Lord of the Mist

Rating:
Summary: Dark and Tormented Hero and Heroine, Intriguing Read
Review: Ann Lawrence does not romanticize medieval times. It was a world ruled by powerful men who could be influenced by the women behind them. It was a world of harsh, illogical punishments and death was always one small misstep or illness away. Durand de Marle is our dark, haunted lord, left to mourn an unfaithful wife and raise the child that was not his. He is drawn to Christina, wife of a merchant and the newborn's wet nurse. Her life has not been an easy one after losing two daughters of her own. Her husband, Simon, typical of the times, does not respect her in any way but only uses her to advance himself. Christina makes soaps, potpourri and herbal concoctions for the inhabitants of the keep, and the author portrays the gathering of herbs and the fragrance of the items so effectively that you can smell the pungency yourself!

The storyline contains intrigue, thievery, battle, contests, conquests and sacrifice for our hero and heroine. Although there are amusing parts about love potions and hair tonics, the mood is very gloomy and disturbing. I had trouble following the royal plots but mostly due to my own disinterest in King John. Although I can recommend this book, it does not have a typical "happy ever after" despite the fact that our hero and heroine find the love they desire and deserve. This book is not for the faint hearted or anyone wishing light reading.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting medieval romance
Review: In 1205 England, Lord Durand de Marle buries his adulterous wife Marion without shedding a tear. Durand struggles to even say a prayer for his spouse, but finally manages one while also asking for his own forgiveness for leaving her alone so often while he fought in battles. He plans to ignore his new baby daughter because he doubts he is the sire. He feels that his fifteen-year-old and twelve-year-old sons are from his seed.

Durand does find his child's nurse Christina quite attractive. She reciprocates as she sees a kindness inside of him. However, she is married to the odious Simon le Gros, an avaricious individual who wants his wife to insure that Durand's infant stays ill so he has need of them. Realizing an opportunity based on the obvious longing between his spouse and his lord, Simon seizes the moment by accusing Christina of treachery towards King John. Only Durand who loves Christina stands in the way of her certain death.

Though Simon the villain does not have one redeeming quality, readers will delight at hissing at this gross individual serving as the counterpoint to the lead duo. The story line moves rather quickly, bringing alive the reign of King John especially through the vivid secondary cast. Fans of medieval romance will find the juxtaposition of Simon vs. Durand and Christina quite a spectacle that shows why award winning Ann Lawrence's previous sub-genre entry, LORD OF THE KEEP, is so popular.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Exciting medieval romance
Review: In 1205 England, Lord Durand de Marle buries his adulterous wife Marion without shedding a tear. Durand struggles to even say a prayer for his spouse, but finally manages one while also asking for his own forgiveness for leaving her alone so often while he fought in battles. He plans to ignore his new baby daughter because he doubts he is the sire. He feels that his fifteen-year-old and twelve-year-old sons are from his seed.

Durand does find his child's nurse Christina quite attractive. She reciprocates as she sees a kindness inside of him. However, she is married to the odious Simon le Gros, an avaricious individual who wants his wife to insure that Durand's infant stays ill so he has need of them. Realizing an opportunity based on the obvious longing between his spouse and his lord, Simon seizes the moment by accusing Christina of treachery towards King John. Only Durand who loves Christina stands in the way of her certain death.

Though Simon the villain does not have one redeeming quality, readers will delight at hissing at this gross individual serving as the counterpoint to the lead duo. The story line moves rather quickly, bringing alive the reign of King John especially through the vivid secondary cast. Fans of medieval romance will find the juxtaposition of Simon vs. Durand and Christina quite a spectacle that shows why award winning Ann Lawrence's previous sub-genre entry, LORD OF THE KEEP, is so popular.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: PASSION, POWER AND CONTROL
Review: LORD OF THE MIST is one of those rare romance novels that mixes wild adventure, danger, mystery and heart-stopping suspense. The author, Ann Lawrence, has written the kind of novel we'll probably keep and want to read again. We can definitely recommend it to our friends.

Lord Durand de Marle's wife has recently died in childbirth, when he meets his new daughter's voluptuous, yet kindly wet nurse, Christina, who is married to the abusive and philandering Simon le Gros. These intertwining relationships cause tempers to flare, accusations to be made and justice to be sought.

That's about all one can write without starting to give away the plot which is well hidden, thickened and spiraled. LORD OF THE MIST is is an excellent "can't-put-it-down" book.

