The Maiden and Her Knight

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful Medieval romance.
Review: Allis of Montclair is a young woman struggling to run her family's castle and lands ever since her mother died and her father fell into the depths of despair. Overburdened with responsibility, she must be the lady of the manor and a mother to her younger brother and sister. To help her family, she is willing to enter into a loveless marriage to Rennick DeFrouchette, a man Allis does not care for at all -- until she meets Connor, a Welsh knight returning disgraced from the Crusades. Allis and Connor and instantly attracted to one another, and their feelings grow into love. When treachery threatens their happiness, Allis and Connor must fight to find a way to be together. This was one of the first adult historical romances I read, and I simply loved it. I'll definitely be reading more books by Margaret Moore, and more Medieval-set romances.

Rating:
Summary: A spirited and sweet Medieval romance
Review: Noblemen are seldom virtuous when the balance of power is not to their liking. Rennick DeFrouchette, a Norman baron, is but one of many who crave greater power and the influence it brings with it. Lady Allis de Montclair is aware of every loathsome and despicable act the baron has been party to, and yet she maintains her own council (thinking to spare her grieving father, the earl of Montclair, further grief). Steeped in melancholy these past six years, the earl is but a pale shadow of his former self. DeFrouchette has magnanimously stepped into the gap left by the current earl. None have thought to question his presumption, as the baron is neighbor to Montclair Castle. Indeed, the people of Montclair view the baron in a favorable light. A handsome man of noble countenance, they think; Lady Allis is lucky to curry the favor of such a man.

That dear lady feels naught but revulsion for the baron, however. Although they are nearly betrothed, Allis is sickened by the oily glint of lust in DeFrouchette's gaze, by his blatant abuse of power and his sly manipulation of her father. To keep her family safe (and her brother and sister ignorant of how utterly un-noble a man can be), Allis has reluctantly held her fears silent and her observations equally mute. After all, as chatelaine of Montclair Castle, it is her heart-sworn duty to keep all within its walls hale and hearty. DeFrouchette has made threats in the past, and she dare not risk giving the baron cause to follow through on them.

A precipitous twist of fate, however, will bring Allis face to face with a knight of genuine virtue. Sir Connor of Llanstephan, a Welshman by birth, is a guest at her father's tourney (an event dreamed up by Allis in hopes of revitalizing that wretchedly unhappy man). With his barbarously long hair, Sir Connor is an enigmatic temptation to the fair Allis. Having spent time in King Richard's retinue and the Holy Lands, he is a knight of experience and surprisingly dark shadows. 'Twould seem Sir Connor was cast out by the King for voicing an impertinent and unpopular thought: that there was naught holy in the supposedly holy war they were waging. He's also landless, penniless and far beyond Allis's reach with DeFrouchette claiming her as his intended bride.

The attraction is nonetheless mutual. Connor is deeply intrigued by the Lady Allis; his heated admiration for her loyalty, quick wittedness, and passionate nature is hard to tame and cage away. He has naught to offer her, however; naught but his heart, that is, and a steady sword arm. Even that is put into question after the unfortunate splintering of his lance on the tournament field. Connor's injury lengthens his stay at Montclair Castle (a happy incident, that), but also increases his awareness of Allis and his burning desire for a future that 'twould seem impossible. Treachery is also afoot, and deepens the peril Allis and Connor face with their burgeoning love. DeFrouchette is a man not to be thwarted; tweak the devil's tail and you inspire his wrath! Will virtue become victim to the dragon of hate?

Love and personal sacrifice are pivotal to the plot of The Maiden and Her Knight. Allis and Connor are courageous characters who face adversity -- and challenge it -- with a rare integrity. Surrounded as they are by plotting, grasping, greedy men, their ability to remain true to themselves is a victory hard won. Although they think their love hopeless, both are willing to fight for it. Allis is faced with a deeper challenge, however. Her brother and sister's welfare must come first. Always. And so an agonizing conflict is born. Connor and Allis's relationship is remarkably free of angst, however. Indeed, they have a sweet, slowly burning chemistry that inevitably combusts, and a steadfast loyalty to each other and their love.

The pacing of this novel is unhurried; court intrigues and castle treacheries rarely play out at lightning speed. A reader is fully aware of the situation, though, so don't expect to feel a taut tension as the plot unravels. The greatest excitement and allure is provided by Connor and Allis's dance of courtship. Ms. Moore is an able hand at creating thick romantic tension. The Maiden and Her Knight is a sweetly bold salute to chivalry, virtue and knights of old. True knights, that is: Ones who are noble, handsome, self-sacrificing and very, very virile. I have a bone to pick with the cover artist of this novel, however. Allis is a fair-haired blond, yet the "maiden" depicted on the cover is clearly a red head. At any rate, The Maiden and Her Knight is a medieval romance that's both spirited and sweet. Ms. Moore has brought light into the dark ages with her tale of boundless love.

