Heroine - abused, blinded and virtually imprisoned by twisted, evil brother
Hero - king's mercenary, forced to marry for land

Heart-warming story of the courage that love can bring to the human spirit

Wonderful debut novel -- definitely looking forward to more from this author

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From Booklist
Robert Beaumont, fierce mercenary knight during the reign of William II, is given what he most desires, land. But he must marry the current resident, known throughout the kingdom as "Lady Deformed." Imogen Colebrook lives in fear of her brother, who has long terrorized and brutalized her, even going so far as to beat her so viciously she lost her sight. With the news of her impending marriage, she fears the worst, believing her husband is a willing participant in her brother's torture. A simple warrior, Robert has no idea of the situation he faces and is humbled when he meets Imogen, a vision of loveliness. When they marry, Robert hopes he is worthy of his good fortune as Imogen waits in her darkness while her gentle knight thaws her heart, and her brother plots to crush her. Sure to please medieval historical romance fans, this is a wonderful first effort by Brophy, who evokes fair ladies and valiant knights overcoming evil with their innate goodness and sensuous healing. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association

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Very good story line, kept my interest.

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This book has an engaging heroine, a dashing hero, and all the elements of a good romance novel.

What it does not have, however, is believability or originality.

First: the dialogue gets to the point far too quickly for my taste. People are too blunt too fast, backstory is rushed over (except, of course, for the Big Secret in the heroine's past), and emotions run hot and cold seemingly at the flick of a switch.

Second: For a period novel, the book takes nothing of actual history into account. An author's note explaining how the king was so obviously gay and nobody cared would have been nice, as would the heroine's imagined ability that her noble blood would permit her an audience with the king. The couple has sex on the floor of a dungeon, where reality is suspended, since he's been there for days at least, but where is all his excrement?

Third: This novel is DRIPPING with cliché. The lady is called Lady Deformed, when nothing is wrong with her? The hero loves her almost before he sees her, then loves her more afterward. And--SPOILER ALERT--I know of no blindness that can be cured by a fall that fails to cause a miscarriage.

The storyline is, at least gripping, the villian disgusting, and the conclusion sweet, if it does require too much suspense of disbelief. 1.5 stars.

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