A Sword for His Lady

Starred review from May 4, 2015
Widow and warrior face off in a battle of wills in this feisty launch of Wine’s Courtly Love series. Clever, competent Isabel of Camoys has been hardworking and enterprising since her husband’s death, resulting in a thriving estate that supports her well-fed populace. But her home of Thistle Keep is vulnerable; the estate is situated near the unstable Welsh border in 1189 England, and the men have left for the Crusades. King Richard the Lionheart dispatches his dutiful baron Ramon de Segrave, a seasoned soldier, to defend the area, preferably by wedding Isabel; she resists, fearing she will lose her independence to the headstrong Ramon. Meanwhile, Isabel’s evil former brother-in-law, Jacques Raeburn, plots to reclaim his brother’s land by forcibly marrying Isabel. Wine’s signature flirtatious banter fans the flames between the combative Isabel and Ramon, heightening their passion for each other. Kidnapping, poisoning, and a wicked courtesan all play parts in this spirited historical, helmed by a delightfully capable heroine.

In a refreshing change for a historical romance, narrator Elizabeth Wiley chooses to forgo an accent for the narrative of this book, reserving her considerable talents for the characters' dialogue only. Ramon de Segrave has been appointed a baron by King Richard the Lionheart, and given lands that adjoin those of Isabel of Camoys. Isabel is a widow, and sees no need to change this state. When a rival baron arrives to claim Isabel for himself, she must decide what's more important--her independence or the safety of her people. Wiley's skilled narration expresses a range of emotions and serves to lift the occasionally awkward prose to its fullest storytelling potential. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine