"A Great Historical Novel"

Sir Philip de MontCharles, newly created Baron of Alderwood, was never supposed to be a Baron. He was the third son of a vigorous father and hadn't even been trained on how to be a Baron. There were no male heirs remaining after the old Baron and his son were killed, so the title therefore reverted to the Crown. The king granted it to Sir Phillip in thanks for his part in defeating Sir William.

Sir Philip was so new that he still had some problems finding his way around the keep. Even with the king's support, some of the people of Alderwood weren't that pleased with the new Baron. Several pranks, some of them close to deadly, have been played upon him recently. Hearing a noise coming from his solar, he quickly opens the door to catch two young boys in the process of trying to put frogs in his bed.Wanting to show mercy but not wanting to appear weak, Sir Philip decides to give them a light whipping. He starts with the youngest boy first but during the whipping of the older boy, Philip makes the discovery that the boy isn't a boy at all but a young woman.

Lady Mary Alderwood is the sister of the late Baron. Sir William's men hadn't treated the people of the keep very well. Fearing the same treatment, Lady Mary decided to hide her gender to avoid harsh treatment by the new lord.

I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable historical novel from Ellora's Cave. Both the hero and the heroine were easy to care about and their stories were interesting to read. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship between Sir Philip and Lady Mary progress. Ms. Kingston's books have become an automatic buy for me.

Sexual Content: Borderline NC-17.

Reviewed by Emily Anne
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted February 17, 2003

Summary

The people of Alderwood, including young and lovely Lady Mary, received rough treatment at the hands of their last lord, Sir Benwyck of Cryll. When the King grants the estate to Sir Philip, they're determined to see him gone, and the sooner the better.

Mary certainly didn't count on an offer of marriage from the handsome knight. Philip's got one year to show Mary the pleasures of sex to win her as his bride, to bind her with his passion...

Sexual Content: Hard R/borderline NC-17. Genre: historical.