historical

With this book a new series from Kinley MacGregor has started. The Brotherhood of the sword began with a short story from Where's my Hero to continue with this full book.
This is Stryders story, the story of a man who blames himself for the terrible things done to his friends. He is a man who is convinced that, due to his responsibility towards his men, he has no right for future happiness and that he can't give up this responsibility to love a woman. Yet by his looks he is coveted by the ladies and he hates every minute of it. Until he is to wed Rowena, a lady troubadour who despises knights and warriors, who also does not want to get married. . Who is looking for a gentle man. For a man who likes to sing of love and woo a woman with sweet words. Who learns by throwing in her lot with Stryder that fierce warriors can be the most gentle of man, for the right woman.

I have really come to love the Kinley MacGregor books and this one is no exception. Stryder was a strong noble knight that really just swept Rowena away - which is so totally unlikely since she has always claimed she had no use for the dark deadly knights!! They both were so strong in their belief in never falling in love he becuz his father loved his mother too much that he died becuz of it and his mother apparently never loved his father. For Rowena she wanted a deep love and she thought a gentle jester type man was right for her, until she meets the complete opposite in Stryder. Then she finds slowly but surely all the gentle soulful qualities she always had been looking for in this wonderful man. It is truly a beautiful love story and a hard to put down book. Cannot believe I have a year to wait for Christian's story!!

Although this is considered the first book in the Brotherhood of the Sword series this is actually the third time we've been introduced to some of these characters. I think that, this is one of the reasons I love Ms. MacGregor's books. You are almost always gauranteed a chance to visit with old friends.

This is Stryder of Blackmoor's story and I must admit I didn't care for this knight in the anthology "Where's My Hero?" where Ms. MacGregor introduced us to not only this series but this character. My fears were totally misplaced and I found that Stryder is a complex character who was easy to care about. His feelings and thoughts are results of his past. Although this is a rather complex story with many characters they are easy to manage if you're paying attention to what your reading. Trust me it dosen't require a map nor brain surgery to keep it all straight.

Rowena is a great character and does not have her head turned by a pretty...okay handsome face. She actually has no use for knights and the things they stand for. That is until she finds herself in the strong arms of Stryder. Now she must keep her wits about her or she may just fall in love with not only a man but a knight who just me leave her to fight the injustices in the world. The fact that Stryder does not help by keeping his distance, and his kisses touch something in her that she thought was never there only adds to her confusion.

Stryder has made a vow and nothing and no one will keep him from it. Add to the fact that he is constantly ambushed by women who are anxious to be his countess he has grown rather allergic to the female race. That is until he saves a lady from a nasty spill. Now he can't keep his mind nor his lips off of her. She is so different from the normal ladies he runs into. She actually sees deeper then the surface and has not run screaming.

Together they face the chanllenges and threats that follow them. Stryder's past is catching up and fellow members of the Brotherhood are being killed. They must find out who the assasin is before he strikes again.

This is a strong story to mark the beginning of another great series. The groundwork has been set by introducing us to several of Stryder's knights that hopefully will be appearing again soon. The romance between Rowena and Stryder is sweet and spicy. There are laughs and tears aplenty in this read. I highly recommend Ms. MacGregor (AKA Sherrilyn Kenyon) for a wonderful read regardless of the time period or genre! I can't wait for the next in this series!