances and personalities are. Having a character whose eyesight had been damaged gave Theriot’s story an added level of uniqueness, and I loved that his point of view was well grounded in both the loss of this sense and the heightening of others. Every time I was in his point of view I felt as though I was relating to the world around him via sound, smell, touch, even those less talked about senses like proprioceptive and vestibular (awareness of the spaces around us and of our movements through them). And to incorporate that even into fight scenes—simply amazing!
Another thing I love about Tamara Leigh’s stories is the way in which she brings her characters into contact with real historical people, and in this case, King Malcolm of Scotland and his soon-to-be wife, Margaret (who later became Saint Margaret) play a significant role courtesy of the heroine, Marguerite. I loved the tenuous respect that built between King Malcolm and Theriot—essentially captor and captive—and the influence the future queen had through both her faith and her strength of mind. And most of all, I loved the tentative and at times strained progression of Theriot and Marguerite’s relationship as Theriot struggled to come to terms with his injury and Marguerite’s part in it.
Once again, Tamara Leigh delivers the medieval goods!
My review today is on the Medival Romance, Boundless. This is book six in the series, Age of Conquest. I'm a great fan of Tamara's books and I really liked this one. It's well-written, action-packed, and full of drama. I know you are going to love it.
Marguerite goes to her grandfather's to get her mother and bring her back to Scotland; when she arrives at her Norman family home, she finds her mother dead and buried in a field of weeds. Her nurse and her escort are murdered and she flees for her life. She is found by Saxon rebels but fears her voice carries both the Norman accent and the Scottish influence. She signals she is mute. After years with the rebels, she is sent to Scotland with an escort. A village is burned to the ground by the Normans. She hears what sounds like a baby crying and sees a Norman soldier run towards it. She sets a trap and the Norman is wounded along with one of her Scots. She recognizes the Norman and cares for him on the road to Scotland.
Theriot D'Argent returned to the village that was burned. He looked for survivors. He heard what sounded like a baby but was really a cat. He sees men chasing a woman and runs to help her but is attacked. When he wakes he is blind and captured by the Scot's. A woman attends to him but the one man he had wounded is in the wagon with him. What will happen next?
A terrifying journey in a world of darkness. A world with war on every side; Saxons, Normans, Danes, and Scots all fighting for the English countryside. God has a plan for these two broken souls; a good plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a plan for peace and not for destruction even in our world today. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life.
I really enjoyed this. I love how in the last half of this series Tamara Leigh is starting to take her stories outside the traditional setting of the Wulfren lands and a couple of surrounding counties and is starting to incorporate real historical figures and events into them more than ever. I mean not just as the backdrop, but as central aspects of the plot.
This novel takes Theriot, one of the Argent brothers to Scotland, in the company of Marguerite, a friend of the Saxon Princess Margaret sister to Edgar "the Atheling" who was the nephew and heir of Edward the Confessor.
History tells us of course how Margaret ended up married to King Malcolm III of Scotland and was later canonized as a Saint. Today she is known as St Margaret of Scotland.
Yet, I digress. Our protagonists, Theriot and Marguerite get caught up in various plots, schemes and political intrigues and there's a slowly developing romance between them. I would say Theriot's story is a little bit like his brother Gaurin's (see the second novel Fearless but just different enough to not be repetitive.
The characters actually develop in the midst of this story, which adds a lot to it. The continuing sage of the first Wulfriths who crop up in so many of Tamara Leigh's other books or their Norman forbears the D'Argent's is proving to be some of the author's best work to date.
Recommended for all lovers of historical fiction and Medieval Fiction.
This book is BOUNDLESS in romance, faith, heartbreak, action, hope and a gamut of other emotions that make it very difficult to put into words how very much I LOVED this book! Even though my memory is more than a little rusty of the historical events of the Norman/Saxon era, this story was MAGNIFICIENTLY written. Theriot struggles not only with his vision, but also for how he begins to feel towards Marguerite. Their romance is perfectly paced and one scene towards the end of the book, had me literally tearing up because it was written so heart-wrenchingly beautiful. As much as I adored this couple, it was Princess "Meg" Margaret's love for her Savior and how she showed it to everyone that grabbed me and wouldn't let go. She unapologetically proclaimed, "I will be his (King Malcolm's) wife and, God willing, mother of his children, but ever the Lord shall have first claim on me." ".....so long I have breathed in God that He is and shall ever be my first and last breath no matter what - or who- comes in between." Ohhh, be still my heart and may I desire to have such devotion to our Lord. The true icing on this beautifully written cake was realizing I have seen for myself St. Margaret's chapel in Edinburgh Castle, and after closing this book, I long to go back and look at it with new eyes as I picture Theriot and Marguerite's Gaelic happily ever after.
