This is the 2nd book in the series "Knights of Brittany"; and though there are references to the 1st book, and both of the heroes from the 1st & 3rd books make appearances, it stands alone as well. The story of Brice & Gillian is very sweet, with some very funny moments, which I really enjoyed. Their romance is very hot but it's balanced out with their growing need & caring for each other. I really felt like they filled a hole in each other's lives - after they stopped butting heads! They have the typical misunderstandings along the way, but I liked that they were both reasonable and tried to understand the other's motives or feelings, without unnecessarily torturing each other (or the reader!).
The only drawback for me was having to re-read certain sentences to understand what the author was saying. Sometimes the sentences seemed too long or needed better punctuation or fewer pronouns to make the meaning more clear - but I don't think it detracted from the story. If you like stories set it medieval England, with a strong hero and sypathetic heroine, then you will probably enjoy this one too. Here's a taste:
"Since she lay on her side facing away from him, he shifted closer until her back touched his chest and wrapped his arms around her to hold her close. She reacted immediately, her body rigid as she ceased all movements. So still did she lie that he could not even feel her taking breath into her lungs. 'Be at ease, lady', he whispered to her. 'I seek but to warm you so that your teeth stop making those infernal noises when they clatter from the cold and I can get some rest.'
Gathering the folds of her cloak in his hand, he tucked them tightly around her and moved one leg against hers to give her some warmth. Brice waited on her protests, but none came. After a few minutes, her teeth did indeed stop their clattering. It was another little while before her shivering stopped.
'Though I meant for you to suffer after what you did, I did not intend for the punishment to be so severe,' he whispered as he felt her body relax against his.
He expected no reply, for his words were as close to an explanation as he would go, as close to an apology as he would permit himself to offer. But, as she had in most things since he'd first heard of Lady Gillian of Thaxted, she surprised him once more."
