It had been the moment Elwood Tyburne, the Earl of Belmont, was dreading for months. Ever since that Brazen Belle and her dastardly, Rake Review had started wreaking havoc upon all of his friends and acquaintances—some of which were wrongly accused—he had been in a state of panic. While Elwood would admit that he was a scoundrel, he didn’t care to have the finger of justice pointing directly at him, turning him into some kind of twisted man of prominence, where he couldn’t walk down the street without being heckled. He despised the attention, especially when he hadn’t done anything—lately. In truth, he’d been doing his best to lay low. He hadn’t gone to his favorite gaming hells for weeks, and he had gone so far as to dare to give up his favorite mistress. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem that the intrigue was going to die down anytime soon, and it appeared he was about to have additional trouble in one tenacious lady…
Meliah Newton is on the search for the elusive Earl of Belmont. She has a dream to become a respected journalist, just like the Brazen Belle. She’s convinced that if she could prove that Lord Belmont is a complete ne’er-do-well, she would finally get the recognition she has been longing to obtain. To her dismay, the man seems to be more of a challenge than she expected, but she has never been the sort to give up easily, and she perseveres, finally cornering the rat in his hole. What she hadn’t expected from all this was her flaming attraction to him, nor the way her body melts under his expert touch. She knows he’s only trying to seduce her away from him, but it’s only drawing her closer.
Uncaged Review: What a truly fun and fanciful tale! In this story, Elwood Tyburne, Earl of Belmont was not happy. The gossip rag “The Rake Review” has declared him an un-marriageable rake that must be avoided. Elwood was in truth that, but he didn’t want to be declared as one. So, Elwood’s only way not to be judged so harshly by the ton is to hide away from London in his father’s hunting box. Unfortunately, Miss Meliah Newton, the weaver’s daughter and aspiring writer, laughed at his escape costume and wanted to know if the outlandish stories of his behavior are true? Elwood will give Meliah exactly what she wants as long as she goes with him to the hunting box. As Meliah stays with Elwood, she finds out his true nature and falls for him, but knows in her heart that they can never be together. Of course, when Elwood finds out who Meliah really is, will he still want to be with her anyway?
This novella was just utterly delightful! Okay, the improbability of the classes between these characters was not likely, but if you could get past that and suspend some belief, then this could totally happen. Besides the truly excellent writing, the plot twists and the wonderful characters are really what makes me believe anything can happen, even a rags-to-riches story that will just make me laugh and smile. Sure, the book is part of a series, but Ms. Tabetha Waite pulled me into the novel, and I was sad to see it end. Elwood might have been a rake, but I didn’t mind and if rakes were this ultimately nice, then they could be as rakish as they want. Meliah was also a charming, feisty heroine that I would love to be friends with as well. I can’t wait to read another tale from Ms. Waite and eagerly look forward to more of her stories too! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
When local witch, Piper Addison, gets invited by her vampire boyfriend to an art opening in the big city weeks before the holidays, she jumps at the chance to go. A night of art and festive fun is exactly what Piper needs. That, and to get away from her mother who is on a mission to throw the biggest Christmas party their small town has ever seen.
It is all candy canes and jolly until a dead body shows up and a priceless work of art gets stolen. Even worse, Piper can’t go back home until the killer is found and mother dearest is single-handedly running Piper’s cafe into the ground.
Talk about a yuletide disaster!
Can our witch entrust the help of her ghost familiar to help solve the murder before her entire life implodes? Or will this be a holiday she will sorely remember forever?
Uncaged Review: Piper and her vampire boyfriend, Joe, attend an art gallery in the city only to find that the artist himself is murdered. And with them being at the opening, they aren’t allowed to leave the city until the murder is solved, and with Piper’s mother not doing well running Piper’s café, Piper works on solving the murder to speed up the process.
This is a fun book, I had not read any of the other books in this series, and was able to keep up pretty well all considering there are 6 books before this one. There is some paranormal elements, that Piper is a witch and her familiar is a ghost, along with a pet raccoon – Harry. Although the magic in this book is minimal, it’s a fun short read that has a couple surprises in the end. Reviewed by Cyrene
Sir Torran de Serreaux is the leader of Henry III’s personal guard. Known as the Guard of Six, they are an elite group made up of knights from the finest and oldest families in England. They have a reputation for being powerful, fearless, and dedicated.
