Book Blurb:
Warrior. Spy. Marian Montrose dons silk or chain mail with equal aplomb. Sent by Queen Eleanor on a mission to keep watch on the Sheriff of Nottingham, Marian is waylaid in Sherwood Forest by the infamous Robin Hood. Her companions are all stripped of their riches.
But from her, Robin steals only one brazen kiss.
Seething with anger at the thief’s presumption and the haunting memory of his searing embrace, Marian arrives at the castle to find the sophisticated and seductive Sir Guy of Guisbourne a welcome distraction. Guisbourne would be the perfect ally against the evil Sheriff and Prince John, but he believes he’s already picked the winning side. Deft at games of intrigue, Marian discovers Guisbourne’s involved in plans to steal the ransom meant to free King Richard the Lionheart.
Conquering her misgivings, Marian returns to Sherwood and recruits Robin with the promise of a pardon for him and his men. Now they are allies in the fight to return the king, but Robin wants far more from Marian. First she resists his almost magical allure, then succumbs, then resists again, distrusting the elemental power he has over her. Guisbourne may be lethally dangerous, but he does not threaten to consume both her body and her soul.
Danger surrounds them. Betrayal separates them.
But desire—and fate—will not be denied.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/8ttNIn
Author Bio:
A Libra with Scorpio Rising, Gayle Feyrer merges romance and passion in her novels. The Prince of Cups, romance, takes place in the lush and violent world of Renaissance Italy. The second, Marian (previously The Thief's Mistress), is set amid the earthy glamour of Robin Hood's Sherwood. These books were published by Dell, Gayle is reprinting them with her own cover designs, along with the two Elizabethan historical romances she wrote for Avon under the nom de plume Taylor Chase - Heart of Deception and Heart of Night. Along with her book length fiction, Gayle has numerous small press publications and a fantasy story in Lonnie Barbach’s collection Erotic Interludes. She has won prizes for her fiction, art, and her chocolate desserts.
Currently, Gayle is writing a historical mystery series set in Belle Époque Paris. The first two books of her Paris Trilogy, Floats the Dark Shadow and Bitter Draughts, available on Amazon. Her nom de plume for this series is Yves Fey.
Her own name, Feyrer, is Bavarian. The first syllable is pronounced Fie as in Fee FIE Foe Fum. The second starts with a little roll, burr, or grrrrowl, FIE-rrer. Don't worry, only three Americans have ever guessed right. Just one of these, a linguist, actually knew what was correct. Usually people take the r from rer and move it to the front, Freyer, or Fryer. Sometimes they just mutter, Fee-er-er.
Editorial Review:
“Marian woke before dawn, her nerves strung with terror. The dream had vanished, but the
aura of blood tainted her senses, an odor, a taste, an invisible color staining the darkness.
Whispers came, a sinister rustling.”
And so this re-telling of Marian and Robin Hood’s story begins, drawing the reader in
straight away with detailed imagery and visceral description. The style of writing
reflects the rawness of the era and yet still illustrates timeless themes – personal
independence and choices, feminism, vendettas, social upheaval and survival.
Even for those who consider themselves well-versed in the times of Robin Hood, it’s
still a thrill to see the established characters and historical figures appear on the
pages – including Eleanor, Richard, John, Friar Tuck, the Sheriff and of course
Robin Hood himself.
At times, “Marian” is intense. That is the mark of a good story, but it also means that
some of the content is not for the faint of heart, although it may accurately reflect the
times in which the story is set. Marian’s personal story is turbulent, taking the
storyline firmly out of that of a childhood legend and grounding it in the adult world,
sometimes in graphic and explicit ways. The plot has its fair share of bedroom
scenes (and other locations!) but that seems an appropriate choice by the author,
reflecting the volatility of the social times, the inequality of women and marriages,
and the force of the emotion between Marian and Robin Hood. The chemistry
between Marian and Robin is compelling and leaps off the page, leaving the reader
in no doubt that the relationship is both an emotional and a physical one.
“Sensing her presence, Robin opened his eyes, his gaze meeting hers across the water. He
paused, and she felt her heart pound in the silence, marking the seconds. She questioned at
first if he recognized her, then if he believed her presence, yet beyond that fierce but dazzled
wonder she saw only acceptance.”
Marian is feisty – perhaps she always was – and it’s wonderful to read such a vivid
story about Marian herself that portrays her as so much more than merely ancillary
to Robin Hood. The plot contains much intrigue, with Marian as the protagonist and a
smart, independent woman who attempts (and often succeeds) to bend men to her
will to suit her own purposes. Her involvement with Sir Guy of Guisbourne creates
something of a triangle but it is not giving too much away to say that Robin triumphs
in the pursuit. There is a rough, dangerous edge to Robin that makes him far more of
a rebel than a reader of the child’s tale might ever realise. The atmosphere of the
story is sometimes bleak, as Marian finds her way in a hostile world, avenging family
loss and finally honouring her own and her family’s legacy.
Two aspects always stand out to those who love the times and places of the
Marian/Robin Hood genre – the battle scenes and the English countryside – and any
comprehensive book review cannot go much further without mention of both.
“Marian” does not disappoint in either respect, with free use of swords, deft
physicality and anxious moments for the reader as the man-to-man (and woman-to-
man) battles unfold. The evocative descriptions of the English countryside and the
almost-spiritual majesty of Sherwood Forest never fail to delight.
“Golden trefoil and lady’s slipper scattered brightness amid the luxuriant grasses, and the
roseate purples of sedge, foxglove, and bittersweet tinged the greenery with their blush. A
placid backwater curled, thick with white water lilies, like a wedding garland tossed
carelessly among the trees.”
Throughout any scene, the story shines, and the backstory of any one character is
balanced by the constantly moving storyline as Marian asserts herself in the English
Middle-Ages. The storyline of “Marian” flows easily between realistic dialogue and
description. What sets Feyrer’s novel apart from many retellings is the addition of
complex secondary characters which creates further dimension to the character arcs
throughout. All of these are consistently well-developed and believable – particularly
for the villains whose place in Sherwood infamy is now confirmed!
The book itself is detailed, but so immersive that it is easy to read, with a plot,
grammar and sentence structure that flows overall. The atmosphere and background
of the story appear authentic and well-researched. The plot is a creative one that
ventures to Paris, but ultimately returns to Sherwood Forest and the legendary love
story that underpins the narrative, celebrating a match of soulmates that stood the
test of time for what is approaching one thousand years. “Marian” is a memorable
and special retelling of a timeless story, demonstrating that Marian is more than a
match for Robin’s mythical status as a paragon of English folklore.
*****
“Marian” by Gayle Feyrer receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission