This book is 4th in the Brothers in Arms Series. Although the book stands alone nicely, I believe the reader would do well to gain better insight into the hero’s back-story, myself included. I plan to read the previous books asap!

We start with the extraordinarily handsome Sir Henry and the painfully plain Lady Mathilda. Mathilde and her sister Gisele, the beauty of the family, manage to get Henry to defend their newly inherited estate against their awful cousin Roald. Neither Mathilda nor Henry expects to be drawn to one another but they are. Henry is merely doing his chivalrously knightly duties and would be more than happy to woo the pretty sister for a chance at his own castle and thwart an old enemy at the same time. For Mathida, her only goal is to protect her dignity and protect those she loves.

The writing is excellent. Moore puts you in medieval England to face all the horrors and triumphs of the era. The love story itself is a pleasure to watch unfold. I instantly liked Henry for his playful attitude and enjoyed Mathida for her fierce determination and pluckiness. Mathilda is a character I will not soon forget.

Many things, good and bad happen in this book to leave the reader breathless and aching. The battle scenes were extraordinary and the villains lived up to their reputations. Giselle has an interesting story of her own which the reader will appreciate.

Although Moore manages to tie everything together nicely at the end, I was a bit disheartened that the hero and heroines happy ending wasn’t as happy and satisfying as they both so richly deserved. ( )