From Publishers Weekly
In the second book of Becnel's medieval trilogy, Englishman Jasper FitzHugh has spent the last 10 years helping his brother clear Welsh loyalists such as Rhonwen ap Tomas from the wild woods of Wales. Jasper remembers Rhonwen as the child who once saved his life. Now she is a beautiful, stubborn temptress who stirs his lust and his ire: she tries to assassinate him, steals his horse and then breaks into his home, kidnapping his niece. In retaliation, he captures her alleged lover, the rebel leader Rhys, and demands the return of his nieceAand Rhonwen as wellAin exchange. When she reluctantly agrees, Jasper loses no time in bedding Rhonwen, and soon she becomes a pawn in a deadly plot against her new lover. Torn between loyalty and love, Rhonwen fleesAstraight into the arms of a new and treacherous enemy. Becnel (The Bride of Rosecliffe) brings the Middles Ages to life with an elaborate plot, daring adventures and satisfyingly complex characters. (June) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The sequel to Becnel's The Bride of Rosecliffe (1998), this is another captive-captor story set in 12th-century Wales, when the English were first building their castles. Rhonwen is a Welsh loyalist. Jasper FitzHugh is the younger brother of the English lord of the castle. Ten years ago, as a child, Rhonwen saved Jasper's life, and now they meet again when she tries to kill him. When she is given to Jasper as a hostage in exchange for a captured leader of the loyalists, Rhonwen is torn between her hatred for all English and the strong attraction she feels for Jasper. She fears the worst but instead learns the power of love. Becnel's latest work features thoroughly enjoyable characters and is strongly plotted and quickly paced. And her subtly formal prose style lends itself nicely to the medieval setting. This romance should appeal to fans of Penelope Williamson. Ann Bouricius


Book Description
In the wildwood surrounding Rosecliffe Castle, Welsh rebels plot to destroy their English interlopers. Fiercely loyal to the Welsh cause, Rhonwen ap Tomas has nothing but hatred for the English--until destiny finds her seduced by her enemy, kissed into submission by a man she sought to kill, who now takes her prisoner.

Through Rhonwen saved his life when they were children, her role in the plot to destroy his family demands Jasper FitzHugh show no mercy to his beautiful captive. Yet he is ravaged by his desire to take this unruly vixen in his bed and show her that it is far more pleasurable to make love than war.

Caught up in a maelstrom of warring emotions, neither can predict the treachery that will force them to choice, once and for all, between their loyalties and their love...

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In the second book of Becnel's medieval trilogy, Englishman Jasper FitzHugh has spent the last 10 years helping his brother clear Welsh loyalists such as Rhonwen ap Tomas from the wild woods of Wales. Jasper remembers Rhonwen as the child who once saved his life. Now she is a beautiful, stubborn temptress who stirs his lust and his ire: she tries to assassinate him, steals his horse and then breaks into his home, kidnapping his niece. In retaliation, he captures her alleged lover, the rebel leader Rhys, and demands the return of his niece--and Rhonwen as well--in exchange. When she reluctantly agrees, Jasper loses no time in bedding Rhonwen, and soon she becomes a pawn in a deadly plot against her new lover. Torn between loyalty and love, Rhonwen flees--straight into the arms of a new and treacherous enemy. Becnel (The Bride of Rosecliffe) brings the Middles Ages to life with an elaborate plot, daring adventures and satisfyingly complex characters. (June) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Aileen Cassidy - Romantic Times