Harlequin Historical #328: The Baron's Quest

this was a very good book but it took a very long time to get to the action .but once the book got there it was hard to put down.

I'm giving this book a five star review to help make up for the poor review given by one of the other reviewers, who didn't apprear to actually read the book. Overall for the type of novel it is, four stars would be more accurate. I've read six of Margaret Moore novels in this Warrior Series and this is one of my favorites. More complex and far more interesting than the prior book, "Warrior's Honor", I found the story rather different and unique. Gabriella Frechette was the beloved daughter of the Earl of Frechette who had recently died owing a great deal of debt. Her only brother Bryce had fled in anger after an argument with her father and couldn't be found, leaving Gabriella vulnerable and a prime target for the King to step in and award her families lands and castle to a well-favored knight. (The GALL they had in those days)! Baron Etienne DeGuerre was a supremely arrogant and proud warrior who had never known love and consequently was emotionally bankrupt towards himself and in his relationships with others. Needless to say, things developed with Gabriella's kind yet firey nature and the story unfolds in unexpected ways, and I liked it.

I own and keep all Margaret Moore novels and anthologies, and have read all the books in the long related series involving Emryss DeLanyea, Urien Fitzroy and other assorted friends and family to them. Yet I come back time and time again to re-read "The Baron's Quest." I enjoy the refreshing take on a medieval lord (Baron Etienne DeGuerre), arrogant and proud, yet hiding a lonely heart. He has searched his entire life for something he had never gotten - love and acceptance. It was a quest he did not even know he was on. Will the quest end with our heroine, Gabriella Frechette? Gabriella, once a lady and daughter of the household, is now reduced to a servant by the debts incurred by her father. The Baron tried to get Gabriella to leave when he took over her father's holdings even giving her money to enter a convent but she is proud and does not want to leave her childhood home. As her servitude continues, Gabriella comes to admire and love the cold Baron and brings his emotions and temper to a head on many occasions. The relationship is consummated one night when Gabriella can no longer hide her love and attraction to him. It is a mildly revealing encounter (not nearly as explicit as other books) but one of the most sensuous that I have ever read. Perhaps I have a good imagination but I can just place myself in the scene. But is her love returned? Since the Baron abandons her without a word after this tumultuous experience, Gabriella is left feeling used and ashamed. How can this end happily? There are many other interesting characters to meet in this novel. They are all well fleshed out and interesting. Another love story is developed during the course of the Baron's quest and hints of other adventures to follow. I found this great reading!

As far as period romance novels go, this is about average, but there are interesting twists to the story. Two love stories take place at the same time with a lot of mystery built up from the main heroine's past. It keeps your interest because there is always something to learn about her until the very end. I liked the ending because it was intriguing.