An Anglo-Saxon woman's life threatening secret is revealed when she falls in love with the Norman baron. Matilda wants a fresh start because she doesn't want to be told who to marry, but her planning get her out of the frying pan into the fire.
Duty requires sacrifice…but the heart will not be denied.
At the time, pretending marriage to her middle-aged widower cousin seemed like the best way to escape a politically motivated betrothal to a brutal knight. Now, her journey toward a new life has landed her in hot water—she’s been waylaid by a local Norman baron who’s mistaken her for a real bride. And he demands First Night rights.
Hot water turns to steam in a scalding night of passion…passion she has never known. And now must live without.
Lord Geoffrey is entranced at first sight of the Anglo-Saxon beauty, and finds that one night in her arms is not nearly enough. But all he can offer the low-born Matilda is a life in the shadows—as his mistress.
Her head warring with her heart, Matilda resigns herself to her duty in a masquerade of a marriage. It’s a choice that could cost her life.
For the knight who first sought her hand is back with murder on his mind. Now it’s Geoff who’s faced with the ultimate choice: which is more precious…his estates or the love of the one woman who can heal his soul?
“Do you think I don’t know that?” the baron countered to his overseer, running his fingers through already tousled hair as he paced his bedchamber. He had argued with himself the whole way back to the manor, but no commonsense argument succeeded over his desperate need to hold this woman in his arms.
“You endanger your good standing with the villagers.”
“A risk I’m willing to take.”
The baron felt as grim as Voernulf looked.
“When I heard myself demanding first night rights, it was as if I were a different man. I couldn’t believe I said those words. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to take them back.”
“You risk too much for beauty. You’ve been passionate about women before only to lose interest,” Voernulf reminded him.
“None like this woman!”
Professional Reviews
Coffee Time Romance
“One of the best books I have read this year.”
ParaNormal Romance
“If you enjoy a good medieval tale, don't miss this one.”
Edward Rutherford is prepared to do just about anything to escape an arranged marriage to a woman he despises. But his brilliant plan to feign insanity has some rather unwanted consequences...
Blending Southern Gothic mystery romance, fantasy, theater, dance, music, and flashes of humor, tells the story of a pair of lovers in two separate time periods who find themselves battling an evil fifty years apart.