Loved it! I felt like there was the right amount of conflict keeping our H/h apart, and it was believable. In one way in particular it felt similar to Dougray’s tale, as they both have an injury they feel prevents them from being a warrior (or at least the same warrior they had been previously). As with Dougray, it was good to see Theriot learn how to accept it and, in a way, use it. The development of the relationship between Marguerite and Theriot was perfect. Great pacing and chemistry made the progression of their feelings seem natural, rather than contrived or forced. It was great to hear of and see some old friends, and especially learn of the coming addition to Dougray’s and Em’s family. I’m sad to leave this world again, but am glad I get two more chances to visit with Sir Guy and Sir Mystery Man. 😆 And, of course, unending visits through rereads, which definitely needs to happen after learning more of Margaret from Nameless! I love these fun twists Tamara Leigh works into her tales!
Adult content: n/a; clean romance (a few kisses), a small amount of battle violence
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was so excited to read Boundless, Theriot’s tale. The ward of a Scottish king falls in love with a Norman who, although not at war with her country, serves William the Conqueror who was not always on the best terms with King Malcom of Scotland. The pageantry and revelry of the Scottish court is beautifully crafted, and I liked how the less than desirable characters had some redeeming quality. I could go on, but I don’t’ want to give too much away.
In her usual fashion, Tamara delivers a stirring yet chaste romance. Kisses are not overly descriptive, though still engaging and tender. If you enjoy medieval romance with sword fights, ruffian kings, and redemptive thread of God’s faithfulness through suffering, you won’t want to miss, Boundless by Tamara Leigh. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, it’s called Lawless, (book 7) which will release late this year.
Have I mentioned how much I adore this series?! I wait for each one of these books to come out, and each time the release day roles around I put every other book on hold so I can dive in. And each time, gahhhhh! So worth it! This book I savored and read slowly. This one is a bit more on the medium paced side. I found this book might be one of the most quotable of Tamara Leigh's books. There were so many times that this book had those poignant, well placed lines, especially about answers to prayers, pride and love. This book made me fall in love with these characters and we got to see the characters from previous books. Especially Dougray (wink). Oh and that ending........all the heart eyes!!!!!! Another win for the Age of Conquest!
A beautiful tale--we've been wondering about where Theriot made off to...and now I have a bit of context for the Scottish realm in the Norman-conquest.
My only complaint is I wanted more time/exchanges between Marguerite and Theriot--it seemed their characters did more relating with other characters than with each other--I wanted more couple time!
Now we eagerly await the 7th book!! I can't wait :)
Tamara Leigh never disappoints with her written tales of trials, tribulations, strength, and faith in this series. I have read and or listened to all the previous stories in this series earlier so was eagerly awaiting this one for closure, so to speak. If you decide on the audiobook format, Mary Sarah Agliotta gives the most wonderful wispy narration with her beautiful, lyrical vocals. Excellent book & Excellent audiobook! ❤️
I usually get bored in long series, but I continue to love every one of these books in The Age of Conquest. This one had less battle scenes than some of the others but there was much physical and spiritual struggle to overcome. I also love how the characters from previous books continue to play important roles.
My daughter and I were laughing recently about how we get absorbed into a book and the characters become friends and family. That is especially true for me with Tamara Leigh's books. I have read every one of them and I am never disappointed. I eagerly await the next!!!
As always with Tamara Leigh’s books, this is a wonderful romance that takes you into Scotland during the conquest of England. I love how she weaves historical figures in and around her characters!
Tamara Leigh delivers another twist, weaving characters from previous stories into new adventures, while casting upon them diverse challenges causing them to see life in new light.
Even though I'm enjoying this series, I'm disappointed in the lack of romance that seems to become less with each book. Still yet, I'm anxious to move onto #7 and #8.