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.
THE CONQUEROR’S MAN Having lost all—the woman he loved, great friendship, and lands—Sir Guy wants only to end the insurrection plaguing England. But being the conqueror’s man puts him at odds with his conscience when a disastrous siege against the resistance yields only one thing of value—his capture of a Saxon rebel known as the virgin widow. As Norman forces regroup, Guy finds himself drawn to one who could not be more different from the love he lost. Though he assures himself it is only admiration for her strength, it proves more when his defense of her leads to a kiss. Though he assures himself it is only attraction, it proves more when the pawn his king makes of her nearly sees her lost to him. Is it possible this lady was his story all along? If so, will all that conspires against them leave him more empty-handed than before?
A LAWLESS LADY Cousin to one whom Normans name Hereward the Outlaw and Saxons hail as the Last Great Englishman, Lady Vilda is determined to support the resistance even if it costs her life. And it nearly does. Half drowned and pulled from the marsh by the chevalier she escaped months earlier, she discovers he is a rare Norman when he shields her from his king’s wrath. Still, William the Conqueror has games to play, and as she has nothing left to lose, she decides to move her pieces well even if it offends. Surprisingly, she earns her greatest enemy’s admiration. More surprisingly, she finds her heart turning toward Sir Guy. But though his embrace tempts her to believe he is not beyond her reach, she knows gaining his love is as impossible as counting the stars. And that the still inside her that waits on him will wait forever.
Set in the Fenlands during the English resistance’s last great stand against the conquerors, the seventh book in the AGE OF CONQUEST series delivers the long-awaited tale of Sir Guy and the lady who became his story. Watch for DAUNTLESS, the eighth and final book, in Autumn 2021.
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.
This story is an engrossing medieval romance that is rich with history told from the perspective of complex characters who are on opposite sides in the final struggle of the conquest of England by the Norman king.
The plot of LAWLESS kept the pages turning while the beautiful prose made me want to read slowly to savor the story.
I loved learning more about the characters we meet in previous stories. Lady Vilda unapologetically defends those she loves. Honorable Sir Guy struggles to do what is right when he is commanded to do what is wrong. They cannot help admire those traits in each other, and, on that ground, love begins to grow.
It was a satisfying conclusion to the books set during the Norman conquest. I cannot wait for the next book, the origin story of the D’Argents.
I was excited to (finally, as he appears much earlier in another tale) get Sir Guy's story and it was a good one indeed! Tamara Leigh works the (clean) chemistry between the MCs so well; rather than feeling disjointed or rushed, she drops hints here and there of developing feelings, so that a relationship between between two who were not long ago strangers feels natural. When the name Maxen Pendery appeared on the page, a big smile appeared on my face - it was so fun to see beloved characters from Lady of Conquest as well as others from earlier in this series.
My only complaint is that the "back cover" summary tells more of the story than I would like, giving away details I'd rather find out while reading the actual story rather than the summary. I just want an introduction, then to jump into the story on page one where the intro leaves off. But this is a pet peeves of mine and I'm sure I'm more sensitive to it than others.
All in all, a very good way to wrap up this group of D'Argent (+ Sir Guy) tales! I wasn't sure how I felt about the last book in the series, as it jumps back in time for Godfroi and Robine's tale. However, after reading the excerpt included with Lawless, I am entirely on board! I don't want to wish away the summer, but release of Dauntless cannot come soon enough for me. 😁
Throughout this series, we have been journeying through the many battles and struggles of the Saxon people. We have seen them resist the Normans and all their forces. However, history shows us that their resistance doesn’t hold. It also shows us that there might have been many individuals who were honorable even though they were on the opposite sides. In this whole series, Tamara Leigh blends both sides in captivating ways; brings loyalty, honor, and love to the stories. 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. 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.
With this being one of the last books in the series; I have been just as spell-bound from the first page! If you don’t pick this book up and read it, then you’ll never know the true origin of the Wulfriths and how “It all began with a woman.”
