"A Fantastic Medieval"

Sir Colin of Berkhamshire is a fierce warrior and whole armies are known to beg for mercy when he appears on the field of battle. He is short on the graces that women find endearing, but he needs a wife. His father has tried to betroth him to many women, but they have all found resourceful excuses to beg off from the engagement...all except the most recent -- Alienore of Solonge. She has not given him the courtesy of an inventive excuse. She has simply insulted him by running away. Colin has sworn to slay her as a cowardly wench when he finds her.

Alienore has run away, not only due to Colin's reputation as a lout, but also from fear of her stepmother. She has now spent two years dressed as young knight, in the service of Sybil of Maignelay-sur-mer. But since Alienore has been missing for two years, Colin's father has arranged a marriage for Colin...with Sybil. And Alienore finds herself in Sybil's entourage on her way to England, into the hands of the very man she has spent two years avoiding....the man who has sworn to kill her. Will she be able to find a way to escape once Sybil is safely in England?

FROM THIS MOMENT ON is a fantastic book! I couldn't put it down. Ms. Kurland has brought the medieval world alive with believable characters, and a gritty environment. Colin is delightfully uncouth, but with a tender heart underneath his rough exterior. Alienore is strong, smart, and faces harsh circumstances with courage and determination. The secondary characters are also thoroughly unique and often quite comical, from Sybil who faces all circumstances with food (hidden in her veil and packed in her saddlebags) to Jason of Artane whose courtly ways and great sense of humor always make Colin appear more crude. If you have not already read Ms. Kurland's books -- well, get busy, and this is a great one to start with. It certainly has a place on my keeper shelf.

Reviewed by Cynthia Meidinger
Posted September 1, 2002

Summary

Colin of Berkhamshire knows two things--the pleasures of warring, and that brides do no want him.

Alienore of Solonge knows two things as well--that fleeing her betrothal to Colin of Berkhamshire and her cruel stepmother was the right thing to do. In desperation, she disguises herself as a knight.

Through a bizarre twist of fate, Alienore finds herself protecting Colin's latest intended as that bride journeys to England. Once there she finds herself not only in the Butcher of Berkhamshire's garrison, but being made over into a proper knight by him personally. She thinks her life cannot worsen.

Until she finds herself falling in love with him. . .