Tracie Peterson offers readers a trilogy of medieval historical short romances.Arianne is fearful of the man to whom her father has arranged a marriage for her. Could this person, a duke, be the same kind of man her father is? In the second story Helena bravely runs from the future her overbearing step brother has planned for her. Her heart has been set on a man she has loved from childhood days. These two stories actually blend together very nicely. There has been abuse which both young women have endured, causing distrust and fear. There is action including an overrun castle, escape, a murder mystery and more.
I had a hard time adjusting to the third story because I had assumed it would involve a character from the previous two. As I read further about Mary, a physician's daughter who narrowly escapes a ruthless crowd and helps a knight rescue children in dire circumstances I realized I did like the story.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my unsolicited opinion about it. Each story was interesting with information about the time period. I appreciated the message of faith throughout. I could see what it may have been like as an awakening to the fact that God waa the one to worship and not the church.
This book reminded me of Melanie Dickerson's stories which I also enjoy. I give it a 4.5.

These are three tales in total. Two books are from one series while the third is from a different. This is my first from this author. I was pleasantly surprised of how forthright the author placed the importance of a relationship with Christ. She spells it out no holds bar. This is definitely a Christian novel not just clean and sweet but up front Christian. A breath of fresh air in the fiction Christian genre. I have been looking for such an author and I have found it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

These three novellas were published many years ago but the clever and insightful Tracie Peterson writes with such skill that you would never know. The first two stories have a connection with brothers as the heroes. I was particularly impressed with the essence of faith that is intertwined with the stores. Oftentimes the faith aspect can be an afterthought but the pacing of each story shows how it is faith and the struggles of the characters with their faith that drives the story.

I love Tracie Peterson so VERY much and was excited to see 2 of my favorite stories of hers in one collection. I was actually JUST thinking about Arianne's story this week.

Tracie's writing is so beautiful and some of my very favorite stories are written by her. HIGHLY recommend Tracie and this collection to anyone that enjoys a good love story.

As I began reading the first novella in Kingdom of Love, I quickly realized that this book was a repackaged version of Castles, a four-part novella collection released by Tracie Peterson a number of years ago. I had devoured Castles as a teen, thoroughly swept away by the tales of knights and maidens and the romance and dangers that swirled around them.

While Tracie Peterson's incredible writing talent has grown over the years, I still enjoyed revisiting the heroes and heroines in Kingdom of Love. The knights are still dashing, the heroines are still strong, and the romance is very sweet. I think this book would appeal more so to the NA market, but avid Tracie Peterson fans will find much to like in this medieval escape.


Many thanks to Netgalley and Barbour Books for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

Kingdom of Love by Tracie Peterson offers a collection of three medieval novellas that transport readers to a world of romance, redemption, and faith in historical England. While each novella stands on its own, they share common themes of love, liberty, and the challenges faced by courageous women. The characters are well-developed, and the stories are filled with historical detail and religious exploration. While the writing may feel somewhat dry and the narrative lacks an epic, transporting effect, the collection delivers engaging tales that provide a glimpse into medieval romance and redemption. For readers seeking a historical and faith-infused escape to the past, Kingdom of Love is a worthy choice.

These are the first stories from Tracie Peterson I’ve read. Unbelievable, since I’ve so many of them on my TBR list! I thoroughly enjoyed her story lines and the way she weaved history and faith into every element of the book! And she didn’t shy away from the faith aspect. God’s abilities and faithfulness through the hard and messy parts of life was very much a part of these stories. I am looking forward to reading more of her books in the near future.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’ve read and enjoyed Tracie Peterson’s books but this one was not for me. Most probably because this was a reprint of much earlier works.

Still, people who enjoy historical romances with touches of spiritual elements might enjoy this.

3 stars.

This trilogy of Medieval stories is a mix of suspense, romance and intrigue. Book 1 begins with Richard and Arianne - a couple betrothed to marriage who have never met. On the day of introduction, Richard sees the true colors of Arianne's father and whisks her away to his castle and a hasty wedding. Arianne is terrified that she has married a man just like her father, but surprisingly Richard is just the opposite. As they get to know each other, more comes to light concerning Richard's family background. Suddenly, while Richard is away, the castle is under siege and Arianne becomes a hostage. A nemesis from the past enters and only through the compassion and selflessness of Arianne is evil averted. Book 2 continues to weave the story but this time with Tancred - Richard's brother - returning after 11 years in exile. Together the two are determined to uncover who is responsible for the death of their parents. Enter Helena - running from a difficult family situation - who seeks asylum with Arianne and Richard. When Tancred and Helena meet - what will become of a friendship started years ago? Through an evil plot and sinister plans of a family member time is running out before all is lost. Hang on for the grand finale! Book 3 takes place in 1349 when the Bubonic Plaque is wreaking havoc on England. Mary Beckett and her father, a physician, are trying to help care for those who are sick and dying. Unfortunately, her father is accused of consorting with the devil and is murdered at their home. Escaping with her life, Mary presses on towards Norhtern England in hopes of finding a grandmother she has never met. Along the way she begins to collect orphaned children and when she stops at a monastery for rest, she meets Peter Donne. Peter, a knight on the king's business, has acquired an orphan boy as well in his travels. Joining forces the two work together to help the children and work on a fledgling romance. I hightly recommend this book of three novellas!

