Lord of the Manor (Harlequin Historicals , No 434)

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. I have read books by Shari Anton before and just loved them. She takes me to a world i only dare dream about and one that i find exciting and romantic. I hope to read more of her books in the future. Although this is not one of the best books i have ever read, i still highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: She was his enemy's wife
Review: Lady Lucinda was the widow of Richard's most villainous enemy, the man who had nearly taken his life. Yet Richard found himself in the awkward position of being the protector of Lucinda's son, Philip. With Lucinda and Philip in tow, Richard returned to his holdings, the holdings that had once suffered from the cruelty of Lucinda's husband. Despite Lucinda being his enemy's widow, however, Richard is insanely attracted to the brave woman. Can he ever forget whose wife she was, and make her his wife now?

Lady Lucinda had known the meaning of suffering. She had been married to a cruel man who beat her regularly, her family cared nothing for her, and she had gone into hiding after her husband's death to protect her son from his greedy relatives. When she petitions the court for a protector for her son, she has no idea that it will be Richard, one of the men her husband nearly killed! Richard had been kind to her while traveling, before he knew who she was, but she saw the glint of hardness in his eyes upon learning who she had married. Can she convince this man that her son is not like his father, and convince the people that she is not responsible for her husband's crimes?

I enjoyed this book immensely. Shari Anton has a gift of creating realistic, likeable characters woven into thrilling stories. Reading this book was almost like being transported back in time and watching love blossom between two real individuals. Both of these characters had faults - Richard was a bit too hard-headed, and Lucinda was a bit too aloof - but that only made them more believable and more interesting. Characters from some of her other stories, most notably Gerard and Ardith from "By King's Decree," appeared in the story, as well, but the reader was left with a desire to read their stories, as well. I really can't praise this book enough - it is one of my favorite historical romances of all time now!

For those interested, other books in this series include: By King's Decree (Gerard and Ardith), By Queen's Grace (Corwin and Judith), and Knave of Hearts (Stephen and Marian). I plan on reading them all! :)