Set
in 1194, this is the story of Nicola of Ashby, a tall warrior woman, and
Gilliam FitzHenry, brother to Rannulf, Lord Graistan. The story opens as
Gilliam is assaulting Ashby manor and kills Nicola’s father, calling him
traitor. There is obviously a prior history between the characters and prior
events have taken place; hence I recommend you read these books in order (this
is the 3rd book in the Graistan Chronicles, series list below).
Gilliam
intends to marry Nicola to gain Ashby, which he has already started rebuilding
after he burned down all the cottages and manor. But Nicola will not marry the
murderer of her father so she flees on the day they are to wed. Seemed
reasonable to me. Fierce and clever, Nicola manages an escape dressed as a lad
and once in the woods, slays four thugs who would capture her for the ransom
money. Domning did a great job with these fight scenes…very exciting. When
Gilliam learns of Nicola’s success, he is impressed and eager to tame the wild
woman. He has a history, too, having apparently had an affair with his
brother’s wife who carried his child. Both are now dead. (We never do get the
full story on that one which I assume is in the prior book.)
Eventually
Gilliam will force Nicola to wed him and the story of their difficult path to
love begins.
Domning
takes pains to provide accurate historical details reflecting her deep research
into the medieval period. While there isn’t much history here the book has an
authentic medieval feel in characters, setting and all that goes with it. Domning
serves up a worthy hero and heroine, too. I loved Nicola’s spirit and her
courage. And who could not find Gilliam charming and admire his persistence in
taming his new wife? This is a well-written, action packed story.
Lovers
of medieval romance will want to read this series—but do it in order!
On Amazon
The
Graistan
Chronicles (in the boxed
set, it’s the Seasons Series):
Winter’s Heat
Summer’s Storm
Spring’s Fury
Autumn’s Flame
A Love For All Seasons
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