Search - Dark Champion

I hated this book. It started out well, and was well written. But the undercurrent of violence towards women made me a bit uneasy. Then came the big payoff. A very artificial and contrived scene which seemed to be there only to support the male lead whipping the female lead. We are to believe that him whipping her, no doubt leaving a lifelong scar across her back, is a sign that he loves her.

There's enough violence to women in the world already, it doesn't need to be glorified and excused, as it is here. Although she's clearly a skilled writer, I would never buy or pick up another Jo Beverly book. I felt dirty for reading it, and it bothered me for days after finishing it.

Read this one before Lord of Midnight

Damsels in distress and knights of olde

Orphaned and desperate, Imogen of Carrisford flees when a brutal lord invades and takes possession of her castle. There is only one man she can turn to for help: FitzRoger of Cleeve, who is rumored to be a ruthless champion in battle. Imogen is stunned at the very sight of him, yet she dares not trust this warrior to put her desires before his own. But even as she vows independence, she finds herself succumbing to the gentle fury of a warrior's love...