I am so glad she finally wrote a story for Sir Guy. He has been faithful throughout this series and yet, never seemed to have his own story. I am pleased with this one. It shows his integrity and honor, as well as his struggles. He really was a true warrior, wanting to honor his king, but one who also had a heart. Now add to this mix a feisty, Saxon woman who wants only to keep her lands and champion for justice. Vilda has had much sorrow and loss in her life, but she is a fighter and willing to stand her ground. Oh, the fun these two created. I can tell, Tamara Leigh truly had a wonderful time with all their dialogue. Her detail about the history and customs of this era is remarkable. The conversations and descriptions are so rich and full of grandeur.
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!
Loved this book. I think this series actually got better as it went one, and one thing which I do think marks an improvement is it doesn't focus entirely on the fictional Wulfriths but on other characters caught up in different events. So much was happening in the years after the Norman Conquest when this series is set that it would be virtually criminal not to use some of it. I also appreciated the research which clearly went into this story, with various prominent places and figures being mentioned, such as Morcar, the former Earl of Northumbria. The author's note was also appreciated.
Previous titles were set in and around the fictional county of Wulfrenshire, but in this series there have been a lot more actual places in my country: even the mention of a royal estate/Abbey in Abingdon. How often is Abingdon mentioned in anything? Mrs Leigh used a real event in this story, a rebellion of the Saxon warrior called Hereward, known as "Hereward the Wake" who held out against the Normans on what was then an island on the boggy marshland of Ely to weave a tale of revenge, war, betrayal, and love.
One rare thing about a lot of Inspirational Medieval Fiction is to find a novel that is actually realistic and has a real sense of period. Often the characters read like modern evangelicals, or one feels the authors are subject to too many restrictions and cannot explore the nastier aspects of life, or things which are distasteful to modern sensibilities. That's really not the case here. There’s enough that could be deemed “Inspirational” to fit that genre, but not so much that I would consider this preachy, overdone or contrived and I would say it won’t put off readers who aren’t religious.
Furthermore, I could actually buy these people as 11th century French and Englishmen (and women). Both Wilda and Guy are realistic and flawed and seem to be very much of their time. Both have been through some awful things and don't heal or forgive easily, neither do they always make the right choices. Some characters just do what they must, and they don't go without sympathy. Complex political events are also featured, without bogging the reader down, but used to create the main conflict and peril for the characters.
With that and the slow-burning romance, this made for a really good Medieval read. In fact, you know what? I am going to go all the way and give this 5 Stars, because I can't remember anything I didn't like about this novel. Or even minor niggles.
If Tamara Leigh keeps this up, she's going to become one of my go-to authors for Medieval Fiction .
My review today is on the Medieval Romance, Lawless. This is book seven in the series Age of Conquest. I'm such a big fan of Tamara's work. You see a lot of Medieval Romance books but rarely do you find a clean and wholesome story but Tamara's are clean, wholesome, and many times Christian romances. I'm not sure where she gets all her ideas but I love them. This story is well-written, action-packed, and full of drama. I know you are going to love it. This is Sir Guy's story. He has been in many of the books that Tamara has written. So I was glad to read his story.
Sir Guy has served William the Great for many years. He has lost all including the woman he loved. All he wants now is to put an end to the killing. They have one resistance group still plaguing them. So they are at the lsle of Ely. He captures the virgin widow in a disastrous siege. He finds himself drawn to the woman even though she is nothing like the woman he lost. He releases her only to find her right there in the next siege. She is captured again. How can he help keep her safe?
Lady Vilda is the cousin of the famous Hereward the Outlaw or the Last Great Englishman. She is known as the virgin widow or the sturdy virgin widow. She is determined to fight the king and his men. A Norman soldier, Sir Guy, pulls her out of the water before she can drown. This is a man she had escaped months before. One she had called a Norman pig. She wants nothing to do with this Norman, even though she is drawn to him.
A journey to end the war with only one place left. Can they conquer this last holdout or be conquered? Can these two enemies find peace and happiness? God has a plan for these two, a plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan for peace and not for destruction. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in your chaos.
