WoB - The Saxon Bride: Medieval Trilogy, Book 2 by C.H. Admirand

The Saxon Bride
Medieval Trilogy, Book 2

C.H. Admirand

Publisher:
The Dark Castle Lords

Release Date:
April 2007

Genres:
Erotica
Historical Romance

ISBN:
eBook
9781921347092

Bookmark Rating:

Reviewed by
Jennifer Ray

Review Posted:
June 2008

With the King’s recent proclamation concerning Merewood Keep, Eyreka knows there is only one sure way to save her sons’ heritage and her people’s way of life. Upon learning the man the King has promised Merewood Keep to is a widower, the comely widow implores her King to consider the value of matching her in wedlock to the new Lord of Merewood Keep.

Much to the dismay of Baron de Chauret, the King grants Eyreka’s request, and they are married immediately. Augustin understands the logic behind the match, but he had vowed never to marry again after his wife died. Yet with each passing day, the strength and beauty he sees in his new wife endears her to him more, making it impossible for him to ignore the long buried feelings she stirs in him.

Although meeting Augustin stirred desires Eyreka never thought she’d experience again, she didn’t expect to love Augustin, only hoped he would be a man worthy of her respect and admiration. As he settles into his new role as Lord of the keep, she discovers a man worthy of much more than her admiration and desire.

C.H. Admirand’s newest novel, THE SAXON BRIDE, is a sequel to her first release with The Dark Castle Lords, THE LORD OF MEREWOOD KEEP. I had the great pleasure of reviewing that first book, and as much as I enjoyed that one, I loved the second story even more! Admirand writes a wonderful historical, and the reader is immersed completely in the worlds she creates. Her characters are believably real, and she effortlessly creates empathy for them from the very first chapter, maintaining that empathy throughout the story.

We first met Eyreka in THE LORD OF MEREWOOD KEEP, where she was introduced as the young widowed mother of that story’s hero, Garrick. She proved her mettle during the trials she and her daughter in law suffered in that book, and her strength of will and character are even more evident in THE SAXON BRIDE. She will do anything, sacrifice anything, for the good of her people and her children.

It is this strength that ultimately draws the gun shy Augustin to her. While forced to marry her by the King, he was determined not to love any woman again, fearful of losing a loved one again as he lost his beloved but fragile first wife. Likewise, the fairness and reason he demonstrates with his rule of the keep serve to allay Eyreka’s worries regarding the kind of man she has married, and foster a deep love for him rivaling that which she shared with her first husband.

Of course, the couple experiences a good many trials and a bit of angst before they find their way to each other. The author provides both internal antagonists in the shape of their fears of loving again, and external antagonists in the form of the residents of the keep who balk at the ‘intruders’, Augustin’s men who are reluctant to accept Eyreka as his wife, and a mysterious threat to all inside the keep.

Readers new to C.H. Admirand’s work will be happy to know that THE SAXON BRIDE can easily be read as a standalone novel and make complete sense. Of course, it is enhanced by reading its prequel first, as you will be privy to the relationships and nuances to the story that are told in THE LORD OF MEREWOOD KEEP. I can’t recommend both of these books strongly enough!

Note: This review was originally written by Jennifer Ray for another review site. It is being reposted at Wild on Books.

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