They are also mortal men with demons and Torran has more demons than most.
It has been three years since the fall of Simon de Montfort and, still, there are lingering de Montfort supporters in England that are being systematically rooted out and subdued. At a particularly nasty battle at Kennington Castle, Torran and the royal army manage to raze the castle and kill all but two members of the oppositionist’s family – a lovely young woman and her excitable younger brother.
Torran is introduced to Lady Andia St. Albans.
The family of St. Albans were great supporters of de Montfort. Torran takes Andia and her brother to London as prisoners. Henry, as punishment to the St. Alban’s family, orders the siblings thrown in the vault. Torran, who is fighting a great attraction to Andia, has other ideas.
Keeping them at his family’s London townhome.
Torran keeps them as his personal prisoners because the truth is that there’s something about Andia that intrigues him. She’s reserved, but very intelligent, but he is coming to suspect that Andia is hiding something. He can’t help but feel she’s harboring secrets, much as he is, and has he tries to figure him out, she is trying to figure him out as well. But all of the suspicion in the world can’t dampen the sparks that fly between them.
Passion that roars like a wildfire.
In the complex political world of England’s politics, Torran and Andia are major players. When the truth of Andia’s involvement in her family’s support of Simon de Montfort is revealed, Torran must make a choice. Can he forgive a woman he’s fallen in love with?
Or is he the one who must seek absolution?
Uncaged Review: The start of a new series, Guard of Six, Sir Torran de Serreaux, the premier knight of King Henry III, the King of England and known as the Guard of Six, was untouchable. Torran had a deadly sword known as absolution which would silence people forever. Torran believed that he was indestructible and that nothing or no one could shake him. Death didn’t bother him because he had killed enough times. Torran’s faithful friends and companions were also part of the Six and were just like Torran. When Torran storms the keep of Lady Andia St Albans, daughter of the Earl of Ashford and her troublesome brother, Aeron, he can’t help but be amazed by her strength and beauty. Andia and Aeron are entrusted to Torran for safe-keeping. Pretty soon, Torran has slowly fallen for Andia and, despite her being his prisoner, she has fallen for him too, but when King Henry demands Andia, can Torran let her go without a fight?
What a fantastic medieval romance that you can’t help but get caught up in! The richly detailed tale moves quickly with lots of action and intensity, so that it isn’t hard to imagine all of it. Ms. Kathryn Le Veque lovingly writes these characters, as if they are real people. Pulling you into the story so it becomes a part of you. Sure, you see some old familiar characters from her other books who happen to enrich the story, making it seem believable. It’s nice to see these immovable, lethal knights have a soft spot for women and children. Especially Torran, because he was going to be a priest but fell from grace, but he is still redeemable in not only the King’s eyes but Andia’s too. There isn’t much sex and the one described is a little humorous because Torran is supposed to be good at all things and isn’t the greatest at it. I did get irritated with Aeron and Andia’s uncle, but his death was pretty quick. Luckily, Aeron does get better as the story moves along, and I do hope he gets a book soon. I do eagerly look forward to the next in the series though, and while I wait I will just read this one again! Reviewed by Rosylnn Ernst
When I told my ex to go to hell, how was I supposed to know that’s where he’d come from?
Now he’s back in my life, and the heat between us is as consuming as ever. He’s a fallen angel, an agent for an organisation that apparently keeps the peace between Heaven and Hell, who’s been assigned to find my missing mother. Turns out she was a witch and someone has taken her.
Oh and that hot surfer guy I went home with last night? He’s my ex’s partner and a wolf shifter who seems to enjoy making my ex jealous. I’m totally up for that too.
Add in a sexy Russian nerd who’s sustenance comes in red liquid form and his dark demon boyfriend who seems intent on drawing me into their dark embrace and things are getting complicated. And steamy.
This new world has my head spinning, and it seems I’m not quite as human as I thought. But as to what I am exactly… that’s the million-dollar question. There are some theories that could land my soul in the eternal hot seat just for being me and as lines blur between the good guys and the bad guys, figuring out who to trust becomes a game of supernatural roulette.
Will the men in my bed and in my heart betray me once they find out what I am? Or will our love release a darkness on the world that could bring the wrath of Heaven and Hell down upon us?
