Tortured by a love they cannot deny but must conceal from their feuding families, raven-haired beauty Anne Gifford and her dashing knight Dylan de Frayne are caught up in the Wars of the Roses, England's 15th century struggle for the throne. Though Anne and Dylan's saga cannot boast originality, its predictable premise gives way to intriguing scenarios and intricate emotional entanglements, thanks to sophisticated character development and elegantly simple prose. Carr (The Troubadour's Romance deftly handles the themes of betrayal, envy, greed and the psychological patterns that recur over generations. Historical details suffuse the narrative gracefully, adding authenticity without becoming intrusive or pedantic. While England is ruled by a series of warring nobles (the feeble and insane Henry VI is unseated by young Edward IV, who then gives way to his brother, the unscrupulous Richard III), Anne likewise is claimed by a succession of knights, both honorable and base, as she struggles to realize a union with Dylan, her first and only love. (July 2)
Anne Gifford's dowry-or lack thereof-is of no concern to Sir Dylan DeFrayne. Wrapped in each other's arms, what more could they possibly need? Yet the young lovers' passion can never be sanctioned-the DeFraynes and Giffords have been sworn enemies for decades. Lest more blood be shed, the two must keep their affair a secret...and plot their elopement.
Clad in threadbare hand-me-downs, Anne never expects the powerful and aged Brennan Forbes to remember her face, let alone propose marriage. Anne's parents hastily accept-the union aligns the Giffords with the Duke of York, while the DeFraynes pledge allegiance to the House of Lancaster, on the eve of the War of Roses.
The arranged marriage looming ever closer, Dylan must brave the battlefield and bypass enemy lines to rescue his beloved. With a dynastic war and bitter rivalries standing in their way, Anne and Dylan must embark on a tortuous path that only the strongest of loves can endure.
Anne Gifford's dowry-or lack thereof-is of no concern to Sir Dylan DeFrayne. Wrapped in each other's arms, what more could they possibly need? Yet the young lovers' passion can never be sanctioned-the DeFraynes and Giffords have been sworn enemies for decades. Lest more blood be shed, the two must keep their affair a secret...and plot their elopement.
Clad in threadbare hand-me-downs, Anne never expects the powerful and aged Brennan Forbes to remember her face, let alone propose marriage. Anne's parents hastily accept-the union aligns the Giffords with the Duke of York, while the DeFraynes pledge allegiance to the House of Lancaster, on the eve of the War of Roses.
The arranged marriage looming ever closer, Dylan must brave the battlefield and bypass enemy lines to rescue his beloved. With a dynastic war and bitter rivalries standing in their way, Anne and Dylan must embark on a tortuous path that only the strongest of loves can endure.
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940171354909 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Brilliance Audio |
| Publication date: | 12/01/2012 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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