It has been a while since I've read Tracie Peterson and I enjoy medieval romances so I started the book with high expectations. I liked the faith thread in the stories and definitely enjoyed learning about the culture and customs of medieval England. I did not love the abrupt interjections of "old" English into modern-sounding conversation and characters felt somewhat two-dimensional. My favorite faith journey was Tancred's in Alas My Love. This story also had a dash of mystery and intrigue and also tied up the loose ends from the first story. If Only took the reader through the bubonic plague that ravaged Europe in 1340s and gave a pretty chilling account of those who nursed the sick; and yet there was hope and faith and joy in the midst of the suffering.
If you love Tracie Peterson and medieval fiction, you may love this book.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Always telling myself I want to read more Medieval romance and thought these shorter reads would be a good way to get some Dark Ages swooning in. I read two out of three of these novellas. Might come back to the third one, but for now, calling it good.

There was a lot to enjoy in these first two that are related (the third one is a separate story years later). I’ll just get out of the way that, though hard to pinpoint, this writing was a bit dry for me, the jumpy omniscient POV took getting used to, and, though there were generous mentions of the British Medieval way of life and customs, I missed an epic, transporting effect to sweep me away. Won’t go into detail, but I also was disappointed by some story/ relationship progression choices that made the characterizations and trope execution lose tension and interest for me.

I did love that the first book is an arranged marriage, and I did love how the second is a villain redemption story with childhood unrequited pining. How personalfaith in God in relation to how religion was viewed then is interwoven with the character arcs was great to see.

I would say give these a try if you have a Medieval quick itch to scratch. Maybe it’s just me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher a chance to read this ARC.

Content notes: Kissing Only, on page toxic family members, heroines on page suffering from bodily harm and peril. Mention of murder. Predominant faith and Christian religion aspects.

I am not a fan of this book. For starters, the character development was pitiful. Arianne is about as boring of a character as has ever graced a page, but apparently she's the most beautiful creature in the entire world. That's pretty much her entire characterization. Does Peterson delve into the possibilities of her abuse at the hands of her father? Not much. There was also no rising action with Tancred. It seemed like she was in peril, she wasn't, she was, she wasn't, etc so much my head was spinning. Tancred was the most interesting character both in that story and the second. Yet again, Peterson just missed the mark. He could have been so fascinating as a flawed hero, but instead everything just seemed really contrived, the action rushed, and the conflict suddenly disappeared. For her part, Helena is a milksop and rather boring. To have such devotion to someone she hasn't seen since childhood is just a bit absurd.

So why 3 stars? It's because of the third book. Mary and Peter were refreshingly well fleshed out considering that this is a novella. (Further proof that the first 2 stories were poor writing and not just a casualty of the novella genre.) Their relationship seemed believable and actually had some fighting in it! Mary's conversion doesn't make her perfect which stands out in contrast to Helena and Arianne. I also thought it was interesting to tackle a story and romance in the middle of the Black Death. Altogether, the 3rd story is the only one worth your time.

Before "Kingdom of Love" I'd never read anything by Tracie Peterson, although I knew she'd written a heap of books. I was thankful when NetGalley and Barbour Publishing allowed me an advanced copy of her Medieval romances as I'm a fan of the time period.

My initial impression of the first story, "A Kingdom Divided," was, well, threaded with disappointment. The tale, albeit sweet, read like a story one might read from an inexperienced author. The copyright at the beginning of the bookset listed this story and the second as mid-1990s in origin, so that might be the reason.

The first two stories were related (about two brothers), and I did enjoy the journey the characters travelled. Richard and Arianne experienced some crazy moments together (and apart), as did Tancred and Helena. But my favourite was the third story set during the plague and unrelated to the earlier stories. Peter and Mary's romance was unique as they separately navigated the horrors of the disease before they met, and joined forces to help ailing people and orphaned children.

Overall, I found the stories enjoyable to read once I came to terms with the simplicity of the first story.

