"Fantastic medieval love story"

Ceylon has built herself a reputation as a healer. She managed to work miracles on herself, and now everyone wants her help. Ceylon was born with a birthmark on her face. No one ever thought that she would marry because of it. All the children always teased her about it and to this day, Ceylon can't forget how badly they hurt her.

Uric of Shardsvale is traveling to bring Ceylon to the Queen, who wants Ceylon to help her sisters. Uric is also searching for a bride. He was given lands and a title with the proviso that he marry and produce an heir. He has brought several women to his home, but his mother "the ogress" managed to chase them all away. He needs to find someone who can stand up to her.

Even though she really doesn't want to go, Ceylon knows that she can't ignore the Queen's summons. So she travels to Queensland, along with her assistant Raven. Uric notices how independent Ceylon is and decides that she just might be the one for him to marry. He proposes and Ceylon turns him down flat. If she can't have love, Ceylon won't marry at all. Now Uric must try and woo Ceylon when he has no idea of how to do this. Meanwhile, someone is after Ceylon and she must be kept safe.

This is a fantastic medieval love story. We get to travel with Ceylon as she makes quite a few new friends, including Anne, Uric's mother's maid. Ceylon begins to realize that sugar does bring more flies than vinegar and must learn to curb her acid remarks. The characters are all very realistic, right down to Ceylon's assistant, Raven. Raven wants to be a Knight, but he knows that as a poor farmer's son he has no chance at all of attaining his goal, until he gets to know Uric. His enthusiasm is boundless and he is so typical of a teenage boy trying to become a man. The glimpse into the society of the Nine Lands is wonderful as well. This was a great story that I recommend reading to all lovers of medieval romance.

Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted September 23, 2003

Summary

When Uric's queen sends him on a quest to bring back a healer rumored to be a witch, he can't resist taking the beauty home. But Ceylon is unknowingly riding straight into an intrigue that will rock her nation.