ARC Reviews

Showing posts with label Order Of The Broken Blade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Order Of The Broken Blade. Show all posts

07/01/2020

The Earl (Order of the Broken Blade #4) by Cecelia Mecca. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Conrad Saint-Clair, earl of Licheford, may have started a rebellion against the king, but he is powerless against the woman he loved and lost.

The Order of the Broken Blade finally has the support it needs to succeed, to curb King John’s outrageous behavior, or so Conrad hopes. They have waited all winter for the king to respond to their demands. With their rebellion on the cusp of success—or utter failure—the last thing on Conrad’s mind is romance. Which is why he is completely blindsided when the only woman he’s ever loved, his friend’s sister, shows up on his doorstep.

Years ago, Cait Kennaugh was brutally attacked by a king’s man at the Tournament of the North. Her brother Terric and three other young men banded together to save her. Conrad, then a handsome earl’s son, wielded the sword that killed her attacker. A bond formed between the boys that day, one that culminated in their rebellious order, but it wasn’t the only connection forged by the traumatic experience. Cait and Conrad began corresponding, unbeknownst to her brother, opening their hearts to each other in their letters—until Cait stopped writing.

Fear drove Cait from the man she loves, and she’s desperate to reclaim him. But will the earl risk opening his heart to her again, while his rebellion hangs in the balance?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



Conrad Saint-Clair,  Earl of Licheford is a leading member of the Order of the Broken Blade.  They have been organizing a rebellion against King John.  They are almost at the final stage of making him agree to a list of demands that will one day be known as the Magna Carta.
Cait Kennaugh has not left her home in years until recently.  The order that her brother is part of are finalizing their plans and she has invited herself along.  There is one man in particular that she needs to see,  to try and explain why she stopped writing to him.  
We have wonderful characters that need to resolve things once and for all.  
A vicious attack many years before started something that changes the course of history.  
This is the final book if the series and must be read after the others. 
A very enjoyable conclusion to a great series.


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Cecelia Mecca is the author of steamy historical romance that transports readers to the middle ages. A former English teacher, Cecelia combines two of her passions, romance novels and the middle ages, transporting readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles. Her first series, set along the Anglo-Scottish border in 13th century Northumbria, turned Cecelia from educator to full-time author. Readers love the Border Series for its focus on well-developed characters and their steamy relationships leading to satisfying happily ever afters. Cecelia lives in Northeast, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children where she can be found either planning a Disney trip, watching period dramas or convincing her children to watch Star Wars. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.




06/11/2019

The Scot (Order of the Broken Blade #3) by Cecelia Mecca. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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He only cares about revenge. Until he meets her.

A widow after only one year of marriage, Lady Roysa chooses to run to her sister Idalia, who is wintering at Dromsley Castle, rather than retreat to the property granted to her. What she doesn’t realize is that Idalia and her new husband have a secret—they are part of a rebellion against the king, as is their gruff host at Dromsley Castle.

The last thing Terric Kennaugh wishes for is a guest, let alone one who seems more concerned about fashion than the Order of the Broken Blade’s rebellion against King John.

He may be more of a Scot than an Englishman, but the English royals have a long history of doing his family wrong. He won’t miss his chance at revenge, especially not by the poorly timed arrival of a pampered English miss. Even so, Idalia is as good as a sister to him, and he cannot refuse shelter to a member of her family. To his surprise, he soon finds himself warming toward Roysa—whose beauty and stateliness is but a small part of what makes her a strong, noble woman.

But love is a distraction he cannot afford if he is to have his revenge.

Dromsley Castle is about to become the first battleground in what promises to be an all-out war between the king’s men and the Order.

Can love bloom in the midst of so much danger?
 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



Even though Lady Roysa found out very soon after her marriage that what she thought was love,  wasn't, she is unprepared to be a widow.  Especially as she suspects that her husband's brother has evil intentions.  Her father is too far away to rescue her so she must go to her sister.
Terric Kennaugh is an Earl in England and a Laird in Scotland,  but all he has time for at the moment is the Order of the Broken Blade and it's cause.  The last thing he needs is a guest who throws tantrums over a ruined dress.  
There is a lot of danger and secrets around our characters.  With treason against the King and never knowing just who is on which side in the fight,  we can enjoy an exciting story.  The characters have all got strength, bravery and love for their families. 
This is the third book in the series and while you could quite easily enjoy this book on it's own the series is best read in order.  
Great fun.


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Cecelia Mecca is the author of steamy historical romance that transports readers to the middle ages. A former English teacher, Cecelia combines two of her passions, romance novels and the middle ages, transporting readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles. Her first series, set along the Anglo-Scottish border in 13th century Northumbria, turned Cecelia from educator to full-time author. Readers love the Border Series for its focus on well-developed characters and their steamy relationships leading to satisfying happily ever afters. Cecelia lives in Northeast, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children where she can be found either planning a Disney trip, watching period dramas or convincing her children to watch Star Wars. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.





17/09/2019

The Mercenary (Order of the Broken Blade #2) by Cecelia Mecca. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Loyalty to his friends has made him a traitor. A fake marriage is the last thing he wants . . . and the one thing he needs.

Loyalty to his friends has made him a traitor. A fake marriage is the last thing he wants . . . and the one thing he needs.

