Midsummer Maid

Lindsay Townsend

He is a woodsman, a forester, a good man but cursed with the mark of the devil on his face and shunned by many.

She is a dairy-maid, caring and brave, who feared no one.

Drawn to each other on a long and fateful Midsummer Day, can Haakon and Clare overcome the superstitions of their village and the brutal, lecherous knights to break out of their bonds of class and custom and to strive for a better life – together? 

Midsummer Maid

Word and Deed

Rachel Rossano

“My task is not finished.”

Aware of my exposed feet growing numb, I crossed the flagstone path to retrieve my cast off slippers. “What more would Lord Silvaticus seek to learn? Whether or not I am pox-scarred or deformed? I assure you I stand whole and have all my limbs and digits.” I spread my fingers for emphasis. “They are straight and serve me well.”

Bryn Wolfe’s mouth twitched. “Nay, Silvaticus is concerned he should find a blade between his ribs on his wedding night.”

I laughed. “He fears a woman?” 

“He is a cautious man, not prone to impulse.”

Word and Deed

Hostage of the Heart

Linda Acaster

England, September 1066. With the northern militia raised to support the new king, the Welsh borderlands are dangerously unprotected. Leading a force of Welsh countrymen, Rhodri ap Hywel sweeps down the valley to reclaim stolen lands, taking the Saxon Lady Dena as his battle hostage.

But who is the more barbaric: a man who protects his people by the strength of his sword-arm, or Dena's kinsfolk who swear fealty to a canon of falsehoods and refuse to pay her ransom? Betrayed as worthless, can she place her trust in the hands of a warrior-knight shielding dark secrets of his own?


Hostage of the Heart

The Mercenary's Marriage

Rachel Rossano

“Don't I at least get a thank you?” A deep voice asked from behind her left ear. “It is the least a rescuer should receive for saving a lady's pretty neck.”

“I am not a lady.” Brice pushed again against the stranger's arms. This time they released her, reluctantly. Quickly scrambling for her feet, she stepped away from the man only to find him already on his own feet and watching her warily. Inwardly grimacing, Brice noticed the small gate behind the strange man's right shoulder.

“It is safer in here.”

The Mercenary's Marriage