Sandy M’s review of Knight Dreams (Knight of the Swan, Book 1) by C.C. Wiley
Historical Paranormal Romance ebook published by Samhain 6 Oct 09
I always like trying new authors, and it’s very intriguing when they’re also a debut author. C. C. Wiley has given readers a good first historical story they can sink their teeth into. She’s chosen an interesting time in history, along with the beauty of Welsh landscape, engaging characters, and has given us even a bit of the paranormal.
Terrwyn is the oldest daughter of a Welsh lord, and her reputation with a bow and arrow precedes her, so much so that the King’s men come looking for the famed archer to recruit him for the crown, not knowing they truly seek a woman. When her mother dies trying to give her father another son for the one lost to them all years before, Terrwyn finally flees her home to find the brother she failed to protect when the English had come looking for soldiers.
Her plan seems like a good one when she begins her journey, but soon Terrwyn is up against odds that prove to be difficult for one lone woman. But she has an intelligent and calm head on her shoulders, thinks fast, and works her way out of trouble when it comes along. Until she meets up with Sir James Frost anyway.
Half English and half Welsh, James is a confidante of the King, gathering information where and when he can while traveling with the militia. Realizing it’s Terrwyn, the beautiful young maiden he met while in her village, posing as a boy and the elusive archer the army has been looking for, he tries to protect her, but they soon find themselves shackled to one another to be taken before the King on charges of treason.
Making their escape is not easy, but eventually they’re on the run to clear their names. At least that’s what James thinks. Terrwyn will not be swayed from her search for her brother, even when she realizes her growing feelings for James. And that’s a little bit of a sore point for me.
I felt Terrwyn’s stubbornness, suspiciousness of James, loyalty to her brother/family went on a little too long in the face of both her attraction to James and how hard and dangerous the journey is on her by virtue of being a woman among military men. James is fairly upfront about his feelings, but she’s never quite as honest as she should be with the man and carries it on for far too long. I think that’s what kept me from totally believing in their relationship until it was nearly too late.
Terrwyn does have the ability of psychic visions of the future, and I realize that she sees her brother in these visions and that’s why she keeps moving forward to find him, but her visions are usually not clear and concise and she can never be sure of the eventual outcome; thus my problem with her not giving in sooner when James offers help, though that help would have to come after his duty to the King is finished, which is something Terrwyn can’t abide by.
Once she does accept her feelings for the man and decides to trust him, I thoroughly enjoyed them working together toward a common solution. I just wanted that to happen a mite sooner. They face danger around every corner, but that makes them and the reader relish their few bright spots along the way all the more.
Ms. Wiley has done her research very well. She has perfectly captured the feel of the era she’s chosen, her history is rich and detailed. The secondary characters are varied and some are not quite what they seem. I was surprised a time or two with a couple of the characters’ choices. For a first book, this author has done an admirable job and she will only get better with each successive book. I look forward to watching her grow.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Wales, 1415
Terrwyn, the daughter of a dispossessed Welsh lord, is blessed with unusual talents. Her skill with a bow and cursed ability to dream the future, however, didn’t save her younger brother from conscription into the English army.
To honor a deathbed promise, she sets out to bring him home—and discovers that one of the king’s knights holds the key to locating her brother. Now she must stay close to her sworn enemy…and try to ignore the growing heat between them. A difficult task, when they wind up manacled together.
Sir James Frost, confidante to King Henry V, can trust no one, particularly the young Welsh maiden impersonating an archer within the ranks. With treason brewing, the last thing he needs is the secretive beauty chained to his side. The connection between them, though, becomes stronger than any links of metal.
When an assassination plot places their lives in jeopardy, James is torn between duty and the woman he loves. He must choose where his fealty lies…and Terrwyn must decide if changing Fate is worth the price.
Read an excerpt.
