Feather Castles

I cannot recommend highly enough P Veryans books. Sadly they are not very readily available in AUST. However if you're from the US that's not a problem.This is the first in the series, and I read it as a retrospective, not being able to find a copy until far past finishing the set. Although not my favorite, it is still very well written and engrossing. I would call it a delightful coming of age story, as the sister who is a cripple (and I hope I'm remembering this right!)finds that with love and away from the threatening sphere of Jean Claude she blossoms.Hmm not a very good review, but mainly I would like to urge you to read it for yourself. Follow with all the Sanguinets Crown & Golden Chronicles - PVeryan is GREAT!

Patricia Veryan's first book of the Sanguinet Series is a real standout. She completely transcends the "Regency Romance" genre and creates a fantastic blend of adventure, action, and romance. Her characters are memorable and endearing, especially the two who are romantically involved, Tristram and Rachel. The book opens with a moving depiction of the Battle of Waterloo. Rachel accompanies her friend, Sister Maria, on a dangerous quest to find a British man with important information. Along the way, their lives are endangered by looters and they are rescued by a tall, badly wounded man who collapses immediately after his gallant deed. Even his nationality is in doubt, but Rachel will not leave without him. The man awakens to find he's lost his memory, and that he has fallen in love with the gentle Rachel, who nursed him back to health. However, he soon finds that Rachel is engaged to a powerful, wealthy Frenchman named Claude Sanguinet, and that she cannot in honor or prudence renege on her promise to wed him.The two's journey to happiness is loaded with twists and turns. The action scenes are very well written and the conclusion is often in doubt. An excellent opening to an excellent series!