"Wonderful Tale of Beauty and the Beast Medieval Style"

In the NORMAN'S BRIDE Terri Brisbin has pulled off a tour de force that I would have thought impossible. Brisbin has taken the villain of DUMONT'S BRIDE and turned him into a tortured hero that I couldn't help but love.

William De Severen who 'died' at the end of Dumont's Bride, in order to save his sister's life, is now living in the farthest reaches of Northern England as Royce. A man who is merely existing and trying desperately to deny all of his emotions. He feels his past has put him so far beyond the pale, he does not deserve any happiness in his life.

Make no mistake William was a bad guy in Dumont's Bride and to Brisbin's credit, she makes no attempt to soften his past deeds.

One day he finds a badly injured woman near his home and with the help of the village healer nurses her back to health over a period of weeks. When the woman recovers consciousness, she has no idea who she is. She adopts the name Isabel and while struggling to recover, she is besieged with nightmares that only Royce's gentle caring can banish.

Isabel is a wonderful heroine, she is strong and unafraid to face the demon's of her nightmares. As Isabel tries to recall who she is and find out why someone tried to kill her; you know that she will be a strong enough to deal with Royce's past. Especially after she recovers her memory and deals with the terrible abuse she suffered.

Watching Royce cope with what he has done, while falling in love with Isabel was very moving and his suffering is so great that I fell in love with him too. Royce tries to help Isabel build a new life with the family he serves, but their need for each other is so great that even though Royce tries, he cannot stay away from her.

Royce is sure that when he tells Isabel who he is and what he has done, she will have nothing to do with him. The denouement was so moving and Brisbin's writing so crisp, that I completely bought the happy ending for this couple.

THE NORMAN'S BRIDE stands well on it's own, but I would also recommend reading the first book in the Trilogy, the equally wonderful THE DUMONT'S BRIDE. I look forward to reading the third book, THE COUNTESS BRIDE, which will be the story of William's sister and the brother of the first book's hero, due out in June.

Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted February 29, 2004

Summary

She had no past. He could offer her no future. Yet William Royce de Severin could not quell the waves of desire threatening to engulf him whenever he looked upon Isabel. Battered by life, she remained unbroken in spirit, making him yearn for the impossible — a life unfettered by his own dark secrets, with her forever by his side!

Though recalling nothing of her own identity, Isabel was certain her rescuer, Royce, had been a knight. Every fiber of his being bespoke a chivalry simple seclusion could not hide. And every sinew of his body bestirred a passion that would rouse her to her true self as Royce's heart--sworn lady!