SCOUNDREL’S KISS
Carrie Lofty, Zebra, 2010, $5.99, pb, 361pp,
9781420104769
Ada of Keyworth is unusual for a medieval
woman. Educated by her family, she’s adventurous,
headstrong, and strikingly beautiful—but she’s also
addicted to opium and on the run from debtors.
Gavriel de Marqueda has plenty of his own
problems, but when he finds Ada being auctioned
as a slave, he liberates her, and in the process makes
her problems his own. As the pair journey across
Spain, they find that they have more in common
than they expected, and they also find that their
chemistry is undeniable.
Throughout the novel, Lofty avoids the easy
clichés of the genre in favor of the original.
The 13th-century Spanish setting is unique for
historical romance, and Lofty makes good use of
the history of the era. Struggles between royal
houses, tension between Spaniards and Moors,
and monastic history figure prominently. But like
any good historical romance, the love story eclipses
all else, and it’s a scorcher. Both characters are
damaged, but their love for each other helps them
heal their wounds. Scoundrel’s Kiss is thoroughly
enjoyable, and I look forward to reading Lofty’s
future historicals.
Nanette Donohue
| 14th century | Maxwell delivers a mesmerizing retelling
THE WHALER’S FORGE
Christine Echeverria Bender, Caxton, 2009,
$16.95, pb, 201pp, 9780870044748
Over a century before Columbus “discovered” the
New World, Basque whalers were already hunting
whales and setting up whaling camps in what are
today Canada’s Atlantic maritime provinces. In
this well-researched novel set in 1364, Bender tells
the story of Kepa de Mendieta, a harpooner who
is presumed drowned after his boat is capsized by
a whale; his shipmates return to Spain without
him, leaving only a gravestone on the beach in his
memory.
He is rescued by Achaku, a beautiful Indian
healer, with the help of a friendly whale. Kepa, who
is himself practiced in the medical arts, is entranced
by Achaku’s beauty and kindness as well as the
savage beauty of a strange new land. As the days
pass, Kepa forges close bonds with Achaku and her
community, realizing all the while that he would
return to Spain when the whaling fleet came back
in the spring. Or would he? Would the love that is
undeniably growing between him and Achaku hold
him there forever?
Bender’s research in writing this novel was
meticulous—including joining a Smithsonian
Institution archaeological dig at a Basque whaling
site in Canada—and it shows, not only in her
depiction of Basque whalers and their whaling
methods but in the customs and culture of the
native people as well. The Whaler’s Forge is an
entertaining and informative read for anyone
13th Century — 14th Century
interested in knowing more about pre-Columbian predominately in the Lowlands, albeit with a few
explorations of North America and its native missteps in the historical research, like the wearing
people. of a belted plaid and calling the two-handed
John Kachuba great sword a claymore. In spite of this, readers in
search of a story that transports them to medieval
The Highlander’s Sword Scotland where men and women, who prize honor
Amanda Forester, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2010, and duty, face evil villains should enjoy this tale.
$6.99/C$8.99/£3.99, pb, 337pp, 9781402229480 Cindy Vallar
Destined for life in a convent, Lady Aila
Graham finds herself exchanging marriage vows NO LAW IN THE LAND
with Sir Padyen MacClaren. Facing devastation Michael Jecks, Headline/Trafalgar Square, 2009,
wrought when their crops are torched in 1347, her £19.99/$24.95, hb, 384pp, 9780755344185
father needs strong warriors to defend Graham Make no mistake about it: in Michael Jecks’s
lands. With Padyen’s people destitute after his long latest Knights Templar Mystery, No Law in the
absence fighting in France, marriage is the only way Land, there is no law and precious little justice for
to save them. A previous woman’s betrayal, however, anyone. Set in October 1325, the story centers on
results in a misunderstanding on his wedding night. Bailiff Simon Puttock and Sir Baldwin de Furnshill,
This rift between the couple permits a traitor within Keeper of the King’s Peace, and the lawlessness
the Graham clan to set a trap that eventually leads they encounter upon their return to England after
to Aila’s imprisonment and possible destruction of escorting Queen Isabella to France. When Simon
the Grahams and Padyen. Only love and trust will and Sir Baldwin inform King Edward II that
stop the impending evil, but are the tenuous ties the queen has no intention of ever returning to
between Aila and Padyen strong enough to bring England, Edward is furious and dismisses Simon
them together and protect those they love? and Baldwin from court.
This is a typical historical romance, set Meanwhile, Osbert, a villain worthy of any
C O, JULIET E D I TO RS ’ CHOICE
Robin Maxwell, NAL, 2010, $15.00, pb, 352pp, 9780451229151
of the famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and
Juliet, in her latest novel, set in Italy at the
beginning of the Renaissance. Juliet Capelletti
is a headstrong, intelligent young lady who is
facing an arranged marriage to Jacopo Strozzi,
her father’s new business partner. She does
not look forward to her match but knows
that it will make her parents happy. Juliet’s
entire future is forever changed one night
at the engagement party of her best friend,
Lucrezia, when she meets the handsome
Romeo Monticecco. Romeo is at the party
to seek reconciliation between his family and
the Capelettis, who have been feuding and
retaliating against each other for years.
Juliet and Romeo find a chance to talk
together alone under the stars, and their destiny unfolds. Both are surprised by
the other’s passion for poetry and shared interest in Dante Alighieri’s Vita Nuova.
After their first meeting, Juliet is determined to find a way out of her upcoming
marriage to Jacopo, even though this means defying her family’s wishes for her and
possibly destroying the business between her father and her betrothed.
What unfolds is a beautiful love story between the soul mates Romeo and Juliet.
Maxwell realistically portrays the torment with which Juliet is faced as she wonders
what her future holds. The things I enjoyed the most about the novel were how
Maxwell drew parallels between Dante and his love, Beatrice, and Romeo and
Juliet, and her use of poetry and quotes from Dante throughout the novel. Readers
will savor this exquisite and magical love story.
Troy Reed
HNR Issue 51, February 2010 | Reviews | 25