A True and Perfect Knight

The unpleasant task of bringing his best friend to face King Edward when he's been charged with treason fell to one of Edward's most trusted knights, Sir Haven de Sessions. Even worse was when he stood beside Roger Dreyford when he was hanged. Roger's final words to Haven were a plea to keep his family safe, but then he said "I don't trust my wife." Following the execution the king commanded Haven to bring Roger's widow to him. Haven is a most honorable knight and to him the king's word is the law. He's earned the nickname `true and perfect knight for several reasons: One for pleasing the ladies, one for honoring the king, and one for his prowess and knowledge in battle. Haven is happy to honor the king's request in this matter, because knowing in his heart that Roger's widow had to be personally responsible for his friend's downfall, he harbors a animosity for her before even meeting her. Now Haven's task puts him right in the middle of a difficult situation: He must honor the king's command, yet he also gave a vow to Roger to protect his family. Haven and his party are traveling in the rain when they come upon a bedraggled, sodden group about a league away from Dreyford Castle, which is where the expected to find the widow after talking to the new lord who threw her out of his new home. Now Roger's letters to Haven described an unattractive, nagging woman and Haven expected to find a woman with a black soul, but not this sodden lump standing in the road, but he rides closer and the woman has the nerve to challenge him. It's all he can do to maintain control and not run her over with his horse, but something about her husky voice grabs his attention. Oh, but when he sees her face - it is hideous; how could Roger marry one so ugly? She has purple blotches over her eye and her face looks deformed. On closer look Haven notices lumps and calls her closer. He lifts her chin and it's so smooth he wants to stroke it, but all of a sudden he recognizes her beauty and realizes those marks are bruises. Questioning Genvieve, he learns the king's yeomen stoned her because she is the widow of a traitor. Before Haven touched the woman he thought hanging would be too good for her; however, when Genvieve hands him a stone to cast at her, he is stunned. He quickly regains his composure and advises the woman the king commands her presence and that he's to return her to face Edward's judgment. Many trials and tribulations later, Haven does deliver Genvieve before Edward, but he has mixed feelings for the woman by this time. Even so, when Edward commands his presence beside the lady's and they face a priest, he believes the worst is about to happen after all, believing she will now receive her sentence for assisting her husband in his traitorous acts. Hmmmm...maybe it is the worst sentence that could happen. Rather than execute the woman, the priest begins the marriage ceremony and the king commands them to marry. And, what a tangled web Susan Charnley begins to we

This story was a total delight to read. It had a rich and well developed plot and the main characters were wonderful. Throughout the whole book, page by page, the story unfolds and reveals a romantic tale that will warm your heart.

In 1282 England, Sir Haven de Sessions hates Genvieve Dreyford though they never met. Haven believes that Genvieve led his best friend, her late husband Roger, into committing treason. However he is shocked to meet the proud, but badly bruised Genvieve, who was stoned by the English for being the widow of a traitor. Haven informs Genvieve that she, Roger's sister and Roger's son who is also her child will accompany him to court to await King Edward's judgment. On the Trek to court, Haven is stunned how kind and compassionate Gennie is to everyone but him. By the time they reach Edward, Haven believes his prisoner is innocent and the memory of his friend false. Expecting the death penalty Edward shocks Haven and Genvieve when he orders them to wed and control a keep in Wales, a hot bed of anti English royalty sentiment. As they fall in love, Gennie trusts the Welsh with open arms while Haven remains wary, leaving their relationship precariously in trouble. Though A TRUE AND PERFECT KNIGHT follows the standard of the medieval romance, Susan Charnley reaches high marks with her debut tale. The story line is exciting and vividly depicts the era. The support cast adds depth to the period description, but the plot belongs to the lead couple, especially the hero whose feelings for Gennie change from abomination to cherished admirer. This metamorphosis brilliantly handled by a rookie writing like a seasoned veteran.Harriet Klausner