Book Review: Word of Honor by Lauren Linwood

Word of Honor by Lauren Linwood

Publisher & Release: Windtree Press, April 6, 2016

Time and setting: 14^th century, England

Genre: Medieval Romance

Length:  234 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Merryn Mantel and Geoffrey de Montfort have loved each other since childhood. Once betrothed, Geoffrey leaves for the wars in France for five long years. Upon his return, the two marry and spend one blissful night consummating their love and making plans for their future.

But her new husband vanishes the next day without a trace. Merryn grieves for almost seven years—and then Geoffrey returns to her—changed from the boy and man she knew and worshiped. This stranger refuses to reveal where he has been and why he stayed away for so long.

Will her husband’s silence create a rift too large to heal, or can Merryn and Geoffrey recapture the love they once shared?

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/Word-Honor-Knights-Valor-Book-ebook/dp/B01BMZSOEK

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29081537-word-of-honor

Vikki’s Musings

I always know I’m in for a treat when I read a book by Lauren Linwood. Whether it’s one of her Medieval romances or her romantic suspense, the book is sure to pull me in and keep me enthralled to the end. Word of Honor does that extremely well, sweeping me into this long ago time with vivid descriptions of the castles and the mores of the day.

Merryn and Geoffrey have loved each other since they were little children, but circumstances pull them apart. As a knight, Geoffrey has to leave her to go fight and is gone for five long years. When he returns, they are overjoyed to at last become husband and wife.

A vengeful earl imprisons Geoffrey the day after their wedding. For seven long years, Merryn mourns her loss, not knowing what happened to her husband. When Geoffrey returns, he is not the same man. 

Can this pair find their way back to what they once had, or will the changes divide them forever?

Merryn is a wonderful heroine. She never gives up hoping Geoffrey will return, even though he vanished without a trace. Her character soldiers on in his absence, keeping hearth and home together. While she has great reason to give up, she is able to remain cheerful and positive. When Geoffrey returns, she is patient and understanding of his need to take it slow as he adjusts to being back among his family.

Geoffrey is definitely a tortured soul. What he lives through during his captivity would break any man. My heart ached for all he had to endure. His word is his bond, and it tears him apart when he cannot tell Kylie where he has been for seven years or who kept him imprisoned. I loved his determination to put all of it in the past and pick up the threads of his life.

Ms. Linwood writes an emotionally-charged story of lovers torn apart. The book pulled me in from the first page and kept me in its thrall until the end. If you enjoy a passionate story with unforgettable characters, then you will love Word of Honor. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a wonderful love story with a fantastic sense of Medieval times. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

As a child, Lauren Linwood gathered her neighborhood friends together and made up stories for them to act out, her first venture into creating memorable characters. Following her passion for history and love of learning, she became a teacher who began writing on the side to maintain her sanity in a sea of teenage hormones.

Lauren's historical novels focus on two of her favorite eras--medieval times and the American Old West. History is the backdrop that places her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire and yearning for one another grows into the treasured gift of love. She also writes romantic suspense, where modern heroes and heroines unite to defeat a strong antagonist and discover a deep, abiding love during their journey.

Lauren, a native Texan, lives in a Dallas suburb with her family. An avid reader, moviegoer, and sports fan, she manages stress by alternating yoga with five-mile walks. She is thinking about starting a support group for Fixer Upper addicts--as soon as she finishes her next piece of dark chocolate.

Stay in touch with Lauren through:

Website: www.laurenlinwood.com

Blog: http://laurenlinwood.wordpress.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaurenLinwood

FB: www.facebook.com/laurenlinwood

Email: laurenlinwood@gmail.com

Illusions of Death by Lauren Linwood

Publisher & Release Date: Soul Mate Publishing, March 2, 2016

Time and setting: Present Day, Georgia

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  241 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Best-selling author Karlyn Campbell is ready for a new start after her recent divorce from a temperamental artist. When she receives word that her father had a stroke, she heads for Walton Springs with mixed feelings. Broderick Campbell wrote Pulitzer Prize-winning literary novels and denounced his daughter’s work as pedestrian and commercial, causing a rift that finally heals on his deathbed. Karlyn chooses to stay in the small Georgia town to write her popular Matt Collins series and decides to try her hand at true crime when Atlanta’s Rainbow Killer, Roy G. Biv, captures her interest.

Detective Logan Warner’s marriage didn’t survive after he lost his twins to a crazed killer who was never caught. He returns to his hometown’s police force and runs for police chief, happy he’s escaped big city crime and corruption. Emotionally dead, his interest in life is renewed when he falls in love with Karlyn and begins to build a new life with her.

But the Rainbow Killer moves beyond Atlanta, leaving a trail of dead bodies painted in bright hues in several towns north of the city. Leaving no trace evidence or DNA and choosing random victims with no apparent rhyme or reason, Roy proves unstoppable. Then he arrives in Walton Springs, threatening the peaceful town with his murder spree. With a serial killer in their back yard, Logan and Karlyn unite with the FBI to find the killer—before he finds them.

