Gabriella Anderson, Temptation’s Warrior

Temptation's Warrior

Gabriella Anderson

Five Star, Nov 2005, $26.95

ISBN: 1594144184

In 1347 knight Payne "The Golden bear" Dunbyer abducts Lady Agnes on the eve of her wedding to bring her to her former betrothed Baron Gilbert Fitzhugh. The woman he kidnaps insists she is not Agnes, but she fit the description of golden hair and is tall so Payne ignores her. However, at Coxebury, he learns from Gilbert that he took Agnes' cousin Lady Elfreda "Elf" of Renfrey. Gilbert is initially irate, but decides to wed Elf instead because she still provides him strong connections to the powerful Meredith family.

Though it will cost him his dream of owning land as he will forfeit two years of payment from Fitzhugh, Payne takes Elf away from Coxebury. However, before taking her home he stops at a tournament to win some money he badly needs. On their trek with Gilbert in pursuit and the mysteriously Robin Hood like Black Knight in their way, they fall in love.

Readers will cherish the honorable Payne even though his ethics differ from those of modern times, when he rationalizes making the original abduction acceptable with Agnes being betrothed to Coxebury until regal intervention. He gives up everything to do the right thing, with a detour once he realizes he abducted the wrong giantess. Fans will enjoy this fascinating historical romance starring two wonderful lead characters and a villain who inadvertently plays matchmaker.

Harriet Klausner