"Captivating Medieval romance."

The plague has taken its toll on Lynwood Manor, cutting down two of Lady Joanna's children and her cruel husband. Now, left to run the keep and village, she struggles to find an answer to her current dilemma. Three ruthless rogues strike from out of nowhere and steal the hard-earned food and possessions of her villagers. Then her only surviving daughter is trampled as the thieves ride across the village green. Distraught and at her wits end, Lady Joanna decides she must employ more help to protect her holdings. Against the advice of the men around her, she hires a mercenary.

Logan Grimm is holding down a chair in a crowded taproom in London, waiting for some needy lord's offer of work. He's approached by a young knight who offers a good sum of money for Logan's expertise; however, his employer is a woman. Logan has vowed to never work for a woman after a bad experience with a deceptive lady. But his interest is piqued, so he travels with the knight to Lynwood Manor with the intent of telling the lady himself. What he finds is a beauty to whom he has an instant and physical reaction. But its the small blond child with the bandaged arm who captures his mercenary heart.

The job is easy. Track and catch the thieves and kill them or scare them on their way. Seems simple enough. But nothing is ever simple. He yearns for Joanna's touch and she for his. Then into this tangled web, Joanna learns that the thieves are in the employ of someone close to her, someone who hopes she will be scared into remarriage.

Ms. Anton's book is captivating and her characters full of heroism. A lovely read.

Reviewed by Shayne Sawyer
Posted January 10, 2005