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| Prequel to the Series |
We first met Sir Bennet in The Vow: Prequel to An Uncertain Choice, but this
book can be read as a stand-alone story. Though, having read the entire series,
I highly recommend reading them all. Three knights in shining armor—what’s not
to love!
Sir Bennet returns home to find that his brother has driven the family
into debt, and time has run out for repayment to the neighboring lords. Without
repayment, there is imminent danger of an attack. Sir Bennet’s mother convinces
him—much against his honorable heart—that the only way to save his family’s
land and collection of valuable artifacts is to marry a wealthy noblewoman.
Lady Sabine was born with a skin blemish—one that she keeps hidden for
fear of being labeled a witch! She is convinced that no man would ever love her
with such a disfigurement. Her grandmother, learning of the financial woes of
Sir Bennet, has plans for an arranged marriage. Can Sir Bennet set aside his honorable values and marry for money? What will
he do when he discovers his only recourse to war might be marriage to a woman
branded as a witch?
This latest installment in the Uncertain Choice series, like the others
in this series, is filled with knights in battle, chivalry, and virtue. While Hedlund’s
lead characters are quite likeable, her villains are as loathsome as they come.
I particularly love the way this author paints women as capable rather
than powerless. Even though this leading lady is on more than one occasion a
damsel in distress, needing rescue from a knight in shining armor, Hedlund
still portrays her as a woman of strong character—courageous in the face of
danger.
This story has a very good lesson about self-acceptance. As Lady Sabine
comes to the realization that God had created her with this blemish purposefully—that
she was unique, and should embrace her qualities rather than live in shame. In
this world that places so much emphasis on physical looks, it is refreshing to
have a heroine who is not painted as exquisitely beautiful.
This story moves at a very good pace. It’s a definite page turner—I read
it in two sittings. As always, the descriptive writing and settings are lusciously
wonderful and the technical aspects impeccable—just as I’ve come to expect from
this author.
Even though this series is listed under the genre Young Adult,
it is
quite appealing to old ladies like me.
You can learn more about this series at Jody Hedlund's website.
