Denise Lynn

Terrific enemies to lovers story. Gillian needs a husband, fast, to save herself and her people. After her older, cruel husband died, her cousin schemes to take Rockskill for his own. The property has been in her family for a long time, passed down from mother to daughter. Cousin Albert plans to marry her to one of his horrible friends and take over the property. Only someone strong and wealthy enough to stand up to Albert can help her, so she takes matters into her own hands.

Rory of Roul show more is the youngest of the Roul brothers and one of King David's wolves. He has been charged with capturing Rockskill and ending the shenanigans going on there. The last thing he expected was to wake up in a dungeon, chained to the wall, after being drugged and captured by a woman. Capping the indignity, Gillian then blackmails him into marrying her by threatening the lives of his men. But is he really so unwilling? Marrying Gillian gets him into Rockskill without a battle, making it easier to fulfill his mission. But Rory has his own conditions: the marriage will be in name only and annulled once his mission ends and Gillian is safe.

I loved watching Rory and Gillian's relationship develop. The first obstacle to overcome is their mutual distrust. Gillian's past has shown her that men are not to be trusted. Her protectiveness toward her people causes her to keep certain information from Rory. He senses that she is keeping secrets and wonders how deeply she's involved in the activities he's there to stop. The intense attraction between them complicates their plans. As they spend time together, Rory and Gillian's attraction grows into something deeper. Their banter and arguments were fun to witness, and the push and pull between them as they tested boundaries kept me turning the pages. But when they work together, the results are terrific. I loved the changes in Gillian, as Rory's presence and protectiveness gave her confidence in her abilities. The confrontations with those who want Rockskill for their own purposes were intense and kept me glued to the pages until resolved.

But Rory's past haunts him, convinced that his actions made the future he dreams of impossible. I ached for Rory; his pain and guilt leap off the page. Much of his pain is wrapped up in his relationship with his three brothers. Regardless of his fears for the future, he knows they will have his back in supporting Gillian. Their appearance near the end of the book is an emotional revelation of the depth of love and support these brothers share. I laughed out loud at his oldest brother's way of getting Rory's attention and cheered when he finally broke through the walls Rory erected.

I loved the ending and seeing Rory finally let go of the past. Their reunion was emotional and sweet but also showed the changes they experienced. I liked seeing more of Rory's brothers. I hope Edan gets his story soon. show less

The last book in this series centers on Marianne of Faucon, the youngest Faucon, who is eager to be married and frustrated by her eldest brother, Rhys', constant rejection of suitors. While wandering on her own at the local fair she is abducted by 4 ruffians and taken to England. Bryce of Ashforde had planned to have her abducted and he would rescue her as a means of gaining access to her brother's stronghold, then destroy the family for burning his castle. Instead he watches her be abducted show more by others. He follows still planning a rescue. However, the rescue and subsequent return are nothing like he plans. Marianne has made him her hero. This is a very humorous adventure with a very determined heroine and a blindsided hero. show less

It's 1142 in Northern England and Gareth Faucon has been charged by King Stephen with returning Rhian of Gervaise to her mother's family for an arranged marriage. Rhian is violently opposed since she has never known her mother or anyone in her family, having lived with her father in England her whole life. King Stephen has taken over her father's estate and given it to someone else. Rhian has no say and makes many attempts to escape. One of these escapes ends with her working in the kitchens show more at Browan Keep an estate without a Lord, waiting for the King's designated new owner to arrive. In the meantime it is in bad shape and filled with unruly knights. Gareth has been given the Keep but first he is pledged to deliver Rhian to her new home. He stops at Browan to view it while he searches for the runaway. He not only finds Rhian but discovers that others are out to keep Rhian from returning home and steal a pendant given to her by her mother. The pendant may have mystical powers and Rhian's mother's family is rumored to be descendants or practicing Druids. There are lots of factions involved in political intrigue. Despite the love growing between the main characters there is a vow that must be fulfilled. This is an interesting historical romance, but not as good as the first volume. The Druid sub-plot was a little far fetched, although the interaction between Rhian and Gareth was good. show less

In 1142, Rhys, Lord of Faucon, has been accused of the brutal murder of Guillaume de Pree and is given 1 month by the King to find the real murderer. As he travels to the home area of du Pree he is kidnapped by Lyonesse of Ryonne, who seeks vengeance for the death of her betrothed. These 2 strike sparks. Lyonesse cannot cold bloodily murder Rhys and he is able to convince her of his possible innocence when his men come to her aid in an attack. Now the 2 are seeking the murderer and trying to show more avoid attacks on them. Then a surprise appearance changes the game entirely. Interesting Medieval and start of a trilogy. show less