Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: Dark Rider
Author: Kathrynn Dennis
Publisher: Zebra
ISBN-10: 1-4201-0047-5
Release Date: September 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: England, 1269
Overall Rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: Mild/Moderate
Violent Content Rating: Moderate
Kathrynn's Website: www.kdennis.com
Sir Robert Breton, a landless second son, is off to the Holy Wars to earn enough gold to purchase land for himself and his horses. When his horses turn up lame the night before they leave, the Lady Eldswythe, a horsewitch, is called to save the horses. Eldswythe and Robert are sworn enemies since her father killed his father over a land. Robert wants his land portion back and seeing how it’s Eldsythe’s dowry portion, that doesn’t look like it will ever happen.
However, word of the evil Lord Gilroy attacking Eldswythe’s home forces the king to send the Lady Eldswythe back home in the care of her enemy, Robert Breton. She doesn’t know it, but the king has promised the land Robert wants to him if he is successful in conquering Lord Gilroy.
A wonderful story with strong and intelligent characters who can converse genially and then turn on each other to fight like cats and dogs. Ms. Dennis has such an apparent love of horses that it shows through her descriptions of their care and Eldswythe’s ability as a horsewitch. With both of these pig-headed characters keeping secrets from the other, I often wondered if they would live to the end of the story. There are some harrowing moments when they are trying to run from Lord Gilroy and his army in order to stay alive. There is even a mystery that unfolds during the second half of the book. The suspense drove me on to keep reading so I could figure it out.
Ms. Dennis has a well-crafted story that gives a unique look at medieval times. It’s a terrific debut novel for a talented writer.
Robyn
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