Paula Quinn, Lord of Desire

Lord of Desire

Paula Quinn

Warner, Aug, 2005, $6.50, 352 pp.

ISBN: 0446615943

In 1065 England, King Edward declares that winners in battle earn estates. Thus when Lord Richard, who seemed invincible, was finally defeated by the Norman Lord Brand Risand, everyone at Avarloch is shocked. King Edward and Duke William of Normandy have agreed that Brand will wed Richard's daughter Lady Brynnafar Dumont to avoid unrest and war.

Brynna detests the idea of marrying a Norman, but will do so for the good of her people. Brand refuses to marry anyone having been betrayed just one year ago by a woman. Meanwhile Sir Luis plans to make trouble by fostering the seemingly natural distrust between Normans and Saxons especially taking advantage of Brand's distrust in the loyalties of any woman especially the bride that William forces him to wed. Still he finds himself falling in love with Brynna, who was halfway in love with him when in the nearby woods one year ago she saw how gentle he was with the love of his life.

The interest in this fine historical romance lies in the setting as readers obtain insight into political maneuvering before the Conqueror triumphs. The storyline feeds on the distrust between Saxons and Normans, but is augmented by wise individuals like Richard, whose beloved late wife was a Celt with the same suspicions between people. Though typical of Conqueror romances with a sly sneaky scoundrel stirring trouble by taking advantage of the Saxon Norman rivalry, Paula Quinn provides a vivid look at England just prior to the Battle at Hastings.

Harriet Klausner