Absolution
Kathryn Le Veque
Medieval Romance
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
5 Stars
