They may have wanted that, but it wasn't the expectation. Women didn't expect to marry for love, or even marry someone they knew well. To often, we put our 21st century ideas of love, and marriage into historical fiction. I especially liked the attitudes displayed by the women at the beginning of the book. As a history buff whose favorite time period is the Middle Ages, I was very impressed with the historical aspects of this book. This story, though set in a fictional country, felt well researched. I also instantly connected with Tomas and Brielle and loved getting to know them.

After reading Duty, I can't wait to read another book by her. Although I have followed her blog and Facebook page, I had yet to read one of her books. I was so excited when Rachel asked me to review this book. Survival depends on their precarious trust in each other. They must forge a marriage while battling betrayal, accusations of treason, and villains from the past. Was this man a noble or a foot soldier? Bound by the words of their vows, they face a rough future. However, she is taken aback by Lord Irvaine’s unpolished ways. When she learns her cousin sold her into marriage to save his life, she isn’t surprised. The remaining women and children face a dire winter if they do not find a solution soon. The men rode off to war and never returned. Brielle Solarius struggles to keep her village from starvation under the new Lord Wisten, her cousin.

However, no one warned him that she wasn’t a typical noblewoman. When his benefactor demands Tomas marry the cousin of a noble, he obeys. Age Appropriate For: 16 and up (for marital themes)ĭescription : Tomas Dyrease, the newly made Earl of Irvaine and the village of Wisenvale, owes his good fortune to his king and the recent civil war.

The Heart of Arcrea by Nicole Sager