USA Today best-seller Tamara Leigh returns to the medieval Age of Faith series with a romance three years in the making—Sir Durand’s tale.
A VEXING LADY
Answering her father’s summons to return home, Lady Beata Fauvel must evade capture by noblemen who seek to wed a great heiress. But when she falls into the hands of Queen Eleanor of England, she discovers her sovereign has plans of her own for the lady known France over as The Vestal Widow. Now Beata must not only escape the knight entrusted with ensuring she does not wed without permission, but survive a storm-tossed sea and revelation of a long-buried secret that could destroy her family. And what of a heart that wants what it cannot have? Will it only ever beat for the queen’s man?
A REPENTANT KNIGHT
For years, Sir Durand Marshal has faithfully served his queen as penance for betrayal of the Wulfrith family. When he rescues a woman pursued by vassals of the French king, he is charged with delivering to England the nearly scandalous lady who has only a name in common with the one he once loved. Though he never expects to feel anything beyond annoyance for the outspoken Lady Beata, he finds himself drawn to yet another woman denied him. Can he fulfill his duty to his liege? Or will he forsake his redemption and forever ruin his reputation—more, the lady’s?
Dear Readers, When I decided to rewrite my general market medieval romances into clean reads, I knew transforming BLACKHEART into LADY BETRAYED would be my greatest challenge. You'll understand why when you read the excerpt. Though there are many faith elements true to the middle ages--as well as our own--the plot is edgy, not unlike that of the LADY OF EVE rewrite. And yet, when all is re-written and done, I believe it will be as firmly on the side of inspirational as my Age of Faith series. Ready for the excerpt? LADY BETRAYED
A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
England, 1195 ~ Lady Juliana Kinthorpe is no longer the fanciful young woman who embraced the notions of love and chivalry nurtured at Queen Eleanor’s court. Wed to a desperately bitter man, she is forced to steal from the knight who betrayed her husband during the Holy Crusade. But even to save her sister, can she do the unthinkable? That which will cost her dignity, her heart, and perhaps her soul?
A KNIGHT TO DECEIVE
France, 1195 ~ When Sir Gabriel de Vere receives Bernart Kinthorpe’s invitation to tourney, he declines, well aware the baron blames him for his laming at Acre. But the ransoms to be won prove too tempting. Accompanied by his friend, Sir Erec Wulfrith, Gabriel journeys to England. Though he finds the fair Juliana much changed, still he is drawn to her—until he uncovers her deception and determines to take back what she stole from him.
Whereas THE VEXING’s cover was the easiest of those my graphic artist and I have tackled over the years, I believe LADY BETRAYED’s was the most difficult. It would not come together. Work began on it at Christmas, so that--and angst-y Tamara--are to blame. My graphic artist found this model and the hunt ended. So, yes, this was the easiest part.
Oh my word, nearly all my ladies in a row. Yes, this model is perfect, and since the story kicks off with a tournament, the mounted battle in the background is spot on! So changes… Juliana the fair of auburn hair needs work on her tresses. I love the free-flowing look, so just a color change and addition of a braid. And how about a circlet? Also, a necklace would be nice. As for her gown, what about… Purple? Dark Gold? Red?
Love the hair, circlet, and necklace. Of the gown colors, the purple and red pop best, but since several other lady books use red, let’s go with purple. But darker—much darker. And don’t worry about ribbons on her sleeve (waffling me). Now the castle and battling knights… Can I see the tower on her other side as in the original mock up? I know the fantasy knight on the left-side is just a placeholder, but what do you think about a knight clad in black?
The darker purple is where it’s at, but can we go a tad darker and give the white of her gown a silver/gray cast? It’s too stark. The new knights… The ones on the left are good, but I prefer the movement of the charging knight in the original mock up. Sir Gabriel de Vere is no sideliner. I know I’m waffling again, but can you nix the castle tower on the right. Too busy.
That purple—perfect! And the faint red highlighting makes it look richer. Glad to you have you back my charging knight, but how about you and Sir Erec Wulfrith swap places? I like you better on Lady Juliana’s other side, Sir Gabriel. Since the cover is starting to look too dark, let’s lighten the sky and castle as in the original mock up.
Ack! You’re right, the lighting of the castle looks unnatural. Yes, let’s try a different background. Positioning of battling knights is great.
Love the replacement castle and lighting! As for the new vegetation on the right, I prefer the original that was distant and showed more of the sky. I do like the new charging knight, but I’m partial to the look, fit, and movement of the original. Let’s go back to him—and make him a bit smaller.
THE BIG TA DA! Dear Readers, meet Lady Juliana Kinthorpe—her hero Sir Gabriel de Vere on the right, his friend Sir Erec Wulfrith on the left. Lots of work, but worth it!
LADY EVER AFTER: Book Two (Beyond Time Series) Audiobook Now Available!
From the USA Today best-selling author of DREAMSPELL: Book One (Beyond Time) comes another medieval time travel romance set during the 15th century conflict of the Wars of the Roses.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES
England, 1464. As civil war rages, King Edward IV besieges the northern barons who support the dethroned King Henry VI. Among the last strongholds to fall is Strivling Castle, whose lady gives her life defending her home against the usurpers.
A LADY OF LEGEND
As foretold by her dreams, Lady Catherine Algernon is determined to defend Strivling Castle to the death. But when a besieger saves her life just as her nightmare unfolds, a future is forced on her she never dreamed possible—with a man who believes she is someone else. Who is this enemy who defied fate by averting the mortal blow? And how is she to keep him from laying siege to a heart more guarded than her home?
A MAN OUT OF TIME
Successful businessman Collier Morrow has everything he could possibly want, including a priceless, unfinished portrait of the legendary Catherine Algernon. When a lie costs him the woman he loves, he finds himself in the midst of the siege upon Strivling Castle, face-to-face with its defender who is the very image of the love he lost. Given an opportunity to redeem himself, he soon discovers the fiercely rebellious Lady Catherine is not who she appears to be. Should he return to his own time? Or risk the life he knew for another chance at love?
