This is one for the keeper shelf. I loved it. Set in 11th Century Normandy and England, this is the story of Eleanor of Nantes, daughter of a Norman count. She is young and innocent, but oh, so courageous and spirited.
When
King William first encounters her, she is defending her bastard half brother,
Roger FitzGilbert, fighting off the bullies who are after him. The king is
taken with the 12-year-old girl and would betroth her to his own son, Henry.
But fate takes a harsh turn upon her mother’s death and Eleanor is sent to a
convent. All the while, another man swears he will have her for his wife, the
rich, powerful and cruel Robert of Belesme. However, Eleanor's heart belongs to
Roger, who unknown to her, is not her brother at all which she discovers at 19
when she leaves the convent to be betrothed to Belesme.
Eleanor is a heroine to admire, consistent in her strength, intelligence and nobility
of character. Roger is the kind of knight every woman longs for. He sees all
Eleanor’s faults and loves her passionately and proudly, notwithstanding.
Robert of Belesme, the villain who is obsessed with Eleanor, is terrible and
cruel yet also strangely sympathetic (kudos to Mills to create such a complex
character). The story is rich in historic details with an intricately woven
plot, fast-moving dialog and suspenseful action.
It’s a page-turner and so well written. I recommend it!
The Fire Series:
LADY OF FIRE
FIRE AND STEEL
HEARTS OF FIRE
THE FIRE AND THE FURY
WINTER ROSES
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