Historical
A Knight's Reward
By Dottie
May 5, 2008 - 5:56:33 PM

Gisela Anne Balewyne has been assaulted one time too many by her abusive husband.  She escapes and hides out with her son Ewan, and works as a tailor to support them.  Terrified that her husband or one of his henchmen will catch up with her, Gisela is using her middle name and trying to make enough money to move further away and start over.  She gets her chance to make this dream come true when Crenardieu, a rich merchant, hires her to sew clothes using a lush blue silk cloth.

Dominic de Terre is working to uncover the identity of the thief who stole his friend’s very expensive cloth shipment.  While in disguise, he sees his one time love, Gisela who he has not seen for many years and who he still loves.  Dominic had to leave her for the Crusades.  He has been back for several years – not knowing if she is married or not.  Unbeknownst to him, Ewan is his illegitimate son.

Seeing Gisela, Dominic ruins his disguise trying to catch up with her. Though Gisela hears Dominic, she still tries to evade him, fearing her husband may be using him to get to her.  When Dominic finally catches up with Gisela, he tells her about his mission.  It doesn’t take Gisela long to realize that the cloth she sews is the same cloth he seeks.  However, with her greatest concern being her son’s safety, Gisela keeps the knowledge to herself.  When she realizes her husband is nearby, she is terrified of imminent discovery, and the money earned from the garments she makes is the key to her freedom.  What will happen if her husband finds her?  What will happen when Dominic discovers that she has deceived him not once, but twice?  Will A KNIGHT’S REWARD sufficiently overcome the deceit Dominic has suffered at Gisela’s hands?

A KNIGHT’S REWARD is a suspense-filled, emotionally riveting historical novel.  Watching as Gisela tries to keep her son and Dominic safe without regard for herself and still maintain her secrets will keep readers on the edge of their seats.  This is the first novel I have read by this author, but I look forward to reading Ms. Catherine Kean’s future endeavors.  A KNIGHT’S REWARD has found a place on my ‘recommended read’ list.