Summary: THE GREATEST PASSION
Lady Isobel Hume is an expert swordswoman who knows how to choose her battles. When the king asks her to wed a French nobleman to form a political alliance, she agrees. But that's before the devilishly charming Sir Stephen Carleton captures her heart-and tempts her to betray her betrothed, her king, and her country.

IS WORTH THE GREATEST PERIL
Sir Stephen Carleton enjoys his many female admirers-until he dedicates himself to winning the lovely Isobel. So when a threat against the king leads Isobel into mortal danger, Stephen has a chance to prove that he is more than a knight of pleasure...and that love can conquer all.



I have read a ton of romance novels, many of them excellent, some not so excellent. This book is the first romance novel I have ever read that truly captures the essence of raw lust. It actually places your brain in the equation and you can see the characters, their feelings, emotions, and the total scope of the decisions they are making when they choose to be together. It is breathe taking and totally amazingly written...I was in complete shock as I was turning each page, that it continued to be the perfect representation of what a normal person feels like in that situation. I know the author must have put some of herself in these characters. I am still a bit shaky after reading it...crazy. I know, what's the big deal? its just a romance novel? I know this...but as I said no romance novel I have ever read made my mind latch to emotions and situations as fiercely as this one did. Ok, on to the rest of this...the plot was good, I don't know the history of King Henry V but everything seemed pretty normal, no crazy twists of history from what I can tell. It moved at a pretty good pace and there was no waiting around or gratuitous love-making inserts. The characters are amazing, and I can't wait to read the next book as well...I noticed that the two main characters in the next book should be together already before I read the next novel's page.


*generously provided for review by Forever, an imprint of Hachette Book Group*

Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/11/book-review-and-giveaway-knight-of.html

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On the back of the book Bertrice Small says "... in the tradition of Gellis and Woodwiss" and she's on the mark. More Gellis than Woodwiss, things seem pretty dark for the couple until very late in the book. This type of story isn't my favorite, but it's a strong story, told well. Mallory doesn't go too heavy on period detail, but she is very true to the time period, it feels true to life.

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This is the second in the All the King's Men series and, as noted in my review of Knight of Desire, is being read because the third book in the series is being read by my book club and I as I've stated before, I'm a firm believer that series should be read in order.

In this book, Prince Harry is now King Henry and his army's have recently taken Burgundy in France. Our two star-struck lovers are Sir Stephen Carleton and Lady Isobel Hume. Sir Carleton is the half-brother of Lord William FitzAlan, who was raised from about age 12 by FitzAlan and his wife, and is now serving the King at Caen Castle in Burgundy. Lady Isobel has been widowed by her much older husband, a man who betrayed her by bequeathing his lands to another man and left Lady Hume with three choices: marry the man who will inherit the Hume land (a man she despises), go back to her father and hope he can arrange a new marriage for her (most likely the same type of marriage as her marriage to Hume -- a repulsive old man) or go to Caen Castle and marry a French lord and help secure the alliance between England and the newly conquered French people. She chooses the French lord.

Lady Isobel has been raised as quite the tomboy and while extremely beautiful, she is also quite proficient with the sword. Upon her arrival at Caen Castle, she mistakenly thinks that Sir Stephen is the man she is intended to marry but soon learns that he is not and that her betrothed has not yet come to the castle. She is soon quite relieved to learn that he is not her betrothed for she quickly views him as a lady's man who will never commit himself to one woman. All the women throwing themselves at him don't do much to prove her wrong.

But, as with all our favorite romance novels, the two are attracted to each other, but neither is willing to admit their true desire and constant misunderstandings ensue.

Then, Lady Isobel's betrothed arrives and despite a multitude of efforts to delay the official betrothal, the event is forced by King Henry and Lady Isobel is forced to leave with him, despite the danger that awaits her.

Can Stephen arrive on time to rescue his lady and prove that the that only pleasure he truly desires is Lady Isobel?

Yes, the last sentence is quite the moot point -- of course he does. But really, isn't the adventure in the getting there the twists and turns the story takes to get the couple to realize they belong together? Of course it is.

I really like this series -- in fact, I now hope that she write many more.

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This book was even better then the first , read it in a day and a half. Like the first one it is desire all wrapped up in adventure.

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