The Knight's Return

By Joanne Rock

In dire need of a protector and escort, Irish princess Sorcha has no choice but to allow mercenary Hugh de Montagne to fulfill the role. Having been duped into marriage, then exiled in disgrace,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373295421
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Harlequin Historical
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.5" x 1.0" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

Divided loyalties, betrayal and the quest for a name and legacy

Awakening in a cloud of unknowing, a man remembers only his name --- Hugh. A vague memory perhaps of Ireland is the only clue available to him. On a quest to discover his identity and his legacy, he travels from north of London to Ireland in hopes of discovering the truth of his past. He might find the answers he seeks but then again, the journey might only lead him into greater danger. Without knowing his identity, how can he distinguish between alliances or threats? In Ireland he comes across a woman alone. In a world where women are often under the protection of someone, her boldness attracts him, but is she a danger to him? What terrible deed made her an outcast? Exiled by her father, Scorcha ingen Con Connacht senses the presence of a stranger. The resemblance of this trespasser to her son's father unnerves Scorcha. Knowing she must protect her child first, a wariness overcomes her. He seems more polite than the average Norman or mercenary but could he have been sent by her father and for what purpose? Having been duped by a man once before, she now trusts no man. When Hugh returns to Scorcha, this time at the king's request to protect her, Hugh finds himself in the tenuous position of doing the bidding of man who exiled her. The more time he spends with this exiled princess, the more he feels captivated by her independence and passion. A sudden turn of events puts her in even more danger. In order to protect her, the race to discover his identity takes on a new urgency. Can he gain her trust while working through the intricate layer of alliances and enemies to both himself and Scorcha before it is too late? Joanne Rock's 12th century Irish medieval romance THE KNIGHT'S RETURN combines a refreshingly unique cast of characters with a fast-paced suspenseful plot that keeps the reader guessing until the final piece of the puzzle falls into place. As an exile and a fallen woman, Scorcha makes for an intriguing romance heroine. Bold and independent to the point of being headstrong at times, she has become more at home in the wilderness than the court. She will protect her child at all costs. Despite not knowing his true name, Hugh is a man of mental prowess. With the danger of unexpected alliances and motivations threatening at every corner, he must maneuver a fine line between enemies and friends as he seeks to discover the truth. Like a chess player, he must plan several moves ahead, especially when he promises to protect Scorcha and her child. Without a past, Hugh remains a mysterious character at times, but his true spirit shows in his interactions with others. Without a name to define him, Scorcha and the reader see his character from within from the beginning. As the external battle to discover the truth behind a web of lies that endanger Scorcha heats up, the physical attraction and feelings between Scorcha and Hugh draw them to one another. Before Hugh can take her as his own, however, he must learn the truth o