The Christmas Knight by Michele Sinclair

A sweet and festive tale
4 stars

Unprotected and alone, Bronwyn de Breton must protect her younger sisters and their home at Hunswick Castle. Things go from bad to worse when a war-hardened, scarred warrior arrives as the new lord of the castle with orders to take the youngest daughter as his bride. Bronwyn refuses to let a man as reputedly hard and wild as the new lord marry her sister so she steps up and pretends to be her sister.

Ranulf de Gunnar, however, is not so easily fooled. He knows that this woman is not his intended but as they are forced to spend time together he cannot seem to resist this woman who teaches him passion, loyalty and love.

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I have never read Michele Sinclair before but I can’t resist a Christmas tale and this one seemed right up my street with a scarred man made whole by the love of a good woman. I’m glad to say that I wasn’t disappointed.

Ranulf was, for me, the perfect kind of hero – brooding and angry but underneath so vulnerable; I just wanted to hug him! Bronwyn was also an exceptional character and was a spirited and likeable female that still felt right for the medieval time period. They worked fantastically together and I liked their chemistry and how together they were stronger – once they got over their insecurities, that is.

The book mainly covered the relationship between Bronwyn and Ranulf although there was a little bit of intrigue and danger. Some might find this makes the book a little slow but I was gripped from start to finish. There were also lovely little snippets about Christmas and festivities in the medieval period which were a nice touch and really fascinating. There were a few too many modern Americanisms for my liking but I’ll admit that this is a personal peeve of mine in any historical book.

I see that there are books planned for Bronwyn’s sisters and I very much look forward to reading them and hope that I enjoy them as much as I did this one. Overall, this was an entertaining book that I couldn’t wait to continue reading and one that I would very much recommend. A high 4 stars from me.

Beauty and the Beast by Hannah Howell

Endearing medieval romance

4 stars

Gytha Raouille has always known she is to marry the heir of Saiturn Manor but the day before he wedding she is told that the current heir has died and she is now to marry Thayer Saiturn – the one they call the Red Devil.

A battle hardened knight, Thayer has been scarred by battle and had his heart broken in love. So he is less than enthused by the prospect of wedding the beautiful and lovely Gytha but as a matter of honour he will go ahead with it.

As the pair come to terms with each other, and married life, they must contend with many twists and turns but they can only have a happy ending if Gytha can look past Thayer’s scars to see the lonely man inside.

This was the first book of Hannah Howell’s that I have read and I found that I very much enjoyed it. Both main characters were entertaining and endearing and had an excellent chemistry together. Gytha was especially interesting as she truly was feisty as well as being kind-hearted. And I always love a big, strong man – especially one that is slightly insecure, lonely and in need of the love of a good woman!

The plot meandered along nicely and there were enough twists and turns to make you want to keep reading and to hold your interest to the end. The two negative points I would have to make were that the constant head-hopping between different characters’ perspectives at the drop of a hat was slightly confusing. The other was that having two characters with such similar names (Robert and Roger) made me really have to pay attention!

Despite this, the book was fun, lively, romantic and certainly a book I would recommend if you’re looking for an interesting medieval romance where love conquers all! 4 stars.

Kissing the Bride by Sara Bennett

Delightful medieval romance

5 stars

Lady Jenova of Guninghorn feels that she is finally ready to marry again although she knows she will never give her heart to a man ever again. But first she feels she should get the opinion of her oldest and dearest friend, Lord Henry of Montevoy.

Upon his arrival, in a moment of madness, the pair give in to the sizzling attraction that is burning between them. Afterwards, the pair can’t believe that they have nearly destroyed the friendship they both hold so dear – but neither can they give up what they have found in each other.

But dark secrets from the past have a way of popping up at the most inopportune times and certain people have plans to exploit the secrets that will ensure Henry and Jenova have to fight to keep the happiness they have found together.

This is the first Sara Bennett book that I have read and if all the others are of the same standard as this then I will definitely be looking to read them all! I believe this book is part of a series but it completely stood alone so there is no need to have read the others to understand this one.

I really enjoyed this story of two old friends who suddenly realise that they meant more to each other than either ever expected. Around the love story there was a very intricate and well crafted storyline which never faltered and really kept you interested from beginning to end. All the characters, especially Henry and Jenova, were so well crafted and had so many layers that it was impossible not to fall in love with them. Henry was such a wonderful character – I adored how he was so strong yet very vulnerable. And everyone, villains included, was intelligent and far from being two-dimensional which gave the storyline a lot of depth and excitement.

The sensuality in the book was delicious and towards the end, the emotional climax had such punch that I had tears in my eyes.

This was such an enjoyable book and one that I found I couldn’t put down. It had intelligence, drama, emotion, sensuality and, of course, romance. I will definitely be looking out for more of Sara Bennett’s books in the future. 5 stars.

The Christmas Visit

Enjoyable Christmas romance

4 stars

As the title suggests - this collection of three Mills and Boon stories all revolve around a Christmas visit which result in some lovely festive romance!

Comfort and Joy by Margaret Moore (Wales, 1860)

Griffin Branwynne, Earl of Cym Rhyss has hidden himself away from society after a terrible accident left him scarred and bitter. But then the feisty Gwendolyn Davies, matron of the local orphanage, shows up on his doorstep asking for a donation for the children and turns his quiet life upside down.

This is a very enjoyable, sweet Christmas story that really gets you in the Christmas mood with the snowstorms, candles and good cheer. The chemistry between the two main characters is engaging and their interactions are amusing and very enjoyable.

Love at First Step by Terri Brisbin (England, 1199)

While visiting friends in England for the holidays, Lord Gavin MacLeod cannot help but find the serving wench Elizabeth attractive. But she has secrets that Gavin vows to uncover at any cost.

This story was the only bad one of this anthology in my opinion. The language was false and very stilted as the author clearly attempted to have her characters talk as if from medieval times. And personally, Christmas or not, the idea of a lord and a prostitute (or anyone and a prostitute for that matter!) is not my idea of romance.

A Christmas Secret by Gail Ranstrom (Oxfordshire, 1819)

Miss Charity Wardlow was expecting a proposal from her beau while attending her friend's Christmas wedding. But when she overhears some potentially scandalous gossip, she realises she must try and get to the bottom of all the secrets of the wedding guests. But what is she to do when the roguish Scotsman Sir Andrew MacGregor is determined to find out all of her secrets?

This was an absolutely delightful story. The two main characters were wonderful and their interactions so much fun. This story was slightly more sensual than the first which was also an added bonus. A definite keeper for Christmas.

Overall, despite the terrible middle story - I would still recommend this book as the first and last stories really do make up for it. They alone are worth the price of the book and give you that warm festive feeling when you read them.