Review: Liked it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 29, 2013
Lady Amicia de la Beres is a young widow and as such a ward of King John, which means that the King has entrusted the management of her estate and assets to a man of his trust. Meanwhile Lady Amicia is living with other female wards at the King's castle, until he decides another fate for her. However, one of his trusted mercenary, the French commoner knight Michel de Martigny has accepted King John's promise that he can chose a woman of his liking between his noble-born wards. After investigating the potential brides, Michel choses Amicia but will she accept to be wife of a commoner and will King John keep his promise? And what about the noble born neighbor of Amicia's estate who has offered to marry her?Michel's reasoning to choose Amicia as his wife were comprehensible, especially when taking the time frame into consideration. Some of his rather harsh reactions towards Amicia were understandable, since the nobles at court treated him more than once badly because of his origin, neglecting completely his achievements.  However, it was more difficult for me to "love" Amicia and fully comprehend her reactions. Many times I thought that she was slightly egoistic and self-centered.  Finally I fully accepted her ways, especially towards the end of the book when she was reduced to being a pawn in everybody's game. However, she overcame her anger and matured into a wonderful woman who knew what she wanted from life.A well written and solid read that offered many hours of pleasure.  The plot unfolded gradually and depicted the bleak existence of women living in the Middle Ages perfectly. The love scenes were hot, without being distasteful.I very much appreciated the author's note that offered information concerning King John and were fiction/fact was concerned. Well done!