Click here to read the 1st 3 chapters of the book for FREE (PDF file - read with Adobe's Acrobat Reader 3.0 or above)
All that stands between Sir Judson Langley and his chance to inherit Cresswell Castle is the truth and a beautiful young serving woman with a secret.
Judson Langley yearns for lands of his own. Sent to Cresswell Castle by Lady Emily Goodfife to prove her great-granddaughter is alive. Judson is torn between greed and his obligation to Lady Emily, for if he proves the girl, Arian Goodfife, is dead, he stands to inherit Cresswell. Judson expects to encounter the castellan's hostility, but not the loss of his heart to an enchanting serving girl with emerald eyes. How could he know that the secret she hides threatens to tear all his dreams asunder?
Arian Goodfife, rightful heiress of Cresswell, lives in the shadows, dirty and wretched. After her mother's suicide, her cruel stepfather spread a lie that Arian died in a fire. Her identity stripped away, she trusts no one. Driven by the desire to regain Cresswell, she vows to depose her stepfather. Then a dark, handsome knight named Judson arrives, making another claim on her lands. Though he touches a place in her heart she thought had turned to stone, Arian realizes the peril she would face were Judson to discover her true identity. Is Judson an angel or a devil? Only a miracle of love will answer her question.
Book Reviews
Scribes World / Karen McCullough - 4 Stars
Lady Arian Goodfife is an orphan, dispossessed of her station, forced to hide out and survive as best she can in her own home. After her mother's death, her stepfather claimed the keep and lands as his own. Only her mother's dying curse keeps the superstitious Lord Harold from killing Arian. When Sir Judson, a knight attached to her great-grandmother, comes searching on the old woman's behalf, seeking evidence to verify the story put out by Lord Harold that Arian is dead, Lady Arian's life gets more complicated. She fears to tell Judson who she is, knowing that he has been named the old lady's heir and that he very much wants that inheritance. Falling in love with Judson can only complicate her life, but Arian is powerless to resist the brawny, handsome knight.
A pleasant, enjoyable read, Knight's Desire is a treat for fans of historical romance. From the opening scene when Lady Arian almost kills the newly arrived Judson, to the expected and satisfying conclusion, the story moves at a steady, sure-handed pace. Period detail conveys the feel of fifteenth century England without overwhelming the tale. The two main characters are appealing, with comprehensible motivations that win the reader's sympathy.
Word Museum / Patricia J Detweiler - Four 1/2 Stars
Lady Arian Goodfife sleeps in the kennels, scrabbles with the dogs for food, and is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost living in her own home since none are permitted to speak to her or offer the smallest comfort. She is not truly a ghost only because her usurping stepfather fears the curse Arian's dying mother spat at him with her last breath. The curse does not, however, stop Harold, who covets Cresswell with an all-consuming lust, from mercilessly tormenting and torturing the girl.
Sir Judson Langely is a landless knight who, thanks to a few well-diluted drops of Goodfife blood, stands to inherit Cresswell after Arian's great-grandmother's passing. He's been sent to Cresswell to ascertain that Arian did, indeed die in a fire, as claimed by Harold, before the aging dowager names her heir. Upon seeing the estate, Judson's covetousness rivals Harold's, and he is determined to have it.
Who can Arian trust? Even if she dared reveal her identity, telling Judson could prove as hazardous to her existance as defying Harold. Yet, unwillingly, she's drawn to Judson, his small kindnesses and constant consideration for Jane, the servant Arian is forced to become, confuse and touch her. The peril of her situration grows as, determined to reclaim her home and identiy, she denies her softer emotions and tries to instigate a battle between the two men despite knowing she could well find herself in the midst of the fray.
Knight's Desire is a tale of hunger; Jusdon's hunger for land and recognition, Harold's hunger for that which doesn't belong to him, and Arian's hunger for vindication and revenge. Whose hunger will be sated? And at what price?
If you like medieval romance, I suggest you read the book and find out.
Romantic Times / Deborah Brent - Four Stars
Sir Judson Langley has a formidable task. He must find out if Arian, the great granddaughter of Baroness Emily Goodfife, is truly dead. He has been declared the baron's heir in the event he should find evidence of the girl's death.
Arian's setpfather Sir Harold and his second wife, Gwen, are hiding something. But what? It's no secret they want Cresswell Manor for themselves. But to what lengths will they go to obtain it? Murder?
Then Sir Judson is attacked by a filthy urchin while having dinner with Harold and Gwen, and he begins a perilous journey of discovery.
This delightful story is full of twists and turns. Were Lord and Lady Goodfife murdered? Who exactly is the enigmatic Jane? Fans of classic medieveal romance will thoroughly enjoy Knight's Desire.
Suite 101 / Shelley DeWayne - Four+ out of Four Stars
Wow. This is a great author. You know it's a good book when you stay up all night to get through it. I don't normally read medieval but this one has changed my mind. I couldn't put the book down. The wonderful study of speech and scene left me breathless. The speech was very poetic and fell off the character's tongue naturally. This is a must read by medieval fans.
Affaire de Coeur / Nan Doporto - Five Stars
Dressed in rags and covered in filth, Arian Goodfife hides her identity allowing her ruthless stepfather, Harold to lay claim to Cresswell Castle. In fear for her life, she is forced to deny who she is. Then Arian's great grandmother sends Sir Julian Langley to investigate. He is ordered to find Arian with the proviso that if he doesn't find her, as a distant relative, he will inherit Cresswell. Then Julian runs into the waif Jane called a whore by Harold.
This is a humdinger of a read about a missing heiress, filled with intrigue and above all romance. As a lover of the Medieval that is what I like. Elizabeth Taylor George is mistress of her craft who offers a fabulous tale of a bold knight who is brought low by a wisp of a girl.
Elizabeth Taylor George
Two time Golden Heart finalist and Maggie Award Winner, Elizabeth Taylor George wrote her first poem at age seven. It was called The Snowflake,and it earned great praise from her mother.
Growing up with books, especially taken with Grimm's Fairy Tales, GWTW, and Forever Amber, she was always fascinated with the art and craft of telling romantic tales. After a long retail management career, she was given the opportunity to tell her own tales. Historical romance is her passion, both American and Medieval stories her favorites.
Liz lives near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her brilliant husband, Tom, and her wonderful Shetland Sheepdog, Max, and still gets a kick out of revisiting Cinderella and Snow White from time to time.
You can email her at lizg55@aol.com, visit her home page, or mail her at P.O. Box 1085, Wexford, PA 15090.
Copyright 1996-2008 LionHearted Publishing, Inc.
| Top | Company | News | Network | Catalog | Guidelines | Bookstores | Interview | Writing Tips |
