The Truest Heart

This is a wonderfully written book full of interesting characters. Gillen and Gareth definitely should be together, however, with the threat to Gillian's life and Gareth's son from the King James, things are bound to go wrong. Samantha James is a wonderful author I enjoy her books

Lady Gillian of Westerbrook's father made an attempt on King John's life. Her father killed himself without confessing the name of the other man who was in on the plot. King John is furious and has declared forfeit the lives of his children. Gillian and her younger brother go separately into hiding. Gillian is in Cornwall with Brother Baldric when a ship is wrecked on the beach. One man survives. He is badly wounded, and Gillian takes him in to nurse him back to health. He claims his name is Gareth but remembers nothing else of his life. Distrustful of everyone, Gillian tries to hide her identity, but Gareth finds her out. When he is well enough to travel, he takes her to Sommerfield, his home. There, he remembers the horrible truth-- the king has charged him with the duty of killing Gillian! Gillian and Gareth's story makes for an absorbing, well-researched medieval.

Gillian and Gareth are truly wonderful protagonists. I loved them both. Gillian is the heroine with the heart of gold and Gareth is truly the hero with the TRUEST HEART. This is a fun, entertaining book. I read it in one sitting because I was thoroughly entrenched in the story and what would happen next. Any book that can do that for me, is a FIVE STAR book.

In 1215 England, King John needed to break his prisoner Gilbert of Lincoln, who refused to divulge the identity of his ally in an attempt to assassinate His Highness. However, before John can force the identify of Gilbert's associate, the noble kills himself, much to the monarch's consternation. John decides treason must not go unpunished. He orders Westerbrook burned to the ground and Gilbert's son and daughter killed. He orders Gareth of Sommerfield to perform the deed, using the man's son as hostage.Gilbert's daughter Lady Gillian hides in a poor cottage on the Cornwall coast where she rescues a shipwrecked stranger claiming amnesia. Gillian helps the stranger recover and as his memory begins to return, Gareth knows that his hostess is in danger, but soon realizes the danger comes from him. The Widower Gareth marries Gillian and claims she carries his child to keep her from John's wrath. However, besides the intrigue of the King, their relationship lacks trust leaving their love standing on a shaky base.THE TRUEST HEART is an enjoyable medieval romance that focuses on the intrigue and machinations of the times. King John comes across as a vengeful manipulator who uses anyone as a pawn to achieve his desires. Gareth is an honorable person while Gillian has good reason for her shrewish behavior, which leaves the audience to wonder how love can survive. Samantha James provides readers with a wonderful historical romance that shows why she is a fan favorite.Harriet Klausner

Lady Gillian of Westerbrook has taken refuge along the coast of Cornwall in this novel set in early thirteenth century England. Her father conspired to murder King John and was afraid that the King would choose to harm his children. Before he took his own life, Gillian's father, Ellis of Westerbrook, ordered his children, Gillian and Clifton, into separate places of hiding. While walking along the beach one day with her trusted friend Brother Baldric, Gillian discovers the bodies of men washed along the shore after a shipwreck. One man is miraculously alive, and she takes him back to her cottage to nurse him back to health. Though he is finally able to recall his name, Gareth is unable to remember anything of his past life when at first rescued by Gillian. She cares for him with utmost tenderness and kindness, as bits and pieces of his memory return. Sensing that Gillian is in danger from King John, Gareth, Lord Sommerfield, takes her back to Sommerfield to protect her. Can Gillian really trust this man to save her from the wrath of the King, and will she lose her heart in the process? Samantha James has written a poignant love story that leaves the reader questing for more. The tension between hero and heroine is apparent as it is clear that neither truly trusts the other. Murder and mystery add substance to this plot as Gareth and Gillian discover the meaning of unconditional love.