Anna Belfrage

In 2002 Alex Lind disappears only to be found by Matthew Graham on a Scottish Moor. Thus starts this time travel novel by Anna Belfrage. I first read this book back in 2015 but never wrote a review! Shame on me. I have read the books that followed this one along with other series by the author.

I am a huge fan of time travel and in my mind, better than Outlander. Alex Lind is a computer engineer who has had her share of trauma and Matthew is an escaped convict running away to his homeland, Scotland.

The transition into the 1700's for Alex is challenging to say the least and that someone from her past has followed her. This novel is a romance for sure but still thrilling in that Alex has not clue how-to live-in Matthew's world. Matthew on the other hand is very intrigued by this person from another time. They do manage to co-exist amongst the challenges that this relationship brings, making this a love story of all times.

I really enjoyed this first book, thus reading more of them.

I give the book 5 stars of course!… (plus d'informations)

I have been a fan of Anna's work and this the third book in the Castilian Saga is one of her best. This book is the continuation of the story of Robert and Noor FitzStephan. They have come back to England after their problems in Spain which is in the previous book.

Robert's half-brother Eustace de Lamont hates Robert with a passion and he includes Noor in his hatred to the point of sending would be assassins to kill Robert so Eustace can take over Roberts's property and anything else he deems to be his, including Noor.

Robert and Noor are also having issues with Queen Eleanor because they have a "foundling" that they have taken in. The Queen wants them to turn over the child because she feels that he is a Welsh upstart.

Anna is adept at describing the politics and other aspects of medieval times. Her thorough research and writing make all of her books enjoyable. Like I said I have said, I have read and reviewed most of Anna's books. This one is one of the best of her series. I look forward to reading more by Anna. If you like good historical fiction, you have to read this series! I would recommend starting with His Castilian Heart the first in the series. Of course, you can read any of her books as standalone novels.

I give the book 5 stars… (plus d'informations)

First I just want to say that reading this book really makes me want to read the first book that I haven't had time to read. Not that it was hard to read Days of Sun and Glory without having read In the Shadow of the Storm, but I'm curious, I have read so much in these two books about how Kit and Adam met that I want to get the whole story. Also, for some reason, did I a couple of times during the progress of this book think that I should re-watch (or re-read) Ivanhoe as well...

Under the Approaching Dark is a fascinating book. I was quite captivated by the story. I, to be honest, didn't know much about this time period before I started to read this series. That's one thing that I like about the book. It's entertaining, and at the same time do I learn more about England during the 1400-century. Personally, the only thing I had a hard time with were the battles in the book, but that is more about my taste than anything wrong with the book. Like the rest of the book are the battles well-written, I just have a hard time being interested in reading about England fighting the Scots (especially since I feel sorry for the Scots). But, thankfully, it's just a small part of the book.c

Adam and Kit have a lot of things to deal with in this book. The loss of their son in the previous book has taken them hard, especially since the boy died when they were away and they never got to see his body. Thankfully they have each other and their love is strong. But, the world is changing around them and Adam has his duty to be at the king's side whenever he calls and Kit can not always be by Adams side. and, there is an enemy out there who wants to strike them down.

And England has a new young king after Edward II is forced to abdicate. One who has yet grown into his role. It's his mother Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who actually do the most of the governing. However, Edward is growing up, and one day the boy will be a man and a true king. What will happen with Isabella, and Roger Mortimer when the day comes? Personally, I found it's interesting that one of the most poignant scenes in this book is about Edward II. I never thought I would really like him, he was not a strong king. But, if he had been spared being king, I wonder if he had not been a much happier man.

Under the Approaching Dark is just as Days of Sun and Glory well-written and well-researched. Reading this book made me want to know more about this era. I was fascinated to learn more about the monarchy in England and France and I can't wait to read the next book!… (plus d'informations)

First, I want to say that I have read all books in this series, expect the first book. However, I'm going to rectify that. I have wanted to read In the Shadow of the Storm since I read book two, Days of Sun and Glory, and now after finishing The Cold Light of Dawn do I seriously need to go back to the beginning, to read about a happier-ish time. Honestly, The Cold Light of Dawn is a fabulous book, so good, but it's also a devastating tragic book and now has it gone two days since I finished the book and I'm still ... shell-shocked by the ending. I mean I know it was coming, but still ... dammit, Anna!

So here we are, at the ending (bah, I want more books and I will demand at least one more from Anna), young Edward III is growing more and more into the role as a king and the resentment is steadily growing toward his mother Queen Isabelle and Mortimer. And between them are Adam de Guirande, who love both men, Mortimer who is like a father to him, and Edward who Adam has sworn his liege to. In Edward can Adam see a great king, a better king than his father. However, Mortimer and Isabelle have done a great job while Edward is coming of age. Still, they are living in sin, and Edward and Mortimer are clashing more and more. It will come to blows soon and the outcome, well it will not be nice.

I loved this book. The funny thing is that I kind of forgot that February had so few days so when I started to read this day did I realize that it would be Marsh soon and my review date for the blog tour. I did not panic (much), instead did I dedicate my free hours to reading this book and it was some of my greatest hours in life. It's a compact story, not a story you just breeze through, instead, it feels like you want to savor every page, but at the same time want to know what happens next. Anna Anna Belfrage's eye for details is top-notch. From how they dressed to socials ethics. She's like Magdalena Ribbing for the Middle Ages.

I can't write this review without mentioning Adam and his wife Kit, who are caught in the power struggle between Edward and Mortimer. A lot of things happens to them in this book, both good and bad and some personal losses. And, I just want to say that I just loved following them as they navigated through the scheming in the court.

I will end this review by saying that I think Belfrage has outdone herself that the ending left me both happy and crushed and I seriously hope for at least one more book!

I want to thank the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review for a blog tour! … (plus d'informations)