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My Forever Love
Ciaran Tamberlane was once an honored warrior—until the day he lost his faith in both church and crown, and was branded a traitor by his fellow countrymen. Excommunicated by the church and surrounded by dark rumors, he lives in self-imposed exile, responsible only for the peasants who live on his land.
Amaranth de Langois was once an obedient wife—until she escaped her husband's brutality and took refuge in a small village. But his men tracked her down. And it was only through Lord Tamberlane's timely intervention that Arnie was spared. Now it's his obligation to return her to her husband, a man who would see her dead. But as long as Arnie resides within his castle, Ciaran will protect her from harm. He has nothing to lose should he defy his duty—and everything to gain should he risk his heart for her love.
Amaranth de Langois was once an obedient wife—until she escaped her husband's brutality and took refuge in a small village. But his men tracked her down. And it was only through Lord Tamberlane's timely intervention that Arnie was spared. Now it's his obligation to return her to her husband, a man who would see her dead. But as long as Arnie resides within his castle, Ciaran will protect her from harm. He has nothing to lose should he defy his duty—and everything to gain should he risk his heart for her love.
362 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 6, 2004
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July 25, 2016
Wonderful medieval romance -a potent combination of page-turning action, true-to-period brutality and gore, and tenderly blossoming romance. When added to this a cast of well-developed characters, great attention to historical setting, the story becomes a true winner for me.
Formerly published under the name, "My Forever Love", the book undergone a complete rewrite and was released under a new title in 2012. Please see Ms. Canham's note at the bottom of this review.
Ciaran Tamberlane, a powerful and fearsome knight known as the Dragonslayer, fought at the side of Richard the Lionheart during what is now known as the Third Crusade until the day he lost his faith in both the church and the crown. The pillaging and horror he had seen and participated in became unbearable and, one faithful day, Ciaran just walked away from the battle after rescuing a wounded Saracen woman and her child from his fellow crusaders. Branded a traitor by his peers, excommunicated by the church he lives in self-imposed exile in the secluded Taniere Castle.
While on a hunting trip, his party stumbles across a horrific raid on a small village located on his land. There were no survivors except one gravely wounded young woman. Her name is Elizabeth Amaranth 'Amie' de Langois and unbeknownst to Ciaran, she would be the reason his seclusion comes to an end.
Amie is a woman running for her life, trying to escape her brutish sadistic husband of 10 months. Although, she fears that people, especially wives, do not run away from a man like him and live to tell it. And she knows the horrific raid on the village where she found a temporary refuge was perpetrated by her husband and his people trying to catch her.
Most of the story takes place in the Taniere Castle. As Amie heals, her admiration for Ciaran grows and Ciaran becomes more and more invested in her welfare and safety.
The story is not for a fainted heart. But amidst of all the gore and brutality, there is a tender romance that slowly blossoms between a woman who never once experienced desire or passion but forced to endure and a man who in his former life was a warrior monk and taken a vow of celibacy.
Note from the author:
Formerly released in print as My Forever Love, The Dragon Tree has undergone a complete rewrite, going far beyond the gentle revisions some of my backlist books have had before being reissued in ebook form. I was never happy with the title, My Forever Love. I was never really thrilled with the cover. And I was nearing the breaking point of the final straw when nothing in the publishing world made sense to me anymore and the stress was showing in my writing. I had always said I would stop writing when it ceased to be fun, and ceased to be an outlet for my vivid imagination. Halfway through the writing of The Dragon Tree (and that was the original working title before some young newbie editor decided it wasn't romantic enough and changed it) I lost steam. I knew I would be retiring when I finished it and frankly, my heart just wasn't in it anymore. Bad thing to confess, I know, but the honest truth.
With this rewrite and reissue, my muse is happy with it. I hope I have taken some of the wooden-ness (is that a word? if not, it should be) out of the characters and given them more heart. They deserved better treatment than what they got the first time around *s*.
Highly recommended to fans of medieval romances.
*Thank you, Christina and Linda, for bringing this author to my attention.*
Formerly published under the name, "My Forever Love", the book undergone a complete rewrite and was released under a new title in 2012. Please see Ms. Canham's note at the bottom of this review.
Ciaran Tamberlane, a powerful and fearsome knight known as the Dragonslayer, fought at the side of Richard the Lionheart during what is now known as the Third Crusade until the day he lost his faith in both the church and the crown. The pillaging and horror he had seen and participated in became unbearable and, one faithful day, Ciaran just walked away from the battle after rescuing a wounded Saracen woman and her child from his fellow crusaders. Branded a traitor by his peers, excommunicated by the church he lives in self-imposed exile in the secluded Taniere Castle.
While on a hunting trip, his party stumbles across a horrific raid on a small village located on his land. There were no survivors except one gravely wounded young woman. Her name is Elizabeth Amaranth 'Amie' de Langois and unbeknownst to Ciaran, she would be the reason his seclusion comes to an end.
Amie is a woman running for her life, trying to escape her brutish sadistic husband of 10 months. Although, she fears that people, especially wives, do not run away from a man like him and live to tell it. And she knows the horrific raid on the village where she found a temporary refuge was perpetrated by her husband and his people trying to catch her.
Most of the story takes place in the Taniere Castle. As Amie heals, her admiration for Ciaran grows and Ciaran becomes more and more invested in her welfare and safety.
The story is not for a fainted heart. But amidst of all the gore and brutality, there is a tender romance that slowly blossoms between a woman who never once experienced desire or passion but forced to endure and a man who in his former life was a warrior monk and taken a vow of celibacy.
Note from the author:
Formerly released in print as My Forever Love, The Dragon Tree has undergone a complete rewrite, going far beyond the gentle revisions some of my backlist books have had before being reissued in ebook form. I was never happy with the title, My Forever Love. I was never really thrilled with the cover. And I was nearing the breaking point of the final straw when nothing in the publishing world made sense to me anymore and the stress was showing in my writing. I had always said I would stop writing when it ceased to be fun, and ceased to be an outlet for my vivid imagination. Halfway through the writing of The Dragon Tree (and that was the original working title before some young newbie editor decided it wasn't romantic enough and changed it) I lost steam. I knew I would be retiring when I finished it and frankly, my heart just wasn't in it anymore. Bad thing to confess, I know, but the honest truth.
With this rewrite and reissue, my muse is happy with it. I hope I have taken some of the wooden-ness (is that a word? if not, it should be) out of the characters and given them more heart. They deserved better treatment than what they got the first time around *s*.
Highly recommended to fans of medieval romances.
*Thank you, Christina and Linda, for bringing this author to my attention.*
February 17, 2017
I read this for my Series Headway pick.
