Tamara Leigh’s VALOROUS – First in the Age of Honor Medieval Series that sets the Stage for the others to follow

The story begins in 1346 in Crecy, France where English troops have just taken the city. So begins the Hundred Years’ War, the backdrop against which the family of Wulfriths live and this series is set.

 

Tamara Leigh is a gifted storyteller, but her often awkward sentence structure and word usage, presumably for medieval effect, make the story difficult to read at times. Often, I had to read a paragraph twice to try and get the meaning. Sometimes I couldn’t tell who was talking. Eventually I just skipped over difficult passages and read on. I liked the characters and how Leigh fit them and the history into the story that kept me turning pages.

 

The hero, Hector Wulfrith, is the senior member of the family and head of the school that trains England’s knights for the king. He’s been married several times, each time losing the wife. He has come to believe he isn’t supposed to have a wife, that God does not intend him to be married and sire an heir. Severine de Barra is a young Frenchwoman, who sneaks into England after the fall of Crecy with her young charge, a boy of royal lineage who wants to be trained by the Wulfriths. And she means to make that happen even if she has to fight Hector to do it.

 

Some exciting scenes lead Hector to realize perhaps there is a chance at love for him, and Severine de Barra might be that woman. I enjoyed the book and will read others by this author.

 

 

 

 

Tamara Leigh’s THE YIELDING – Heroine Falsely Accused Struggles to be Believed

Set in mid-12^th century England, this is the story of Lady Beatrix Wulfrith, sister to Garr Wulfrith. She had thought to give her life to the Church when she encounters Lord Michael D’Arci, a man who hates her because he believes she murdered his brother.

Henry is now king and orders that one of Wulfrith’s sisters must marry the baron whose brother died at the hand of the Wulfriths (which took place in book 1, The Unveiling).

Since Beatrix was destined for the Church, it was decided tht Beatrix’s sister would go to the baron, but she does not want the marriage. So, the sisters plan an escape during which Beatrix falls into the hands of Simon D’Arci’s lust. In her attempt to defend her virtue, he falls on a knife and is killed. In the same incident, Beatrix hits her head and the injury affects her speech.

Simon’s brother, Michael, had been falsely accused of rape years earlier, thus he refuses to believe Beatrix’s accusations against his brother. When he finds himself at her mercy and she treats him kindly, he must reexamine his firm convictions.

There’s lots of action in this one, followed by Beatrix’s solitary existence hiding out from Lord D’Arci (which part was slow) and D’Arci’s commitment to revenge (he calls it justice) was a bit over the top at times. In the end, Beatrix tells her story and is believed. While not as good as the first book, it is well written, as always. A great medieval series all in all.

Tamara Leigh’s THE UNVEILING – Superb Medieval Romance!

Set in mid 12th century England, this is the story of Lady Annyn Bretanne, who lives for revenge on the man she believes hanged her brother and then lied about it, Garr, Baron Wulfrith. Wulfrith, as most call him, is known for the training of knights and was saddened when the young knight who was brother to Lady Annyn hanged himself, or so he thought. Wanting to sink a dagger into Lord Wulfrith’s heart, Annyn disguises herself as a squire and, using another’s name, enters Wulfen Castle where only men are allowed.

Annyn and Garr will clash as he is harsh in his training and she is resentful of the man she intends to kill. The training of knights goes on as King Stephen and young Duke Henry vie for the Crown of England. They will demand loyalty of their followers and will seek alliances with the powerful Lord Wulfrith and a favorable marriage for Annyn she does not want. Garr initially supports Stephen but comes to see Henry is the better choice. He has no idea one of his squires is a woman until she is “unveiled”.

This was so well written wth Wulfrith doling out “lessons” to his squires, lessons they would all remember. As he and Annyn discover they care for each other, she spouts the lessons back to him. Only Annyn had enough faith in her brother that the lies about him do not penetrate her loyalty. I loved that. Gar, initially cold and seemingly proud, is an honorable and truly humble before God. The treachery behind the mysterious death of Annyn’s brother is slowly revealed to great effect.

A wonderful medieval romance that will definitely hold your attention. It weaves in Annyn and Garr’s faith, too, as they develop over time. It’s very well done! Garr and Annyn are going on my Favorite Heroes & Heroines list!

Tamara Leigh’s BARON OF EMBERLY – The Saga Continues, a Medieval Romance to Savor

Set in England in 1334, this second book of The Feud series is a good story. Magnus Verdun, Baron Emberly, is a handsome nobleman who struggles to hide an affliction. While pursuing the murderous brigands who plague his lands, he becomes the unwitting savior of the woman the king has decreed he wed—the young Lady Thomasin, whose very presence threatens his carefully ordered life.

Having been common-born, her noble father, the Baron of Blackwood, loves her and expects the Baron of Emberly to make her a good husband. Without explaining why, her new husband confines her to sleep in a separate chamber and does not consummate the marriage. When he also demands she do as he asks, Thomasin rebels, which makes her the pawn of those determined to further the feud between their families.

This story began with an attack by villains on the heroine and a marriage neither she nor her handsome betrothed wanted. Still, she means to make the best of it and become the lady he expects. As with the first book in the series, this one has an authentic medieval feel so that you truly feel placed in the 14^th century. I loved that about it. It’s slower-paced than others I have read but the story does not disappoint.

Tamara Leigh’s BARON OF GODSMERE – Authentic Medieval Full of Intrigue

Set in 14^th century England, this is the story of a feud between three noblemen, each elevated to a baron and given a portion of his former lord’s lands. Jealousy and reprisals pit family against family, passing the feud from father to son. In an attempt to end the feud, King Edward decrees they shall intermarry and provides Baron Boursier a deadline, after which he will forfeit his lands.

Bayard Boursier is given a choice between two daughters of his enemies. On the eve of the deadline to honor the king’s decree, the fair Elianor of Emberly takes matters into her own hands. Determined none will suffer marriage to the man who she believes to be a beast, she carries out a plan to imprison him long enough to ensure his barony is forfeited. But when all goes awry and her wrathful enemy compels her to wed him to save his lands, she discovers he is not the terrible man she thought him to be. The real enemy is one who lurks in their mids, one Agatha, is determined to keep the feud burning.

Leigh does a great job of slowly developing the romance between Bayard and Elianor. He is tender with her and she can hardly fail to respond when she was the victim of a brutal man in her first marriage. Leigh has also captured a feel for the era and the historical setting. That said, the story moves along at a slow pace in places and it seems repetitive but one can just follow the dialog, which is very good and full of emotion. The dramatic ending is exciting and made me want to read the next in the series.

The Feud Series:

Baron of Godsmere

Baron of Emberly

Baron of Blackwood