New Review: Shannon Drake’s KNIGHT TRIUMPHANT – Great Medieval in a Wonderful Series by Heather Graham

This is the 4th in the Graham clan saga set in Scotland (see list below). This one takes place in the early 14th century, and tells the continuing story of Eric Graham who we met in SEIZE THE DAWN when he was by the side of Brendan Graham.

Eric is now an outlaw, a follower of Robert Bruce who has been named King of Scotland, but who still battles Edward, King of England, for the right to rule. While he is recruiting more men to follow the Bruce, Eric takes aboard his ship an injured man who has the plague and has unknowingly brought death to Eric’s people, including his young daughter and beloved wife, Margot, who die along with other Scots while prisoners at Langley, the estate in the Scottish borderlands ruled by English lord Afton.

Afton, a good man, has also succumbed to the plague brought to him with the Scottish prisoners. His widow, the beautiful Lady Igrainia has used her healing powers to help those who can recover, both Scottish and English prisoners. When Eric comes to Langley for his wife and daughter and those of his men among the prisoners, Eric seizes the castle but then falls prey to the disease and Igrainia nurses him to health. He intends to allow Robert Bruce to use Igrainia as a bargaining chip to free Bruce's women held by king Edward, since she is the daughter and sister of an earl. But Edward will not bargain and so Robert the Bruce tells Eric to wed Igrainia to irritate Edward and claim her lands.

Eric forces Igrainia to wed him. Then, following another order of the Bruce, he gets her with child to validate the marriage--all for the glory of Scotland. Despite Eric’s mourning for Margot and his daughter, he finds himself attracted to Igrainia and she with him.

Igrainia is a strong-willed, creative and courageous woman who loved her husband, a kind gentle lord, a man of books and letters, but she can see that Eric has an honorable nature in contrast to the English leaders who would use her. Eric is a man whose soul has been deeply wounded and whether he can care for another woman is the big question.

Graham does an excellent job of bringing out the emotions surrounding all this. I liked this book in the series very much. It was more complex and the history was woven in very well. Her character development is excellent and the love scenes are "real."

A well-told tale by Graham in this Scottish historical romance series, and I recommend it!

The Graham Saga:

COME THE MORNING
CONQUER THE NIGHT
SEIZE THE DAWN
KNIGHT TRIUMPHANT
THE LION IN GLORY
WHEN WE TOUCH
THE QUEEN'S LADY