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Review

Great read, I loved it!

4 stars

This is the first book in the Gifted ones series, but it actually ties into Duvall’s Immortal Guardians series, as a prequel of sorts. Set in 12th century England, it is the story of Gifted One, Alyssa, and Lord Dylan, the warrior with a romantic heart.

A Gifted One is a human who possesses special powers. In Alyssa’s case, this is the power of healing, with some seer abilities. She is constantly subjected to scorn and hatred by those who fear her gifts and suspect she may be a witch, but it doesn’t stop her from offering her assistance whenever she can. In order to protect herself, she lives a mostly solitary life and covers herself in a thick cloak and, never allowing anybody to see her true appearance and disguising her voice to sound like her grandmother who held the positon before her.

The only person who appreciates her presence is Lord Dylan. Dylan is a savage warrior who longs for peace. His encounters with women who want him just for his harsh dominance have left him cold, and he longs for warmth and companionship, somebody who can be a true partner and make him happy. But the closest relationship he has is with his ‘wise woman’ – the one he believes is the same elderly woman who served his father. For seven years he has opened up to her, discussed strategy with her and accepted her counsel, and she has become a true friend to him. She is the one person that he feels he can turn to, and he treasures her place in his life.

When tragedy strikes and Alyssa ends up in trouble, Dylan is determined to help her, but in doing so he removes her robes and sees the woman beneath for the first time. His heart is immediately captured by the young beauty, and given all that they have already shared together and the affection that he has for her, the leap to love is only natural.

Alyssa has loved Dylan since she first came to work for him, so though she is shocked and dismayed that her secret is out, she can’t resist his advances, and on my holy hotness! Like the love stories in the Immortal Guardians series, things progress quickly between our love-struck couple and their relationship is angst-free and absolutely functional. Though Alyssa’s secret must be kept for her own safety, she is completely free with Dylan, and behind closed doors their relationship develops beautifully.

“You were right that night, when we talked of the woman I longed to have by my side, to grow old with. She does exist … Stay with me, please, and I shall spend the rest of my days thanking you.”

But as deeply connected and in love as they are, Dylan is of the nobility and without noble blood, Alyssa sees no future for them. Dylan doesn’t care a bit about such rules. He loves Alyssa, he wants her, and he has every intention of having a future with her. And his besotted declarations are swoony as all hell!

He brushed her lips with a gentle kiss. “Please, Alyssa. You have fought by my side before, do so one last time, and I promise you the reward will be far greater than we ever dreamed.”

The love story is beautifully told, and blends nicely in with the rest of the action happening in the book – Dylan’s responsibilities as Lord see him constantly battling to protect his people and he is facing down a dangerous enemy – a neighbouring nobleman who has plans to destroy him (and his wife woman). And closer to home there is the ongoing battle for Alyssa to gain acceptance amongst his people. And through it all Dylan’s fierce protectiveness is awesome, and it balances beautifully with his sweet and loving romantic side. I really loved the addition of Dylan’s brother, Robert, to the story. He is a great character, sweet, loyal and funny as all hell, and I’m hoping we get to see more of him in future books (and Immortal Guardians fans will love the brief cameos from Seth and Roland!). I thought Duvall did a great job with the historical aspects of the story. Her writing is descriptive yet interesting, and her consistency with the use of language and the beliefs of the time really helps to suck you into the story.

Together, it’s all very exciting, and I devoured this book from start to finish. There’s a lot of scope for this series to develop, and I’m looking excited to see where it’s all going to go.

I loved it – 4 stars.

 

The Gifted Ones

A prequel to the Immortal Guardians series.  Can be read independently.

  

A Sorceress of His Own (#1) (Dillon & Alyssa)
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Rendezvous with Yesterday (#2) (Robert & Bethany)
Review
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Check out our Immortal Guardians / Gifted Ones series page for more information on this exciting series – including reading order, reviews and buy links.