Uncaged Review: When I first started reading this book, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Our main character Faith, is not the badass the author wants her to be, at least not when you start out. She seems like she’s overly strong-willed and it’s a little bit of a put off. But once you dig deeper into the book, you find out why she’s the way she is, even if some of her reactions are a bit overdone. This is a twisted, dark fantasy romance that is setting up to be a reverse harem, and there is some MM and MMF action in this book. There is also some mentions of rape and torture for those that may trigger.
This turns into a very good story, with characters that are all very different and we see the growth of Faith as she finds out about the supernatural world and herself. This is not good vs. evil in the traditional sense, as some demons are not bad in this book, but the bad ones are truly despicable. As Faith navigates her new life, we will see how the twists and turns will get answered. This is a four book series and all are out now. Reviewed by Cyrene
Nando, the handsome, ne’er-do-well Prince of Varros, has grown bored with his aimless life of pleasure-seeking and debauchery. An unexpected end to his ennui arrives in the form of a maddeningly proper English spinster who challenges him with her glacial reserve. Nando can’t get enough of the icy, disapproving Miss Brett, and the more she rebuffs him, the more determined he becomes to make her his.
Renowned for her ability to turn any sow’s ear into a silk purse, Miss Eleanora Brett has taken dozens of young ladies under her wing, granting them the town bronze they need to gain the acceptance of the ton. After she’s hired to help ease the societal entrée of hoyden royal princesses, Eleanora’s mettle is tested not just by the twins and their convention flouting ways, but by the wicked rake who insists upon being forever underfoot.
Prince Nando is vexing, infuriating, scandalous, and far too tempting. She wants him gone. He wants her in his bed. She’d sooner push him out a window than surrender, regardless of his undeniable skills at seduction. But when danger strikes, Eleanora and Nando suddenly find themselves spending a great deal of time alone together. And before long, it’s not just the rakish prince’s life that’s at risk. It’s his heart as well…
Heat level: Scorching hot! Don’t say you weren’t warned. Nando’s reputation precedes him.
Uncaged Review: Ever since I had read the first book in this series with Maxim and Tansy, I really wanted to read this book about Nando, King Maxim’s brother and one that has a life of only pleasures and owning up to his “rake status.” And Nando is just as incorrigible here as ever, and still a lot of fun. Then he finds he can’t get around his attraction for Eleanora Brett, the lady who has taken Princess Anastasia’s younger sisters as her charges to get them ready for the London season, a task that is a challenge with these wild girls.
There is danger, to both Nando and Eleanora, suspense, humor with a lot of wit and very steamy scenes. There was some questions that never really got answered, although I’m pretty sure the author will have them in another book down the road. The epilogue was a nice touch and it was nice to see Nando meeting his match in the ever proper Miss Brett. Reviewed by Cyrene
Destined to be alone…only to discover he’snot—in this intensely sexy new Lone Wolf Legacy series from New York Times bestselling author N.J. Walters
There’s only supposed to be one lone wolf. When other shifters see me coming, see my white fur and pale eyes, they know things are about to get real. Because my job—my fate—is to take out the wolves who go rogue.
Only now something has changed.
For the first time ever, there are three of us: one white, one gray, one black. And if that’s not ominous enough, my senses have pulled me to New York City…for a human.
There’s something almost supernatural about the connection between me and Zoe Galvani. It’s not just the crackle of heat, the blood pounding through my veins—or even that her eyes are the strange, pale hue of my own.
It’s that she makes my wolf come alive. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Almost like magic.
Which is when I learn that someone’s out to hunt me. That I’m their prey.
…and Zoe is the bait.
Uncaged Review: This book engaged me quickly, and even though I’ve read a lot of shifter romances, this one was a step above a lot of them. This had intrigue, danger, action and hot romance. There are three lone wolves, tasked with the job of taking out rogue shifters and being loners. This story revolves around the white wolf, Devlin. When he meets Zoe, and like him, she has the same white eyes together with a white streak in her black hair and his wolf recognizes her immediately. But someone is using Zoe to trap Devlin, and it’s going to be a bloodbath before it’s all said and done. Devlon finds it impossible not to protect her, the need is in his soul. When they find a powerful mage is working with wolves to take him down, he’ll need all of his strength to keep himself and Zoe alive.