Rating:
Summary: Another Super Read from Ann Lawrence
Review: Ms. Lawrence has done it again! She is a master at keeping us in suspense and keeping us reading! The characters in this book really "come to life". You can't help but have feelings about each, even the secondary characters.
Ms. Lawrence has an outstanding knowledge of Medieval times and life and by her many descriptions is able to take us back to those times.
The plot, though intricate and very intriguing, will keep you turning pages as fast as you possibly can. There is no way you can put it down or lose interest.
This is the second in the Lord series, but there is only minor connections so you can read them in order or read only one. However, you will most likely want to read all three.
Be prepared to read this book in one sitting. It's one you won't be able to put down for more than a few minutes.

Rating:
Summary: Another Super Read from Ann Lawrence
Review: Ms. Lawrence has done it again! She is a master at keeping us in suspense and keeping us reading! The characters in this book really "come to life". You can't help but have feelings about each, even the secondary characters.
Ms. Lawrence has an outstanding knowledge of Medieval times and life and by her many descriptions is able to take us back to those times.
The plot, though intricate and very intriguing, will keep you turning pages as fast as you possibly can. There is no way you can put it down or lose interest.
This is the second in the Lord series, but there is only minor connections so you can read them in order or read only one. However, you will most likely want to read all three.
Be prepared to read this book in one sitting. It's one you won't be able to put down for more than a few minutes.

Rating:
Summary: Could not put it down!
Review: Set in England, the year 1205. Durand de Marle returned home from the king to find his wife, Marion, dead. She had died while giving birth to Felice. But unlike his two sons, Durand had reason to believe Felice was not of his blood!

Cristina le Gros was hired as the wet nurse. Her babe had died recently and Felice loved her dearly. Cristina was the wife of a merchant, Simon le Gros. While she was true to her marriage vows, Simon was an adulterous many times over! Cristina was also talented at using herbs to make soothing potions, soaps, cremes, and the like for those of the castle. An attraction between Durand and Cristina was immediate upon meeting, but neither ever gave into their wants. Until ...

Thieves attacked a traveling party, killing the Bishop Domnic. Found in one of the guard's possessions was a valuable book, a copy of Aelfric's Nominum Herbarum, belonging to Durand. King John was visiting Durand and traced the theft back to Simon. Once justice was served, Cristina was charged as an accessory! All knew the charges false. Someone was out to kill Cristina and had the ear of the royal family! Durand had to find the villain, without angering the king!

***** Full of betrayal, suspense, and mystery! It is obvious the author took much time in doing research for this novel! It is extremely well written and crafted in such a way that readers will not want to put it down until the story is finished! Excellent! *****

Rating:
Summary: Hot! Thrilling! exciting!
Review: This is the best of Ann Lawrence's "Lord of" books. From the first time she sees him, she feels connected to him.

She is the wife of a merchant, she has lost her baby and is wet nurse to the baby everyone thinks is his. His wife died in childbirth. He alone knows it could not be his child.

From the first time he sees her, he is smitten. When her husband is convicted of theft, and murder, her husband manages to involve her.

Is a man willing to give up everything for the woman he loves?

This is a wonderful read. Great setting, with memorable characters.

Rating:
Summary: Hot! Thrilling! exciting!
Review: This is the best of Ann Lawrence's "Lord of" books. From the first time she sees him, she feels connected to him.

She is the wife of a merchant, she has lost her baby and is wet nurse to the baby everyone thinks is his. His wife died in childbirth. He alone knows it could not be his child.

From the first time he sees her, he is smitten. When her husband is convicted of theft, and murder, her husband manages to involve her.

Is a man willing to give up everything for the woman he loves?

This is a wonderful read. Great setting, with memorable characters.

Rating:
Summary: a good story
Review: This tale is loosely linked with Ann's Lord of the Keep. The hero from that story is friends with the hero from this tale.

Lord of the Mist starts out with the hero, Durand, burying his unfaithful wife and trying to come to grips with the baby girl she left behind. He knows the child is not his but is willing to raise her as his own. In the chapel he finds a woman who he needs for his soul as much as the child needs her for nurishment. The woman, Cristina, is the child's wet nurse. Cristina is the wife of Simon le Gros, a horrid man who uses Cristina to furthur his own causes.

Cristina is a healer who not only tries to help those who are sick and needy but she also tries to bring light and love back into Durand's life. Durand has a very hard time learing to trust again but soon realizes that Cristina is the only one who can make him live again.

This is a very sweet story. I have enjoyed many other books by this author since this book. I am looking forward to more from her.