Title: From This Moment On
Author: Lynn Kurland
Genre: Historical Romance
Published in October 2002 by Ballantine Books
IBSN: 0-425-18685-7
Related Books: (1) This Is All I Ask, (2) Stardust of Yesterday (3) If I Had You
Other Books by Lynn Include: (1) Dance Through Time, (2) Stardust of Yesterday, (3) My Heart Stood Still
OK, if one more person thinks to mention marriage to him AGAIN...He will be tempted to slay whomever to say the least! Thinking back on things, more brides have come up with more lame excuses not to marry him, and one had outright fled! Colin of Berkhamshire is definitely not a happy knight, and things can't get any worse can they? At least for two years now they have left him alone, but ...Oh no. Please let this be something else, PLEASE! And with that thought in mind, Colin is once more plunged into his father's schemes to get him married and an heir produced. The missive has to be wrong...a bride to appear within a sennight! Here at Blackmour Castle of all places! Tis truly unbelievable, but sure enough, a matter of days later Colin is presented with a terrified fainting bride who has hidden in the Lady Gillian's solar now for almost a fortnight! How is he to marry such a weak-minded and frightened wench?
What a burden his sire has placed on his head again. A bride who won't have speech with him, her three maids who are as nervous and shake every bit as badly as their lady, an insolent knight who doesn't know when to keep his bragging mouth shut, and a poor little knight who doesn't seem to know which end is sharp! Damn his father, and verily damn this situation, and doubly damn his friends for laughing at him! It is getting so bad that his very best friends, Christopher of Blackmour and Jason of Artane his true brothers of his heart, can hardly look his way without breaking into giggles almost as annoying as a woman’s! And even worse than Christopher’s outright laughter and Jason’s giggles, is Lady Gillian trying to teach him manners to impress his most shy and quite reluctant bride. Well, a few hours in the lists with his young, new, and very inept knight, Sir Henri, should take the edge off his bad humor. How the lad got his spurs so early is a real puzzle, but Colin knows that if anyone can make a true knight out of this bumbling lad, it is he that will succeed.....
Two years ago, Alienore of Solonge was gleefully informed by her stepmother that she was to wed with the most feared knight in all of England, and most of France. His fierceness in battle was well known, as were those with whom he kept company. His allies were the darkest known, namely the garrison of the dreaded Dragon of Blackmour, and his master the Dragon himself. Lord Christopher of Blackmour, a wizard of wide renown, was reputed to have aided Colin in his successes on the battlefield with is magic most foul. Any maid who had any sense at all would fear such a pairing, and Alienore was no fool. She was too young to die, and there was no doubt in her mind, that die she would at the hands of this feared warrior. Well, the escape idea was good...until now anyway. She was content as a knight to the Lady Sybil, her disguise quite good for the last two years. She has escaped the flames so far, but now she is having a lot of trouble maintaining her place.
Oh NO! She is now back in the fire she thought to have escaped! This time, instead of being betrothed to Colin, she finds herself bound to his service. OK, under most circumstances, she might have been able to hide in the stables, the kitchens, or even garrison quarters, but no...Colin of Berkhamshire has taken her on as his special project! If it weren't for bad luck, she would have no luck at all lately, and she didn't think things could get any worse. The rude and cruel knight who was the other to accompany the Lady Sybil to Blackmour has decided to use her as a punching bag...and Colin has taken definite offense. The last thing she wished was to draw this attention to herself, and it was done by her rival in Lady Sybil’s retinue. Will all her careful plans be shredded? She needs to get away, but Colin has given his orders, she is not to be let out of his or Jason of Artane's sight. Now how can anyone escape while being watched like that? And worse, is there truly any way to leave the Dragon of Blackmour's keep alive?
Lynn Kurland always seems to write a must read book for me. Written with a definitely quirky sense of humor, her books keep me laughing, and sighing with pleasure. Strong, funny and determined heroes and heroines are a hallmark of Ms. Kurland, and From This Moment On is no exception. The story of the marriage of Colin of Berkhamshire to Alienor of Solonge is a very funny and lovely story spiced with enough of the danger and greed of the times to give it credence. Alienor’s shenanigans in trying to escape the fate mapped out for her, and Colin’s determination to teach his new knight the skills he lacks add to the fun and the temperament of the pair. Her recalcitrance and his stubbornness lead them to lock horns constantly, and bring Alienore closer to discovery. If that is not enough, Colin’s upset with his father is sustained with the continuing demands that he settle down.
The word is out on Ms Kurland, and it is "Superb" from all quarters. One again she would have to garner five of whatever you are giving, be it stars, hearts, roses or exclamation points, for she provides a very entertaining look into the mind of logic, and comes up with some very interesting views from the hearts of both Colin and Alienor. As usual, Berengaria, Nemain, and Magda are there to set the couple on the right path, but even the best of plans can get messy, muddy, and ever-so-tangled. For those who enjoyed This Is All I Ask, come back to Blackmour Castle for a short visit with old friends, and then continue on with Colin and Alienor's adventure to her home Solonge in France. From This Moment On will definitely touch your heart and your funny bones, so read on intrepid friends, and join the fun. This must buy is out now from Ballantine Books, so look for From This Moment On in a bookstore near you.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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