TEST
Truth to tell, I’ve only been reading Romance for about eighteen months, so what’s old hat to some is probably new stuff to me. If you’re a longtime Medieval Romancer, you’ve probably read variations on the William the Conqueror theme countless times; if you’re new to medievals, as I am, this subject is still pretty fresh and interesting. Happily, The Vow delivers the goods.
Sir Luc Louvat has been outrageously betrayed in life by everybody who counts, except for his king. Dispatched by William to seize control of Saxon-held Wulfridge castle, Luc is promised the Northumbrian earldom for his own if he can capture and hold it. To Luc, failure is not an option as Wulfridge will be the answer to his prayers and his just desserts for years of faithful service to his king.
Inside the castle, and defending it with everything she’s got, is Ceara (Keera), Lord Balfour of Wulfridge’s daughter. Balfour has died, and for the last four months, Ceara has had to defend her holdings against invading Danes and Scots, and now the blasted Normans. In her youth and inexperience, Ceara has decided to forgo her late father’s oath of fealty to William, and instead, fights to keep Wulfridge as a Saxon stronghold. Her family has held the ancient castle since Roman times and she cannot even conceive of giving it over to anyone else.
Clever Luc storms the virtually unstormable castle and captures the Lady, but not before she gives him a real run for his money. Then, on the journey to York where William will decree the Lady’s fate, Luc, assuming his widowed captive (Ceara had briefly been wed) is no innocent, takes her virginity. But that’s okay, because that had been Ceara’s plan all along. She hopes to use the loss of her maidenhood to parlay Wulfridge back into her hands, either as compensation from William for the loss of her virtue, or, as Luc’s bride. Either way, she figures, she ends up back at Wulfridge.
Of course, William opts to wed the pair. Now you have two people who really do not like each other, literally speak different languages, whose only experience with the other is under a combat/hostage situation, and who now must build a life together. Oh, and have sex, lots and lots of sex, in order to produce the requisite heir. The sex part does not seem to cause either of them any undo stress – it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. It’s the verbal communication, social, and political elements that create all the distrust and tension.
There’s a hefty plot interwoven throughout the story that keeps things interesting and moving at an even pace. The attention to historical detail is very well done. It does not overpower the story but lends credibility to the various locations, conversations, and actions. King William is used nicely as a motivating force rather than a character unto himself.
But the best part of this book was watching two people who basically hate one another at the outset, learn about each other gradually, let trust build, begin to fall in love, realize they are in love, then allow themselves to fall deeply in love. The author allows this love to develop and unfold naturally over a period of time, just as in real relationships. Confesses Luc, “You are beauteous, yet it is not your fair face and winsome smile that bids me risk my life to keep you. It is the inherent qualities that you possess that summon me to hold you safely.” Yes, actually, my husband said something very similar to me just last week.
A plethora of solid secondary characters, among them Luc’s friend Sir Robert de Brionne (I could definitely see a sequel for him), the conniving Lady Amélie, Luc’s brother Jean-Paul, and a wonderful white wolf named Sheba, all lend movement and interest to this book. Yes, this was a great read! The author’s other two books are The Magic and The Quest, with The Scotsman due out soon. I will definitely be reading them all.
Grade: B+
Book Type: Medieval Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 25/02/98
Publication Date: 1998
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.