This review is for the original My Forever Love and not the revised Dragon Tree.
"A man can lose his way in this world so easily," he said softly. "He can see horrors that make him question his sense of worth, his sense of well-being, his sense of what is right and wrong. He can be overcome by greed, by lust, by the lure of another man's possessions. He can have everything he owns, even his name and his reputation taken away from him in the blink of an eye. But the one thing, the only thing a man cannot have taken away from him is his honor. That, he has to give away."
Oh how I miss historicals that actually feel like historicals and have research and setting to them. Canham did an excellent job placing me in the times, this is a little brutal and gory with the what the heroine faced in her marriages and the fighting scenes, but medieval times were a bit like that. The first half was a little slow and I started shipping Marak and the heroine for awhile because of much more flushed out their relationship was. While the setting, scene, and secondary characters were vividly painted, the romance fell short. The hero and heroine's relationship felt more like insta-lust and then their bonding felt pretty rushed at the end. Separately, the heroine with her black widow ways and fighting spirit and the hero with his excommunicated warrior monk status, were fascinating but together their romance lacked spark.
The author addressed the romance issues in this and has heavily revised the story, I'd recommend reading the newer version if you have choice.
This review is for the original My Forever Love and not the revised Dragon Tree.
"A man can lose his way in this world so easily," he said softly. "He can see horrors that make him question his sense of worth, his sense of well-being, his sense of what is right and wrong. He can be overcome by greed, by lust, by the lure of another man's possessions. He can have everything he owns, even his name and his reputation taken away from him in the blink of an eye. But the one thing, the only thing a man cannot have taken away from him is his honor. That, he has to give away."
Oh how I miss historicals that actually feel like historicals and have research and setting to them. Canham did an excellent job placing me in the times, this is a little brutal and gory with the what the heroine faced in her marriages and the fighting scenes, but medieval times were a bit like that. The first half was a little slow and I started shipping Marak and the heroine for awhile because of much more flushed out their relationship was. While the setting, scene, and secondary characters were vividly painted, the romance fell short. The hero and heroine's relationship felt more like insta-lust and then their bonding felt pretty rushed at the end. Separately, the heroine with her black widow ways and fighting spirit and the hero with his excommunicated warrior monk status, were fascinating but together their romance lacked spark.
The author addressed the romance issues in this and has heavily revised the story, I'd recommend reading the newer version if you have choice.
May 14, 2020
2nd read 20202 review:
Raised from 4 to 5 stars.
I agree with my below review mostly. What I want to add is that the story is rich and robust.
The history was well researched. The details and overall storytelling was excellent, not overdone, not too flowery. The history was infused brilliantly, not info dumped, not a history lesson, but done to give depth and understanding to the reader of the times, the laws, and the culture.
Although my below complaint was about the lack romance, I found this time, that statement was not really correct. The author took great strides and care to build up to the romance, which enhanced the impact when the characters finally got together. The loving scenes were many and done perfectly. So it was not a lack of romance, but more of a slow burn, but not too slow. Done just right.
There are some things that may be off putting to some. but I felt it was described tastefully to enhance the emotional impact for the reader without giving one nightmares.
Safety:
Original 1st read review:
This is not your typical "romance." If you like history and like to read a story that brings alive a medieval setting so real that you feel like you are there, then this is for you, but if you're in it for just the romance, you may feel a bit bored.
There is violence, battles, and mention of rape and other brutalities that may disturb some. I read that a reviewer was unsettled due to
The story is about Amaranth whose parents died when she was 12. While under the care of an uncle, she was sold into a marriage with a man 3 times her age who brutalized her. Fortunately he dies. Unfortunately, she was sold again into a marriage with a man who was just as brutal as her previous husband, albeit, younger and handsome.
The hero was a Templar who fought in the crusades, but losing faith after witnessing the senseless death and cruelty by his order in the name of God, he leaves the holy lands. He is then excommunicated and kicked out of the order. He suffers nightmares of his time in the crusades and resolves himself to a life alone in a castle, maintaining his monkish vows.
Well written, well researched book which didn't touch on my emotional triggers. Reduced 1 star for the slower pace and I felt the romance could have had more of a presence. I mean it's a romance novel right?
Raised from 4 to 5 stars.
I agree with my below review mostly. What I want to add is that the story is rich and robust.
The history was well researched. The details and overall storytelling was excellent, not overdone, not too flowery. The history was infused brilliantly, not info dumped, not a history lesson, but done to give depth and understanding to the reader of the times, the laws, and the culture.
Although my below complaint was about the lack romance, I found this time, that statement was not really correct. The author took great strides and care to build up to the romance, which enhanced the impact when the characters finally got together. The loving scenes were many and done perfectly. So it was not a lack of romance, but more of a slow burn, but not too slow. Done just right.
There are some things that may be off putting to some. but I felt it was described tastefully to enhance the emotional impact for the reader without giving one nightmares.
Safety:
Original 1st read review:
This is not your typical "romance." If you like history and like to read a story that brings alive a medieval setting so real that you feel like you are there, then this is for you, but if you're in it for just the romance, you may feel a bit bored.
There is violence, battles, and mention of rape and other brutalities that may disturb some. I read that a reviewer was unsettled due to
The story is about Amaranth whose parents died when she was 12. While under the care of an uncle, she was sold into a marriage with a man 3 times her age who brutalized her. Fortunately he dies. Unfortunately, she was sold again into a marriage with a man who was just as brutal as her previous husband, albeit, younger and handsome.
The hero was a Templar who fought in the crusades, but losing faith after witnessing the senseless death and cruelty by his order in the name of God, he leaves the holy lands. He is then excommunicated and kicked out of the order. He suffers nightmares of his time in the crusades and resolves himself to a life alone in a castle, maintaining his monkish vows.
Well written, well researched book which didn't touch on my emotional triggers. Reduced 1 star for the slower pace and I felt the romance could have had more of a presence. I mean it's a romance novel right?
July 21, 2016
With an odd mishmash of characters and an endearing romance, MFL was a story of redemption. Ciaran Tamberlane would have given his very life in service to God. He was a Templar and a monk; he had sworn his allegiance to serve both his Lord Savior and King Richard. This was before traveling in the Crusades where he witnessed his holy Brothers kill people mercilessly. Brutishly. And without remorse. When he witnessed a final potential atrocity, he sided briefly with the enemy. For this he was ostracized, excommunicated from the Order and deemed a traitor by the Templars. If not for his uncle's assistance, he would have had nothing.
