Halloween Knight (Harlequin Historical) [Paperback]

The story of Belle Cavendish and Mark Hayward, "Halloween Knight" takes place about a decade after "Midsummer's Knight". We receive an update on the Cavendish family and even a link to another Tori Phillips book.

While this book was fun, "Midsummer's Knight" is still my favorite. This new one wasn't as quick-moving or as funny. Nor did it have as many interesting nuggets about 16th century England as the others in the series. But I really liked the new characters introduced (a new Cavendish and the wonderful Jobe), and I'm certainly looking forward to the next one in the sequence.

For those readers who've never tried Tori Phillips, I highly recommend her work. Start with "Fool's Paradise" or "Three Dog Knight" and don't stop until you've finished this one!

I bought this book on a whim at a resale shop. I have not had much luck with romance novels lately so imagine my surprise after reading this book (in one day!!!). I love Mark's way of saying his own style of endearments. I do recommend this to everybody who is looking for an entertaining romance novel. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading Mrs. Phillips other novels...

Belle Cavendish Fletcher is in a pickle. Her husband of 2 years has died and her brother-in-law, Mortimer, is trying to speed along Belle's reunion with her deceased husband. Being held captive in her own home, Belle is left with few choices. But when Sir Mark Hayward, her father's former squire and the bane of Belle's youth, comes to her rescue, Belle is determined to be rescued on her own terms. Belle refuses to leave and lose all that is rightfully hers. Belle, Mark, and a few trusted friends embark on a campaign to scare the squatters into leaving. Unfortunately, Mortimer's greed knows no bounds and he is just as determined to grasp Belle's holdings as Belle is to send Mortimer packing.

I found this gem in my local paperback exchange store and have been so glad that I did. Who knew the cheesy cover held such a fun story with a sweet romance? This is only my third "Medieval Romance", so to me this is all fresh and fun. Of course, I get my feathers ruffled about the whole woman being property of their father/husband/king thing, but that's because I'm a 21st Century woman. As expected, only the "villain" uses that way of thinking to his advantage, whereas the hero uses it to further the cause of the heroine.

The sexual tension has been building between Belle and Mark for years. The last time Mark tried to steal a kiss, he ended up with a broken arm--his sword arm no less! That was seven years ago. Only the promise of land from her father and a loyalty to the family persuade Mark to embark on this rescue attempt. Neither are pleased to see the other, but they are both so full of conflicting emotions to the other. It was great delight to watch them both realize that they've both grown and changed since their last meeting and just what that might mean to them.

The secondary characters were a riot. I loved Belle's young brother, Master Christopher, who follows after Sir Mark and is determined to be a man and help save his sister. He becomes Sir Mark's squire and begins his education on becoming a man: oh, I hope his mother never learns what he has learned! Jobe is an African who owes a debt of gratitude to Sir Mark and won't leave his side until he has saved Mark's life as Mark saved his once. Jobe! I loved him! He was just awesome. He always seemed to be the voice of reason in the chaos of the haunting...and he did such a good job haunting.

The haunting of Bodiam was hilarious to watch. Mark, Belle, et al really put on a good show that had me laughing at their antics. They really played on the superstitions of the time and brought out the playfulness of the characters which balanced out the seriousness of the other aspects of the story revolving around death,scheming family members, lawful rights of a widow, love spurned, and letting go of pride.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story. I now realize that this is a part of a series that follows different members of the Cavendish Family. I doubt my good fortune in finding the others in my local paperback exchange store, but I am going to search them out. Already, I'm smiling at the premises for the other books.

The Cavendish Chronicles (In Order)
Silent Knight (Harlequin Historical)
Midsummer's Knight (Historical , No 415)
Three Dog Knight (The Cavendish Chronicles) (Harlequin Historical)
Lady Of The Knight (Harlequin Historical)
Halloween Knight
One Knight In Venice (Harlequin Historical)
The Dark Knight (Harlequin Historical)

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