Heart of a Knight

Lady Elizabeth D'Auvers returns to her castle and lands after a year away trying to avoid the plague, assuming the village will be decimated and the land fallow. But it is not. In a midwinter blizzard a knight arrived seeking shelter and stated to help the surviving villagers to stave off bandits and guard the land. He turns the estate back over to her and she asks him to remain and work with her. He agrees but is hiding a secret that will effect the destiny of both of them. This was a different sort of Medieval romance with more focus on the peasants and the duty and fate that befalls women at this time. Pretty unrealistic in parts but a fun read.

I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I was touring Pembroke castle (Wales) on a stormy day, the only tourist in sight, and decided to find some appropriate reading material to keep me company while having lunch in the deserted cafe. I did a search for 'knight' on my kindle app and found I'd snagged Heart of a Knight a few months back while it was free, so jumped in.

My first impression was love/hate. Considering where I was at the time, the 14th century setting really came alive for me and loved being thoroughly transported back in time. I did Not, however, love the archaic dialogue. To me it felt like the marking of an over-the-top bodice ripper. If it hadn't been that I was so captivated by the historic aspect given my show more present location, I probably would have given up.

I'm glad I didn't. Something sucked me in, and even once home, I never wanted to put it down. Despite the formal language (which bugged me less the more I read) and improbability of several of the plot elements (I'm a stickler for believability), something kept drawing me in. Who knew I had a secret craving for a classic knight-against-the-odds story? The characters were all well developed, the hero was dreamy (love me a big man!), and I appreciated that even the supporting cast had their own story arcs.

Thinking about the individual elements of the book, I'd be more inclined to lean towards a 3, but the fact that Something had me clearly, I give it a 4. For anyone wanting a medieval romance fix, this delivers. show less

I gotta say this book was actually a bit disappointing. I’m used to strong, dramatic stuff from Samuel and this one was just so-so. Not horrible but not that awesome either.

I liked that the author strives to give us a firm grounding in history, citing occasionally the Black Death and the social unrest among the classes due to it. She also gives enough details, setting-wise, to firmly establish the story in the late Middles Ages rather than a vague “medieval” setting.

Yet, she veers from past patterns and seems to stay away from anything that could be considered “heavy” or substantial. There’s no in-depth look at how society is affected by the Black Death nor is the class different between our two leads explored like it show more screamed out to be. In the past, this author has really given me food for thought with her forbidden romances, but this one was just lacking that spark that could have been there.

I liked the leads well enough. I was invested in their developing relationship and in the potential danger hanging over their heads due to Thomas’ hidden status as a noble and the pending marriage for Elizabeth. However, they seemed to fall into stereotypes more often than I liked. Elizabeth was the perfect demure and beautiful medieval lady, seemingly perfect in every way. Thomas was your big and brawny peasant, virile, strong, and just a butch of a man. I sighed more than once at these cookie-cutter characterizations.

Secondary characters fall into the same trap. Isabella is the slutty, teenager step-daughter. Robert is the bratty step-son. Isabella’s betrothed is instantly in love with her. Of course, they are all reformed by our two leads and their circumstances (note the heavy sarcasm…). Another neat little trap Samuel fell into with this one.

So, not a horrible book but not up to the standards I’ve grown to expect from Samuel. Maybe this is an older work; I don’t know. Setting and world-building show some effort. Characters are mostly stereotypes, though the leads are still enjoyable to a point. I was at least in tune with them enough to care about their relationship’s eventual outcome. I wouldn’t read this book again; it’s that forgettable. Sad, for a book by this author to fall into that chasm. show less

I loved this book and everything about it. The characters were all multidimensional and fun to journey with--even outside of the romantic aspect of this novel. Barbara Samuel does well at weaving a story that sucks her readers in-- Thomas is a hero I rooted for from the moment I began reading, and Elizabeth's pain and suffering practically sprang through the pages. Very rarely have I read a book that I haven't been able to put down, and stay up well past a decent hour reading. This book had very few negatives, a minor spelling error or two, but I find nothing I can fault about it.

I liked the unique plot, but I got a little tired of the "Leave. No, don't leave!" "I'm leaving. Wait. I'm not leaving." It just happened too many times.

The title of this book doesn't even begin to cover the full range of the story. It's rare that a book really transports me, this one did. Page by page I fell deeper in love with the characters and their joys and triumphs brought tears to my eyes. An excellent read.

I want you! I want you, too! You're too good for me! I must let you go for your own good! Repeat ad nauseum for 250 pages.