Elizabeth Amaranth 'Amie' de Langois had her fill with savageness but it was in the form of two husbands. She was originally married off to a wicked, bloated man several times her age who beat her endlessly. -Remember, women were considered chattel during that era.- Then she was passed on to a younger man, closer to her in years but no less cruel. It was a politically-motivated marriage. On her wedding night, she hit him with a heavy candlestick to protect herself. It was either her or him and she intended to survive. With the help of a friar she hurriedly left, only to be pursued. Her husband would not stop until she was dead.
Amie and Ciaran first met when the young woman was left for dead. All of the villagers in one of Lord Tamberlane's outlying hamlets were slaughtered by Odo de Langois's assassins. His lordship had saved her from certain death and brought her back to his castle -his sanctuary- to allow his childhood friend, Marak, save her life. Ciaran needed to know what happened and why.
*All of what I have told you up to now is in the first few chapters.*
Ciaran: gruff, defender of the unfortunate, serious, a sometime drunkard and lastly, a loner. Marak wanted to help him. When possible, he gently introduced Amie into Lord Tamberlane's path. Ciaran was confused. War did strange things. He was trained as a priest but no longer agreed with the beliefs that were passed down to him. His life had been devoted to celibacy and he was taught from an early age that women were temptresses and best left alone. But Amie was different. Not everything was as simple as once before.
I enjoyed the secondary characters. Amie formed a peaceful friendship of sorts with Marak. Marak was a holy man, an albino and possibly agamous if you believed Roland. Roland was flirty, good looking and Ciaran's squire. He was a lady's man. Then there was the quiet Inaya and her young son, Jibril. She had been disfigured during the holy wars when a poisoned arrow had pierced her cheek. Ciaran had saved her life and was 'awarded' her in order for her family to save face.
I was pleasantly surprised with Marsha Canham's meatier romance. I had not read anything by this author before now. There was some minor gore -how could you not have it when discussing the Crusades?- but everyone's actions pushed the narrative along. There was a brief lesson on England's royalty; a 'game of thrones' if I dare say so. There were also nuggets of truth, some gentle humor and, of course, a love story.
*Thank you, Christina, for suggesting the title of this story.*
Elizabeth Amaranth 'Amie' de Langois had her fill with savageness but it was in the form of two husbands. She was originally married off to a wicked, bloated man several times her age who beat her endlessly. -Remember, women were considered chattel during that era.- Then she was passed on to a younger man, closer to her in years but no less cruel. It was a politically-motivated marriage. On her wedding night, she hit him with a heavy candlestick to protect herself. It was either her or him and she intended to survive. With the help of a friar she hurriedly left, only to be pursued. Her husband would not stop until she was dead.
Amie and Ciaran first met when the young woman was left for dead. All of the villagers in one of Lord Tamberlane's outlying hamlets were slaughtered by Odo de Langois's assassins. His lordship had saved her from certain death and brought her back to his castle -his sanctuary- to allow his childhood friend, Marak, save her life. Ciaran needed to know what happened and why.
*All of what I have told you up to now is in the first few chapters.*
Ciaran: gruff, defender of the unfortunate, serious, a sometime drunkard and lastly, a loner. Marak wanted to help him. When possible, he gently introduced Amie into Lord Tamberlane's path. Ciaran was confused. War did strange things. He was trained as a priest but no longer agreed with the beliefs that were passed down to him. His life had been devoted to celibacy and he was taught from an early age that women were temptresses and best left alone. But Amie was different. Not everything was as simple as once before.
I enjoyed the secondary characters. Amie formed a peaceful friendship of sorts with Marak. Marak was a holy man, an albino and possibly agamous if you believed Roland. Roland was flirty, good looking and Ciaran's squire. He was a lady's man. Then there was the quiet Inaya and her young son, Jibril. She had been disfigured during the holy wars when a poisoned arrow had pierced her cheek. Ciaran had saved her life and was 'awarded' her in order for her family to save face.
I was pleasantly surprised with Marsha Canham's meatier romance. I had not read anything by this author before now. There was some minor gore -how could you not have it when discussing the Crusades?- but everyone's actions pushed the narrative along. There was a brief lesson on England's royalty; a 'game of thrones' if I dare say so. There were also nuggets of truth, some gentle humor and, of course, a love story.
*Thank you, Christina, for suggesting the title of this story.*
February 10, 2016
For MC this is a surprisingly short read, as she normally goes the epic route for book length. The book takes place right after The Black Wolf's book and happens in tandem somewhat. Ciaran, the Dragonslayer was a Crusader and a Templar, but the outright torture and killing of innocents was taking his soul so he refused to do "GODS" work anymore. For that reason, he was sent home from the Crusades in disgrace and ex-communicated from the church. His parents turned their back on their only son. An uncle took pity on him and sent him out to a remote castle. Ami is on the run from her violent new husband of one night, but that one night was enough to let her know she wouldn't survive another one. So she bashed him in the head and took off. She ends up in a small village that is under Ciaran's control. That doesn't stop the Oro the Red Boar...can we say Carrot top meets the Hulk ugly here and Ami's husband, from killing everybody in the village looking for Ami. By some miracle she manages to escape and ends up being rescued by the Dragonslayer himself. So their story begins as they fight their attraction to one another and keep Oro from finding Ami. Heads up ladies, Ciaran had taken a vow of chastity to become a Knight's Templar, so that added a bit of a twist where Ami had been married to two horrible brutal men and tender as a marshmallow Cianan hadn't ever...well you know. :-)
November 10, 2008
Reviewed for www.thcreviews.com
"3.5 stars" This was the first time I had read a novel by Marsha Canham, and although there were, in my opinion, some weaknesses in the story, I was not entirely disappointed. The historical settings, including the brutality of medieval warfare, are described in rich detail, including the appearance of some real historical figures and the use of some medieval terms and dialog. I have a great appreciation for history, and it is clear that Ms. Canham did her research well. In fact, I came away from reading this book with a desire to learn more about certain aspects of the history described. However, for all the depth contained in the history, I felt that the characterizations were rather lacking. I would have liked to see a deeper exploration of the characters and what made them tick, as well as more back story. For instance, at the end of the prologue, we see Ciaran apparently being accosted by two Saracens after walking off the battlefield and fully expecting to be killed, but the author never clearly resolves who these men were or how Ciaran got out of this situation. Another aspect I would have liked to see more deeply explored was the lengthy and loyal friendship between Ciaran and Marak. We are not given much insight as to what sparked that friendship, or what made it so long lasting.