Rating:
Summary: A spirited and sweet Medieval romance
Review: Noblemen are seldom virtuous when the balance of power is not to their liking. Rennick DeFrouchette, a Norman baron, is but one of many who crave greater power and the influence it brings with it. Lady Allis de Montclair is aware of every loathsome and despicable act the baron has been party to, and yet she maintains her own council (thinking to spare her grieving father, the earl of Montclair, further grief). Steeped in melancholy these past six years, the earl is but a pale shadow of his former self. DeFrouchette has magnanimously stepped into the gap left by the current earl. None have thought to question his presumption, as the baron is neighbor to Montclair Castle. Indeed, the people of Montclair view the baron in a favorable light. A handsome man of noble countenance, they think; Lady Allis is lucky to curry the favor of such a man.

That dear lady feels naught but revulsion for the baron, however. Although they are nearly betrothed, Allis is sickened by the oily glint of lust in DeFrouchette's gaze, by his blatant abuse of power and his sly manipulation of her father. To keep her family safe (and her brother and sister ignorant of how utterly un-noble a man can be), Allis has reluctantly held her fears silent and her observations equally mute. After all, as chatelaine of Montclair Castle, it is her heart-sworn duty to keep all within its walls hale and hearty. DeFrouchette has made threats in the past, and she dare not risk giving the baron cause to follow through on them.

A precipitous twist of fate, however, will bring Allis face to face with a knight of genuine virtue. Sir Connor of Llanstephan, a Welshman by birth, is a guest at her father's tourney (an event dreamed up by Allis in hopes of revitalizing that wretchedly unhappy man). With his barbarously long hair, Sir Connor is an enigmatic temptation to the fair Allis. Having spent time in King Richard's retinue and the Holy Lands, he is a knight of experience and surprisingly dark shadows. 'Twould seem Sir Connor was cast out by the King for voicing an impertinent and unpopular thought: that there was naught holy in the supposedly holy war they were waging. He's also landless, penniless and far beyond Allis's reach with DeFrouchette claiming her as his intended bride.

The attraction is nonetheless mutual. Connor is deeply intrigued by the Lady Allis; his heated admiration for her loyalty, quick wittedness, and passionate nature is hard to tame and cage away. He has naught to offer her, however; naught but his heart, that is, and a steady sword arm. Even that is put into question after the unfortunate splintering of his lance on the tournament field. Connor's injury lengthens his stay at Montclair Castle (a happy incident, that), but also increases his awareness of Allis and his burning desire for a future that 'twould seem impossible. Treachery is also afoot, and deepens the peril Allis and Connor face with their burgeoning love. DeFrouchette is a man not to be thwarted; tweak the devil's tail and you inspire his wrath! Will virtue become victim to the dragon of hate?

Love and personal sacrifice are pivotal to the plot of The Maiden and Her Knight. Allis and Connor are courageous characters who face adversity -- and challenge it -- with a rare integrity. Surrounded as they are by plotting, grasping, greedy men, their ability to remain true to themselves is a victory hard won. Although they think their love hopeless, both are willing to fight for it. Allis is faced with a deeper challenge, however. Her brother and sister's welfare must come first. Always. And so an agonizing conflict is born. Connor and Allis's relationship is remarkably free of angst, however. Indeed, they have a sweet, slowly burning chemistry that inevitably combusts, and a steadfast loyalty to each other and their love.

The pacing of this novel is unhurried; court intrigues and castle treacheries rarely play out at lightning speed. A reader is fully aware of the situation, though, so don't expect to feel a taut tension as the plot unravels. The greatest excitement and allure is provided by Connor and Allis's dance of courtship. Ms. Moore is an able hand at creating thick romantic tension. The Maiden and Her Knight is a sweetly bold salute to chivalry, virtue and knights of old. True knights, that is: Ones who are noble, handsome, self-sacrificing and very, very virile. I have a bone to pick with the cover artist of this novel, however. Allis is a fair-haired blond, yet the "maiden" depicted on the cover is clearly a red head. At any rate, The Maiden and Her Knight is a medieval romance that's both spirited and sweet. Ms. Moore has brought light into the dark ages with her tale of boundless love.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful romance
Review: The Earl of Montclair never recovered from the death of his beloved wife six years ago. He depends on his oldest daughter Allis to run the castle and his friend Baron Rennick DeFrouchette to oversee the estate. Although not up to it, Montclair hosts a tournament. On the eve of the event, Allis sees Connor of Llanstephan, a poor wandering knight whom King Richard sent home from the Holy Land in disgrace. Connor told His Highness that the slaughter of unarmed prisoners, even infidels, was wrong. Allis and Connor are instantly attracted to each other. Although she detests Rennick as a bully, Allis accepts his proposal because she fears for her siblings and her people.

Lord Oswald arrives and meets with Rennick to discuss the plot to assassinate King Richard. Oswald believes that Connor is the perfect pawn to kill the king while bringing the Welsh conspirators support to their cause if Rennick can keep Allis out of the way.