Guy Lavallais never expected to marry. But when a nun overhears him making treasonous overtures to a bishop, she makes a shocking ultimatum: marry her or she’ll tell all. And there is plenty to tell. Guy is a member of the Order of the Broken Blade, a brotherhood of knights seeking to tame King John—or if that fails, to overthrow him. If the wrong person learns his secret, Guy will die a traitor’s death.

Of course, Lady Sabine isn’t a nun at all. She was brought to the abbey against her will, and she’ll do anything to escape. Even bribe a wickedly handsome mercenary. She tells herself the marriage doesn’t matter—it’s a temporary measure to protect her from her guardian. Once she and Guy part ways, she’ll be free to pursue her passion. And yet, the more time she spends with the mercenary, the more he awakens other passions.

Their pretend marriage begins to feel very real, but Guy’s mission for the order soon threatens both their arrangement and their very lives.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


After the deaths of her parents, Lady Sabine was sent to a convent.  Despite her escape attempts the reverent mother is determined she will be a nun.  An overheard meeting could change that for her. 
Sir Guy Lavallias is a mercenary and reputedly the best swordsman in England.  He and his brothers in arms are known as The Order of the Broken Blade.  Their mission is to save England from a corrupt King John.  Treason is a very dangerous undertaking. 
For a previously sheltered young lady our heroine has more than her share of courage and determination.  Our hero has only known fighting his whole life.  The only people who really know him are his friends in the Order. 
There is a lot of danger and excitement in this story.  The characters are fabulous.  Each book in the series is linked to the others.  It would be better to read the series in order,  but each one is a complete story on it's own. 
I've loved both of the ones I've read. 


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Cecelia Mecca is the author of steamy historical romance that transports readers to the middle ages. A former English teacher, Cecelia combines two of her passions, romance novels and the middle ages, transporting readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles. Her first series, set along the Anglo-Scottish border in 13th century Northumbria, turned Cecelia from educator to full-time author. Readers love the Border Series for its focus on well-developed characters and their steamy relationships leading to satisfying happily ever afters. Cecelia lives in Northeast, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children where she can be found either planning a Disney trip, watching period dramas or convincing her children to watch Star Wars. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.




23/07/2019

The Blacksmith (Order of the Broken Blade #1) by Cecelia Mecca. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Lance Wayland has a secret purpose for becoming Stanton Castle’s new master smith. He and his three closest friends are the founding members of the Order of the Broken Blade, formed to blunt the power of King John, whose outrageous taxes and unjust laws have taken a toll on the country they love. To succeed, they need money and men, both of which they can get from the Earl of Stanton. Lance’s mission is of vital importance, and can only be waylaid by one thing—his interest in the earl’s lovely daughter.

Idalia knows better than to think she’ll be allowed to marry a smith, yet Lance Wayland is the most compelling man she’s ever met—a welcome diversion from the stresses of running Stanton Castle and her mother’s illness. Although she knows the entanglement can go nowhere, their connection grows stronger each time they see each other, until she begins to forget all the reasons they should stay apart.

Although fate seems determined to keep them apart, Lance and Idalia are drawn together like moths to a flame. But can Lance pursue the woman he loves without betraying the order to which he’s pledged his troth?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Lance Wayland is only a blacksmith, but he and three of his friends have formed the "Order of the Broken Blade" . Their common cause is to find enough Lords and soldiers that can put pressure on King John to stop his excessive taxation.  To approach the wrong person could see any of them charged with treason,  so great care is needed. 
Idalia Stanton has gradually taken on the role of Lady of the castle because her elder sister has married and her mother is very sick.  She is capable and enjoying it,  but the work is all consuming.  The new blacksmith is proving to be a distraction. 
The early days of undercover investigation bring us a lovely adventure.  Our heroine is an intelligent young woman with a loving but protective father who is worrying about many important things . Our hero has found a place he could call home at a time when it is far too dangerous to allow anyone to get close to him. 
This is the first book in a series that is going to give us lots of great characters and even more excitement. 
I loved it and can't wait for the next one. 


SNIPPET FROM THE BLACKSMITH

“More than that, I would like nothing more than to lay you down on that altar, strip you of every bit of clothing, and show you much, much more than a simple kiss.”

He stood so close now Lance could smell the unique scent of citrus blossom that was Lady Idalia of Stanton. 

“What,” she asked, swallowing, “would you show me?”

The combination of curiosity and fear in her tone, in her gaze, told him she knew this was wrong. It was madness, really. But she asked, so he answered.

“I would show you every song your body is capable of singing. I would show you what it means to die the little death and come back to life. I would show you all of me.”

That last bit, he’d not meant to say. 
................

**Join Blood & Brawn to get the first extended sneak peek.**



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Cecelia Mecca is the author of steamy historical romance that transports readers to the middle ages. A former English teacher, Cecelia combines two of her passions, romance novels and the middle ages, transporting readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles. Her first series, set along the Anglo-Scottish border in 13th century Northumbria, turned Cecelia from educator to full-time author. Readers love the Border Series for its focus on well-developed characters and their steamy relationships leading to satisfying happily ever afters. Cecelia lives in Northeast, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children where she can be found either planning a Disney trip, watching period dramas or convincing her children to watch Star Wars. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.