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For Castle and Crown by Sian Ann Bessey
Book Description:
After years spent fighting alongside King Richard in the crusades, Lord Edmund of Hawksford is finally returning to his ancestral home. But far from a joyful reunion, what awaits him is devastation. His elder brother is dead, killed in a tragic fire at Hawksford Castle—and the title of duke now falls to Edmund.
When he strives to rebuild the fire-scarred castle, Edmund learns that his was not the only life the fire shattered: his childhood friend Lady Phillipa survived the flames that took Edmund’s brother, but badly burned, she has hidden herself away from those she loves. Yet as the pair renews their acquaintance, they find that their affection runs deep—perhaps even deeper than they’d ever realized.
As Edmund and Pippa begin to question whether the fire was truly an accident, they must discover the truth of the past before they can plan for their future. While coming perilously close to the answers they seek, Edmund and Pippa find themselves at the mercy of a dangerous foe who will stop at nothing to lay claim on Hawksford—and he will destroy any who stand in his way.
Tarah's Review:
I love a good medieval story. It always strikes me that about how different it is concerning the rules for women compared to regency times.
I found that the book jumped around a little bit. We start with Edmund with King Richard, and after everything goes black (and things look pretty dire for him) he all of a sudden is home and free to start his life. It's all explained in the book, but I do feel we were just sort of left hanging there.
I was entertained the entire book. I found the characters to be well written and the story to progress at a great pace, not to mention it was just a good story to be told. It was a pretty easy fast read and I can see myself reading it over again and again.
Andrea's Review:
It's been quite awhile since I've read a book set in medieval times. I feel like most of what I know about the time period I learned from movies, and I kept thinking about Disney’s Robin Hood. This novel wasn't silly like that cartoon, but it sort of made me smile when the thoughts came to mind.
I was drawn in by the action of King Richard and his knights being attacked. My attention held as I was introduced to Phillipa. Her situation was so sad, having been burned in a fire while trying to save others. She felt like there was no place for her at the castle anymore, and went to live in a convent. I liked the relationships she formed there, and the love she was shown by her father and the others in her life (although initially she didn't want to see anyone besides the nuns and her father).
My attention waned somewhat as the story went on. I can't put my finger on why, but I wasn’t driven to finish as quickly as I hoped. Things did get pretty exciting near the end though, with some intense situations, and it had a nice ending.
Rorie's Review:
First off, how gorgeous is the dress on the cover of this book? I love that shade of blue, and the cut and fit of the dress. I would totally wear that! Now to the story. I have enjoyed Sian's other books that I've read, and I enjoyed this one too, but it did start out a little too slow for me. It seemed like it took a whole lot of time for things to start happening. Once they did though, I couldn't put the book down! I'm not admitting to anything, but I may or may not have been late to things a time or two because I needed to read "just one more page!" My heart ached for Pippa and the horror she went through. It was especially sad that she felt the need to hide herself away, thinking she would no longer be welcome at the castle. Even though they had been separated for a few years, Edmund and Pippa's friendship seemed like it started up right where it left off. I think the most heartwarming part of the book was when Edmund went to talk to Pippa after he found out where she was. Throughout the story, I kept picturing scenes from the Disney version of Robin Hood, due to the frequent mention of King Richard and Prince John, and I had the "Little John and Robin Hood, runnin' through the forest" song going through my mind through the whole book. :-)
Tour Schedule:
*Nov. 13th: http://lisaisabookworm.
*Nov. 14th: https://brightlystreet.com/
*Nov. 15th: https://www.
*Nov. 16th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.
*Nov. 17th: http://booksaresanity.
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Author: Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: November 2017
ISBN: 1524404357
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Deseret Book