I think that perhaps the best drawn character in the book is Marak. I found him to be an intriguing and romantic character in spite of his physical flaw, indeed he was a joy to read, but sometimes it seemed like he nearly overshadowed Ciaran. I thought that Marak had more and better dialog with Amie than Ciaran did. Also, in general, the dialog seemed a bit unbalanced. In places, it was so beautiful in its raw intensity as to be poetic, and yet in other places I felt the story and characters would have benefited from the use of more dialog. For example, the author gives us a look into both Ciaran and Amie's thoughts after they make love for the first time. Both seem to harbor some insecurities at this point, and I felt that their relationship could have been deepened considerably by a bit of dialog expressing their thoughts and feelings to each other. Another mild disappointment for me was that although Ciaran and Amie obviously develop a deep and abiding love for each other, it is never really expressed in words. I suppose to some extent the dialog deficiencies could be chalked up to Ciaran being a man of few words, but still I've read other introverted heroes who have more to say while still maintaining their brooding state. I was also disappointed that Ciaran and Amie basically had an affair while she was still bound in marriage. While I certainly didn't feel any sympathy for Odo after the way he had treated Amie, I just found myself wishing that the author had waited until Amie was free of any legal obligation in that regard. Lastly, I felt like the emotional problems that Ciaran and Amie both faced were resolved a little too easily. I have a personal preference of watching characters like these work through the issues and grow throughout the story. In my opinion, this type of interaction can really help to flesh out the characters. Also, while the early parts of the book were rather slow, the ending seemed a tad bit rushed. As I got down to the last few chapters, I started to wonder how the author was going to resolve the story in such a short space, but it did ultimately have a reasonably satisfying ending.
While it may seem that I have a lot of criticisms of this book, I still found My Forever Love to be an enjoyable and worthwhile read. I certainly did not come away feeling that I had wasted my time like I have on occasion with other books. Ciaran and Amie were both very likable characters. While Ciaran is not a particularly dark and brooding hero, he does harbor a lot of psychological pain (PTSD) from his time in the Crusades. Although some might disagree, I found the fact that Ciaran was not a lust-crazed hero and had maintained his celibacy for such a long time to be rather refreshing and irresistible, though I have to admit a little disappointment over the circumstances in which he gave it up. I had expected something completely different. I also loved his compassion and the fact that he chose to do the right thing even if it went against the laws of both man and church. (By the way, for anyone not familiar with Gaelic, his name is pronounced like our more modern day name, Kieran [KEE-uh-ran]). For all the suffering and abuse Amie endured, she still did not become bitter or loose her sweetness of spirit, and yet she was also a woman of strength and courage. A great balance that is difficult to strike in a heroine. I also appreciated the forthrightness of the hero and heroine. There were no lies, games or silly misunderstandings. Granted Amie initially tried to conceal her identity, but only briefly, and after that they were completely honest with each other. There was also a very romantic though minor plot point that I liked in which the relationship between a pair of secondary characters is revealed. The overall storyline was enjoyable and engrossing. Prior to reading this novel, I was not even familiar with Ms. Canham's name, but I liked the book well enough that I would be open to reading more titles by her in the future.
"3.5 stars" This was the first time I had read a novel by Marsha Canham, and although there were, in my opinion, some weaknesses in the story, I was not entirely disappointed. The historical settings, including the brutality of medieval warfare, are described in rich detail, including the appearance of some real historical figures and the use of some medieval terms and dialog. I have a great appreciation for history, and it is clear that Ms. Canham did her research well. In fact, I came away from reading this book with a desire to learn more about certain aspects of the history described. However, for all the depth contained in the history, I felt that the characterizations were rather lacking. I would have liked to see a deeper exploration of the characters and what made them tick, as well as more back story. For instance, at the end of the prologue, we see Ciaran apparently being accosted by two Saracens after walking off the battlefield and fully expecting to be killed, but the author never clearly resolves who these men were or how Ciaran got out of this situation. Another aspect I would have liked to see more deeply explored was the lengthy and loyal friendship between Ciaran and Marak. We are not given much insight as to what sparked that friendship, or what made it so long lasting.
I think that perhaps the best drawn character in the book is Marak. I found him to be an intriguing and romantic character in spite of his physical flaw, indeed he was a joy to read, but sometimes it seemed like he nearly overshadowed Ciaran. I thought that Marak had more and better dialog with Amie than Ciaran did. Also, in general, the dialog seemed a bit unbalanced. In places, it was so beautiful in its raw intensity as to be poetic, and yet in other places I felt the story and characters would have benefited from the use of more dialog. For example, the author gives us a look into both Ciaran and Amie's thoughts after they make love for the first time. Both seem to harbor some insecurities at this point, and I felt that their relationship could have been deepened considerably by a bit of dialog expressing their thoughts and feelings to each other. Another mild disappointment for me was that although Ciaran and Amie obviously develop a deep and abiding love for each other, it is never really expressed in words. I suppose to some extent the dialog deficiencies could be chalked up to Ciaran being a man of few words, but still I've read other introverted heroes who have more to say while still maintaining their brooding state. I was also disappointed that Ciaran and Amie basically had an affair while she was still bound in marriage. While I certainly didn't feel any sympathy for Odo after the way he had treated Amie, I just found myself wishing that the author had waited until Amie was free of any legal obligation in that regard. Lastly, I felt like the emotional problems that Ciaran and Amie both faced were resolved a little too easily. I have a personal preference of watching characters like these work through the issues and grow throughout the story. In my opinion, this type of interaction can really help to flesh out the characters. Also, while the early parts of the book were rather slow, the ending seemed a tad bit rushed. As I got down to the last few chapters, I started to wonder how the author was going to resolve the story in such a short space, but it did ultimately have a reasonably satisfying ending.
While it may seem that I have a lot of criticisms of this book, I still found My Forever Love to be an enjoyable and worthwhile read. I certainly did not come away feeling that I had wasted my time like I have on occasion with other books. Ciaran and Amie were both very likable characters. While Ciaran is not a particularly dark and brooding hero, he does harbor a lot of psychological pain (PTSD) from his time in the Crusades. Although some might disagree, I found the fact that Ciaran was not a lust-crazed hero and had maintained his celibacy for such a long time to be rather refreshing and irresistible, though I have to admit a little disappointment over the circumstances in which he gave it up. I had expected something completely different. I also loved his compassion and the fact that he chose to do the right thing even if it went against the laws of both man and church. (By the way, for anyone not familiar with Gaelic, his name is pronounced like our more modern day name, Kieran [KEE-uh-ran]). For all the suffering and abuse Amie endured, she still did not become bitter or loose her sweetness of spirit, and yet she was also a woman of strength and courage. A great balance that is difficult to strike in a heroine. I also appreciated the forthrightness of the hero and heroine. There were no lies, games or silly misunderstandings. Granted Amie initially tried to conceal her identity, but only briefly, and after that they were completely honest with each other. There was also a very romantic though minor plot point that I liked in which the relationship between a pair of secondary characters is revealed. The overall storyline was enjoyable and engrossing. Prior to reading this novel, I was not even familiar with Ms. Canham's name, but I liked the book well enough that I would be open to reading more titles by her in the future.
