"Excellent, sensual installment in this series."

Rowena, a peace-loving heiress, has thwarted plans by her relatives to wed her against her will. She hates war and the knights who perpetuate the violence. Surrounding herself with minstrels, she earns the scorn of Henry and Eleanor's court. Often called the Bitch of Sussex, Rowena ignores their jabs and works toward eliminating wars. Henry, needing a strong knight to oversee Rowena's lands, hatches a plan with Eleanor to trick Rowena into marriage with Henry's most-trusted knight.

Stryder of Blackmoor earned his reputation by surviving the Saracens' prison and torture. The men with Stryder forged a secret brotherhood, vowing to protect and aid the weaker men. As brotherhood members are murdered, Stryder arrives at Henry's court to investigate. A virile and handsome man, Stryder hides from the mob of maidens wishing his favor and hindering his search. Their favor disappears when the veil of murder surrounds him.

Rowena knows only disdain for this fierce knight, until Eleanor forces her to spend time with Stryder. Rowena sees the demons within him from his imprisonment. When Henry charges Stryder with murder, Rowena rushes to his defense. Together, they battle for the truth, while also confronting their newfound love.

A DARK CHAMPION provides excellent entertainment. Ms. MacGregor continues giving us strong appealing heroines and fabulously sensual heroes. Readers will be eager for the next installment in the brotherhood series.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Posted April 14, 2004

Summary

Fearless men, their allegiance is to one another, to the oppressed, and to the secret society known as the Brotherhood of the Sword -- and they must never surrender to the passionate yearnings of their noble hearts. A Lady of Love Beautiful, peace-loving Rowena knows that Stryder of Blackmoor is a warrior, and is therefore a man to be shunned. But something burns in the eyes of this powerful knight that she has never seen in others of his kind: a tenderness, and a need to love and be loved. Yet to enter his world would be madness -- against every principle by which she has lived her life -- so she must resist the yearning that would draw her into his arms. A Man of War Duty bound to battle for right, Stryder has never desired the comforts of home and hearth -- until he gazed upon the exquisite face and form of the incomparable Rowena. He dares not succumb to her sensuous charms, for Stryder is a man sworn to know no love. But when treachery and danger threaten, the noble knight must stand as the unsuspecting lady's champion -- though his actions could cost him his honor, his heart. . . and his forbidden dream of happiness.