Filled with desperation, complicated trust issues caused by previous disappointments and pain caused in their lives previously, and those high, thick walls one builds around their heart to keep them from more devastating pain. Risking everything for the impossible hope of unconditional love, will keep you glued to your chair until the very end. I preordered the book, then was able to purchase the audiobook as well. I really need both so I can jump back and forth between keeping up with a 4 year old, sewing, & work. Tamara Leigh always writes such amazingly detailed, wonderful, stories such as this one in the series. I believe it’s book 7, but don’t quote me. Mary Sarah Agliotta provides the most perfect vocals to enhance these mesmerizing stories. I don’t think there could have been a more perfect joint effort for these books! I’d give 5+ Stars to both the author and the narrator. I loved it, hope you will too. 😍
Another wonderful part of the series! Each one of these stories is unique and holds a special part in this saga. This book has a slow building, slow burn feel but once the peices are in place I couldn't put it down. I really loved Guy and Alvida's story. She was a unique, yet relatable heroine. I cheered for her as she faced her insecurities and enemies. It was so cool to see Guy from her other series being incorporated into this series and getting his own story. I loved his sense of honor and how he grew from the hurt from the past. This book is rich in the history of the time too. Filled with insight into William and I really loved how the book wrapped up. Swoony romance, a satisfying ending. 4.5 stars I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are honest and completely my own.
I have read every one of Tamara's books and they are all wonderful and this one was no exception. I just loved reading about Sir Guy, what a wonderful honourable warrior he is and "V" what a courageous warrior she was too. I loved reading about the last stand against "Le Bastard" on the Island of Ely, the strength of the Saxons trying to retain their part of England, the Fens, I felt I was there with them in the three battles and there was even a "witch" who was really a Christian. This book is full of history, excitement, suspense, betrayal and romance and I would fully recommend it to everyone wanting a book you can't put down and that takes you back to the time of William the Conqueror. Not to be missed.
Sir Guy finally gets his story and what a tale it is. Weaving the history of conquering William with the dilemma of an honorable knight serving his king yet sympathizing with Vilda and her people makes for intrigue and heartbreak. Thankfully, Tamara Leigh is a master storyteller and knits both together seamlessly to an ending that more than satisfies. So thrilled that Guy found a woman who truly deserves him.
One of my favorite quotes was "I pray you a good life, Guy Torquay - that you find a love so greatly returned you have no more regrets about what you lost, only gratitude its loss allowed you to gain more." Sigh!!!
I have read EVERY Tamara Leigh book! She is my very favorite author and I eagerly await each new work. The historical significance is so appreciated. I feel as though I'm entering a college history class as I step into every story, but the personal lives of the characters draw me into the 'time', and make me a part of history, and it a part of me. God bless you, Ms. Leigh, as you continue to bless others!
By far, the best in the series! I loved that Lady Vilda was not a wilting flower or fragile princess. And the way Ms. Leigh built on the growing attraction between Vilda and Sir Guy was sensual without becoming gratuitous. I LOVE this series. At times, I still get lost in the language, and sometimes I have to re-read passages to make sure I understand the point being made, but the story is definitely worth the extra effort. Now I just have to wait for the release of book 8, Dauntless.
4.5 rounded up…only reason it wasn’t an actual full 5 is I wanted more Guy + Vilda 😍 But still. Sir Guy’s story and HEA was worth the wait 🥰 I’d venture to say there was a bit less romance on the page in this one (although there was still obviously a lot ❤️) because it had to somewhat “put a bow” on the rebellion v. William for the series. But “oh, my my, me”—as Vilda would say—how I adored this book…and the whole series. Now, off to start the prequel.
The Age of Conquest continues to entertain. Lawless seems to be the shining star of the series. Intrigue, politics, history, character development, old and new characters mingling to bring to fruition the end of one era. I can’t wait to see what she creates next.
I loved the action-packed intrigue of Sir Guy and Vilda's story. Both are side characters from previous books. I liked that they both had deep scars from their pasts they had to overcome as well as the fact they were on opposite sides of war.
Never disappointed with her stories. They are all my favorites how is that even possible !!!! Awaiting the next one…in September 14th a present for me !!!
Yes, while I read Lawless with bated breath, watching Guy and Vilda’s story unfold, it was with a big smile that I read the fabulous ending of this incredible book!
Perhaps it was all the interruptions or the plethora of new book options given at the time, but this book couldn’t go fast enough. It is a good read. Very interesting.
Tamara Leigh does medieval romances right, good characters with plenty of action in this one too. Never thought I’d learn so much interesting history as well. Just a bonus on the sweet romance