A Knight's Vengeance (Knight's Series Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

Catherine Kean (Author)

Book Description

Geoffrey de Lanceau is a knight, the son of the man who once ruled Wode. His noble sire died, however, branded as a traitor. But never will Geoffrey believe his father betrayed their king, and swears vengeance against the man who brought his sire down in a siege to take over Wode.

Lady Elizabeth Brackendale dreamed of marrying for love, but is promised by her father to a lecherous old baron. Then she is abducted and held for ransom by a scarred, tormented rogue who turns out to be the very knight who has sworn vengeance against her father.

The threads of deception sewn eighteen years ago bind the past and present. Only by Geoffrey and Elizabeth championing their forbidden love can the truth - and the lies — be revealed about a knight's vengeance.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kean (Dance of Desire) delivers rich local color and sparkling romantic tension in this fast-paced medieval revenge plot. Geoffrey de Lanceau was eight years old when he was orphaned, his father was branded a traitor and cut down by Lord Arthur Brackendale. Eighteen years later, Geoffrey puts his plan for retribution into action. His first step: abducting Lord Arthur's only child, Lady Elizabeth Brackendale. Geoffrey quickly realizes his high-born captive is no shy maiden but rather a fierce opponent determined to stop his plot. As their animosity turns to understanding, Elizabeth tries to convince Geoffrey that her father acted under orders of the king—an explanation Geoffrey refuses to hear. As the novel hurtles toward its nail-biting climax, the passion between Geoffrey and Elizabeth becomes love, the true villains are revealed and the innocent exonerated. Finely drawn secondary characters—a love-struck young squire, a practical herbalist, a lecherous suitor and a loyal battlefield friend—breathe additional life into the vibrant tale. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Catherine Kean has always loved tales of heroic knights and stubborn damsels.  Her debut medieval romance, Dance of Desire, was the launch title of Medallion Press's Sapphire Jewel Imprint.  Dance of Desire won two Reviewer's Choice Awards, Best Medieval in industry review magazine Affaire de Coeur's 2006 Reader-Writers' Poll, and finaled in four contests for published romance novelists.

Her other books have also garnered accolades.  My Lady's Treasure won the historical category of the 2008 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest and was a finalist in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.  A Knight's Reward was a 2008 National Readers' Choice Awards finalist.

Catherine also writes contemporary romances under the pseudonym Cate Lord.  Busy working on her next novel, she lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and a spoiled cat.

Product Details

• File Size: 512 KB
• Print Length: 419 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1932815481
• Publisher: Catherine Kean (December 18, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006NQQ464
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,009 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This will be one of the best historical romances of the year! September 15, 2006

By Detra Fitch VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

King Henry ordered Lord Arthur Brackendale to besiege the keep at Wode and kill Lord Edouard. Arthur obeyed his king. Therefore; at the tender age of ten, young Geoffrey de Lanceau held his father, Edouard, as he died, tainted with the title of "traitor". Geoffrey never believed his father betrayed their king. Geoffrey vowed that one day he would have his vengeance upon Lord Brackendale and reclaim Wode. Eighteen years passed.

Due to his valor in the King's Crusades, Geoffrey de Lanceau has been granted the new position as lord of Branton Keep. With his faithful friend, Dominic de Terre, Geoffrey has decided to begin his quest to fulfill his vow. To do so, he kidnaps Lord Brackendale's lovely daughter, Lady Elizabeth, and Mildred, a gray-haired lady-in-waiting. Geoffrey will let Arthur suffer fear for his daughter before sending the ransom demand. To save Elizabeth, Arthur must give up Wode or fight. But Geoffrey never expects to fall in love with his feisty and brave captive.

Lady Elizabeth has always dreamed of marrying for love, but she is promised to an old baron which rumors claim his cruel bed games is what killed his previous three wives. Then she is abducted by a scarred, tormented rogue who attracts her even though she despises him. Elizabeth wants nothing more than to escape with Mildred and return to her father. But Elizabeth and Geoffrey must join forces to find out the truth of what happened in the past, before it tears apart the present.

***** Fabulous! Author Catherine Kean gives readers everything they could possibly want in this tale of heroism and betrayal. There is a handsome and tormented hero, a brave and loyal heroine, a jealous and vindictive courtesan, as well as a romance that overcomes all obstacles.... This will be one of the best historical romances of the year! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews. Read more ›

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Knight's Vengeance July 10, 2008

By M. Nix

Format:Mass Market Paperback

When Geoffrey de Lanceau was a young boy, his father was killed in a siege upon their castle. Lord Arthur Brackendale was the man responsible. Geoffrey has sworn to avenge his father's death by striking back at Lord Brackendale one day. That day arrives many years later when he sets eyes on Brackendale's daughter Elizabeth.

Lady Elizabeth Brackendale has been kidnapped by Geoffrey de Lanceau. Geoffrey is her father's sworn enemy and the monster her father has warned her about all of her life. Elizabeth is confused by the feelings Geoffrey stirs in her, but her need to keep her people and her father safe are uppermost in her mind.

