A Twilight Clear

than Romance. This well written Medieval tells the realistic story of a couple who married two years before. The marriage is more of an advantageous arrangement to restore the estate that the heroine's family lost but has been given to the hero, Willian, a Knight, from King Henry as a reward for valor. Henry then sends the hero on a secretive mission which may cost William his marriage. This story is very detailed to the time period and both the hero and heroine are good, decent people put into an untenable circumstance by the King. The romance is more love story than passion-in fact the book has almost NO love scenes. But in the case of this book, the story itself is good enough to carry the book-a nice change of pace from the "mostly raunch" bodice rippers that have zero storyline. Readers of clean romance as well as Historical Fiction should enjoy this book. Extra points for the lovely cover as well. 4 stars.

The cover is what compelled me to buy this book, I liked the picture of the lady in the snow. I found the excerpt on the back a bit misleading... it led me to think that Catherine was going to be angered by the presence of William's "pregnant mistress", and that never happened.I liked the trust and communication between William and Catherine, there seemed to be a definite bond between them, they desired each other and were nervous with each other... despite the presence of their daughter Alflega, the two barely have any time spent together as a couple, and I liked how they both seemed to genuinely care about one another and yearned for the "family" security that had been denied them.The scenes on the keep's tower were interesting, I liked the author's descriptions of the surrounding fields and forest, and being able to see fires and people in the distance, etc... the author's knowledge of the historical period seemed intensive, and was interesting.There was an emptiness to the story, though, and I'm not sure how to define it. William and Catherine's relationship, and cute interludes with Alflega, was what kept me interested. I wish Mathilde, the pregnant woman, had been made into a bit more of a character, she was important to the story and yet seemed very faceless. Catherine has much concern for Mathilde, yet we don't get to know anything about her.Secondary characters were good, like the Dame Alflega, John, and Robert... but again, there was an emptiness to the book. Maybe if it had been longer. And the climax of the story, which in my opinion should not have been the King's arrival, but the events at the forest house when Catherine rides out to warn Mathilde, are not explored at all. I found this quite absurd... it definitely left me wondering what exactly happened at the forest house, and it's strange that the author does not elaborate whatsoever on the main character's boldest move in the book.A pleasant read though. :)

William, a war-weary soldier, returns home to a wife he hardly knows but of whom he dreamt throughout the years he spent in service to his King. Meeting his little daughter and his loyal wife, William finds himself enchanted and enamoured of both. His longing for a life in peace, however, cannot be fulfilled before his secret duty to his King comes to a sucessful end. Without his resolute wife's trust and help, William cannot win his place at home. Can he secure his place in her heart?Ms. Cook's firm knowledge of her era (the 12th century) makes this story as enjoyable as her earlier works. A Twilight Clear is a satisfying tale for those who particularly like to follow the development of a tender relationship in marriage. The hero and heroine's feelings for one another are firmly in focus here.