Midnight Eyes

When Robert Beaumont, the handsome mercenary knight and bastard son of a Norman nobleman, wins lands and the hand of the infamous "Lady Deformed" in marriage after years of fighting for King William II, little does he realize that the extremely beautiful Lady Imogen Colebrook is not extremely deformed, but merely blind. But there are deep, dark, sick secrets lurking in her dark world, and her evil, sick and twisted brother Roger, the lover of King William, is behind all the darkness, evil and pain. Years ago he was banished by his parents from Shadowsend Keep when he attempted to kill his sister Imogen. Instead, Imogen fell down the stairs and was blinded. Blaming Imogen for his banishment, he returned years later and killed his parents. Since that time, he returns at intervals to administer cruel psychological and physical torture on the blind Imogen, who he keeps captive in her blindness and bed chamber. Through the years Imogen calls these sick contacts as "The Game," and when Robert shows up as the new master of the keep and husband, she feels he is just another playing piece in "The Game." Robert expects the worst of a marriage to "Lady Deformed," but is nearly knocked senseless with desire when he sees the stunning beauty. For the first time in her life Imogen is treated tenderly by a man, and even though she believes Robert was sent by her brother Roger, she begins to fall in love with him. Robert knows his lady is holding deep, dark secrets, but he takes joy in seeing her come out of her dark world and chamber to learn about him, his men and the daily life of the keep. His love grows and deepens and he even begins to feel jealousy at the courtly love his men express toward his beautiful and kindhearted wife. When Robert learns more about her past and this secret "Game" and that her own brother is the cause, he is angered, troubled and pained that she will not trust him enough to share the entire truth. Suddenly the evil breaks into their idyllic life in the form of secretive messages only to be given to Imogen from Roger. Thinking he is a successful, well-trained knight capable of protecting Imogen, little does Robert know that he has become another playing piece in Roger's Game. When Roger finally unveils his complete plan by using King William's love for him, Roger convinces the King that Robert is committing treason by attempting to replace him on the throne with his brother Henry. When Robert is arrested and waiting hanging for treason, he can finally play out his Game with Imogen. When Imogen realizes that Robert's expressions of love are true and that he has become a victim in "The Game" and not a partner with Roger as originally thought, she flees to King William to finally unveil the truth and the years of secrets she has kept to herself. The intense passion and love, together with the constant evil lurking to damage Robert and Imogen's happiness, makes for an enthralling, mezmerizing read that is difficult to put down. Midnight Eyes is an intense and interesting story with light delightful moments, and a happy ending. It has many components of a solid medieval historical romance - a very evil villian, a beautiful damsel in distress, and a handsome knight coming to the rescue, as well as secondary characters that blend in well with the main characters. It is a well-written, fast paced enjoyable read. I look forward to more stories from this author; hopefully about Robert's comrade Gareth.

When Robert Beaumont, the handsome mercenary knight and bastard son of a Norman nobleman, wins lands and the hand of the infamous "Lady Deformed" in marriage after years of fighting for King William II, little does he realize that the extremely beautiful Lady Imogen Colebrook is not extremely deformed, but merely blind. But there are deep, dark, sick secrets lurking in her dark world, and her evil, sick and twisted brother Roger, the lover of King William, is behind all the darkness, evil and pain. Years ago he was banished by his parents from Shadowsend Keep when he attempted to kill his sister Imogen. Instead, Imogen fell down the stairs and was blinded. Blaming Imogen for his banishment, he returned years later and killed his parents. Since that time, he returns at intervals to administer cruel psychological and physical torture on the blind Imogen, who he keeps captive in her blindness and bed chamber. Through the years Imogen calls these sick contacts as "The Game," and when Robert shows up as the new master of the keep and husband, she feels he is just another playing piece in "The Game." Robert expects the worst of a marriage to "Lady Deformed," but is nearly knocked senseless with desire when he sees the stunning beauty. For the first time in her life Imogen is treated tenderly by a man, and even though she believes Robert was sent by her brother Roger, she begins to fall in love with him. Robert knows his lady is holding deep, dark secrets, but he takes joy in seeing her come out of her dark world and chamber to learn about him, his men and the daily life of the keep. His love grows and deepens and he even begins to feel jealousy at the courtly love his men express toward his beautiful and kindhearted wife. When Robert learns more about her past and this secret "Game" and that her own brother is the cause, he is angered, troubled and pained that she will not trust him enough to share the entire truth. Suddenly the evil breaks into their idyllic life in the form of secretive messages only to be given to Imogen from Roger. Thinking he is a successful, well-trained knight capable of protecting Imogen, little does Robert know that he has become another playing piece in Roger's Game. When Roger finally unveils his complete plan by using King William's love for him, Roger convinces the King that Robert is committing treason by attempting to replace him on the throne with his brother Henry. When Robert is arrested and waiting hanging for treason, he can finally play out his Game with Imogen. When Imogen realizes that Robert's expressions of love are true and that he has become a victim in "The Game" and not a partner with Roger as originally thought, she flees to King William to finally unveil the truth and the years of secrets she has kept to herself. The intense passion and love, together with the constant evil lurking to damage Robert and Imogen's happiness, makes for an enthralling, mezmerizing read that is difficult to put down. Midnight Eyes is an intense and interesting story with light delightful moments, and a happy ending. It has many components of a solid medieval historical romance - a very evil villian, a beautiful damsel in distress, and a handsome knight coming to the rescue, as well as secondary characters that blend in well with the main characters. It is a well-written, fast paced enjoyable read. I look forward to more stories from this author; hopefully about Robert's comrade Gareth.