This is another love it or hate it book, it seems. It's actually the only one of Lynn's books that I don't care for. It was well written... I won't deny that. It's just that I didn't care for the characters and the plot all that much. I love how well Lynn can portray the emotions and caring that grow between two people who really come to love each other for who they are, rather than just because of the sexual tension that most romance writers rely on. But that's kind of hard to do when the hero doesn't know who the heroine is for the majority of the book... and the heroine is so stuck between fear of her betrothed and fear of the bad guy that it takes her most of the book to start to see the tender side of that man she's betrothed to.

I still recommend this book for Jason, though. Jason de Piaget is the third son of Robin (from If I Had You), grandson of Rhys (from Another Chance to Dream), younger brother of Kendrick (from Stardust of Yesterday), and squire-that-was of Christopher of Blackmour (from This Is All I Ask). And he's one of Lynn's best characters. Unfortunately, he didn't get his own full length novel, so I like getting to know him so well in this book. (His story, To Kiss In The Shadows, is fantastic, BTW)

All-in-all... I'd still recommend that you try this book. After all... you might be one of the ones that love it!

Colin of Berkhamshire (the Butcher of Berkhamshire) has had so many betrotheds call off their engagement for various reasons that he's gotten used to it, however one lady, Alienore of Solonge doesn't bother to make up an excuse she simply disappears. Colin's pride knows that most of the women are afraid of his overrated fierce reputation but he is truly hurt that Alienore did not even bother lying, in his hurt he claims he will kill her if he ever finds her.

Alienore escapes her betrothal and her evil stepmother Marie and goes out in the disguise of a young knight, Henri. She is quickly hired to guard a young woman, Sybil, who is being sent to an unknown betrothed. Sybil also has in her guard, a quite nasty mean knight named Etienne who takes every oppurtunity to terrorize (Henri) Ali. To her horror and Sybil's, upon their arrival, Ali discovers that Sybils betrothed is none other than Colin of Berkhamshire, the one man she's been running from for 2 years. Colin is resigned to make the most of his newest betrothed and see what happens, however Sybil has a bad habit of fainting every time he appears. To keep his mind occupied, he makes it his duty to train the weak knight Henri (Ali) and protect him from the cruelty of Etienne. Etienne discovers Ali's secret and starts blackmailing her with it. Ali still believes Colin will kill her if he discovers the truth, but she can't place his deadly reputation to the kind knight who has become her guardian. Colin travels to his fathers home to find, his father has decided to betroth Sybil to his brother Peter instead of him. His father tells him he must go find his missing betrothed Alienore to claim his inheritance. During the journey, Colin discovers Henri is a she and then later figures out Henri is Ali. He knows Etienne is blackmailing her and vows to keep her safe until she is willing to tell the truth. Ali longs to tell Colin the truth but her fear of Etienne and Colin's old vow to kill her keep her quiet. Little does she know that Colin has fallen in love with her, she also loves him but fears the truth as well. The conclusion of this story is what good stories are made of, intrigue, danger, love and laughter. What a good story.