In the harsh, turbulent Middle Ages, lovely Lady Melyssan remains as she always has been–sweet, timid, and content to be alone. But in a desperate move to resist the advances of the dreaded king, she claims to be married to his worst enemy, Lord Jaufre de Macy, the legendary Dark Knight.
Seeking temporary shelter in Jaufre’s abandoned castle, Winterbourne, she is unprepared for the fierce, angry warrior who returns to confront her. He is a man as rough and unforgiving as the Welsh border lands he rules–and she is as gentle and innocent as a new day. But neither Jaufre’s dark heart nor Melyssan’s innocent one can resist the love that is their destiny–nor protect them from the danger drawing ever closer…
When Melyssan was 9 years old she was being taunted by boys at a fair due to the fact that she had a crippled foot. Jaufre de Macy came to her rescue and was her knight in shining armor. Melyssan had loved him ever since.
8 years later and he is getting betrothed to her sister. He seems to be a harder man than he was when Melyssan was a child. But little does she know that he is quite taken with her innocence. When Melyssan’s sister spurns Jaufre and high-tails it to the convent Melyssan is very relieved. Unfortunately she is accosted by the king and in an attempt to dissuade his interest she tells him that she is married to Jaufre. The king then has her escorted to Jaufre’s castle. Posing as his wife Melyssan stays at the castle, planning to leave before Jaufre returns. Unfortunately for her she doesn’t and when he returns he tries to “punish” Melyssan by having her continue with her posing.
Eventually Melyssan and Jaufre are married but not until after some severely traumatic events occur. Jaufre is constantly off doing the kings bidding, even though he does not want to any longer. It is a time of great strife in both England and in their personal lives.
This is such a simplified version of what happens in this wonderful book – but if I went on in greater detail it would truly ruin the reading experience for you. It’s an epic story of love won, and the extreme trials and tribulations of the middle ages. Melyssan’s insecurities and Jaufre’s absolute belief that no woman can be trusted, much less loved, makes this a fantastic love story. The coming together of these two people is amazing. What they have to endure, both together and separately is heart-wrenching and horrifying.
I read this book about a year and half ago and absolutely loved it. I have to say I was a little worried to re-read for this challenge for fear that my thoughts on it had been skewed back then for some reason. I’m happy to say that I was absolutely correct in my memories. This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.
I did start reading this one again. Oh man, their first encounter that night, when he wiped her tear away, that was rather sad.
I agree, Tracy, this is going to be a great book.
Great review 🙂
Great review Tracy!! LOL, my TBB list of books is growing bounds with this challenge ^_^; Unexpected side effect, LOL 🙂
anyway, sounds like a great book 😀 and you’re the second person reviewing a Susan Carrol 🙂
*laughs* Winterbourne – I also had (have) this on my list of books for the Re-Read Challenge. LOL
Great review, great book. 🙂
Amy – I’m so glad you picked it up again. I really love Carroll’s writing.
Nath = Yeah, I was afraid that’s gonna happen to me to! lol I think I need to start a wish list or I’m gonna forget everything!
Taja – It would be great to see your review!
Evol pimp woman!! 😀
Great review.
I am LOVING this reread challenge!!! I read this one years ago too and now I want to reread it again since it’s been quite a number of years ago that I read it.
I’m not a big middle ages person, but this sounds like I might like it…
KB – that’s me baby! lol
Kristie – I think it’s great how people are seeing books that they read years ago…and others, like me, are reading reviews on books I’d never heard of before. It’s very cool.
Lori – you just might. 🙂
I have a Susan Carroll book on my TBR shelf. The Bride Finder. But this one looks just as good! Waaaahhh…I need to clone myself so I can read more books!
Thanks for the review.
I reread a book by Susan Carroll, too! I have not read this one by her but now I really want to. Thanks for the great review. 🙂
Wow this is another great sounding book.
I’ll be drowning in books by the end of the year and I love it.
Great review I can’t wait to read this book.
Jen – the Bride Finder is soooo very different from this book. You’ve got the whole paranormal aspect in those books that isn’t in this one. But you still may like it. 🙂
Kwana – you’re welcome.
Brie – you’re welcome. I have another in my TBR that’s a historical by Carroll I have got to get to…soon.
Jenn – thanks! I know I said the same thing about this challenge. All these books sound really good!
Either I commented on this already OR someone else read this book recently. I loved this book. Loved it. Have it on my keeper shelf. I found out it had a sequel SHADES OF WINTER. It took me two years to find it, but find it I did.
LOL – I think you’re thinking of me Rosie. You posted a comment on my weekly wrap up last Sunday. That might be what you’re thinking of. 🙂
I ordered this tonight, along with a whole stack of Medievals (listed on my Medieval post). 🙂
Oh man! I read this one years ago and now I want to re-read it, thanx to you. Must find my copy…
This one sounds really good and I haven’t read a good medieval in ages. Susan Carrol is really great. Have you also tried her Queen series?
Jen – I hope you like it! 🙂
Stacy – It’s amazing how the books we’ve read sometimes get lost in the shuffle. I hope you enjoy it the next time you read it.
Jill – I’ve read a few of her Bride Finder books and then I have one in my TBR that’s called The Silver Rose – I think it’s a Faire Isle book. Is that the Queen series?
The Silver Rose is the third book of the Queen trilogy. I believe the first one is The Dark Queen. I think it would be better to read them in order. Each book is about each sister and they are all interconnected. It’s a really good series.
Jill – thank you so much. I will definitely read the other 2 books before The Silver Rose. I usually hate reading series out of order. 🙂