WARRIOR’S CONQUEST
A Knightspell Tale
By Elle James & Delilah Devlin
A twenty-first century woman transported to medieval times is forced to accept the protection of a beast of a sexy warlord as they struggle to survive in the middle of a war-torn land
With proportions that would make Xena weep, Jacqueline Frazier despairs of ever finding a lover she can’t intimidate. Until the day she ignores a warning regarding use of a family heirloom, and finds herself swept off her feet by a knight in not so shining armor, back to the twelfth century. Forced to accept the protection of an overbearing, beast of a man, Rufus of Rathburn, Jacq struggles to find her place in the past while seeking a way back to the future. In the meantime, she aids Rufus’s war cause with a little 21st century ingenuity, shaking up the warlord with lessons in bomb-making, guerilla tactics, and the joys of sex.
At first unwilling, and ungrateful, Rufus begins to see merit in Jacq’s odd ways. Through Jacq’s eccentricities and willfulness, Rufus learns she is a woman to be reckoned with, as well as a lusty handful in bed. Will his admiration of her cunning, strength and uninhibited sexuality grow into a love that breaks the barriers of time? And will their love be strong enough for Jacq to plot a different future in the past?
“… an exciting action-filled story that never drags and makes great escape reading. Kudos!”–Just Erotic Romance Reviews
“This book is a “must read” and definitely earned a place on my “keeper” shelf!”–EuroReviews
“For an enticing bit of action and romance wrapped within a time travel tale, pick up your copy … today and enjoy.”–Romance Reviews Today
Read an Excerpt:
Jacq heard the crowd gathering around the raised platform. As their numbers increased, their voices blurred into a low rumble except for the excited cries of the children jockeying for the best spot to watch the performance. When the noise died, Jacq knew the crier had their complete attention, and he continued.
“I present to thee, Lady Jacqueline.”
She paused, allowing the crier time to exit and to build the anticipation in the crowd. Then, lifting her long skirts, she spun, swirling them around her in a dramatic flourish, earning delighted squeals from the children dotting the front row. Jacq struggled to keep from smiling, as this was intended to be a serious story.
Wiping all humor from her face, she assumed a haughty expression and stared down her nose at the crowd. “I am Lady Jacqueline of Rathburn Castle,” she began in a stern voice. “Listen as I speak, for I will not condone insolence. If you cannot hold your silence, I will have yon sheriff…” she pointed with a flourish behind the crowd, “…lock you in the stocks.”
The crowd turned as one to see the actor dressed in green leggings and surcoat standing next to a bulky wooden contraption. Three holes were cut into it to fit the head and hands of the transgressor.
The small faces in the front row turned back to her, wide-eyed and subdued.
“In the normal course of things, my life as a woman, even a noblewoman, is a great struggle and filled with hard work. While my husband sees to the castle’s defense, I see to its upkeep and to the welfare of the people who serve us.”
She narrowed her eyes at the little upturned faces, staring rapturously. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep a castle clean?” They shook their heads in unison, and she dared a quick wink to their smiling parents. “Well, I can tell you it takes dozens of servants. Why, it takes two boys, just about your size,” she pointed to two wide-eyed boys in the front row, “to scrub the hearth clean each day before the cook prepares our meals. And it’s nigh on impossible to keep the rats and mice out of the larder…” she said, shuddering, “…without fine fat cats to do the job.”
She clasped her hands in front of her and lowered her face for a moment, raising it to allow the crowd to see a glimpse of the inner anguish “Lady Jacqueline” felt as she continued her story. “But, now is not the normal course. And things are harder than ever before. For ‘tis the year of our Lord, eleven fifty-three, and Duke Henry of Normandy has landed on England’s shores to challenge our King Stephen. The lord of the castle, my husband, Rufus, has joined the battle to wrest the rule of England from a villainous leader.
“I have just received word from my lord husband that his forces are outnumbered, and he is in dire need of reinforcements. I fear for my lord’s life,” she said, wringing anguish from her expression as she paced the stage, a frown of concentration on her face.
“But, I am helpless to lend him aid. I am but a woman. I cannot wield a heavy sword in battle. I haven’t the strength to cut down a man. Instead, I do my duty to my lord by caring for his people and defending his keep in his absence. If my lord is struck down, what will become of us?” She held out her hands in a beseeching manner.
“It is only my love, my loyalty and this prayer I have to offer my husband in his time of need.”
Sinking to her knees with head bowed, she clasped her hands tightly together. Then, recalling the prayer from the book, she recited it word for word.
“Almighty Lord, hear my prayer
for I fear all hope is lost.
Please arm Lord Rufus with your might
to spare the heavy cost
of wounded, scarred and dying men
upon the battlefield.
Spare his life, provision him
with courage as his shield;
help him know what he must do
to free this land from hate.
This I do beseech thee, Lord,
Before it is too late.”
Keeping her head bowed, Jacq paused for effect, unaware the silence of the crowd was due to the odd mist descending and swirling about her, thickening until her kneeling figure was all but obscured in a heavy fog.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
ELLE JAMES and DELILAH DEVLIN are sisters! That’s right, they’re sisters who began their author journey in 2000, co-authoring this and four other books. Since then, they have branched out to write their own books, in their own worlds, becoming New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. To learn more about the sisters visit them at ellejames.com and delilahdevlin.com