Excellent first book, and this book doesn’t slow down much and it had all the elements that I really like in a book and I’ve already got the second book on my Kindle. This is my first author discovery from BlueSky and I’m sure there will be plenty more. Reviewed by Cyrene
She loves Christmas! Opening a Christmas shop in her hometown of Winterberry, Kentucky is a dream come true for Lexi Hargrove. Lexi is no stranger to loss, but her holly, jolly approach to life has sustained her. She couldn’t have imagined the first person to walk through the door of the Christmas Box would be Travis Hutchins, her long lost high school crush who stood her up for a date a dozen years ago. He’s looking for coffee, not Christmas – and makes it clear he’s a holiday hater. But why does he still have to be so hot? And when did he become so Grinchy?
He hates Christmas! Travis never planned to come back to Winterberry, but his estranged father is dying. He just wants to keep a low profile, do his duty, then head back to his life in Chicago. Things he never expected: running into Lexi Hargrove, and an endless explosion of all things Christmas directly in eyesight of where he’s staying. When did she get so pretty? And why does he keep going back?
Can one wish upon a Christmas star change everything? Lexi isn’t sure why she’s wishing for Hottie McScrooge across the street to find the joy of Christmas, but soon a whole array of Christmas wishes begin to change both their lives. Can those wishes keep Lexi’s shop open even when the situation looks bleak? Can they help Travis make peace with his dad before it’s too late? And can Lexi and Travis look past all their fears and differences to fall in love?
Uncaged Review: Everyone needs to choose a few holiday books during the season, and this one was a real stand out for me. A second-chance small town romance, a self-named Grinch in Travis, and Lexi, the woman who wants nothing but for people to have the Christmas spirit all year round, and opens a shop in her small town called The Christmas Box trying to keep her family legacy alive of owning a business in the town. Travis, a very angsty, and only in town as his father is in a nursing home with a terminal illness, so he’s there to do his duty and leave back to Chicago where he fled to right after high school from a bad home life.
But the magic of Christmas puts Lexi and Travis in each other’s paths, and soon each will be finding out that the magic of Christmas is real in their small town. This book has all the feels, some heart wrenching, some endearing moments and a town that stays together, even during the rough patches. And a huge shout out to Marley, who also found her place in the world. Not often do I finish a story in a day, but this one pulled me in within the first chapter. Reviewed by Cyrene
Mariota MacKay believes both her virtue and her life are in jeopardy from one of her clan’s guards. Though she repels his advances, she knows one day he’ll succeed, and because her father cannot accept that his heir is truly at risk, she sees no way to save herself but to run.
Lost in the Highland forest, she crosses paths with a hunting party led by Stellan Sutherland. When the handsome stranger offers her the sanctuary she’s denied at home, his kindness deepens her immediate attraction to him. Too late to keep her newfound feelings from gaining strength, she discovers he’s a man she cannot have—the first-born twin and heir to his own clan. She is torn between choosing the man she falls in love with, and the heritage she has fought for years to earn.
Stellan’s desire for the brave beauty from a neighboring clan clashes with his honor and duty. Mariota is the woman he wants by his side, but she is also the heir who will one day rule MacKay. He cannot ask her to give up her destiny and do what he will not—renounce his birthright as Laird Sutherland. Does the answer lie with his twin? Or will the dangers mounting around them, including the vengeful clansman hunting her, destroy any hope of a future together—or any future at all?
Both heirs to their clans, their love is doomed from the start, or is it?
Uncaged Review: At Clan MacKay, Mariota is the only heir to the Laird, but one of the clan guards is a twisted cruel man named Alber, who is out to hurt her in more ways than one and her father won’t seem to help protect his daughter. After the third time Alber tries to molest her, she finally escapes and runs into the Sutherland clan who are out hunting. Taking her back to their keep to protect her, she finds a much different setting in this clan over her own. She meets the heirs to Sutherland in Stellan and Anders, twin brothers. Stellan stirs her blood, but he is first born, so he is out of her reach.
There are some major twists and turns in this as all will be revealed about Mariota’s clan. There is danger, romance, intrigue and a lot of obstacles to get to their HEA. And let’s not forget about Valkyrie, and I look forward to the next book in the series that will focus on Anders. Even though I haven’t read any other books in this series, I had no problems keeping up with this one. Reviewed by Cyrene
Welcome to Uncaged! Your newest book, Silencers, just released in September. Can you tell readers more about this dystopian story? Is this book the beginning of a series?
As it is now, the book is a stand-alone, but if my history has shown anything, it won’t stay that way for long. I’m a series writer! Besides, there’s a lot more to discover with these characters still. Scona has more problems to face and an impact to make in her world.
