Once a Knight [Mass Market Paperback]

Christina Dodd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2007

A Lady's Choice

Only desperation can make strong-willed Lady Alisoun hire Sir David of Radcliffe to protect her castle. He had once been a hero renowned for his brave daring and knightly skills. But few know what he has been doing these past years.

A Hero Again

At George's Cross estate, Sir David does indeed discover danger afoot. But the danger that surprises him most is how quickly his own well-protected heart is falling to a fiery damsel who brings him to his knees. When put to the test, he must make a sacrifice. But will he lose his heart...or his life?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Medieval fans have a real treat in store in Dodd's newest. Dodd (Move Heaven and Earth) fashions her hero and heroine with such candor and wit that it tempts the imagination. After an attempt is made on her life, Lady Alisoun, the lofty and aloof chatelaine of Georges Cross, seeks protection from the legendary mercenary Sir David of Radcliffe. Searching out the former "King's Champion," Alisoun discovers, to her dismay, a down on his luck, out of condition hasbeen. Desperate, Alisoun hires him, hoping that the past laurels of the fabled hero are enough to hold the assassin at bay. The sensitive and often humorous interaction between the hero and heroine keeps the story moving at top speed and should win this writer an even broader audience.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Someone is stalking Lady Alisoun of George?s Cross and she knows who it is and why he is tormenting her. Lady Alisoun needs protection and she is determined to hire the legendary mercenary Sir David of Radcliffe. David earned his reputation by being the King?s champion, but when Alisoun finds him, he is drunk, broke and recently defeated. She hires him anyway, but she will not confide in him why she needs protection. Lady Alisoun is very rich, and she is also a widowed virgin. Her personality is rather stiff and formal, she always follows protocol and she never shows her emotions. The King wants to marry her off, but no man wants to wed her. Sir David is a widower who is a warm, loving and affectionate man with a young daughter. He can see beneath Lady Alisoun?s guarding shield and even though he wants her wealth, he also wants Lady Alsioun. Alisoun talks with Phillippa, who is supposedly a poor relation who has a baby. Their conversation is about living an organized and logical life, which Alisoun admits does not bring happiness. Phillippa tells Alisoun that she needs a babe to make her life complete. That day, Sir David is knocked off his horse and he is in bed recuperating when the door opens and it is Lady Alisoun. David welcomes her without hesitation. David insists that Alisoun marry him as she is probably with child. There is another incident at George?s Cross so David takes Alisoun, Phillippa and her baby to his home and later, Lord Osbern, the Duke of Framlingford arrives. Alisoun is frightened for she knows why he is there, though David does not. Osbern is related to the King and he has a reputation for being cruel, and all the women know it. It is revealed why Osbern traveled to Radcliffe and after he gets what he wants, he leaves with his possession. Alisoun demands that David challenge Osbern and do what she has paid him to do, to protect her and those she loves, but David refuses, and he tells her why. Infuriated, Alisoun leaves. Both David and Alisoun think about the situation, and David can understand her point, and Alisoun understands his. Separately, they come to the same conclusion but take a different course of action. David proves that he is up to the challenge of defeating Osbern and winning back his wife. Indulge yourself! Once A Knight by Christina Dodd is not enough - you?ll crave more from this talented and clever author! Once A Knight is wonderful! Humorous, romantic and a treat for everyone! Once A Knight is a real treasure that will give hours of pleasure to all romance readers! Another winning accomplishment for Christina Dodd! Once A Knight will delight you!Gloria Miller -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Avon (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061083984
• ISBN-13: 978-0061083983
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( D ) > Dodd, Christina

More About the Author

Chat with Christina via Facebook and Twitter, and even better, join her mailing list to have her news delivered right to your inbox! http://christinadodd.com/lists/?p=subscribe

Readers become writers, and Christina Dodd has always been a reader. She reads everything, but because she loves humor, she likes romance best.

A woman wants things like world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants things like a Craftsman router with attachments, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will miraculously make his bald spot disappear. So when Christina's first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to quit work and write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?

Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before her first novel, CANDLE IN THE WINDOW, was published. In the twenty-two years since, her novels have been translated into 25 languages, won Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart and RITA Awards and been called the year's best by Library Journal. Christina Dodd herself has been a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle (11/18/05, # 13 Down: Romance Novelist named Christina.) Publishers Weekly praises her style that 'showcases Dodd's easy, addictive charm and steamy storytelling.'