At first Elizabeth is kept a prisoner, but the arrangements slowly change as she and Geoffrey get to know each other. They are enemies who struggle to maintain their distance even though their growing attraction wages a war on their hearts.

When the time to fight is upon them, Will Elizabeth have to chose between her father and her new found love?

A Knight's Vengeance is a wonderfully told story about a tender love born from the hate of revenge. Elizabeth and Geoffrey's transition from enemies to lovers is entertaining and passionate. The end has a thrilling battle and heart-warming closure. A Knight's Vengeance captivated me with a beautiful and strong heroine, a brave and fearless hero and an exciting, romantic tale!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A warmhearted historical story full of passion and heart December 9, 2006

By C. Dionne VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Geoffrey de Lanceau has spent eighteen long years nurturing his need for vengeance against the man who ended his father's life and confiscated his heritage. He's never gotten over the fact that when his honorable father died he was branded a traitor by king and country.

Betrothed to the lecherous Baron Sedgewick of Avenley, Lady Elizabeth Brackendale is desperate to find a way to escape her impending marriage. She dreams of marrying a man she could love. Just being in the baron's presence makes her nauseous, how could she possibly stand him touching her?

Geoffrey and Elizabeth meet in the market for the first time when she's almost run down by a wagon while attempting to evade her guards. It isn't until she tries intimidating him with knowledge about her father that he realizes that she is the daughter of the man he's sworn vengeance against - Lord Arthur Brackendale. Once he leaves her to the inept care of her guards, Geoffrey meets up with his friend and fellow knight Dominic who had heard of Elizabeth's upcoming nuptials. Geoffrey sees the marriage for what it is - an attempt at protecting Elizabeth from him and joining Sedgewick and Brackendale lands which border each other. To draw Brackendale out, Geoffrey intends to do the one thing sure to enrage the Lord - kidnap his daughter and hold her for ransom. It's a good solid plan but can he keep himself from falling in love with the daughter of the enemy? What if he discovers that the man he thought was the enemy isn't at the root of the deception that resulted in his father's death?

Catherine Kean will have readers riveted to the pages of her newest novel A KNIGHT'S VENGEANCE. I adore Elizabeth's stubbornly determined nature. Geoffrey is just as contrary.... Imagining these two characters going head to head on every little issue from the quality of the meals to whether or not he'd allow Elizabeth to take a bath kept me reading to see who would be victorious in their continuing battle of wills. I was quickly drawn into this storyline and could easily sympathize with both characters' plights and could hardly wait to see how it would all work out.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesty of Romance Junkies) Read more ›

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Engaging Story of Medieval Love January 18, 2007

By Leslie Halpern

Format:Mass Market Paperback

"A Knight's Vengeance" tells a wonderfully romantic tale set against a thrilling medieval background. As in her previous novel Dance of Desire, Catherine Kean presents interesting, well-developed characters who are thrown into extraordinary circumstances that test their courage, strength, and loyalty.

In this case, Lady Elizabeth Brackendale, the daughter of a wealthy lord, is kidnapped by Geoffrey de Lanceau, a roguish knight sworn to kill Elizabeth's father to avenge his father's death. Sworn enemies to each other, the worst thing Elizabeth and Geoffrey can do is fall in love.

Kean has a marvelous ability to draw the reader into the story through her use of the senses. We can almost smell the exotic flowers in Elizabeth's bath water, taste the figs covered in honey and cinnamon, and hear the belches of the disgusting suitor that her father selected for Elizabeth. The playful teasing and growing sensuality produce the perfect level of moderate intimacy that will satisfy most romance readers. I highly recommend it.

Leslie Halpern, author of Reel Romance: The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies and Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science.

More About the Author

Catherine Kean has always loved tales of heroic knights and stubborn damsels. She penned her first novella at age twelve and her first full-length manuscript at sixteen. After completing a B.A., double major (first class), in English and History from the University of Victoria, B.C., Canada, she was accepted into the post-graduate Works of Art Course run by Sotheby's auctioneers in London, England, where she studied centuries of history, antiques, and fine art. She worked in Canada for several years as an antique and fine art appraiser.

Her debut medieval historical romance, Dance of Desire, was the launch title of Medallion Press's Sapphire Jewel Imprint. Dance of Desire won two Reviewer's Choice Awards, Best Medieval in industry review magazine Affaire de Coeur's 2006 Reader-Writers' Poll, and finaled in four contests for published romance novelists.

Her other medieval romances have also garnered accolades. Among them, My Lady's Treasure won the historical category of the 2008 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest and finaled in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. A Knight's Reward was a 2008 National Readers' Choice Awards finalist.

Catherine also writes contemporary romances under the pseudonym Cate Lord.

Busy working on her next novel, Catherine lives in Central Florida with her husband, daughter, and a spoiled rescue kitty. For excerpts and more book details, visit Catherine's website at http://www.catherinekean.com