This is not a book that will change your life but if you're looking for a quick, undemanding & romantic read to provide a little escapism, give this a try. Especially if you enjoy historical drama. Set in medieval Britain, it tells the story of Lady Joanna Preston. She's a young woman sent to a convent at the age of 12 after her mother committed suicide. She saw how a "suitable" marriage could turn out so has sworn to become a nun.
Unbeknownst to her, her father & his son are now dead, leaving her as the sole heiress to Oxwich Castle, a property coveted by King John as well as his enemies due to its' strategic location. She's now an important pawn in their treacherous games.
Sir Rylan Kempe, Lord of Blaecston, understands the significance of Oxwich & tracks down Joanna, determined to marry her off to a political ally. Much to his surprise, she has rather strong ideas of what her future will be & it includes a veil, not some stranger for a husband. But he's a man used to being obeyed so if he has to kidnap her to achieve his goal, such is life.
Before he can get her home, she's taken from him & sent to London where she becomes the ward of King John. He has another "suitable" union in mind to secure her birth right.
What follows is a story of political intrigue & machinations at a time when young women were expected to be seen & not heard while doing what they were told & popping out heirs. The author plays a little fast & loose with the customs of the time but, hey...this is romantic fiction.
Rylan is portrayed as an alpha type of guy, unused to being challenged by a mere woman. Joanna comes off as a bit immature but she did grow up in a convent. As expected, there is a budding attraction & the author provides enough scenes of steamy seduction to heat up the pages. There are several peripheral characters of note & side stories to flesh out the plot but our hero & heroine are front & centre and their HEA is never much in doubt.
Over all, an easy historical read that won't tax your grey matter & provide a little escapism from your tough day in reality. ( )

A Dove at Midnight by Rexanne Becnel was originally published in 1993. This is a DRC copy provided to me by Open Road Media and Netgalley for an honest review. This book is now available in digital format.
Lady Joanna witnessed something truly terrible as a child. As soon as she is able , she moves to a convent and waits for the day she can say her vows and become a nun.
When Joanna' s father and his wife and son died, Joanna becomes the sole heir. In medieval England, this places Joanna in the middle of a political tug of war.
Rylan decides that Joanna must be informed of her father's death and he must bring her back to be married to a man he will choose for her. This will prevent King John from gaining control of Joanna' s kingdom.
When Rylan informs Joanna that she must return home and marry, she literally laughs in his face. She has no intention of leaving the convent. After his best attempts at persuasion, Rylan kidnaps Joanna.
Rylan has his hands full with Joanna. She is far from the plain, biddable , demure nun wannabe he expected. Beautiful and fiery, Joanna fights him every step of the way.
But, when they are waylaid by the king' s men, Joanna finds herself in an even worse situation in the king' s court. Joanna and her friend must marry men chosen for them based on political and monetary advantages. When Rylan arrives, things really get interesting. Rylan begins plotting to get Joanna away from the John's grasp.
Due to circumstances beyond her control, Joanna finds herself having to face the horrible demons of her childhood.
This was a great medieval romance. Joanna holds on to her need to stay unmarried and in control of her future with all her might. Rylan can't understand why Joanna is so opposed to marriage. He suspects something sinister, but Joanna will not confide in him. He is single minded about his task, believing Joanna will come around once she is wed. What he didn't count on was his attraction to her and her ability to out
think him. Neither of them could imagine that one day they would work together for a common goal, and find true love in the bargain.
This one gets an A. ( )

By: Rexanne Becnel
Published By: Dell
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Review:

"A Dove At Midnight" by Rexanne Becnel was a story of this medieval time in England's history where the you will see how their custom and politics played out to give the reader a 'well crafted love story' in this era. We find Joanna is scared on marriage and men due to what had happened to her mother. With the death of her father Joanna became a 'lynchpin in a power struggle of King John's reign.' With these times be most turbulent at this time, Sir Rylan Kempe who opposes the kind will kidnap her from the convent with the idea of marrying her off to a ally, however, Joanna will end the King's ward and later ...well to get the rest of the story, you must pickup "A Dove at Midnight" and see how, who and what will happen. I liked the story and if you are in to medieval history you will possibly enjoy it also. You will find all of the characters all very interesting in one way or the other. Some even colorful. Be ready for some interesting dynamics that will go on between Joanna and Rylan....with Joanna being so irritating and naive and then Ryan being the mature and arrogant and also 'politically adapted. All in all this novel will keep you turning the page will all of its twist and turns that are presented.

If you are in for a good medieval historical romance, I would recommend "A Dove at Midnight" to you as a good read. ( )