Tis a bonnie spring in Scotland in 1285 and for now all is
safe. But as quickly as mists can cover the land, politics
can change. For now, the most important thing is for King
Alexander III to get Scotland an heir by getting his new
French Queen Yolande with child. With his roving eye and
heart for dalliance, the handsome King is less concerned
with the task at hand and now hankers for his former
mistress, Lady Greer Armstrong, to be at court and so
commands his Captain of the Guard to personally bring her
back. Sir Britt MacKinnon is loyal and would fight to the
death for his King. Aye, he would do as the King wants, but
on his own terms.
Thinking the smithy was at the door to fix a broken latch,
Geneen Armstrong is shocked not only to see the largest man
she has ever seen but to be addressed as Lady Armstrong.
With quick wits, Geneen stalls for time and then has it out
with her twin sister, Greer, now pregnant with the King's
child. Realizing the only way to protect her twin and the
wee expected baby, Geneen quickly makes plans to send her
sister to safety while Greer hastily fills her ears with
what she needs to know to fake her life at court. Could she
really pass for her beautiful sister with her lark like
voice? While a mirror like image of Greer, Geneen had
always paled in comparison to her more favored and
livelier twin. If she could only get there quickly and in
time to bleed her courses to prove "Greer" isn't pregnant,
then she could escape before being found out or asked to
sing. But, if she couldn't pull this deception off, all
their lives, including the unborn baby, would be at stake.
Making their way back to Edinburgh Castle, Britt finds
himself strangely drawn to Lady Armstrong who he had so
easily ignored before. Ever sharp to details, little
discrepancies have him in a bit of a conundrum: was it just
her grieving for her parents and the country life or is it
something else? He was determined to find out. Yet, while
initially wary of this strong and brawny knight, Geneen
soon realizes she needs his protection. Can she trust
him? Can she succeed with her plan? What else could go
wrong?
Award-winning author Sandy Blair, with her talent for
historical accuracy and keen sense of the time and place,
has written a very intriguing and captivating story that is
sure to please her current historical romance fans and will
garner her many more new ones.
The storyline is strong with lots of suspenseful twists
which will keep you turning pages just to find out what
happens. The characters are strong and realistic in their
motivations and instincts, even if their decisions, actions
and reactions are not always the best. Blair is a gifted
storyteller with a deft hand at character development and
it was wonderful to see the change in Geneen as she learns
where to place her loyalties and to trust in herself. On
a personal level, I just loved Britt as the battle and
heart hardened hero who falls (as you will, gentle reader)
for the ever so practical and thoughtful Geneen who knows
her ewes from her rams and names and kisses every animal by
name. Britt is loyal, considerate and realizes his role
and responsibilities to country, his clan and to those who
hold his heart. I especially loved the interplay and quick
wit between Britt and his longtime friend, Lyle Ross, the
King's chief advisor.
The KING'S MISTRESS is a delightful and fun romance, with
more than one
person deceiving another and lots of courtly and other
intrigue! It's a treat you won't soon forget! Enjoy!
The king of Scotland is in a snit. Which means Britt
MacKinnon, proud captain of the king’s guard, has an onerous
task: fetch Alexander’s favorite paramour back to the royal
bed—now. Never mind that the crown should be about the
business of getting a legitimate heir. Especially since
England’s Edward I would love nothing more than to seize an
empty Scottish throne.
When the handsome soldier appears on her doorstep, Geneen
Armstrong has to think quickly. Her twin lies abed in her
cottage, pregnant with the king’s bastard. If the barren
queen learns the truth, the foolish girl’s life won’t be
worth a farthing.
She must somehow transform her graceless, plain-spoken self
into her vivacious, talented sister. Then, after the court
is convinced she carries no child, use her herbal knowledge
to sour the king’s taste for her sister’s company—for good.
By the time Britt realizes this unusually articulate,
ungodly stubborn woman is the wrong woman, tendrils of
attraction have already tightened into a bond. A bond that
will be tested when the king’s unexpected death puts
Scotland’s very destiny at stake—and unleashes an
ever-tangling web of court intrigues, secrets…and lies.
Warning: Men in kilts, Scottish accents and a feisty heroine
contained herein. A more perfect historical romance does nae
exist.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy