Reviewer: Janet Davies
Title: Her Majesty, My Love
Author: Sharon Long
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-304-4
Release Date: January 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: England 1815
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Sharon's Website: www.sharonlong.com
The year is 1815 and Princess Isabella of Leaudor is in England looking for allies. Unrest has struck her homeland. Her family has been killed. There is no one left but her to claim the thrown of Leaudor. In order to claim the throne she needs help. But when she turns to the King of England for aid, it seems he too is an enemy. Or is he?
Simon Rothmore, the Earl of Merrick, is an agent in His Majesty’s secret service. He is aware of the turmoil in the country of Leaudor. Any possible civil unrest in Leaudor may lead to trouble with England’s old enemy France. Merrick needs to find the last surviving member of the Leaudorian royal family. The problem is Princess Isabella is not about to be taken by force by anyone for whatever reason.
Since the deaths of her family, Isabella has had to rely on her wits. She isn’t about to be protected by Merrick when she is insure what his true motives are for protecting her. Besides, Isabella is more than capable of looking after herself. This impresses Merrick. It makes his job easier. Now he just has to get her to trust him.
Danger lurks at every turn as Isabella, accompanied by Merrick, returns to her homeland to reclaim the throne. She has a map that will lead her to ancient relics that will enable her to attain the crown of Leaudor. However to fulfill her destiny she must trust in her faith and overcome a series of challenges.
Her Majesty, My Love is full of intrigue and adventure. There is not a dull moment. There is an excellent unexpected twist in the plot that I did not see coming. I enjoyed that surprise. The other thing I liked was the change of pace in the book as the characters went from trying to survive in England to going on a mystical quest in Leaudor to reclaim a birthright.
Princess Isabella is strong, independent and totally competent in everything she does. I like the fact she can save the day and the hero if she has to. I also enjoyed the fact the Merrick went from thinking of her as the weaker sex to someone who was clearly his equal in all things. All the characters are well written. I especially like the monk Father Ling and just knew there was more to Merrick’s best friend.
There is a strong theme of duty and honor in Her Majesty, My Love. Duty to your country, to your head of state and to the people. But there is also the question about what duty you owe yourself and are you willing to sacrifice happiness for duty.
This is a slow burning love story that goes from protecting someone for reasons of honor and status to loving someone just because they are the one person you want. A very enjoyable read.
Janet
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