You also have a series called, The Reborn Marks books. Is this series complete or are you still writing for it?
The Reborn Marks series is complete, which is both happy and sad. The character of Lexil (and others like Finn) evolved so much throughout the series. She learned and changed so much. It’s hard to leave Lexil behind, but her story wrapped up in the way authors can only dream of. I feel the loose ends were tied together, and her journey was complete.
How do you use social media as an author?
I don’t know how my audience feels, but I think I am HILARIOUS on social media. I post a lot of memes about reading and writing (and avoiding housework). Sometimes I post about my work, but only when I have a book release coming. The rest of the time it is memes, memes, and more memes!
What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
That every time I publish a book, I reward myself by buying a new tiara. Then, when I’m writing a new book, I wear the tiara to signal my family that I am writing not just fiddling on the computer.
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below.
Jenna Greene is a teacher, writer, clumsy dancer, dragonboat coach and paddler, and semi-professional napper. She loves every part of her life and starts each day with a cup of tea. jennagreene.ca
Scona must choose. Protect her father, or embrace the darkness she’s been trained to destroy…
Despite warnings from family and friends, Scona Tinay enrolls in Silencers Academy.
To escape a life of poverty and hardship and ensure a stable future, Scona sets her sights on the Silencers, where the students earn a wage. She soon learns her fellow students are cutthroat and the training regimen brutal.
As Scona heads deeper into her training, she begins to question the role of Silencers, as well as the “madness” she is being taught to destroy. But each question she asks brings her under suspicion, and she soon discovers the only person she can trust is herself.
“You don’t want to answer my questions?”
“Consider this: I don’t have to answer anything you ask, nor do I have to tell the truth. I didn’t even have to let you find me.”
“Then why did you?”
With a quick wiggle of her brow, Dia murmured, “Assessment.”
“Assessment?”
“I need to know how dangerous you are.”
“Me?” Scona placed a hand on her chest. “I’m not dangerous at all.”
“If you plan to become a Silencer…yes, you are.”
“Only to those infected with the madness. I’m no danger to an ordinary citizen.” Realizing Dia was far from a typical citizen, she cringed at her words.
Dia stared at her, the gaze hard, unwavering. Under her perusal, Scona blinked and backed away.
“We’ll see.” Strolling away, Dia used light steps to make her way through the underbrush. She bent under branches instead of swiping them out of the way. Avoiding damp patches of soil or grass, she stepped instead on roots or firm ground.
Welcome back to Uncaged! The latest book you’ve released is The Witch of Breton Woods. Can you tell readers more about this book? What was the inspiration for this book?
The Witch of the Breton Woods is the story of a reclusive young healer, traumatized by the horrors of the Nazi invasion of France, who becomes a member of the French Resistance in Brittany. When she finds a critically injured American paratrooper, she heals him in her secluded cottage, hiding him from the Gestapo and la Milice—the paramilitary organization that collaborates with the Nazis. The inspiration for the book was the study of the French Resistance in Brittany during World War II. I wanted to write a story about a courageous heroine who risks everything to save the ones she loves.
You are also releasing Dragon of Denmark in October. Is this book going to be part of a series, or is it a standalone? Can you tell us more about this book?
Dragon of Denmark is the first novel in the Valiant Vikings trilogy set in 10th century Normandy. It’s a blend of historical fiction–including the real-life characters of Richard the Fearless, the Viking Duke of Normandy, and Harald Bluetooth, the Viking King of Denmark and Norway—blended with Norse mythology, paranormal fantasy, and steamy Viking romance! Book 2, Wolf of the Nordic Seas, and book 3 (the conclusion of the trilogy), Falcon of the Faroe Islands, will be published soon.
How do you use social media as an author?
I have accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest. I post information about new releases, book trailers, and reviews on social media. I also post images of my sewing creations, my family, and my golden retriever, Ziggy.
Read the rest of the interview in the issue below
Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales, and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.
Many trips to France—including summers spent abroad as an undergraduate and graduate student, followed by language and cultural programs designed for French teachers—provided the inspiration for her award-winning novels. For example, Dragon of Denmark, the first novel in the Valiant Vikings series set in tenth century Normandy, was inspired by the summer she spent in that northwestern region of France.
