Master of Surrender
Karin Tabke
Pocket, Jun 24 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 1416550895

In 1059 in Jubb Prison, Iberia, three prisoners (Rohan de Luc, Thorin and Manhkhu) expect to die violently at the hands of their torturer Tariq the Saracens. However, instead though chained they kill Tariq, but not before a woman names them the Blood Sword Knights and warns them to be careful spreading their seed as only their destined woman will bear their sons.

In 1066, William the Conqueror awards his cousin Rohan with Alethorpe, a Saxon stronghold. Rohan arrives only to find the previous lord's daughter Lady Isabel in charge vowing to never swear allegiance to the Norman pretender or surrender her family keep to his cousin. Rohan and his men take the keep anyway. He quickly thinks back to seven years ago and the seer's prediction; he knows he has found the bearer of his sons in this feisty intelligent Saxon. She ignores her attraction to the newcomer, but begins to see how kind he is towards her people starting with sparing her squire's life after an affront. As they fall in love and agree to marry, treacheries from her side that will harm her Saxons make her ponder her pledge to her family and people vs. her vows to her beloved.

Known for her heated contemporary romantic police procedurals (see SKIN, HEATED, and GOOD GIRLS GONE BAD), Karin Tabke showcases a wider talent as she provides readers with an exhilarating Conqueror romance. The story line is fast-paced as the lead couple fights each other for supremacy while their respective hearts betray them. Although typical of the early medieval romance, Ms. Tabke heats up the era with this engaging eleventh century tale.

Harriet Klausner