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/Illusions-Death-Lauren-Linwood-ebook/dp/B019Y45TS0

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28425550-illusions-of-death

Vikki's Musings

Lauren Linwood is truly a versatile writer. Whether she is writing Medieval, western or romantic suspense, I’m in for a real treat! Illusions of Death is not only romantic suspense, but a thriller as well. I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this high suspense novel.

The romance between the hero and heroine is well developed. The plot is “Hold onto the seat of your pants” exciting. The pacing is fast, making for an enjoyable read. Ms. Linwood’s writing style flows smoothly and her descriptive writing is gripping.

The heroine, Karlyn is a great character. She is feisty, independent and a career woman, but does not come across as abrasive at all. She really had a neglectful childhood that could have kept her from succeeding, but instead, it made her even more successful. While she is not an overly emotional character, she uses her keen intelligence to navigate difficult situations. Even though she has just gone through a messy divorce, she is not afraid to give love a chance.

Logan Warner’s character has suffered great personal loss, yet when he meets Karlyn, he is willing to take a chance. He is an intelligent, caring man, determined to protect the people he loves and do the best job he can as a detective for his small hometown. His loyalty, whether is be his family, his town or his new love, is unquestionable.

While this is such a thriller, it would have been easy to put the romantic element on the back burner, Ms. Linwood is able to grow that aspect of the story as the excitement unfolds. The chemistry between Karlyn and Logan fairly jumps off the page. While her love scenes are not explicit, they are emotional and well-written. I was definitely rooting for them to find their happy ending.

Illusions of Death has it all, a fulfilling romance, a lot of intrigue, and gripping suspense with a great mystery to solve. Ms. Linwood’s villain’s introspection is chilling and kept me guessing. I loved that! If you enjoy a thrilling story with great characters, you will love this book. Happy reading!

Book Review: A Knight for Kallen by Lauren Linwood

A Knight for Kallen by Lauren Linwood

Published & Release Date: Soul Mate Publishing, December 2, 2014

Time and setting: 1293, Southern England

Genre: Historical Romance/Medieval

Length: 258 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 5 stars

Book Description:

Kallen de Mangeron grew up in a convent, her noble family never knowing of her birth. When a new Mother Superior informs them of her existence, they send trusted knight Griffith Sommersby to escort her home. 

Griffith’s heart broke when he lost his wife and infant son during childbirth, and he’s kept his feelings locked away from the world—until he meets Kallen. He soon learns her dark secret—that she sees auras around people—which allows her insight into their actions and personalities. 

Now Quentin, bastard brother to the king, decides to harness Kallen’s gift in a plot to win the throne. Will Quentin successfully use a kidnapped Kallen as his political pawn, or will Griffith be able to stop him before Kallen changes the course of England’s history? 

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/Knight-Kallen-Lauren-Linwood-ebook/dp/B015JB79KI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1447253292&sr=1-1&keywords=a+knight+for+kallen

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26682976-a-knight-for-kallen

Vikki's Musings

I have read several books by Lauren Linwood and I have enjoyed all of them, especially her medieval romances. When Ms. Linwood asked me to read and review A Knight for Kallen in exchange for an honest review, I immediately accepted. A Knight for Kallen is a wonderful example of this sub-genre, reminding me why I love them so much.

Kallen de Mangeron is a child of rape and has lived in a nunnery all her life. When a new abbess takes over she contacts Lord Crispin and tells him that his sister lived with the sisters and gave birth to Kallen. When Kallen finds out her history, she is excited by finding out she has a family who wants her.

When Griffith Sommersby arrives to bring her to her family, he never expects to find a woman who can heal his broken heart. As they travel from the nunnery to her family, there are a great many mishaps, bringing Griffith and Kallen together as they vanquish their enemies, intent on kidnapping Kallen.

Is Griffith ready to move past the grief of the loss of his wife and infant son and embrace this beautiful young woman who has shown him how to live again?

A Knight for Kallen is a well-written novel. The plot is intriguing from the beginning, pulling me into the story and keeping me enthralled to the end. It’s a book that touches on the loss of faith and finding it again. I loved that aspect of the story a great deal.

Ms. Linwood sets the stage with just the right amount of history interwoven in this immensely enjoyable read, without turning it into a history lesson. Her description of the dress and customs of the day are vivid, and I could see in my mind’s eye the majesty of the castle through Kallen’s character when she arrives and sees one for the first time. I loved the All Hallow’s Eve celebration, a brilliant way to experience what it must have been like in this period of history.

I fell in love with Kallen and Griffith’s characters. I loved Kallen’s innocence and her steadfast belief in God. She leads Griffith back to his faith through her shining example. While this is not a big part of the story, for me it sends a wonderful message. Griffith is everything I want to see in a knight. He is brave, honorable and protective of Kallen, willing to give his life to save her from her evil father.

I am so glad I had the chance to read this emotionally-charged book. If you enjoy medieval romances with a beautiful and moving love story, and filled with adventure and suspense, you will love A Knight for Kallen as much as I did. I highly recommend this incredible book. Give it a chance, you will not regret it. Happy reading!