"Engaging medieval romance"
In the Kingdom of Taagaria, Queen Adara worries that the
neighboring monarchy Elgedera, ruled by the Regent Selwyn,
will force her to acknowledge that his nephew her spouse
Prince Christian is dead and she must marry his son
Basilli. Desperate she needs her spouse and demand he
either come home to rule over both lands, make her
pregnant or allow her to divorce him and marry someone
else. Adara's cousin Thera agrees to pretend to be her
temporarily. A few months later, a naked Adara meets Christian in
England hoping to claim him as hers. Although tempted, he
rejects her, but is shocked when she proves they were
married as children. She pleads with him that she needs
him to secure her country's borders from his uncle and
cousin and that his uncle killed Christian's parents and
left him for dead in the monastery. After a few attempts on their lives, Christian concludes
he must take Adara home and become king, but not stay or
begat a child into this dangerous ugly world. She has the
Europe crossing to persuade him that love beautifies the
world. The second Brotherhood historical novel (see A DARK
CHAMPION) is an engaging medieval romance starring a
strong lead couple and ably supported by a solid secondary
cast especially the mysterious Phantom and the Fool.
Although the villains fail to live up to their reputation
and it is doubtful that so many foreign soldiers could
wander England without an alarm being raised, the story
line grips the reader as danger accompanies the crossing.
Fans will take immense delight with RETURN OF THE WARRIOR
and want Phantom's tale soonest. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 12, 2005
Fearless men, their allegiance is to each other, 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.
Fiercely devoted to her people and her land, Queen Adara
refuses to let a power-mad usurper steal her crown. But
the only way to protect what is hers is to seek out the
man she married in childhood.
A proud, tormented warrior, Christian of Acre owes
allegiance only to the mysterious Brotherhood -- and has
no wish to be king over anyone but himself. Now a bold and
beautiful stranger has appeared in his rooms, tempting him
with an irresistible seduction and demanding he accompany
her back to their kingdoms ... or, at the very least,
provide her with an heir to her throne. Though he cannot
abandon the brave regal lady to her enemies, Christian
dares not give in to his traitorous body's desires. Yet
how can he deny the passion that is rightfully his and the
ecstasy that awaits him in Adara's kiss?
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