NB I received an ARC of this novel.

Kidnapping. . .Murder. . .Revenge.
If Only the Fortress Walls Could Talk!

A Kingdom Divided
Raised in a home filled with violence, Arianne Pemberton experiences love and gentleness only after her arranged marriage to Richard, Duke of Gavenshire. But before she can feel confident both in Richard's love and in God's personal care for her, a mysterious enemy from Richard's Past over-powers the castle and takes Arianne hostage. Who is Tancred, and why is he set on revenge? What fuels the animosity between the two men? Exercising her new faith, Arianne risks her life to restore peace and unite a kingdom divided.

Alas, My Love
England in the Middle Ages is far from a jolly place for an unprotected young woman. Yet the savagery of her stepbrother and the devious schemes of her stepsister have given golden-haired Helena Talbot little choice. She must find shelter elsewhere. Afforded protection by the magnanimouse Duke of Gavenshire, Helena nonetheless lives under an assumed name, ever fearful her whereabouts will be revealed to her stepbrother. Only one dream transports her above her worries, the desire that one day she will be reunited with brave Tancred. Years have passed since they were together and now an ocean and a king's decree keep them apart. But are those obstacles stronger than a woman's prayer for love?

If Only
The year is 1349, the place, England. As the bubonic shadow spreads across the land, Mary Beckett finds herself alone and desperate. Her father, a physician who has been accused of consorting with the devil, has been murdered. Even her own interest in medicine has brought cries of witchcraft. Mary's only hope is to journey north to the home of her godly grandmother, a woman her father once rejected. Doctors and pilgrims will cross her path, and, last but not least, Peter Donne, a knight on a mission from the king. Hundreds will beg her to heal them. Will Mary Beckett, a lonely pilgrim herself, find a way to help her people and herself? If only she could reach her grandmother's home, if only she could find her own way to God. . . .

This book kept my interest from the beginning, all the way through all three books. I love to read anything based in this time period, and will look forward to many more!

Three very sweet, short stories. A great beach read when you want positive faith vs chaos.

I highly recommend this book especially if you need your faith reinforced. Miracles of God’s love are not random events and reading wonderful stories like these are a great reminder.

The first two stories connect and the third is a different group of characters- all medieval. I enjoyed the first two better than the last.

I highly recommend. Especially when life isn’t great. Gob Bless.

I just reviewed Kingdom of Love by Tracie Peterson. #KingdomofLove #NetGalley

This is a book I would normally skip (the time ear) but I was drawn to the cover and I am a huge fan of hers so I knew I need to read it. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley from my honest review.

This is an interesting read. Three medieval novellas. Travel back to the days of knights and ladies.
The first two tales tie together and have some mystery. I was disappointed the third story didn’t continue with the characters of the first two.
But each story is an interesting read with plenty of time accurate detail added in.

This collection takes readers back to Medieval England, when knights served their king, when Lords served their king and answered his summons with their armies, and when their ladies bore up the duties of home while they were away. Two of the stories in the collection are connected and the third one is not. However, I felt the three stories fit together well in the collection. The book is well written. The characters are deep and real to life. The lessons learned are hard but relevant even to readers today. The conflicts are historically accurate as far as I can tell. The history, although not the main purpose of the stories, is well presented. I highly recommend this collection to lovers of fiction, historical fiction, and medieval fiction.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review. The thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.

I have enjoyed reading Medieval Christian fiction in the past, and was looking forward to reading Kingdom of Love. This book is a collection of three novellas. I felt the stories were just meh. I didn't hate them, but they weren't great either. The first two stories felt sappy. A bit simple, like for teen girls. The heroine in the second story just faints when things get tough or the author needs a pause for dramatic emphasis. That bugged me. The third story sounded familiar, so I checked my Nook. Sure enough I already own it. It's a repeat from the 2000's repackaged with the other stories.

So, my opinion, not recommended reading unless you are bored and have nothing else to read. No offense to the author. She's written some great books. These didn't do it for me.

Kingdom of Love is a collection of three medieval novellas that are intertwined with their characters. Each of them has to deal with a major SOMETHING be it intrigued, murder, ect. And they learn that the love of God and the love of a man and woman can truly last through anything that comes.

Of the three women, I definitely liked Helena the least. LOL. But I did like her love interest "Tanny" because of his change from story #1 to story #2. The whole deal with that story though was just weird. Pretty sure Maude was a psychopath.

I felt like this was a book reminicent of Jody Hedlund's books in the same era.

I give this a solid 3.5 stars. i didn't love it, but I liked it. And it deserves more than 3 stars. But I will do 4 for the sake of the rating system.