The Saxon Bride

I thought the story was very entertaining and kept my interest. You have the struggle of the Norman people who are trying to claim the obedience of the Saxons. King William wants control, and in doing this he decrees that the defeated people must obey him. When the King decides that his loyal vassal John of Normandy must marry Rowena Godwinson a Saxon. She is the last remaining member of the royal family since her father was killed by the Normans. She hates all Normans who have taken away everything she has loved. Being only sixteen, she is totally against the marriage, and no way to stop it.
John is a handsome and kind man is only doing as his King has dictated and marries the girl. He also obtains lands and a title for exemplary service. Then when the marriage is completed, he is called to was by his King and leaves his bride untouched. Of course Rowena is a state of shock with all that has happened. It will be several years before John comes back and claims his bride. But Rowena is not easy to be won over and it will take John's seductive skills to bring his wife to his bed. But he really only wants her love and trust.
I appreciate Net Galley for letting me read this story for an honest review.

I liked this book, I really like Rowena and John as the main characters. Medieval romances are my favorites and I really like the natural conflict between the Normans and the Saxons. Rowena is given in marriage to John when she is 16, but he leaves right after the wedding and they do not see each other for three years. John thinks Rowena will never accept him as her husband, and Rowena believes John will never love her.
There are villains in their midst, looking to harm any trust that is built between them. I could really feel for Rowena in this story, she is the last of her family and feels very alone. Her wedding day was awful, as were many of the days before John came back to her land. John was harder to feel for, but he did want to be a good husband to Rowena. Love scenes were nice, I do like them a little hotter usually.

THE SAXON BRIDE by Ashley York is an exciting Historical Romance set in 1071-1074 England. #1 in "The Norman Conquest" and what a beginning! WOW! A Norman Knight and a Saxon Bride what an intriguing as well as emotional tale! Adventurous, dangerous and passionate. A very intriguing read! I read this fast paced, action packed tale in one setting. The characters jump off the page. The storyline is realistic, you could almost feel the tension between the Saxons and the Normans. Ms. York is a wonderful storyteller. I would highly recommend this awesome Medieval tale of love, romance,danger, and a new beginning. It has some very tragic consequences as well as the power of love and trust. I can't wait to read the others in this series. Bring them on! An absolute delight to read. Powerful,suspenseful and intriguing! A page turner to be sure!

*Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley*

Rating: 4.5 Heat rating: hot Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

Rowena is the last of her line she is alone and scared to start her life with a man who has conquered her family and taken away everything she loves in the name of the King. John wants to prove his loyalty to the King by conquering Rowena family land and accepting a marriage that he does not want or need. Together they create a world filled with assumptions, deception and old hurts that block their way to a path to love.

I thought this was a very good book. I think Ashley created a world that was easy to understand but at the same time very unpredictable. Great read!

I love this book. I really like how Ashley remarked about the trouble times of both the salons and the Normans. I really enjoyed how the couple even thought at the beginning didn't want the marriage they let the love shine through. They had troubles with everyone trying to pull them apart but their love won throught. I would highly recommend this story to everyone and anyone that loves a true Love story. Beyond 5 starts

This is the first romance I have read from this era, during the time of time of the Norman Conquest. This a is romance between a Saxon woman, Rowena Godwinson who is sole living member of a defeated noble family, and a Norman knight, John of Normandy who rose in rank despite his birth. They manage to fall in love with each other, despite the conflicts that surround them. What started out as an arranged marriage, turns into a love worth fighting for. While there was a happily ever after at the end, there were situations in this story that made me cry but by the end of the book I was smiling. They truly found true love, despite their differences.

I read "The Irish Warrior" first. It’s characterized as a long novella so I thought I’d try a new author to me by starting out with a shorter read. I loved it and so when the author offered widgets of "The Saxon Bride" and “The Gentle Knight” I immediately accepted her offer. MY THOUGHTS:
All of these books are quite easily read as standalone stories. There are some of the same characters in these books. This one is the story of John and Rowena. John, a Norman warrior, is one of King William's most loyal Knights. As a reward John is given a wife along with lands. Neither wants this marriage. A few years later, John is sent "home" to ensure the loyalty of the Saxons to King William. John doesn’t even recognize the wife he took as a mere child years before. There are factions that do not acknowledge William as ruler to the Saxons and trouble ensues. The relationship between John and Rowena is hard pressed due to misunderstandings as well as John's duties, which pull him away from hearth and home. Mistrust abounds between the two and so a slow burn begins. There is romance, action, suspense, and skullduggery to be found within these pages. I recommend the "Norman Conqueror" series to anyone who loves Medieval romance.
I would give this book 4.5 stars.

The Saxon Bride ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Written by Ashley York
(The Norman Conquest #1)

After the complete defeat of the Saxons the last remaining member of the royalty Rowena Godwinson is forced by King William to marry his powerful knight John. This marriage and all the lands are bestowed upon John as a reward. John, unbeknownst to Rowens, is responsible for her fathers death and he bears the guilt of it.

John marries and leaves Rowena not returning for several years and never consummating their marriage. Upon his return he finds his bride a beautiful quite charming woman. John and Rowena are immediately attracted to each other. However, mistrust for one another prevails.

This is a story of how love evolved out of an impossible situation and leads us to the HEA ending we as readers seek. A good read highly recommended.

I received this as ARC in exchange for an honest review.
'The Saxon Bride' by Ashley York is book one in the "The Norman Conquest" series. This is the story of Rowena Godwinson and John of Normandy.

Rowena was 16 years of age she was the last one in her family of a defeated royal Saxon family. Rowena has been decreed to marry Norman knight, who were her families enemy. Rowena has no choice but to marry him. While being taking to the marriage ceremony she is threaten by words that her new husband is set to share her with his fellow men. This adds to her upset and when she meets John she is very upset and confrontational.

John the Norman Knight has been rewarded for his service with Rowena, her lands and a title. John is attracted to Rowena but after she becomes so confrontational he thinks it would not be safe to stay with her after they are married. So John goes off and does not come back for about three years.

Now Rowena has come to the realization that what she was told on her way to the marriage ceremony was false,but she still has issue with her husband just leaving her. John wasn't sure about how Rowena would greet him again but once he sees her again he is more attracted to her than before. Can they work out these hardship feelings and move forward to their happy ever after?

I really enjoyed this book and think that you will too!

I really enjoyed this book, it was a great story that flowed with great characters. It was very descriptive and you almost felt like you were living the story with them. I am a massive fan of historical fiction so I was delighted when I was given an opportunity to review this book from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.