Petit Fours and Hot Tamales

The Harlot’s Daughter by Blythe Gifford

The Harlot’s Daughter

Harlequin Historical Series

ISBN – 10: 0373294700

ASIN: B000W94EEM

Genre: Medieval Historical

“Her vulnerability made her dangerous… Lady Solay’s eyes met those of a hard-edged man. His implacable gaze sliced through her and, for an instant, she forgot everything else. A mistake. She had no time for emotion when so much depended on her finding favor at court.

Lord Justin Lamont couldn’t look away from the late king’s scandalous illegitimate daughter. Head held high, she walked as if the court adored her. No matter the pain in her eyes, Justin resolutely snuffed out a spark of sympathy. He must guard against her bewitching charms…”

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS:

What is the law?

In THE HARLOT’S DAUGHTER, Blythe Gifford does an amazing job weaving history with a medieval story of a relationship doomed before it ever starts thanks to the politics of the time. Lady Solay is born out of a love affair between her mother and a king. When her mother’s lover was no longer on the thrown, her family was cast out into the world. Although they receive an annual stipend, it isn’t enough. With no way to make a living other than to appeal to the current king and wealthy, power-hungry men, Lady Solay, publicly known as THE HARLOT’S DAUGHTER, must present herself at court to petition for more funds and rely on the king’s good will. If she fails, her family loses everything. Surrounded by plots, intrigues and power-hungry men and women, Lady Solay holds her head high.

Then she meets Lord Justin Lamont, a representative from the Council, whose sole purpose for being there is to prevent the king from continuing to misuse the Treasury funds. They are immediately at odds over the money she requested. As their relationship continues, they are kept apart by their opposing views on what or who is the law. After they are forced by the king to marry, they work towards finding harmony for as long as they must be together. They are both jaded by their experiences that they lack trust and love in the relationship. By the end of the story, they find themselves facing the fallacies that are a part of their political views. This forces them to realize not everything is straightforward in the law and can now appreciate each other’s point of view. During their journey, they slowly open up to each other and begin to trust. In the end, she gives Lord Lamont the one thing he wants most—her love, which he responds to in kind.

Definitely worth reading