Maid Marian stands beside Robin Hood in legends as the beautiful and virginal companion of the dashing highwayman. She holds her own among his wild band of outlaws but not much is known about who she was or if she really existed. Colette Gale presents a new story of a not-so-maidenly Marian caught between Robin Hood and the dark, cold Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
As the widowed Lady of Leaford, Marian stands high in the favor of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. It is with some trepidation that she agrees to return to Nottinghamshire, the area where she grew up, to spy on Prince John and report back regarding his activities while King Richard is away. Prince John's carnal appetites are well known and Marian is aware that she will have no choice but to submit to him to maintain her cover. When she arrives however she finds that her childhood friend Robin of Loxley is now an outlaw being pursued by her other playmate, William of Wendeval, the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Torn between the two very different men, and struggling to avoid the grip of Prince John, Marian treads carefully through the court; she must find the proof that John is planning an overthrow. As she pursues her quarry it becomes increasingly clear that there is something more to the activities of Robin and William than meets the eye. All Marian can do is hold her ground and await the arrival of Queen Eleanor.
As with her previous novels, Honor Bound is not a light romantic romp. The sex is heavy, hardcore and not without an orgy or three. Though the dialogue is somewhat wooden and the story a bit contrived, it does have its moments of excitement and intrigue. Those that harbor fantasies about the studly highwayman or find the sheriff to be as sexy and compelling as he is dark and corrupt will definitely want to read this. It's not great literature but it does provide a quick and dirty summer escape and sometimes that's all we really want.
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Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (May 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451226836
ISBN-13: 978-0451226839