The Warrior's Forbidden Maiden by Lissa Morgan - #bookreview

 

Llywelyn stood in the shadow of the church - the old church but with a new Norman tower now - and gnawed his lip. Twilight was falling over the landscape, shrouding everything in shadows of blue and black...

***

Will forbidden love become forever love in this medieval romance?

The warrior's fiercest battle?

His duty versus his desire...

Seven years ago, Llywelyn was ready to renounce everything to become a monk. But on the eve of his departure, he shared a forbidden night with his childhood sweetheart, Cristin. Then his world was turned upside down by the death of his brother...which left Llywelyn as his family's sole heir, duty bound to fight on the battlefield. Now a hardened warrior, he's reunited with Cristin. But will he return to his vocation...or remain with his love?

***

This book makes for a fabulous few hours of historical escapism.

Although it is the second book in the Warriors of Wales series, it works perfectly well as a standalone novel. The Warrior's Reluctant Wife is the first in the series, and you can read my review by clicking here.

The two main characters are Llywelyn and Cristin. Friends since children, by the time we meet them in this book, they have already been lovers. However, Cristin is the maid to Llywelyn's parents and thus they are from very distinct parts of the social spectrum, ensuring that their love for one another can never be.

Llywelyn is a complex character. Knowing that his love for Cristin can never be, and as a second son he has always intended to go into the monastery. When his older brother dies he is catapulted to the status of his father's heir and must become a warrior.

Cristin is a courageous character. She hides Llywellyn's parents when they are overthrown by the Norman's, at considerable risk to herself. When Llywellyn returns she is left wondering if he will come back to her or will renew his original intentions of becoming a monk.

The author brings these two characters to life on the page. The pent-up passion between them oozes from the pages and had me completely invested in their story. 

Whilst there is much indecision about whether they will get together, being a book of this genre it is pretty obvious to the reader that all will come good for them in the end. It was a lovely few hours I spent reading this book and accompanying them on their journey and I enjoyed it very much.

Set in twelfth century Wales, the location of the novel is almost as important as the characters. The text is littered with Welsh words, and although I did not understand them, their meaning was fairly obvious from the context and added validity to both the period and the setting.

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical romance, particularly set in the medieval period and I highly recommend it.

ISBN: 978 1335596239

Publisher:  Harlequin

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  272 (paperback)

About the Author:

Lissa Morgan hails from Wales but has travelled far and wide over the years, usually in pursuit of the next new job.  A history graduate and former archivist, she now works in academia and freelance website design, which she fits in around her writing time. She lives between the mountains and the sea in rugged north-west Wales surrounded by medieval castles that provide the perfect inspiration for her books. 

(book courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)