THE PRICE OF A SWORD - Ellie Tremayne

Total e-Bound – www.total-e-bound.com

ISBN: 978-1-906328-78-8

March 2008  

Erotic Historical Romance

Rating:  Total-e-sizzling

North Cornwall and other English locations – 1156

With Henry II now on the English throne, cruel Sir Hugh Noirville takes action to make sure that his family does not lose any of its holdings.  On a stormy day he shows up at the St. Nevis Convent where his sister, Nell, is the Mother Superior, with his sister-in-law, Lady Rosawyn Liskard, in tow.  Hugh has kidnapped her in order to have a stranglehold on his father-in-law, the Earl of Liskard.  Hugh’s wife, Maeve, is far along in pregnancy, and has no defense against his brand of husbandry.

At Henry’s court, the Earl of Liskard is very ill and unable to rectify the situation of either of his daughters.  He must rely on the reputation and honor of Philip d’Apremont aka Saracen.  The price required of the Earl by the king for Philip’s sword is marriage between Philip and Rosawyn.  Philip is more than ready to be the one to rout Hugh and his band of villains.  But no one knows where Rosawyn was taken.  Only a catty, resentful remark made by Philip’s sometime mistress gives him a clue.

Vicious like her brother, Nell is hardly a godly Abbess.  She likes females and sets out to make Rosawyn’s life a living hell.  If not for the intervention of sweet and kind Sister Hilda, Rosawyn might well have died.  Her rescue by Philip is bittersweet and she sees it only as an exchange of one master for another.

Staying alive could be difficult even at the best of times.  Rosawyn resents Philip, but is unable to resist him.  He knows what Hugh is capable of and is determined to protect Rosawyn.  But reaching Rosawyn’s home, Lostwithiel Castle, only lets Hugh know where they are.  And then no one is safe.  It also soon becomes apparent that there are traitors in their midst. 

Danger comes in all forms and packages.  And as it becomes harder to know who is trustworthy, Philip and Rosawyn have much to do.  The Earl’s scout, Ozzy; Philip’s man, Gilbert; Allen, the castle steward; Sister Hilda, Father Martin, and Thomas whose loyalty is questionable, either help or hinder in this sometimes heart-stopping tale of mayhem, betrayal, and redemption.  Hugh is so boo-hissably despicable I wanted to dismember him all by myself.  Ellie Tremayne tells a wonderful love story with lots of action on the side.  THE PRICE OF A SWORD is highly recommended.

Maggie Anderson