Review Celebration and an Award - Lindsay Townsend

What perfect timing for Valentine's Day! On Feb 14th I heard from Ally and Donna at the review site Single Titles. CataNetwork reviewers have presented me with their prestigious 2012 Single Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award for The Amorous Chatelaine.

Emma de Barri is the generous chatelaine of a large estate, where she schools young, green knights in the matters of courtly dress and deportment. As a widow, she is often the object of desire but never has a knight tempted her away from the memory of her late husband.

Sir Robert is neither young nor green. He is hardened by battle and tempered by the vagaries of life. He is also rough and unrefined—completely lacking in manners, sophistication or any of the qualities Lady de Barri values. But his arms are strong, his face is handsome and his heart is as bright and gold as the sun at noon. A heart he gives unreservedly to Lady de Barri.

As Emma teaches Sir Robert how to read and dress, how to be gentle and composed, he teaches his sweet chatelaine how to live and love again.

Ellora's Cave 2012

Read Chapter One

Long and Short Reviews:

Ms Townsend drops her reader into the medieval world of Knights and Ladies and in short order reveals two characters with depths, charm and baggage they are both subconsciously using as shields against moving forward.

All it takes for Sir Robert is one look at the Lady bathing in the open air pool to fall head-over-heels in love, but never having felt the emotion before, it takes him a while to cotton on, and yet that is part of Ms Townsend's skill in presenting such a loveable hero. While he is gallant, strong, courteous and caring, he lacks social skills and presumes they will forever hold him back from finding true love. Indeed due to past events, he doesn’t ever expect a woman to look upon him with any favour. When challenged, he rises to protect the woman he’s given his heart to.

Widowed lady Emma never expects to give her heart to another and yet, and despite the number of knights she has schooled in social etiquette and expectations, it is the honourable and courageous Sir Robert, who lacks all those graces she normally holds dear, that captures her heart. She is wily, witty and charming and when she has a goal she goes after it.

The challenge when it comes is unexpected and takes a little readjustment, but only a little. The author skims over the details of the conflict and swiftly moves the reader on to how her hero and heroine overcome the considered obstacles in their path.

It is the way that the author unveils the insecurities of her characters, that adds depth and charm to the romance, and her scene-setting is delightful.

There are some sexually charged scenes in The Amorous Chatelaine, of which only one is mildly explicit. That said the author’s light touch, and ‘sweet’ technique, present a rough diamond of a hero in Sir Roger, and just the woman to polish up those sharp edge in widowed Lady Em, the Chatelaine.

For lovers of historical romance, this is a quick and uplifting story. Four and a half stars.

Single Titles:

Lindsay Townsend gives the reader a sweet love story about a woman who thinks her love life is over and the man who rekindles her passion. Emma lives happily with her warrior women, spending her time improving the lives of young knights. She does not realize that something is missing from her own life until she meets Sir Robert. He challenges her and makes her look forward to each new experience. When someone tries to take away everything she worked so hard to build, Sir Robert is at her side willing to fight for her. Is Sir Robert the man who will make Lady Emma live again? Five Stars.

Two Lips Reviews:

Emma De Barri, now widowed, is chatelaine of an estate.  She instructs young knights in manners and proper personal grooming and dress.  Always she keeps in her heart the loving memory of late husband and finds she cannot open her heart to another.  Sir Robert is a mature knight used to battle but without manners or courtly charm. He possesses no lands or treasures, only courage and a true heart that is devoted to Emma.  

Emma smoothes all of Robert's rough edges as he awakens her heart to the possibility of love. Yet, Robert has nothing to offer her; no lands, no legitimate name, nothing.  The queen has summoned Emma to the castle and both Emma and Robert know it is likely that the queen has decided upon a husband for Emma. What will the two ever do to save their burgeoning love?  

Ms. Lindsay Townsend creates a knight that every woman on the planet dreams about; he’s kind, selfless, intelligent and courageous. His careful treatment and blunt honesty will endear the reader to him.  

Women will also appreciate that The Amorous Chatelaine’s heroine is not to be trifled with. As chatelaine, she has her own power. She cares for her people and keeps the estate in good maintenance and productivity. These two characters will win the heart of any reader. Although there were a few POV issues, I was charmed by Ms. Townsend’s poetic language and beautiful scenery descriptions. The Amorous Chatelaine is a little story with a big heart.  4.5 Lips

Evolved World:

I enjoyed this sweet, even-paced medieval romance novella. As part of the Ellora’s Cave Blush imprint, there are some sexually charged scenes, but they are more sensual then sexual and are delicately expressed.

Within a very short space of time, this 60 page strong novella handily conveys a medieval romance. It does not overextend itself. Sir Robert, from the very beginning, is a complex and likable character, and his blond good looks don't hurt either. The beauteous Lady Emma, a bit of a mystery in the beginning, is gracious and generous to her people and to knights who, like Sir Robert, perhaps need a bit of tutoring in the knightly and chivalric arts.

Their romance is sweet, perhaps a bit coy at times, but is believable and charming. It is what I look for in a quick read when I have a hankering for a historical romance. Ms. Townsend clearly knows her medieval time well.   4 out of 5 Stars

Lindsay 
http://www.lindsaytownsend.net
http://www.twitter.com/lindsayromantic