In the Shadow of Midnight [Mass Market Paperback]

Eduard FitzRandulf, illegitimate son of Lord Lucien Wardieu, Baron de Gournay, (called the Black Wolf), is renowned in his own right as a skilled and noble knight. He is also the champion of the lovely Pearl of Brittany, Princess Eleanor Plantagenet, daughter of the deceased Duke Geoffrey of Brittany, son of Henry II and brother of King John. Princess Eleanor's brother Arthur was heir to the English throne after the death of King Richard the Lionhearted. John usurped the crown, and when Arthur sought to retake it, John had him imprisoned and killed - rumor had it by John's own hand. Eleanor was now the true heir and John's prisoner.

As the story begins, William, Marshal of England is visiting his old friend Lucien Wardieu at his home, the Chateau D'Amboise in Tourane. The reason for the visit is to inform Wardieu and his warrior sons that John of England, through nefarious schemes, intrigue, robbery and murder is bankrupting the country. The Marshal also wants Princess Eleanor to be rescued and knows the best man to perform the task is Eduard. While this political reunion is taking place, William's niece, the beautiful and willful Ariel de Clare turns up with her brother and two friends/escorts. King John had sought to marry the young woman off to an unworthy suitor for his own profit, while her uncle was away. She crossed the English Channel to France seeking help and winds up accompanying Eduard to England as part of the plan to aid the princess. Needless to say sparks fly between Ariel and Eduard from the moment they set eyes on each other. The romance is extraordinary, as is Ms. Canham's research and the historical detail she includes in her writing.

This is one wild adventure! England's troubled times and her evil king are woven into the storyline with great skill. Family sins and throne-rocking secrets are exposed, royal power is unleashed, some pretty unsavory, depraved characters murder, maim and threaten, love and passion sizzle, armored knights ride to battle and a royal princess is rescued. This novel has it all - from cliff-hanging escapades to steamy sensuality. The action doesn't stop until the last sentence on the last page. As usual Ms. Canham writes with elegance and flair. Her extraordinary characters just about leap off the page. This wonderful book is definitely a keeper!
JANA

Lady Ariel de Clare is appalled that King John plans on forcing her to marry one of his repulsive guards. She flees England with her Brother, Henry, to Brittany to seek the help of her uncle, the marshall of England. The resolution her uncle decides on finds Ariel escorted in disguise to Wales by Eduard FitzRandwulf. What Ariel doesn't know is that her journey to Wales is really a smokescreen for the real mission Eduard is planning which is to rescue Princess Eleanor of Brittany who has been taken prisoner by King John.

Sparks fly between Eduard and Ariel. They are both tempermental and stubborn, and neither wants to be in the other's company but traveling for days in dangerous conditions brings them closer together and makes it harder for them to deny the attraction developing between them.

I think some people need to beware: this story is more centered around the plot than the romance which is finding out what King John did to his neice, Princess Eleanor. I did not mind this because the book is so filled with adventure and cliffhanging moments that it was kind of nice to read a book that's not all about the romance.

All in all, this is a great story for anyone. Even those who don't like romance novels.