Customer Reviews

Damsel in Distress

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Once again Drake has managed, seemingly effortlessly, to combine historical fact, legend and romance together in a wonderful story. Revolving around the relationship between Katherine de Montrain, cousin to Robin Hood, and her guardian Damian Montjoy. This book also manages to discuss the crusades and there is a good deal about Robin Hood and his band, who are helped by the mysterious stranger 'the silver sword'. All in all a good read, although maybe not up to the standard of some of her other books eg PRINCESS OF FIRE.

Set in 12th century England (mostly, though there are scenes in the Holy Land), in the reign of King Richard the Lion Heart and his brother, Prince John, this is a romance to win your heart. Lord Damien Montjoy, one of Richard's faithful knights who would help the king take Jerusalem, and lord of his own castle back in England, is rewarded by Richard for his valor with the adjoining lands of Lady Katherine ("Kat") de Montrain--and with the hand of the lady herself. Richard also wants Montjoy there as he needs to secure the north of England from the wiles of his brother John. Ah, but there are legends about the forest there...Robin Hood, LIttle John, Friar Tuck, Lady Greensleeves and the Silver Sword! Prince John would give Kat's hand to the evil de la Ville who will pay him richly as John is ever in need of funds. The Silver Sword, who once saved her father's life, arrives to save her from de la Ville and deliver her to Montjoy, but then the Sword takes her innocence (the way I read it, it's actually a rape, force after a strong "no!" though there is then some mutual passion involved). Kat is a strong and beautiful young woman...in fact, the Lady Greensleeves herself! She goes on to wed Montjoy, her nemesis from her youth, because he is King Richard's choice and she has few other options. She hates them all! Could she ever love such a man? ("Never!") Does she love the Silver Sword after their night of intimacy? ("No!") But all will come right and the legends will have their day. This is really a dreamy romance with rich characters and great action. Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham) always delivers a romance you can't put down. I only wish she had written this one as a part of a series as I did not want it to end. I recommend it.