Title: The King’s Tale
Series: Timeless Dreams
Author: Rowena Sudbury
Genre: Historical (1240 +) England (Cornwall)
Length: Novel (280pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11th June 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Though Dafydd is the fourth son of Welsh nobility, when he leaves his home he becomes a humble woodsman in small kingdom of Lysnowydh on the sea. During a fierce storm, a stranger seeks shelter in Dafydd’s remote cottage. He is no ordinary traveler—he is Christopher, King of Lysnowydh. The wild passion that flares between them rivals the storm, and love moves King Christopher’s heart to name Dafydd Marshal of his troops to keep him close.
However, love is never simple or safe when it must endure the pressures of political life. Though Dafydd proves himself in battle, Lysnowydh’s nobles protest his rise in position and power. Forces will conspire against Dafydd and Christopher, and they must endure treason, treachery, and the demands of a kingdom requiring an heir to secure their happiness together.
A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.
1st Edition published July 27, 2009 by Dreamspinner Press
Warning: Some M/F scenes which are integral to the story.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1003&cPath=148
Review: Dafydd is a simple woodsman and he is happy with his lot in life. but, his gentle soul and simple ways draw the Kings eye. as Dafydd and King Christopher fall in love, there are problems that arise and an enemy who wishes revenge. Can Christopher and Dafydd’s relationship stand the strain?
This is a wonderful historic novel that draws the eye to the problems faced when you needed an heir in the thirteenth century and enemies could be closer than you think. This novel is set in King Henry the third’s reign, when lesser kings were still about, before they were given the title of Duke. So, Christopher is one of those Kings, as the largest landholder in Cornwall, he knows he will have to eventually have an heir, but he will follow his heart for his happiness. Dafydd catches Christopher’s eye and it doesn’t take much for Dafydd to fall for his King. But, with pressure to produce an heir putting strain on their relationship and then a horrific event leaving Dafydd nearly broken in heart and spirit, it is a difficult time for all.
Dafydd and Christopher made a wonderful loving couple, but there were a few bumps in the road as Dafydd found his place and role in the Keep. Some people were not happy with the arrangement and later will lead to major trouble. The feelings and strain for both men was well written and it wasn’t made light of. Dafydd was an absolute angel when it came time for Christopher to provide an heir. I will be quite frank and say that Christopher’s attitude stank sometimes, but I had to make allowances for the time period and the fact that as heir and then King he was used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it; but that still didn’t give him the right to still sleep with Marged (woman chosen to bear his heir) after she had conceived.
Dafydd and Christopher are a passionate couple and show affection to each other frequently. Unfortunately, this is seen by some as a weakness and Dafydd ends up laying siege to one of Christopher’s vassals. The trouble doesn’t end there, as a lesser king from Christopher’s past seeks revenge and poor Dafydd ends up with the brunt of it, before Christopher musters his troops. There are lasting effects to all involved and it will be another strain on them all. This really is a beautifully written historical, with facts and customs for the time carried out and a beautiful setting.
So, I will recommend this to those who want a fantastic historical, hot passionate sex, danger, torture, solid love and a relatively happy ending.