We've met Cabal - or as most people know him as "Blackheart" - in the previous installment, he is one of King Richard's most loyal man. Yet Blackheart isn't as cold-hearted as everything conceive him to be, or maybe he just had enough of it all, maybe he has changed, even he can't really tell. What he does know, what he knew from a very early age - he is good at fighting, he is good at killing, he has what it takes and now that King Richard reached a treaty with the King of Thieves and he is leaving back to England his future is about to change (and he isn't thrilled..).
Near the time they leave back to England Garrett of Fallonmour is killed. Remember that guy (from the previous installment)? Yeah, he's a HUGE douche, no-one is going to miss him (literally!) but he does own a huge estate and King Richard doesn't want anyone grabbing it until he decides who it should belong to, so he assigns the man he can trust to - not one of the power hungry people around him and the kind to do exactly what he is told - Cabal.
When Cabal arrives at the Fallonmour estate he expects to find the meek wife (rather widow) of Garrett and the person he finds couldn't be more different. She is strong headed, but she is also smart and capable. In the 3 years Garrett was away she managed the estate beautifully, turning more profit than it used to through new venues. She is respected but also adored by everyone and one thing is for sure - she does NOT want anyone interfering with her hard work. Not him and not Garrett's brother - Hugh de Wardeaux - who has his eyes on Fallonmour as well... (He is also one of Prince John's men, trying to take down Richard's reign).
Emmalyn Fallonmour married young to a horrible abusive man but for the past 3 years she was finally free to become the woman she WANTS to be. With Garrett gone she spreads her wings and flies. She is truly happy in the place she made for herself, her only regret when Cabal comes with the news her husband is dead is the guilt of HOPING he dies never to return again. But she realizes it's far more complicated now. She LOVES her home in Fallonmour and not only because she worked hard to make it more prosperous but also because the people around her feel like a true family and she doesn't want to give them up. Yet it's not for her to decide. For now, Cabal is here, but once the King returns he would probably give the estate to whomever he feels like and marry her off to someone else. Cabal's arrival doesn't bring much promise and that's besides how infuriating he is.
Cabal and Emmalyn circle one around the other. At first in a sort of adversaries, but it doesn't take them long to realize they far more appreciate one another than dislike each other, and though they might have a sort of different agenda's it's not that different at the moment. As long as Cabal is there he can help secure the estate (as much as possible) and she can continue her work. Question is what happens next? She can try and use her connections to Queen Eleanor (Richard's mother) but it's not LAW like Richard's word and he is currently captured so until he returns she somehow needs to stay above water and just SURVIVE.
As they keep spending time together, they warm up to one another. The peaceful and familial environment Emmalyn created affects Cabal. Her kindness humbles him. The people around him and his interaction with them as well. He never had that. He never fit in before, his life as the son of an entertainer was on the streets. He never knew who his father and once his mother is killed his destiny brings him to the palace to train as a guard. Emmalyn doesn't know the man who came into her estate is the infamous "Blackheart", she sees the good in him (almost) from the start. Every sweet or rather thoughtful gesture he makes shows her a capable honorable man even if he himself can't see himself as such, especially because he KNOWS his past was FAR from what Emmalyn is seeing now. If you've read the previous installment, you've already seen for yourself he DOES have a heart. While he was extremely loyal to the King when he could make a decision it was FAIR not cruel.
Cabal tries to keep Emmalyn away but he fails miserably, he cares for her too much. But time is running short, Hugh is getting impatient, they don't have enough weapons OR men to yield them and while the promise of a Queen might be their best bet it won't stop Hugh from trying to take Fallonmour by force.
There's a lot going on in this one, and yet there are enough tender moments between these two. I loved that. This was a great conclusion to the series, though deep inside I feel like I wish there was a book about Jane. Who's Jane you wonder? The promiscuous maid.. There's a story to be told there FOR SURE. I would LOVE seeing her get her HEA, though I accept the fact she might be happiest jumping from one bed to the other - nothing wrong with that ;)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as well!
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Rating:
★★★★★ |
E-Book
Edition |
320
pages
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Read on:
15-16 October 2019
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ABOUT THIS SERIES
Warrior is an Historical Romance (in a way a Romantic Suspense) series by Lara Adrian set
in the Medieval times. The series focuses on true Warrior, finding the
right strong headed woman to capture their heart. Though these guys are
gruff and not always tender (in words or actions) their heart is in the
right place and they chose wisely a woman who might need their help
(currently) but they are still strong enough to manage on their own.
It's a different feel than I'm used to considering this IS Medieval
times and the statue of women was so low, yet I think all three women
were still as independent as they CAN be considering and I really
appreciated that.
This series as well as "Lord of Vengeance" (a stand alone novel) and the PNR series "Dragon Chalice" (all set in the Medieval times) were originally published under the name Tina St. John. These books were the first Lara has written and while they couldn't be more different than her current Paranormal Romance series "Midnight Breed" I ADORE both. My only complaint would be she doesn't write HR anymore which is a true SHAME considering how AMAZING there books are - wonderfully written, engaging and heart warming. Truthfully couldn't have asked for more.
Books:
1. White Lion's Lady [Isabel de Lamere & Griffin of Droghallow] (Published 31 July 2001) ★★★★★
2. Black Lion's Bride [Zahirah & Sebastian of Montborne] (Published 1 April 2002) ★★★★
3. Lady of Valor [Emmalyn of Fallonmour & Cabal "Blackheart"] (Published 4 April 2000) ★★★★★
This series as well as "Lord of Vengeance" (a stand alone novel) and the PNR series "Dragon Chalice" (all set in the Medieval times) were originally published under the name Tina St. John. These books were the first Lara has written and while they couldn't be more different than her current Paranormal Romance series "Midnight Breed" I ADORE both. My only complaint would be she doesn't write HR anymore which is a true SHAME considering how AMAZING there books are - wonderfully written, engaging and heart warming. Truthfully couldn't have asked for more.
Books:
1. White Lion's Lady [Isabel de Lamere & Griffin of Droghallow] (Published 31 July 2001) ★★★★★
2. Black Lion's Bride [Zahirah & Sebastian of Montborne] (Published 1 April 2002) ★★★★
3. Lady of Valor [Emmalyn of Fallonmour & Cabal "Blackheart"] (Published 4 April 2000) ★★★★★
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