May 3, 2025
Interesting premise and charismatic characters unfortunately spoiled by a severely undercooked plot! A real missed opportunity.
June 26, 2008
First of all, the cover of this book is among my favorites. I love how only half of the knight's face is shown, leaving the rest to the reader's imagination. The castle in the background was yet another nice touch. Now on to the story...
I did not find the violence in this story to be one bit offensive. In fact, it only added to the realism in this tale. Some authors get right into the story surrounding the hero and heroine, whereas Ms. Canham treats you to much more than that. Instead of merely stating that the hero engages in battle, you are taken onto the battlefield with him - the descriptions leaving little to the imagination - BREATHTAKINGLY REAL - the descriptions put you in a mind frame of watching a movie rather than reading a book.
I really enjoyed the story of Ciaran Tamberlane, a man who had lost faith in his God and almost in himself and Amaranth de Langois, the hunted bride of an abusive husband. I fell in love with Ciaran from the moment he was introducd - quiet, yet commanding...the physical description given of him by the author was enough to make me weak in the knees. Black hair, green eyes, tall and muscular....YUM!!!
Amaranth was most certainly courageous in her attempts to escape yet another abusive marriage.
The only thing that prevented me from giving this story a five-star rating was that by the time Tamberlane and Amaranth got around to declaring their love for one another...the book was ending. It's like I was so caught up in the story of how he came to be a excommunicated knight and she a woman on the run and then there was Marak, of course...that by the time the two confessed their feelings for one another, I was like, "Okay, now their story begins." But it doesn't. Don't get me wrong - the love scenes, though few, were wonderful and the attaction between the two was quite obvious from start but I just wanted more!!! *whine However, this doesn't disuade me from ordering every title by Marsha Canham from Amazon.com tonight. *laugh
I did not find the violence in this story to be one bit offensive. In fact, it only added to the realism in this tale. Some authors get right into the story surrounding the hero and heroine, whereas Ms. Canham treats you to much more than that. Instead of merely stating that the hero engages in battle, you are taken onto the battlefield with him - the descriptions leaving little to the imagination - BREATHTAKINGLY REAL - the descriptions put you in a mind frame of watching a movie rather than reading a book.
I really enjoyed the story of Ciaran Tamberlane, a man who had lost faith in his God and almost in himself and Amaranth de Langois, the hunted bride of an abusive husband. I fell in love with Ciaran from the moment he was introducd - quiet, yet commanding...the physical description given of him by the author was enough to make me weak in the knees. Black hair, green eyes, tall and muscular....YUM!!!
Amaranth was most certainly courageous in her attempts to escape yet another abusive marriage.
The only thing that prevented me from giving this story a five-star rating was that by the time Tamberlane and Amaranth got around to declaring their love for one another...the book was ending. It's like I was so caught up in the story of how he came to be a excommunicated knight and she a woman on the run and then there was Marak, of course...that by the time the two confessed their feelings for one another, I was like, "Okay, now their story begins." But it doesn't. Don't get me wrong - the love scenes, though few, were wonderful and the attaction between the two was quite obvious from start but I just wanted more!!! *whine However, this doesn't disuade me from ordering every title by Marsha Canham from Amazon.com tonight. *laugh
July 17, 2011
One of my favorites by Marsha Canham. The heroine, Amaranth, is running from her abusive husband and the hero, Ciaran, an excommunicated Templar knight, who is quite a tortured soul, gives her sanctuary in his castle.
This has a bit of a dark feel to it but not too dark. It is one of those books that made it on to the keeper shelf without hesitation.
This has a bit of a dark feel to it but not too dark. It is one of those books that made it on to the keeper shelf without hesitation.
September 15, 2021
Not bad, not bad 3.5
It dragged a little at the end, but I loved the gore and battles. One thing I did appreciate was all the surprises and secrets were pretty much discussed right upfront, no big misunderstandings and stupid secrets. Also, I kinda had a lady boner for Marak and hoped that Amie would hook up with him….Other than that, it was pretty low key.
It dragged a little at the end, but I loved the gore and battles. One thing I did appreciate was all the surprises and secrets were pretty much discussed right upfront, no big misunderstandings and stupid secrets. Also, I kinda had a lady boner for Marak and hoped that Amie would hook up with him….Other than that, it was pretty low key.
November 13, 2015
This book is set during the reign of Richard the Lionheart, and specifically while he's off crusading and left evil Prince John in charge. The heroine is married (not of her choosing) to an evil minion of John's and she's escaped his clutches and finds herself under the protect of a disgraced Templar knight. It's all too complicated to explain. If you like those medieval knights of yore, evil bad guys and a nice bit of romance and action and adventure, this book should suit. I enjoyed it, but it didn't rock my world either.
Dead tree copy purchased at a FOL sale, Kindle copy obtained via library loan.
Dead tree copy purchased at a FOL sale, Kindle copy obtained via library loan.
May 15, 2013
This is the story of a medieval knight and the lady he rescues from an abusive husband. I liked the book and I love this author's other works. Tamberlane and Amaranth were wonderful characters. I just wish there had been more scenes involving their personal relationship, maybe more dialogue or events where they get to know each other better. It felt more like pure physical attraction, I wasn't feeling the love between them until the very end. The descriptions were great but would've fit better in a longer book. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but I did enjoy the last part of the book and was sorry to see it end.
July 28, 2012
There isn't a book written by Marsha Canham that I have read that I didn't love! This book is no exception. Loved it!
November 5, 2023
this story was so sweet I just wish it was longer.
August 27, 2012
I read this book back to back after reading "My Forever Love" which was the original version of this book. I loved that book, but I loved Marsha's revisions to this even more. There are spoilers in this review so read no further if you don't want to know some of the differences between the books.
The differences were enough to me to justify buying the revamped version with a new name, which I like better than the original. The lovely new cover is a plus too. Originally in "My Forever Love" Amie's uncle had sold her not once but twice into marriages she didn't want. First to an old man that beat her and second to Odo. She had only been married to Odo, her current husband and the man she nearly killed for one day. In the Dragon Tree, there was no previous old man she was married to and she was married to Odo for ten months which made things much more believable to me. There was obvious hatred in her where her husband was concerned and it was built up over months. Not a day. Much more justifiable!
Also Timberlane knew she was married and Odo was her husband before Odo was let into the Castle where in the original version this information was held back from him until after. I liked that Amie was honest with him.
Also in the first book there was some mystery around Marak which was explained in greater detail in the Dragon Tree. I hadn't realized he was a Saracen in "MFL" where in "TDT" we learn he is a Saracen. There is also a little bit more about how he and Timberlane became friends.
There were other differences such as Timberlane seeming not so cold and wooden. His affection and attraction to Amie didn't seem so sudden as in the first book but felt like a nice gradual realistic build for a man who has not behaved or felt like a man before, but as a warrior monk.
I loved this book and will definitely be reading it again. I've read all of Marsha's books and they just get better and better the longer she writes.
The differences were enough to me to justify buying the revamped version with a new name, which I like better than the original. The lovely new cover is a plus too. Originally in "My Forever Love" Amie's uncle had sold her not once but twice into marriages she didn't want. First to an old man that beat her and second to Odo. She had only been married to Odo, her current husband and the man she nearly killed for one day. In the Dragon Tree, there was no previous old man she was married to and she was married to Odo for ten months which made things much more believable to me. There was obvious hatred in her where her husband was concerned and it was built up over months. Not a day. Much more justifiable!
Also Timberlane knew she was married and Odo was her husband before Odo was let into the Castle where in the original version this information was held back from him until after. I liked that Amie was honest with him.
Also in the first book there was some mystery around Marak which was explained in greater detail in the Dragon Tree. I hadn't realized he was a Saracen in "MFL" where in "TDT" we learn he is a Saracen. There is also a little bit more about how he and Timberlane became friends.
There were other differences such as Timberlane seeming not so cold and wooden. His affection and attraction to Amie didn't seem so sudden as in the first book but felt like a nice gradual realistic build for a man who has not behaved or felt like a man before, but as a warrior monk.
I loved this book and will definitely be reading it again. I've read all of Marsha's books and they just get better and better the longer she writes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2015
I read My Forever Love, not the revised.
September 28, 2017
Benim Ebedi Aşkım
Marsha Canham
Hmm
İlginç bir kitaptı sanırım
Başta fena halde zor okumaya başladım sonra hikaye kendine çekti
zorlu bir hayat iki hayatı biraraya getirdi
Tanrıya inanmayı ona hizmet etmeyi bırakan tamberlane yakıp yıkılan bir köyde yaralı bir kızı kurtarır.
Kızımız kocasından kaçan onu öldürmek isteyen bir Ladydir
fakat bu iki yaralı yürek birbirlerine çekilir
Koruma ve sevgiyi gören Lady için ondan etkilenmemek zordur
bana göre de zordu özelikle bazı sayfalar gerçekten çok iyiydi
hikayesi ilerleyişi yavaş olsa da sıcaktı bana göre
sevdim
Marsha Canham
Hmm
İlginç bir kitaptı sanırım
Başta fena halde zor okumaya başladım sonra hikaye kendine çekti
zorlu bir hayat iki hayatı biraraya getirdi
Tanrıya inanmayı ona hizmet etmeyi bırakan tamberlane yakıp yıkılan bir köyde yaralı bir kızı kurtarır.
Kızımız kocasından kaçan onu öldürmek isteyen bir Ladydir
fakat bu iki yaralı yürek birbirlerine çekilir
Koruma ve sevgiyi gören Lady için ondan etkilenmemek zordur
bana göre de zordu özelikle bazı sayfalar gerçekten çok iyiydi
hikayesi ilerleyişi yavaş olsa da sıcaktı bana göre
sevdim
March 20, 2024
This could be read as a 1.5 in her Black Wolf (Robin Hood) series. It's low spice but absolutely precious as the Hero was, until recently, a crusader (read: monk).
Canham is such an amazing author. Her historical details are extra and they give her books so much more realism.
I love love her books and very much enjoyed this one.
Canham is such an amazing author. Her historical details are extra and they give her books so much more realism.
I love love her books and very much enjoyed this one.
May 11, 2025
Giving whole ass POV chapters to the abusive ex that has a cartoonishly evil personality and hobbies to go with it (with the added bonus of him describing all the awful things he wants to do to the wife he took by force while constantly calling her a "whore") sure was a Choice.
And it was enough to make me DNF. No thank you.
And it was enough to make me DNF. No thank you.
November 18, 2013
This review contains spoilers - if you don't want to know - skip this review!!
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This book would have been five stars hands down except for one thing....the heroine was married and her husband didn't die until the very end of the book - like it or not, agree with me or not - that is adultery plain and simple and I can't condone it.
That being said - if I ever did condone adultery- I would give Amie a "free cheat on your spouse" pass before anyone else! Her husband Odo (great name for a villain!) was perhaps one of the most despicable villains I have ever read. The things he did to her were justification for her to leave him in my mind. In a time when women were not partners but chattel with no rights - she was a desperate woman with no choices, no family and in fear for her life - She did not leave her husband for Ciaran - she left for her life with no intentions of cheating or even having another relationship - she was merely trying to survive long enough to enter a convent.
Ciaran had demons of his own and was probably one of the most self loathing, tortured heroes you will ever meet in a book. He was a wonderful man who just couldn't forgive himself for his perceived sins.
This book had quite a bit of blood and gore - but it was necessary for the story and the time. Ms Canham does not shy away from painting a realistic scene and as disgusting as it is to read - it really gives the reader a realistic view of the times.
In the same token, her love scenes are hot and passionate without sliding into pornographic smut. None of the love scenes seemed gratuitous - and none take place until the last 25% of the book. The first kiss doesn't even happen until the final third of the book and even then they don't immediately fall into bed.
Even though I don't like books with cheating/adultery and usually stop reading and return the book if I come across it - this book would be my exception - while I don't agree with it - I can empathize and even understand it in this book - the heroine never wanted to marry Odo and was severely abused to the point where to save her life she had to leave and even then she was almost killed - she didn't leave intending to break her vows or to fall in love with anyone.
I have read the Robin Hood trilogy - in fact Randwulf de la Seyne Sur Mer makes a cameo in this book :) and the Pirate Wolf trilogy by this author and loved all those books - based I that fact I decided to give this book a try even knowing that there might be adultery - and I can honestly say I am glad I did. Ciaran and Amie will stay with me for a long time.
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This book would have been five stars hands down except for one thing....the heroine was married and her husband didn't die until the very end of the book - like it or not, agree with me or not - that is adultery plain and simple and I can't condone it.
That being said - if I ever did condone adultery- I would give Amie a "free cheat on your spouse" pass before anyone else! Her husband Odo (great name for a villain!) was perhaps one of the most despicable villains I have ever read. The things he did to her were justification for her to leave him in my mind. In a time when women were not partners but chattel with no rights - she was a desperate woman with no choices, no family and in fear for her life - She did not leave her husband for Ciaran - she left for her life with no intentions of cheating or even having another relationship - she was merely trying to survive long enough to enter a convent.