THE MAIDEN AND HER KNIGHT portrays a different picture of King Richard the Lionhearted through the eyes of a once believing but now skeptical Connor. The story line is exciting as readers wonder if Oswald is right that Connor is the perfect dupe to kill His Highness because of the horrifying Crusade. Allis is a brave sacrificing soul while Connor suffers from what he observed in the Holy Land. Margaret Moore, already known for strong tales like HIS FORBIDDEN KISS, A SCOUNDREL'S KISS, and ROGUE'S EMBRACE, paints another winning historical tale.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful romance
Review: The Earl of Montclair never recovered from the death of his beloved wife six years ago. He depends on his oldest daughter Allis to run the castle and his friend Baron Rennick DeFrouchette to oversee the estate. Although not up to it, Montclair hosts a tournament. On the eve of the event, Allis sees Connor of Llanstephan, a poor wandering knight whom King Richard sent home from the Holy Land in disgrace. Connor told His Highness that the slaughter of unarmed prisoners, even infidels, was wrong. Allis and Connor are instantly attracted to each other. Although she detests Rennick as a bully, Allis accepts his proposal because she fears for her siblings and her people.

Lord Oswald arrives and meets with Rennick to discuss the plot to assassinate King Richard. Oswald believes that Connor is the perfect pawn to kill the king while bringing the Welsh conspirators support to their cause if Rennick can keep Allis out of the way.

THE MAIDEN AND HER KNIGHT portrays a different picture of King Richard the Lionhearted through the eyes of a once believing but now skeptical Connor. The story line is exciting as readers wonder if Oswald is right that Connor is the perfect dupe to kill His Highness because of the horrifying Crusade. Allis is a brave sacrificing soul while Connor suffers from what he observed in the Holy Land. Margaret Moore, already known for strong tales like HIS FORBIDDEN KISS, A SCOUNDREL'S KISS, and ROGUE'S EMBRACE, paints another winning historical tale.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A very predictable romance
Review: This book had a great synopsis on the back which pulled me in. But after the first few chapters it got "tiring". About the 4th or 5th time I read about Conners reasons for disliking the King and why he was discraced and sent home from the Holy Lands I no longer cared.

The story starts out showing the stuggle of a young woman who has had to grow up very fast and take on much of the rolls of both mother, father and nurse maid. He father it seems has never recovered from the death of her mother. She is town between doing what she thinks will save her brother and sister from hurt in that she will wed Rennick though he is a huge jerk.
As the story unfolds there is intrigue, attempted overthrow of the King etc...

The problem is there is to much repeat of information, and nothing that really hangs you onto the story I had predicted what was going to happen after the first mention of conspiracy.
I would have to agree with the other reviewer who gave this book 2.5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: A very predictable romance
Review: This book had a great synopsis on the back which pulled me in. But after the first few chapters it got "tiring". About the 4th or 5th time I read about Conners reasons for disliking the King and why he was discraced and sent home from the Holy Lands I no longer cared.

The story starts out showing the stuggle of a young woman who has had to grow up very fast and take on much of the rolls of both mother, father and nurse maid. He father it seems has never recovered from the death of her mother. She is town between doing what she thinks will save her brother and sister from hurt in that she will wed Rennick though he is a huge jerk.
As the story unfolds there is intrigue, attempted overthrow of the King etc...

The problem is there is to much repeat of information, and nothing that really hangs you onto the story I had predicted what was going to happen after the first mention of conspiracy.
I would have to agree with the other reviewer who gave this book 2.5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: mmmm-not bad
Review: This book started off with great potential. The characters were being well developed and the plot line was going to be exciting. However, after numerous chapters on reading about how lonley the main characters had been in their lives, and how desperate everything seemed to look, it started to get tedious. (...) This book circles almost entirely around "feelings" between the two people, with very little spice added in the form of intrigue and danger. (...) The grand finale was rounded up to quickley and could have been sprinkled throughout the book to liven it up some. I would more or less give this book 2.5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: mmmm-not bad
Review: This book started off with great potential. The characters were being well developed and the plot line was going to be exciting. However, after numerous chapters on reading about how lonley the main characters had been in their lives, and how desperate everything seemed to look, it started to get tedious. (...) This book circles almost entirely around "feelings" between the two people, with very little spice added in the form of intrigue and danger. (...) The grand finale was rounded up to quickley and could have been sprinkled throughout the book to liven it up some. I would more or less give this book 2.5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: just ok
Review: Well I have to agree with several of the other reviewers that this book didn't quite live up to the back cover. I have enjoyed several of Margaret Moore's other books and was expecting this one to be as enjoyable as those. The best i can give it is an ok rating.

The story is of a lonely penniless knight trying to make his way in a world were you are ruled by your actions. He has fallen out of favor with the king and now is working to rebuild his life. The heroine is the beautiful, dutyful daughter of a man who has no will to live. She has had to take over the running of the castle at a very young age as well as bringing up her younger siblings. She is being courted by an evil man who turns her stomach. When the hero and heroine meet by accident they soon realize thier feelings for each other but know that they cannot act upon them.

I liked the secondary characters more that the major players. I would like to see books with the brother and sister as the leads. I liked the book but just didn't get into it like I thought I would.