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Welles Trilogy #2
A Knight's Vow
MARRIED BY HIS MAJESTY'S REQUEST
He was her father's enemy, and now he was her husband by the king's decree. But that didn't mean Lady Isabel Atherstone planned on honoring James Markham, Earl of Bolton, with her love. She only hoped that her hasty marriage would bring her closer to the revenge she sought and finally restore her family's name. But then, the willful new bride hadn't counted on what would happen when her handsome husband took her to the marriage bed.
James Markham was thunderstruck. Though an age-old family rivalry kept his new wife at arms against him, she quivered with desire beneath his touch. Now the newly married earl wondered if his passion would be his undoing. For though the lady swore she'd never love him, her eyes told another tale --- one that made the earl vow to possess her completely.
He was her father's enemy, and now he was her husband by the king's decree. But that didn't mean Lady Isabel Atherstone planned on honoring James Markham, Earl of Bolton, with her love. She only hoped that her hasty marriage would bring her closer to the revenge she sought and finally restore her family's name. But then, the willful new bride hadn't counted on what would happen when her handsome husband took her to the marriage bed.
James Markham was thunderstruck. Though an age-old family rivalry kept his new wife at arms against him, she quivered with desire beneath his touch. Now the newly married earl wondered if his passion would be his undoing. For though the lady swore she'd never love him, her eyes told another tale --- one that made the earl vow to possess her completely.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
51 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Callen
46 books524 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Gayle Callen writes historical romances for Avon Books. Her twenty-second novel, The Wrong Bride, was published in November 2015.
Gayle’s novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. She was a nominee for RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She also writes the contemporary romances as Emma Cane.
Gayle resides in central New York with her husband. Now that her three children are grown, she has time to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc. Visit her website at http://www.gaylecallen.com
Gayle’s novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. She was a nominee for RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She also writes the contemporary romances as Emma Cane.
Gayle resides in central New York with her husband. Now that her three children are grown, she has time to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc. Visit her website at http://www.gaylecallen.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 19, 2025
I love warrior women even if its not probable in that areas.
January 17, 2011
Another good early work. As always, Callen's history is good, for the most part.
September 17, 2022
A Knight's Vow by Gayle Callen Was An Eye Opening Encouraging Read!
I did not like James Markham, the "H", the Earl of Bolton, in the last book, and I almost did not read this book, because of that reason.
The first few pages of the story intrigued me, so I decided to take a chance to see if he would redeem himself, in my eyes, and I am pleased to say that this was an eye opening encouraging read!
Lady Isabel Atherstone, the "h", (The Black Angel), was a strong character with tenacity, and drive.
I did not like James Markham, the "H", the Earl of Bolton, in the last book, and I almost did not read this book, because of that reason.
The first few pages of the story intrigued me, so I decided to take a chance to see if he would redeem himself, in my eyes, and I am pleased to say that this was an eye opening encouraging read!
Lady Isabel Atherstone, the "h", (The Black Angel), was a strong character with tenacity, and drive.
August 14, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this book about two very imperfect people. the scene where Isobel is eating with Margrey is too funny, almost a historical scene from Animal House and the reactions of her guests completed the scene. very ingenious in a historical romance novel. liked the development of the 2 main characters
March 4, 2017
My least favorite of the trilogy. I first began despising the hero, James, in our first part of the trilogy. He's kind of a not so nice guy...oh and he's addicted to clothing. Instead of the meek, virginal and malleable bride he's always wanted, he gets Isabel - a woman who was raised to hate him, kill him, humiliate him and was never taught how to be a woman (or even female for that matter). She dresses entirely in men's clothing (and this wasn't even considered all that scandalous strangely enough). She's tall and muscular. She HATES the hero. And James isn't that fond of Isabel either. In fact, he calls her a monster, tells himself she's completely undesirable and these two spar it out (literally and figuratively). I really didn't like either of these two at this point. Isabel frustrated the hell out of me because as much as I would have liked to, I could not sympathize with her. She was too stubborn about her anger and hate and unable to admit that maybe it's pointless. . James is the first to break in this crazy battle of wills and its more weariness than anything. And after 3/4 of the book and these two fighting, I was weary too and just wishing they'd get over themselves already.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2013
This captured me much more than I expected. I typically do not enjoy stories where the woman is in an overt occupation in historicals, and yet I very much enjoyed this as Isabel's role as the Black Angel didn't seem to overtake her character as I find so often.
Though she and James had to marry early in the story, they were not together, in the sense of a couple, until the end. Bravo!
Both main characters were well developed and engaging, and I found the change of Isabel's character, given her background, well planned and well paced.
Had a hard time putting this down and will look for more from this author.
Though she and James had to marry early in the story, they were not together, in the sense of a couple, until the end. Bravo!
Both main characters were well developed and engaging, and I found the change of Isabel's character, given her background, well planned and well paced.
Had a hard time putting this down and will look for more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2012
that was just beautiful!!!wow!!though the ending seemed rushed, I am happy that they finally figured out their misunderstandings..
The heroine was just awesome. Her personality and defiance is nice to read about once in a while and the hero, who has a lot of patience for the heroine, was the perfect match for her!
P.S. the fighting scenes were just HOT!!;)
The heroine was just awesome. Her personality and defiance is nice to read about once in a while and the hero, who has a lot of patience for the heroine, was the perfect match for her!
P.S. the fighting scenes were just HOT!!;)
December 27, 2012
Good beginning and nice ending. Over half of the book was the heroine's conflict over being attracted to the hero and not wanting to be and the hero trying not to touch her but usually failing.
On the plus side, Overall, three stars is a little generous, but the hero was great.
On the plus side, Overall, three stars is a little generous, but the hero was great.
March 4, 2020
The heroine is quite rough around the edges and filled with so much childish hate I felt for the hero having to marry her. No chemistry, just juvenile vexing each other ... but lots of sex, hate sex. I don't think counseling could have saved this relationship, a divorce would have been the most suitable ending.
May 9, 2022
The Knight Who Loved Me
Torture at its best!
Games that can kill!
And the stallion could kill his master!
The King Henry shows no quarter!
What will James do?
What will Isabel do?
This is hot, sexy, torture, a happy for ever!!!
This is a fantastic binge read!
Books 1, 2, 3 down starting book 4!
Torture at its best!
Games that can kill!
And the stallion could kill his master!
The King Henry shows no quarter!
What will James do?
What will Isabel do?
This is hot, sexy, torture, a happy for ever!!!
This is a fantastic binge read!
Books 1, 2, 3 down starting book 4!
May 10, 2022
Another amazing story
James meets his match with Isabel. She is a expert swordsman, seeking revenge for her family. In the end she finds more.
James meets his match with Isabel. She is a expert swordsman, seeking revenge for her family. In the end she finds more.
March 17, 2015
Enjoyed reading about two. All of the pimped up energy they have for each other was good. I thought it was alittle rushed at the end. I was curious to see if he would ever pick up a sword again. Was still a good read.
June 15, 2013
Enjoyed the book , felt the end was rushed a but. love my formula romances
February 12, 2014
Good book.
A fast read and one of the better historical romances. Author keeps you interested in the lives of the people.
A fast read and one of the better historical romances. Author keeps you interested in the lives of the people.
October 12, 2014
good read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews