When it comes to this author I think, at least for me, it is more hit than miss. However, this story was so well written that I don't just think that this is one of the best book Karen Ranney has ever written. I know so. It is THE best medieval romance I've ever read.

With the power of her immaculate prose, she drew me into this brutal and unforgiving medieval period, so deep that I could feel the pain, sorrow and in the end love.

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"It was the first time he'd said her name. It had never seemed so lovely before, a word comprised of rolling syllables. It flowed from his mouth like a brook might tumble over round and polished stones."

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"He bowed his head again, forced into humility not by faith or devotion but by a despair as wordless and deep as a night sky. For what should he pray? Absolution for the sin of killing, even in the name of faith? For the sins of the flesh? Or for once enjoying them so heartily? Perhaps he should pray only for death, oblivion rendered fast and just. A swift end, like those he'd meted out in battle. This was nothing less than war, wasn't it? One fought in solitary, with Death on one side and him on the other, the adversaries so unevenly matched that the outcome was certain."

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Sebastian and Juliana are one of those lovers that you'll never forget, like Tristan and Isolde, maybe even better because their story is told with such care to detail that I had tears in my eyes as I read it. If you've ever read a romance just for the tortured hero and heroine, then this is a story for you.

Everything about this story touched my heart and I highly recommend it.

Melanie for b2b
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