Review: A Knight Well Spent by Jackie Ivie
The latest medieval tale by the talented Jackie Ivie is overflowing with appealing characters and a particularly entertaining premise. Scotland during the 1100’s comes alive with vibrancy, as the spirit and passion of those living in this untamed land comes to life with realism.
When Rhoenne Guy de Ramhurst is injured during a battle, he does not let any of his men know about this weakness. Instead, he goes off on his own and comes upon a young woman in a glade. Although Aislynn is wary of the mysterious man who reveals very little about himself, she uses her healing abilities to tend to his serious wound. She believes he is a Norman, not Scottish like her, so she is stunned by her attraction to this adversary of her people. When the man wants to repay her, Aislynn says she only wants him to not speak of her and what she has done or she may be charged with disloyalty for helping him.
Rhoenne is a knight whose loyalty to the Norman king gained him a fiefdom, where it is his duty to get the Scottish people under him to be more agreeable to serving their new ruler. When he arrives at his castle, he is annoyed to discover his half brother, who was left in charge, has not followed his rules and has even forcibly brought a woman to Tyneburn Hall. Neither Rhoenne nor Aislynn thought they would ever cross paths again, so they are both stunned to see each other again so soon. He offers to let her stay with him as his healer, where she will be under his protection. When being near each other so much causes unwanted feelings to grow, Rhoenne has to keep reminding himself of the curse which claims the life of women who get too close to Ramhurst men. Unfortunately, more than fate conspires to keep this couple apart, where trust and love will decide their future.
Jackie Ivie is a master when it comes to creating historical stories, and her gift is apparent on every page of A KNIGHT WELL SPENT. With its skillfully thought-out plot aided by numerous lively characters, every instant of this story is totally spellbinding. From the captivating opening scene to the last enchanting moment, the reader will be enthralled by the unfolding events, especially since they are told in such a convincing manner as to make each one quite believable. Whether the conversations are between Rhoenne and Aislynn or one of the more colorful secondary characters, they are spoken with sincere convictions. Even when the message is delivered through witty outspokenness, there is an underlying earnestness during each exchange which makes the characters even more likable. When either Sir Harold or Old Rosie enter the scene, one quickly comes to realize things are about to become extremely animated. As for Rhoenne and Aislynn, this couple is one of the most unforgettable I have read about lately. They each have troubling past histories, and these issues frequently lead to problems in the present. Watching these two try to deal with these dilemmas is often heartbreaking and always emotionally affecting. My own heart and thoughts became completely immersed in the lives of this couple, as I experienced their devastation at times and their joy during others. The passion between these two is off the scale and is depicted with conceivable responses. There are also some moments of danger in the book, and these are shown through suspenseful action. A KNIGHT WELL SPENT is highly imaginative plus packed with vivid descriptions and dynamic characters, making this historical romance memorable in every way.
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Genre: historical ISBN: 978-1420101652 Page Count: 352 Price: $ 5.99 Reviewer: Amelia Richard |
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Sensuality Rating:
Sensuous Star Rating: 5 Stars Author's Website: http://www.jackieivie.com/ |
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