Christina's 2011 releases include TAKEN BY THE PRINCE, #9 in the Governess Brides series, and in the tradition of Nora Roberts, a new romantic suspense series starting with SECRETS OF BELLA TERRA and REVENGE AT BELLA TERRA.

Christina Dodd is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious romance between two very unique people., August 23, 1998

By 

B. S. Andrews "barbiesa" (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once a Knight (Mass Market Paperback)

If you're looking for the typical gut-wrenching medieval romance where the protagonists hate each other at first sight, look elsewhere. This is an extraordinary tale of love blossoming between a knight who has seen better days and a strong-willed "widowed virgin" who doesn't think she needs a man at all. How refreshing it is to see a medieval hero who is not arrogant and all-powerful, but turns out to be a true "Renaissance man" who demonstrates his love by his kindness and integrity until the heroine realizes in surprise that she returns his feelings. What a shame there aren't more light, entertaining, and comical romances such as this one! I salute the author for her talent and originality.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Knight's Shining Armor is a Little Rusty, May 3, 2004

By 

"klpepsi" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once a Knight (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Alisoun is the cool, levelheaded, and all too proper mistress of the castle at Georges Cross. A recent attempt has been made on her life, and she continues to be stalked by the assailant. She decides to hire the legendary mercenary, Sir David of Radcliffe, the king's own champion, for protection. But when she locates him, he's not quite what she's expecting. He's obviously in a drunken stupor, one resulting from his recent humiliating defeat, by a knight who challenged his status as the king's champion.

Alisoun decides to hire him anyway, since just his mere presence could keep further danger at bay. She soon discovers David's knightly skills are a little on the rusty side. And David makes a discovery of his own. Alisoun knows who her assailant is, and the motive behind the attacks, but she refuses to divulge this information.

They have another problem as well, for David desires the straight-laced Alisoun, and begins pursuing her, and using every opportunity to seduce her into marriage. Alisoun, who is rumored to be the oldest living widowed virgin in the kingdom, tries to resist his advances, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to do so. Will David be able to do what so many others before him have tried and failed to accomplish, by melting the icy wall around Alisoun's well-fortified heart?

This is the first installment in a two-book medieval series by Ms. Dodd. A delightfully humorous, and rather unique story of two less than perfect people who succumb to love. David is no longer the highly skilled, invincible knight of the legend. He's older now, his skills are rusty, and even with practice, will never be what they were. I found this very realistic. Isn't this what happens to everyone eventually as we age?

In some ways Alisoun is like other Dodd heroines, sensible, pragmatic, and intelligent. But she's far from the perfect romantic heroine. She's much too prim, proper, and devoid of a sense of humor and fun. This extreme in personality is what sets her apart from the typical Dodd female lead. While I basically liked Alisoun, I was disappointed she didn't seem to thaw out too much as the book progressed. However, I especially liked the hero, David, and the supporting characters all added quite a lot to the story as well. Definitely a worthwhile read. The sequel to this book is A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming, though a bit bland at times, November 17, 2002

By 

allie-kat (N.B., Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once a Knight (Mass Market Paperback)

I won't bore you with a description of the book's plot since its been done already in previous reviews. This book has its good and bad points. I have to admit I almost didn't finish it because the first half took me a week to get through. It was extremely boring with very little action. I just couldn't get interested in the characters. But I hate to give up on a book so I kept going, albeit very slowly. Things did pick up in the second half of the book and it became much more interesting with the overall mystery surrounding the story and the developing love between the main characters.

This book had a very unique storyline and that was refreshing. There was never any major misunderstandings between the main characters and no great adventures but it was a heartwarming read. I did grow to care about the people and really enjoyed the childrens role in the book. The mystery of the book was very easy to guess in the second half but I enjoyed reading the conclusion anyway.

The romance between Alisoun and David was nice but the sex scenes lacked something... and their relationship sure didn't sizzle like those in Judith McNaught's or Johanna Lindsey's books. Maybe this was because the characters were different from the usual stereotypical hero and heroine. Alisoun was cold and seemingly emotionless and David was past his prime and aging. Oh, he was still handsome and full of honor, etc., but I like my heroes strong, able, and too hot for words. David seemed to fall short of the mark and Alisoun just never really seemed to open up and let her love for him show.

All in all, its a relaxing read for a cold winter's day. I wouldn't advise you to go out and spend a lot on it but rather borrow it from the library since its not really one of those books you want to read over and over again.