Ciaran had demons of his own and was probably one of the most self loathing, tortured heroes you will ever meet in a book. He was a wonderful man who just couldn't forgive himself for his perceived sins.
This book had quite a bit of blood and gore - but it was necessary for the story and the time. Ms Canham does not shy away from painting a realistic scene and as disgusting as it is to read - it really gives the reader a realistic view of the times.
In the same token, her love scenes are hot and passionate without sliding into pornographic smut. None of the love scenes seemed gratuitous - and none take place until the last 25% of the book. The first kiss doesn't even happen until the final third of the book and even then they don't immediately fall into bed.
Even though I don't like books with cheating/adultery and usually stop reading and return the book if I come across it - this book would be my exception - while I don't agree with it - I can empathize and even understand it in this book - the heroine never wanted to marry Odo and was severely abused to the point where to save her life she had to leave and even then she was almost killed - she didn't leave intending to break her vows or to fall in love with anyone.
I have read the Robin Hood trilogy - in fact Randwulf de la Seyne Sur Mer makes a cameo in this book :) and the Pirate Wolf trilogy by this author and loved all those books - based I that fact I decided to give this book a try even knowing that there might be adultery - and I can honestly say I am glad I did. Ciaran and Amie will stay with me for a long time.
May 23, 2016
Things I liked:
Marsha Canham does a lot (and I mean a LOT) of research for her medieval novels. One of her books actually helped me pass a test in AP Euro in high school. This one was no less thoroughly researched, and I like that she shows her notes at the end of her books. Honestly, for all that her books are technically romance novels, the romance comes second to the political intrigue and battles. There's a much more descriptive passage about someone's severed limb than the one sex scene contained in this novel.
So what I'm saying is, if you're only here for the romance, Marsha Canham might not be for you.
I also loved her hero and heroine. Ciaran is a fascinating puzzle of a fallen Templar who abandons his mission and his faith on the battlefield during the Crusades but doesn't fall so far that he isn't still very much a virgin when he meets Amaranth, who is on the run from her terrible evil husband.
Who, by the way, brings me to.
Things that were meh:
For all that the heroes were so beautifully flawed and interesting, the two villains (one main one and one kind of thrown in for good measure) were pretty one dimensional. Amaranth's husband is evil because it suits the story. Also because he's ambitious and wants to have more land, but is willing to abandon that mission to continue torturing his errant wife. Which. Okay.
The other sub-villain is basically mad because the hero cut off his arm once. And you know, I get that.
And finally, a warning. For all that this is, again, technically a romance novel, it needs to come with a huge trigger warning. Amaranth was raped and beaten repeatedly by her husband, and while none of it happens "onscreen" as it were, it's talked about a lot.
Marsha Canham does a lot (and I mean a LOT) of research for her medieval novels. One of her books actually helped me pass a test in AP Euro in high school. This one was no less thoroughly researched, and I like that she shows her notes at the end of her books. Honestly, for all that her books are technically romance novels, the romance comes second to the political intrigue and battles. There's a much more descriptive passage about someone's severed limb than the one sex scene contained in this novel.
So what I'm saying is, if you're only here for the romance, Marsha Canham might not be for you.
I also loved her hero and heroine. Ciaran is a fascinating puzzle of a fallen Templar who abandons his mission and his faith on the battlefield during the Crusades but doesn't fall so far that he isn't still very much a virgin when he meets Amaranth, who is on the run from her terrible evil husband.
Who, by the way, brings me to.
Things that were meh:
For all that the heroes were so beautifully flawed and interesting, the two villains (one main one and one kind of thrown in for good measure) were pretty one dimensional. Amaranth's husband is evil because it suits the story. Also because he's ambitious and wants to have more land, but is willing to abandon that mission to continue torturing his errant wife. Which. Okay.
The other sub-villain is basically mad because the hero cut off his arm once. And you know, I get that.
And finally, a warning. For all that this is, again, technically a romance novel, it needs to come with a huge trigger warning. Amaranth was raped and beaten repeatedly by her husband, and while none of it happens "onscreen" as it were, it's talked about a lot.
February 18, 2024
One of my most favorite books and hero.
For me, an historical romance works, if the hero is strong, brave and honorable, even if he may have done bad things in the past. The heroine has to be someone he falls for at first sight. So this book has all my favorite things. Even a virgin hero, which is pulled off very well here.
Loved the plot, the secondary characters did not over power. Two damaged people meet and fall in love, and it is done well. The sex scenes (wait for it..) came late in the book (the first sex scene was between secondary characters) and they were great!! This couple goes on my favorite couples list if just because they have great chemistry!!
Loved it when I first read it, and I love it every time I read it - even though I know what will happen.
BEST USE OF: a virgin hero , stopping at a monastery
ALPHA MALE 10
SPUNKY HEROINE 10
SOME SEX 9 (had to wait for it)
HEA(HAPPILY EVER AFTER) Hope so – book kind of ended ..
PROLOGUE/EPILOGUE Prologue only – and it is a book desparately in need of an epilogue! I need to know how many children and how they lived!!
Rating System
10 - Perfect! Keeper shelf forever
Heat Level
4 – Hot –hot lovemaking scenes that were worth waiting for (and even though the first sex scene was with secondary characters)
COVER: The cover shows the hero and the castle - it works!!
READING OVER AND OVER: I read this book at least once a year I love it so much.
For me, an historical romance works, if the hero is strong, brave and honorable, even if he may have done bad things in the past. The heroine has to be someone he falls for at first sight. So this book has all my favorite things. Even a virgin hero, which is pulled off very well here.
Loved the plot, the secondary characters did not over power. Two damaged people meet and fall in love, and it is done well. The sex scenes (wait for it..) came late in the book (the first sex scene was between secondary characters) and they were great!! This couple goes on my favorite couples list if just because they have great chemistry!!
Loved it when I first read it, and I love it every time I read it - even though I know what will happen.
BEST USE OF: a virgin hero , stopping at a monastery
ALPHA MALE 10
SPUNKY HEROINE 10
SOME SEX 9 (had to wait for it)
HEA(HAPPILY EVER AFTER) Hope so – book kind of ended ..
PROLOGUE/EPILOGUE Prologue only – and it is a book desparately in need of an epilogue! I need to know how many children and how they lived!!
Rating System
10 - Perfect! Keeper shelf forever
Heat Level
4 – Hot –hot lovemaking scenes that were worth waiting for (and even though the first sex scene was with secondary characters)
COVER: The cover shows the hero and the castle - it works!!
