Beauchamp Besieged

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Debut Novel
Review: A very graphic prologue gives you a wonderful introduction to this novel by setting the stage and giving you insight into the personalities of three brothers during the English/Welsh conflicts on the marches in the 1190's. However, it is mainly the story of Raymond de Beauchamp, known as the Carrog Dhu, or Black Dragon.

Raymond de Beauchamp and Ceridwen of Llyn y Gareg Wen shared a history, although neither knew of it until some years later. Ceridwen was betrothed to Raymond to form an alliance in order to stabilize the border marches. She hated the English for killing so many of her kin but held a much more bitter hatred for the knight that years earlier had slain her best friend during a battle. She thought that this would be an opportunity to exact revenge. On her way to her groom, Ceridwyn's party is attacked and she escapes only to be attacked and almost raped days later when she would be saved by none other than the Carrog Dhu himself. In an effort to rescue the maiden from being raped, he inadvertently wounds her and still not knowing who she is - brings her to his keep. He had no idea who she was although he did notice that under the dirt and grime she was exquisite. He soon discovered who she was but would be determined to protect himself and her from heartbreak and he would pretend to feel nothing. He blamed himself over the death of his former wife and would keep himself from ever feeling anything like that again so he would attempt to rid himself of this wife he did not want. Willfully as stubborn as he, Ceridwen would not be shamed by being sent back to her father - she would do her 'duty' even though the mere touch of this man was so very disturbing.

This was an extremely good, visually stunning medieval romance with a very angry young woman and an bitter emotionally scarred man who had buried his feelings with the beloved wife he was accused of murdering. It tells a story of a good brother and the bad seed brother whose blessed good looks disguised a selfish and evil heart. More than that it shows you the growth of a young innocent maiden as she realizes that the anger she feels was hers alone, and that happiness was within her grasp if she would but forgive and embrace the love she had been so quick to toss aside. I will be anxious to watch this talented author for future offerings as this novel was an outstanding debut.

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining historical romance
Review: For almost two decades Lord Raymond Beauchamp waited to complete his vow of killing his abusive older brother Alonso even while he received increasing indignities and mistreatment from his vicious sibling. By 1200, Raymond decides enough is enough and plans to lead a rebellion against his titled brother, but fate has other plans for him.

Welsh Lord Morgan, believing he can manipulate Raymond through using the man's quest to rid himself of his older brother's strangulating yoke, decides his daughter Ceridwen is the perfect bait to forge an alliance with the widower. Ceridwen wants nothing to do with either Beauchamp, remembering one of the English killed her Owain and treated her with disdain at a battle four years ago. Still, she reluctantly does her sire's bidding starting with the abduction of Raymond's beloved dog Hamfest as a hostage. If he wants his canine back, he must marry Ceridwen. As Ceridwen and Raymond fall in love, she tries to persuade him that he needs to lead the Welsh and English to freedom.

Perfect surname for a medieval author aside, BEAUCHAMP BESIEGED is an entertaining historical romance that sub-genre readers will want to obtain. The story line is loaded with action that brings to life to 1200 Wales. The lead characters are a delightful duo falling in love while his authoritative brother and her powerful father try to use them and Hamfest as pawns. Though his sibling is too nasty to accept, the audience will enjoy this fine tale.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Beauchamp Besieged: A delicious tale
Review: Proud welsh beauty Ceridwen, daughter of Morgan, is betrothed at an early age to the youngest of the Beauchamp sons for promises of peace. But the young man's early demise threatens the stability so tenuously wrought. That is until her father makes another gamble, to wed his daughter to the second son, Raymond de Beauchamp. A hardened warrior, who if rumor has it true, killed his first and only wife by tossing her from the tower of their holding.

But many years have passed since that first betrothal, and the once meek Ceridwen now knows the Beauchamps for what they are; bloodthirsty Normans who cut down her people at every turn. Sickened at the prospect, yet unwilling to allow her kin to suffer any longer, Ceridwen accepts her fate. When Sir Raymond shows no interest in honoring the betrothal, the beauty and her family decide to go to him. An ambush on the road separates Ceridwen from her protectors, and soon she is in the clutches of a most unsavory sort.

Sir Raymond de Beauchamp once made the foolish mistake of loving one of those fickle creatures called woman. He opened up to his wife in a way that went against all the bitter lessons he'd learned at the hands of his despotic older brother. Upon her death, Raymond fully accepts the church's charges of murder, for it is an accusation he cannot and will not deny.

Now Raymond finds himself at the rescue of a young maid, a striking lass, made more so by her resemblance to his dead wife. When she suffers a serious belly wound, he fights his better judgement and takes Ceridwen to his crumbling keep. Once there, and safe from harm, the bewitching woman tells him something he cannot bear. She is his betrothed.

His need to put her aside and shield his tattered soul vies with the need for her clan's alliance. With their help, Raymond might yet wrest control from his bother Alonso, who tortures all those in his path.

So sets the scene for this absolutely delicious tale by Elaine Knighton. The story is mesmerizing, gritty, and chock full of emotion and sensory detail. Elaine crossed boundaries this fledgling author thought set in stone! The minute I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It is a truly unique and fascinating story. Not an ounce of fluff in this one.
Reviewed by Christi Jewell [e-mail]