Title: Daughter of the King
Author: Ashley York
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
A mistaken identity. A gruesome murder. The uniting of two powerful clans.
Trained as a warrior…
Brighit of Clonascra is the only daughter of the fearsome overking, Sean, but despises the trappings and demands of womanhood. She’s far more comfortable training for battle than preparing a meal. Long held alliances require she set aside selfish dreams and take Darragh as her husband. The union intended to promote peace between the clans is interrupted by the shocking murder of a neighboring king and she quickly discovers there are far worse things than being wed.
Trained to be king…
Darragh of Drogheda has no wish to follow in the path of his father, Tadhg, but he is an obedient son and supports his father’s plans. His marriage to Brighit, however, will be no hardship at all since he finds her most intriguing especially when she fights him at every turn. A she-warrior indeed. Her persistent dismissal of him merely blows the fire aflame and sets him down the path to discovery of all her most tightly held secrets.
When she stands accused of the murder, can they finally come to an agreement that will give them each what they truly desire?
My Review:
Darragh and Brighit have been betrothed since they were very young. The last thing Brighit wants is to be tied down to a man, especially one like Darragh. She craves her freedom and her nights out gallivanting with her brothers and their friends is more fun than fussing over clothes or swooning over men. She knows she must do her duty as her marriage is a uniting of two powerful clans. She finally relents but on the night before her wedding, she partakes in one last ride. The consequences for her actions tear her apart and her guilt wars with keeping her family safe. When she stands accused of murder, will she finally confess all or will she stay silent?
I’ve a big fan of this series and have read the previous two. This one, though, speaks to the heart of what it means to be a woman in this era. Women married for strengthening of one’s clan while clearly knowing her place. Her husband she grows to love while taking care of the home and their children. A woman like Brighit doesn’t fit in and her willful disregard for her personal safety is the crux of this story.
Daughter of the King is a sweeping historical romance with plenty of action and suspense propelling the plot forward. There were several surprises I didn’t see coming. While I love strong heroines, I found Brighit a tad annoying at times. She doesn’t do what she’s told, puts her life and her family’s lives in danger, doesn’t listen to her husband and is selfish. That being said, she grew immensely throughout the story which I appreciate.
If you’re looking for a tempting historical romance with treachery, murder, suspense and heart-pounding romance, pick up Daughter of the King today. While it’s a standalone, I highly recommend reading the whole series. Simply delightful!
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it now:
Author Biography:
Aside from two years spent in the wilds of the Colorado mountains, Ashley York is a proud life-long New Englander and a hardcore romantic. She has an MA in History which brings with it, through many years of research, a love for primary documents and the smell of musty old libraries. With her author's imagination, she likes to write about people who could have lived alongside those well-known giants from the past.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.ashleyyorkauthor.com
Email: ashleyyork1066@gmail.com
Twitter: @ashleyyork1066
Reviewed by: Mrs. N