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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-A Sword For His Lady

by | Jul 12, 2015 | Book Reviews | 3 comments

Book Review-A Sword For His Lady

I received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review-A Sword For His LadyA Sword for His Lady by Mary Wine
Series: Courtly Love #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on July 7th 2015
Genres: Historical Romance, Medieval Era
Pages: 348
Format: eARC
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 9781492602484
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five-stars

A Publishers Weekly Top 10 Pick for Spring 2015
He'd defend her keep...After proving himself on the field of battle, Ramon de Segrave is appointed to the Council of Barons by Richard the Lionheart. But instead of taking his most formidable warrior on his latest Crusade, the king assigns Ramon an even more dangerous task-woo and win the Lady of Thistle Keep.
If only she'd yield her heartIsabel of Camoys is a capable widow with no intention of surrendering her valuable estate. She's fought long and hard for her independence, and if the price is loneliness, then so be it. She will not yield...even if she does find the powerful knight's heated embrace impossible to ignore.
But when her land is threatened, Isabel reluctantly agrees to allow Ramon and his army to defend the keep-knowing that the price may very well be her heart.
Here's what you can expect from Mary Wine: "Major sizzle factor." -Lucy Monroe, USA Today bestselling author "A fast-paced tale." -RT Book Reviews"Exceptionally well researched and extremely authentic." -Night Owl Reviews

My Review

 

Summary 

Ramon de Segrave, has fought side by side with King Richard the Lionheart, has won many battles and proved himself a man of honor and courage. Richard is planning another Crusade, and has command Ramon to stay in England, and win the hand of Isabel of Camoys so he can be a baron and gain her land and Richard is trusting him to guide his brother John while he is away. Ramon is ready to battle, but the battle against Lady Isabel will be more fierce than any he has fought. Isabel is a widow, and using her brains she has led her people and kept them out of harms way, despite having no protection. She has paid off Richard with the feathers of her geese for his arrows. Now she is independent and doesn’t need or want another husband. She already had a husband that had no care for her and treated her as an object to be used and discarded. When Ramon arrives, she is not ready for his pursuit of her, but Ramon is determined to win her hand and convince her their match would be true and full of passion. But there is a threat to Isabel and the land she holds, and soon Ramon and Isabel and thrown a curve on the path to finding true love.

The Hero 

Ramon de Segrave, is a man of honor. He lost his trust in woman a long time ago. He was once married, but she used him as a cuckold while he was away at war, and he has no trust when it comes to a woman’s cunning. He has fought for Richard the Lionheart for as long as he can remember, and is close to the man. When he is commanded to marry Isabel he refuses, but is persuaded to give her a chance. Ramon is a hero that just make you burn. Boy was he a sexy beast…very literally. He is very alpha male, commanding and likes control, but he is honest and true to his word. He has good intentions, and is very determined when he wants something to be done. He doesn’t let anything stand in his way. I love that even though he is a hardened warrior, he isn’t like many men of his time. He respects women despite how he has been treated in the past. He is playful at times, and is confident in himself and others. I adored his treatment of Isobel, it was so much better than I thought, and I loved how he didn’t take her seriously, but embraced her defiance and loved her spirit and tenacity.

The Heroine 

Isobel, is a woman of confidence and independence. She learned under her fathers wing how to handle falcons and geese. She has brains and knows how to use them. She was married to a man who used her in the worst ways. And their marriage only last a season, which she was grateful. Isobel is a leader of her people, and has worked hard alongside those she leads to protect and makes sure everyone has their needs met. She is loyal and stubborn and has this inner strength to be admired. What I found most intriguing about Isobel is how spirited she could be and the way she defies Ramon at every turn, considering how her last marriage turned out. It was quite illuminating seeing a heroine that stood on her own (in this time period when most women were passive), and you could see how much she believed in herself and didn’t back down from a fight, even knowing there could be consequences.

Plot and Story Line 

A Sword For His Lady  was a remarkable read and what a story!! Oh my goodness, I couldn’t put this one down. Apparently I haven’t read this author in the longest time, I have only read one of her other books, and reading this story reminded me how much I love her story. What was most endearing about A Sword For His Lady was how this brought history to life for me. This story is set in the late 1100’s, where Richard the I or also known as Richard the Lionheart, is King, and is on the war of the Crusades. I love this time period, and Mary Wine wrote it perfectly in detail and certain aspects of description where she makes this time come virtually alive for the reader. This is what I love most about historical romance, this is what made me fall in love with it in the first place…is the HISTORY. History and romance just go so great together especially with such talent as Mary Wine. From the beginning of Isobel and Roman’s meeting of each other, there is sparks and boy what sparks, I was so enthralled by the connection they have with each other. I was slowly seduced into a story of history and passion and world of danger and intrigue, and survival. We see many unique facets in this story come to life, we deal with a villain and his consort, a kidnapping, some battles, charming supporting characters, a small boy who is battling with honor and what is the right thing to do, and a love story that comes alive in these pages. Oh so many things to savor in this book and boy what a winner of a romance this was. It is stories like this that wins me over and keeps me reading this genre!! It is a book that will endear you to a time of war and passion in ways you wouldn’t ever expect. I can’t wait for the second book….should be a winner if its anything like this one!! I highly recommend this to any historical romance fans or a reader that is charmed by a love story rich in history and solid in her creativity of storytelling that wraps around you like the sun in the summer heat.

The Cover 

GORGEOUS!! That is all I have to say, I mean seriously…who wouldn’t love the rich colors, Her dress looks authentic and I love the rich colors.

Overall View 

A Sword For His Lady is a powerful telling of a love story that has rich historical context, characters that spark full of energy, and a plot that guarantees the reader never a dull moment….passionate and sparkles with sensuality!!

Quotes To Savor

 

“I conform to what many men in this world think I should on enough issues. On this one, I intend to do as I feel,” Ramon interrupted her. He brushed her cheek before lying down and pulling her against him.

“There is no place I would be. In truth, I need to have you beside me.”

About Mary Wine

Mary Wine has written over twenty novels that take her readers from the pages of history to the far reaches of space. Recent winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance, her book LET ME LOVE YOU was quoted “Not to be missed…” by Lora Leigh, New York Times best-selling author.

When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt.

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3 Comments

  1. Jennifer_FairyTales

    This sounds wonderful! I put it on my wishlist based on the setting alone, but I definitely am moving it up now. I love the idea of Ramon being playful and embracing Isobel’s independent streak. Thanks for the review!

    Reply
  2. Sophia Rose

    I thought this one was fun and loved the setting and characters, too. If I didn’t already like it, your review would have tempted me to grab it, Renee. 😉

    Reply
  3. Kristin @ My ParaHangover

    This sounds fantastic! I like that it’s an older historical romance 🙂 I’m JUST starting to read these so I’m treading lightly into these. My first one was kind of a bust. I think this would be better b/c of the “older” setting and stronger characters. The other one involved going to court and other nonsense I didn’t enjoy. Give me battle anyday 🙂 Great review!!

    Reply

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