Margaret Moore, Hers to Command

Hers to Command

Margaret Moore

HQN, Feb 2006, $5.99

ISBN: 0373770952

In 1243 Martin informs Sir Roald De Sayre that he has insured that the garrison at Ecclesford has the worst weapons and ill trained knights in England, setting it up for failure. Roald pays off the former Ecclesford Commander by killing him.

Not long afterwards, with their father dead due to the betrayal of his Commander Martin, sisters Mathilde and Giselle know their home Ecclesford is in jeopardy of odious Roald taking it over, though the older sibling inherited the castle. They need a knight to protect them, so they venture to a nearby inn where they enlist the drunken Sir Henry D'Alton. He agrees to help because he loathes Roald. He changes his plans, especially after learning that the beautiful quiet Giselle is quite a prize catch, since through her he also can be the lord of Ecclesford. To his chagrin, the mouthy protective younger sister Mathilde heats his blood, but first he must deal with the odious Roald who will do anything to take Ecclesford, including taking the new owner without her agreeing.

HERS TO COMMAND is a pleasurable medieval romance that contains a wonderful romance between the knight and the "termagant. The relationship between Henry and Mathilde is delightful as she rips his skin for even considering her sibling, while he rips his skin for considering her. Though Roald is too nasty of a sociopath, fans will enjoy the" shrew's" taming of the knight. No one writes a medieval romance quite like this talented author.