A Knight's Reward (Knight's Series Book 2) [Kindle Edition]

Severely beaten and almost killed by her violent husband Ryle, Gisela Anne Balewyne and her son Ewan fled home finding sanctuary in the small town of Clovebury. Gisela knows should Ryle find her he will kill both her and Ewan. Therefore Gisela leads a reclusive life as a tailor constantly looking over her shoulder. Anticipating the money she can earn from one more commission to complete, Gisela will soon be able to move further away. All was going according to plan until Dominic de Terre, her first and only love, returned from the Crusades with the intent of finding a stolen cloth shipment belonging to his friend de Lanceau.

Dominic had regretted leaving Gisela behind when he'd gone to war, but now that he found her he wasn't about to let her go again. Unfortunately, not only was Gisele unknowingly hiding some of the cloth he sought, but he discovered that Ewan was his illegitimate son. While Dominic is reeling from Gisela's betrayal, he is captured by the desperate thieves. With only one way to save Dominic, Gisela must go to de Lanceau, confess to her crimes and hope she is not too late to save Dominic's life.

*** Ms. Kean has once again penned another richly textured, jewel of a medieval romance bringing a masterful, emotionally riveting story peopled with beautifully drawn characters to life. Her imagery was is fantastic and the reader can't help but feel a part of the marvelous tableau Kean drew.

One of the images that clearly came across was the painful scar Gisela bore from the knife wound to her breast her husband Ryle had inflicted when he attempted to cut her heart out, or worse, kill her son Ewan. Having experienced a bit of chest surgery myself, I could fully appreciate the lasting pain of such a wound from her monster of a husband along with the threat towards her beloved son.

The love that existed between Dominic and Gisela (his "Sweet Daisy") was quite poignant, fully emotional and quite sensual. I could understand why Gisela would want to keep her secrets, fearing Dominic would want to avenge her, though I would have to disagree with Gisela's keeping the truth of Ewan's parentage a secret. (My opinion only)

Three and a half year-old Ewan, Gisela's "little warrior" was endearingly portrayed, and leapt from the pages right into my heart. I could definitely see him in my minds eye, holding his little sword, along with Sir Smug as he would defend his mama from all who would threaten her. Kean used him judiciously throughout the story to both lighten the mood as well as draw in moments of nail biting suspense when it appeared he might be in danger.

For me, the plot was excellent, the suspense and danger totally in keeping and balanced well with the romance along with wonderfully drawn characters. Catherine Kean is definitely a highly recommended author and a great choice for romance readers looking for a richly embellished, and adventuresome medieval historical romance read. Bravo!

Marilyn Rondeau

Set in Moydenshire, England, the year of 1194. It is the land of Geoffrey de Lanceau. A rich French merchant, Varden Crenardieu, encourages his thugs to undermine the local traders so he can take more and more control of Clovebury, a town on the edge of Moydenshire. Crenardieu had stolen de Lanceau's load of costly silks as they were being shipped down river to Branton Keep.

When Gisela Anne Balewyne finally has enough abuse (physical, mental, and verbal) from her husband Ryle, she flees with her small son, Ewan. They are hiding in the town of Clovebury. Gisela works as a tailor, trying to earn enough money to finally leave the area and be free from her dangerous and insidious husband. When Crenardieu gives her a commission, Gisela has no idea the silk is stolen. Once she suspects, Gisela does not report it to the authorities because she needs the money from the commission too much. But then Dominic de Terre spies her in the market place.

Dominic is a knight in the service of Lord Geoffrey, sent to investigate the recent cloth thefts. He is amazed to find Gisela in Clovebury. Then he is horrified to learn that her husband had changed her from his laughing, vibrant love into a frightened, suspicious woman. Gisela and Dominic were lovers until he had gone away on crusade. Though the two still care for each other, Gisela fears any help due to what Ryle would do should he locate her and Ewan. As for Dominic, he discovers that not only has Gisela lied to him about the stolen silks, but also did not tell him that Ewan was his illegitimate son. Having betrayed him twice, Gisela expects Dominic to arrest her and take Ewan away. Before anything can happen though, Crenardieu's thugs get their hands on Dominic. Gisela must go to de Lanceau for help, even though doing so would condemn her. And then she must face Ryle.

***** Geoffrey de Lanceau is from the previous book titled A Knight's Vengeance. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are secondary characters in this adventure though. I found it wonderful to see them briefly. It also made this story a little more realistic to me. The character of Gisela is one that I could not help but respect. All the choices she made, good or bad, were made for her child. All good parents would have done as Gisela did. Therefore, readers with children will easily identify with her.

The story begins with the sense of danger surrounding Gisela. I was hooked instantly. From then on, it was non-stop drama with plenty of action. Author Catherine Kean has become the queen on her genre! Superb! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Catherine Kean continues her Knights Series with a wonderfully enchanting and heartwarming story of love once lost and now found. Years ago, the strong, handsome nobleman, Dominic de Terre, fell in love with an exquisite commoner, Gisela Anne Balewyne. Rather than give in to his family's demands and marry a noblewoman, he chooses to leave his home and the arms of his "Little Daisy," of his life, Gisela, and join up to fight in the Crusades with King Richard. All he thinks about during his time away is being in the meadow of daisies with his Gisela. He returns, feeling that his life has changed and that Gisela is probably married. He joins up to support his friend and strong local lord, Lord de Lanceau. While on an undercover mission to find out who has been stealing Lord de Lanceau's precious shipments of rare silks, he sees his Gisela in the marketplace. But this woman says she is Anne and the little boy with her is her son, Ewan. Dominic's eyes and heart know differently, and he continues to follow and discover that Anne really is his Gisela. He immediately wonders why she is in hiding with her son and working as a tailor. Little does he realize that Gisela has many secrets, but most of all, she has run away from a brutal husband who has scarred her for life and has threatened all that she loves, especially her son. The mystery begins as Gisela is trapped in a situation with a French Merchant Crenardieu and the very silks that Dominic is looking for, as well as another deep secret she must tell Dominic. For a short time, Gisela has her Dominic back, but she knows once she meets Crenardieu's blackmail demands, she must take the money made from the silk garments commissioned for him and run far, far away from her evil husband Ryle and her newfound love for Dominic. But Dominic does not want to give up on Gisela, and as their passion once again reignites, Gisela, her son, and Dominic get trapped in the dangerous plot by Ryle and Crenardieu. Will Gisela run, or decide to stay and save Dominic while facing the loss of both Dominic and her son by admitting to Lord de Lanceau that she was involved in the stolen silk plot? But most of all will Dominic forgive her most important secret?

As all of the other Knight Series, Catherine Kean has once again written an interesting and intense story with mystery and many characters with depth. A Knight's Reward is another page turner that keeps the reader absorbed from beginning to end, and is another Medieval Romance that is a keeper for collectors.