READING OVER AND OVER: I read this book at least once a year I love it so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2011
I very much enjoyed this story. The beginning threw me off slightly with the setting of the time frame. While it is tagged #4 out of the Robin Hood series, it actually is set some time after the first and mid-way through the second one, while Richard the Lionheart is still alive. The story of Ciaran is that of a tortured sole, from deeds from his past that haunt him to the degree of living a life of seclusion and unable to forgive himself. He was also a monk sworn to celibacy who lost his faith in god and mankind. In all but one of Marsha Canham's books, her males are to die-for alphas who can bring a woman to her knees, so having an virgin alpha male was quite different. Generally, this is not my type of hero but she pulled it off though.
Like all of her books, the story is wonderfully written and plays out with thoughtfulness and continuity bring in pieces of the other stories. It did however lack in the intensity commonly found in all of her other books. The ending being more than slightly anticlimactic and not with the strength to keep the story in motion in my mind after finishing like 2 and 3 in the series.
Like all of her books, the story is wonderfully written and plays out with thoughtfulness and continuity bring in pieces of the other stories. It did however lack in the intensity commonly found in all of her other books. The ending being more than slightly anticlimactic and not with the strength to keep the story in motion in my mind after finishing like 2 and 3 in the series.
August 5, 2012
Yorum: Ortaçağ'da geçen tarihi kurgu içeren bir aşk hikayesi. Ciaran ve Amie... İkisi de yaralı ve ikisi de ilk kez aşık oluyorlar. Amie amcası tarafından iki kere evlendiriliyor para karşılığında. İlki yaşlı biri ve Amie'ye kötü davranıyor sonra mantardan zehirlenip ölüyor. İkincisi ise Lord langois. O da çok pis biri ama Amie ile evlenmek için iki nedeni var. Birincisi ünvan. İkincisini hikaye s...onunda keşfedeceksiniz.
Hem Ciaran'ı hem de Amie'yi sevdim ama en çok Ciaran'ı sevdim.
Ve de tabii ki Marak... Ah albino simyacımız... Albinolara karşı özel bir ilgim var. Onları büyüleyici bulurum ben. Mermer gibi tenleri ve bembeyaz saçları vs. Ve Marak'ın gizli aşkı... Onu söylememeyim. Aslında ipucu verdim sayılır.
Neyse gelelim yoruma. Çeviri ve edisyon biraz daha iyi olaydı çok daha keyifli bir okuma süreci geçirecektim ama buna da şükür. Özellikle tarihi ayrıntılar olmasını çok seviyorum ve Canham tam olarak bunu çok güzel bir şekilde hikayeyle yoğrumuş. Ben beğendim. Tam tadında bir romandı. Ve tam da sevdiğim tarzda tarihi ayrıntılar içeriyordu:) tavsiye ederim.
Hem Ciaran'ı hem de Amie'yi sevdim ama en çok Ciaran'ı sevdim.
Ve de tabii ki Marak... Ah albino simyacımız... Albinolara karşı özel bir ilgim var. Onları büyüleyici bulurum ben. Mermer gibi tenleri ve bembeyaz saçları vs. Ve Marak'ın gizli aşkı... Onu söylememeyim. Aslında ipucu verdim sayılır.
Neyse gelelim yoruma. Çeviri ve edisyon biraz daha iyi olaydı çok daha keyifli bir okuma süreci geçirecektim ama buna da şükür. Özellikle tarihi ayrıntılar olmasını çok seviyorum ve Canham tam olarak bunu çok güzel bir şekilde hikayeyle yoğrumuş. Ben beğendim. Tam tadında bir romandı. Ve tam da sevdiğim tarzda tarihi ayrıntılar içeriyordu:) tavsiye ederim.
December 9, 2015
Tamberlane, a Templar knight who has become bitter and disillusioned after participating in the Crusades, returns to England and lives in isolation on one of his uncle's holdings. Amaranth flees her abusive husband and is subsequently injured and brought to Tamberlane's keep for treatment.
It has a lot of the elements I like, but I never felt that the two mains became all that close or got to know one another all that well. I didn't find their love at the end convincing. And one of the things I like about the heroine having undergone abuse is watching her gradually regain her confidence and slowly start trusting the hero. I didn't find Amaranth's behavior all that consistent with that of a woman who had been really seriously abused by two husbands in a row. Even the physical intimacy didn't seem to faze her in the slightest.
It has a lot of the elements I like, but I never felt that the two mains became all that close or got to know one another all that well. I didn't find their love at the end convincing. And one of the things I like about the heroine having undergone abuse is watching her gradually regain her confidence and slowly start trusting the hero. I didn't find Amaranth's behavior all that consistent with that of a woman who had been really seriously abused by two husbands in a row. Even the physical intimacy didn't seem to faze her in the slightest.
October 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this; it was fast-paced with good character delineation and plot development. It was originally published under another title and with a different cover (much to the dismay and disgust of Ms Canham) but when she got her rights back she went and changed things to her liking and I'm very glad. The title is her original title and the cover is as she originally envisioned it. Good for her!
January 2, 2019
From despair to hope
An abused wife & disgraced knight find purpose to live rather than exist in the hells that torment them. Kinda novel that the blushing virgin is the knight ex Templar.
Exciting adventure with lots of tension & intrigue with a touch of exotic. Characters invite an emotional response whether to want to protect, nurture, to learn from or stab repeatedly.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, will be looking to read more from this author.
An abused wife & disgraced knight find purpose to live rather than exist in the hells that torment them. Kinda novel that the blushing virgin is the knight ex Templar.
Exciting adventure with lots of tension & intrigue with a touch of exotic. Characters invite an emotional response whether to want to protect, nurture, to learn from or stab repeatedly.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, will be looking to read more from this author.
November 25, 2015
I quite liked this book. It was more like a work of historical fiction than historical romance. There were unconventional secondary characters -- an albino magister and a Saracen woman. The heroine had been through two difficult, short marriages and the hero was great, but they were somewhat distant throughout much of the novel.
April 7, 2014
Excellent book!
I love the detail in all the Marsha Canham books. My favorite series is the Robin Hood trilogy. The Black Wolf is one of my favorite characters of all time. I highly recommend this writer to readers who like detail and who can handle a bit of blood and Gore since her books are pretty graphic. She is a fantastic story teller!
I love the detail in all the Marsha Canham books. My favorite series is the Robin Hood trilogy. The Black Wolf is one of my favorite characters of all time. I highly recommend this writer to readers who like detail and who can handle a bit of blood and Gore since her books are pretty graphic. She is a fantastic story teller!
January 30, 2011
loved it!
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