Walker’s upcoming release, “A Celtic Yuletide Carol”, is a steamy medieval romance between a broken, battered royal knight and a solitary, mute healer and huntress who prefers the company of her wolf and falcon to humans. Both protagonists are shattered souls who slowly find solace in each other.
Readers who enjoyed Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle and The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy—a fated mates paranormal fantasy adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan et Yseult, interwoven with Arthurian myth, Avalon, Elves, Druids, forest fairies, and dark magic—will recognize several of the main characters in this new novel as well.
Explore Walker’s realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you. jenniferivywalker.com
Once a royal Breton knight, Sir Cardin is now infamously known as Basati, the Basque Wolf. Savage and sullen, he drowns his guilt in raucous taverns, accruing enormous debt and acquiring vengeful enemies.
Ulla, widowed daughter of a Viking chieftain, is a skilled archer who lives as a recluse in a secluded woodland cottage. Rendered mute by trauma, she avoids humans, preferring the company of her wild wolf and falcon as she hunts in the Forest of Brocéliande.
When his mother’s dying wish calls Basati home, he finally meets the son he abandoned at birth and Ulla, the enigmatic priestess who is teaching the boy to hunt. As the holidays approach, Basati finds himself smitten with the beguiling beauty as he bonds with his once forsaken child. But past enemies plot against him, and Basati is ensnared in darkness. Can music lure the savage wolf into the light of love?
Excerpt
Chapter 1 Le Château de Montmarin
The clamorous din from inside the bawdy tavern shredded the calm of the salty night air as Gaultier went into the Drunken Crow to drag his brother home. As usual, Cardin was passed out on a table in the back of the inn, a mug of ale next to his bloodied fist.
Amongst the strands of long brown hair stuck to the side of Cardin’s unconscious head, Gaultier noted the swollen eye, bruises, and dried blood smeared across the bearded face. With a broken table, chair, and shattered glass all over the nearby floor, it appeared that, once again, Cardin had been in a boisterous brawl.
Which meant that Gaultier would have to pay for the damages.
And pick up the pieces of his battered, broken brother.
As he stood at the entrance of the tavern quickly assessing the situation, female servers with platters of savory seafood and pitchers of ale scurried about, weaving through tables where sailors, knights, and fishermen celebrated in raucous revelry. Floating notes of flutes, lutes, and lyres accompanied a troubadour’s melodic voice near a crackling fire in the enormous stone hearth along a wooden side wall. The innkeeper—a stout, balding man with a soiled white apron and a scowl upon his florid face—indicated with an impatient jut of his chin the destruction that Cardin had caused.
For which the disgruntled owner expected prompt, generous compensation.
Gaultier strode over to the mahogany bar, handed the portly man a bag of silver, and headed toward the rear of the tavern to rouse his inebriated sibling.
He shook Cardin’s shoulder and grabbed hold of his arm, peeling his plastered torso from the wooden tabletop. “C’mon, let’s go home. Get you in bed to sleep it off.”
Grumbling incoherently, Cardin staggered to unsteady feet, wavy locks adhered by drool, blood, and vomit to the side of his bristled, crumpled cheek. Supported by Gaultier’s steadfast grip, he leaned against his older, taller brother’s sturdy shoulder, stumbled across the floor, and practically fell out the exit door.
“I’m sick of dragging you out of every tavern in town. I’d rather be at the Sultry Siren, bedding a beautiful wench. Like Dolssa, who’s probably waiting for me right now. By the Goddess, Cardin, you have to stop this insanity. Or your gambling, drinking, and bloody temper will get you killed!”
Moonlight reflected off the turbulent ocean as Gaultier half dragged, half carried his younger brother along the narrow cobblestone street from the center of the town of Biarritz, up the steep incline to the stone fortress of le Château de Montmarin, perched atop the peninsular promontory overlooking the savage sea.
He missed la Bretagne—Brittany—and the northern coast of France. The Celtic traditions of his Breton heritage. The craggy cliffs and delicious crêpes. The family and friends he’d left behind.
For the past six years, he and Cardin—along with a regiment of four dozen royal knights from le Château de Beaufort in the northern Breton kingdom of Finistère— had defended the Atlantic coast of Aquitaine for King Philippe le Bel of France.
Sent by their own King Guillemin, a vassal of the French King Philippe, the Breton knights simultaneously squelched uprisings by English rebels anxious to claim the coveted duchy, while maintaining political alliances with the Spanish regions of Navarra and Aragón.
