This listen touched the soul. So much love, pure and innocent and with such heartfelt intensity and depth, it seared my own.

Le Veque doesn’t use a boiler-plate template for all her stories. When you’ve read one, you haven’t read any of them, except the ones you’ve read.

Lady Kathalin hasn’t had much in her life. Not mother or father or brother. She has spent her life at the abbey, serving the sick and attending the herb garden. But even the abbey is not safe from men of ill-intent. Luckily, Sir Knight Gates had come to the abbey to collect her for her parents, who’ve sent for her, at the same time an Irish group of men were intent on destruction. Even after saving her life that day, Kathalin is quite insistent not to return with him. She doesn’t know her parents, she knows the abbey, her sisters-in-God, and lashes out at Gates who eventually trusses her up and puts her on his horse to return her home, her family the House of de Lara.

Gates is a de Wolfe. If you’ve read any of Le Veque’s books, you’ve probably either heard of how great the House of de Wolfe is or have experienced in this series, de Wolfe Pack. Unfortunately, he doesn’t live up to the name of his House. Although, he is mighty on the battlefield with a close bond to his fellow warriors, he isn’t exemplar in this actions with women. Frankly, he beds them, and leaves them with or without child. Not so likeable…

Something changes in Gates when he meets Lady Kathalin. She first intrigues him, then interests him. He hasn’t met such a woman before. His feelings for her are different, softer, molding him to a new man. Others don’t see it, won’t forget his norm with women. But Lady Kathalin sees goodness in the man. Yes, he’s charming, handsome as the devil, but he has so many redeeming qualities, she can’t help but fall in love.

Gates’s liege, Jasper de Lara, Lady Kathalin’s father, cares not what Gates feels about his daughter or for her. He’s determined to marry her to the House of de Lohrs, a young knight and best friend to Gates, Sir Alexander de Lohr. I rather disliked Jasper de Lara. He’s weak, that is to say, he manipulates people with a bullying stance. Narrator Edwards helps me dislike him with his excellent portrayal of the type of man he is. On the other hand, I liked Sir Alex a lot. He is most honorable and hope to see him again in another of Le Veque’s stories. Unfortunately, he is placed in a terribly awkward situation. What is an honorable knight to do?

Another character which sent my emotions in several directions was Lady Rosamunde de Lara, who through time has been hardened by a devastating disease. Apparently, her heart is well to following her body.

One particular comment to make here. I enjoyed how Le Veque grew the love people Kathalin and Gates, her delicate handling of Gates’s feelings toward Kathalin, and how Gethyn Edwards takes it to the next level. He also is emotionally charged with the telling. Very little actually sex in this story and it suit me fine. Isn’t the journey more important than its destination?

If you love to cry, to touch pure enveloping love, this story is for you. ( )