What a way to start 2018! This is one of those "5 stars is not enough" story's. There's enough heart racing, pulse pounding action in this book to last me all year. And I may have ugly cried... maybe.
Full review to come. ( )

INDULGE YOUR EVERY SENSE!

When wanting to delve into a meaty Medieval tale seeped in heart-pulling emotion, Le Veque does a bang-up job providing one! We indulge with our every sense in a realistic setting of medieval life, where women, as much as men, fight for their lives, their honor, and what is theirs—women, men, children and property.

It is a time where women have little to say about their lives. It’s a time of kill or be killed, where friends are needed in one hand and a sword fills the other.

Andrew d’Vant, a man of determination, embodying hope and courage, seeks to destroy his brother, Alphonese d’Vant, Earl of Annan and Blackbank. For 19 years, his hate for his brother has simmered. He’s a man known as The Red Fury, one who, when battles is upon him, he is beyond fast and ruthless.

As a lad, Andrew’s brother banishes him from the manor after putting his own mother in the dungeon. Alphonse is not only hated by Andrew. Most others fear him because he is massive in build with a mean and vicious personality, his cruelty knows no bounds. Alphonse, in his own words, says women are like chickens; a penny for a dozen, so I shall never go hungry. He’s so massive and brutal, women often die under his hand.

“…Alphonse lacked everything Andrew possessed—fairness, sensibility, uncanny intelligence, and compassion.”

The de Carrons and the Dalmellingtons had been feuding for years. Josephine, eldest daughter of her father is in charge of her keep, now for some three years. The Dalmellingtons keep hammering at them, every two weeks attacking their keep, and with each battle Josephine loses more men, a disheartening endeavor. The idea of hiring mercenaries to help shore up their numbers gets introduced. The best mercenary is hired, Andrew d’Vant, better known as The Red Fury.

Sweet Josephine de Carron, a woman as strong as sweet, falls in love with Andrew and he with her. This budding relationship is unbeknownst to the king who wishes to use Josephine de Carron to build a better alliance between the English and Scots, by betrothing her to Andrew’s brother.

The day comes where Andrew must face his dragon. He must avenge his mother and protect Josephine from his beat of a brother.

I enjoyed hating Alphonse. So much is at stake for both Josephine and Andrew. A sword fight between Andrew and Alphonse could not be more frightening leaving me pitifully hanging on every sentence, and ultimately holding my heart in my hands!

The supporting friends of Josephine and Andrew are well developed, entirely appealing, which have me eager to see them appear in any following stories for the d’Vant’s. I am particularly drawn to Justine, Josephine’s sister, who fancies herself a physic and mystic, Nicholas de Londres, nephew to King Alexander, a talented and compassionate man, and friend to Josephine; Ridge, bodyguard to the king who has more honor in his little finger than what King Alexander possesses! We learn little about Ridge, other than owing a debt to Josephine, but I’d love to see Le Veque write his story.

If you are a Medieval genre fan, do yourself a favor reading what Le Veque has to offer. I recommend her many novels both in writing style and plot. ( )