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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Friday, April 3, 2015

will honor and duty eclipse their one chance for happiness? - The Gentle Knight (The Norman Conquest, #2) by Ashley York

Description:

A medieval soldier returns home to find his lover died in childbirth just as his own mother had. Believing he is cursed, Peter of Normandy turns from love. When he must give escort to an Irish princess more noble than many knights, he struggles with his decision to live a solitary life. Can he take the chance that his love won't be a death sentence and possibly make them stronger?

Padraig MacNaughton's death bed decree rips his daughter, Brighit, from the shelter of her protective clan in Ireland. Forced to take vows at a Priory in England, she finds herself in the hands of lecherous mercenaries with their own agendas. Dare she trust the Norman knight to see her safely to her new life as a nun? Even when she finds in him the fulfillment of all she's ever wanted?

Or will honor and duty eclipse their one chance for happiness?

EXCERPT
"Well?" Peter asked. 

She started at his voice. Indecision held her immobile. If he could be distracted before the woman returned, she could grab that little knife. 

She would engage him and get him to leave. "I'm sorry?" 

"As well you should be, but what will it be?" 

What will it be? What was he going on about? He did not seem inclined to leave. She glanced toward the back door. She had only a fleeting moment to act. 

She leaned closer to the table, her fingertips curling around the wooden edge. She pushed herself up, swung to face him, and scooped the blade into her hand. 

Brighit stood, squared her shoulders, and held her head high. Behind her back, she clenched the hilt of the pilfered knife. Elation coursed through her body like a river overrunning its banks. She now had a means to defend herself against anyone who would harm her. She bit her cheek to keep from smiling. 

His brown eyes were unusually bright. The hint of a playful smile on his full lips. 

"Is this stubbornness now?" Peter moved in close, his steps a little unsure. 

"Not intentionally stubborn." He misread her yet again. 

He licked his lower lip. When his gaze dropped to her breasts, the air was knocked out of her. A full smile now. He was appraising her with total appreciation. The way a man looks at a woman he desires. Her breath returned with a solid whoosh.
About the author:
I have wanted to be a writer since the sixth grade. My first story was a mystery and I discovered that my classmates loved it and it kept them guessing. I was a voracious reader, even at a young age, and loved the history in the novels I picked up. I was so enthralled with that history that I decided to get my MA in History. The early medieval period is my favorite, as you can tell from the novels I write.

Although my works are fiction, I often like to incorporate authentic places, events, and people to increase the reader’s enjoyment. One of the more valuable lessons I have learned as a writer is the importance of using real history with the flair of artistic license. You’ll discover a world of fiction wrapped around historical people and events! I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I delight in writing them.

I live in New England with my husband, two cats and a yellow Labrador named Caledonia.


3 comments:

Unknown said...

sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

smiles said...

This seems like it could be really interesting, but I'm not quite sold yet. I think I'd need a bit longer of an excerpt to make up my mind. I would've liked to see something that expanded on summary, because the excerpt doesn't feel like it does that. I don't get any sense of Peter wanting to be solitary, and I definitely do not get any "more noble than many knights" from Brighit. Wonder if the tour has multiple excerpts across it...

Kimi's Blog said...

Loved this book, it totally rocked