A Medieval Romance (Swordcross Knights Book 1) - Honor & Roses

In the category of ‘judge a book by its cover’, I have to say, the cover of Honor & Roses is beautiful. With no actual face revealed, the image of the heroine, Lady Cecily, looking over a garden gate toward, not a garden, but an entire countryside, one gets and idea of the honor of the Lady and that she takes her responsibilities to heart. Very nice.

I enjoyed this story of intrigue and romance in medieval times set against the English civil war between would be rulers Stephen and Maud. There are what might appear to be a few twists, though I found the plot direction to be predictable.

Still the characters, Cecily and Alric, made Honor & Roses a story worth reading. As heroine and hero, they are flawed and engaging. Their strengths and weaknesses play off each other in a way that convinces the reader they must be meant for each other.

The antagonists were not very interesting characters. Had they been so, the intrigue aspect of the story would have captured my interest more than it did. Without an interesting bad guy or two, I was left with just the romance aspect of the book. I enjoyed the romance part a lot. But I felt the book could have been a bit more, well, intriguing.

Overall, Honor & Roses is a lovely romance that will appeal to readers of medieval historical romance.

The author provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Originally posted at Whiskey With My Book.

I discovered Elizabeth Cole early last year with her Zodiac series and I've been hooked ever since. I've been eagerly awaiting her venture into a medieval setting after enjoying her regency series so much (not to mention her contemporary work Love on the Run!" I was delighted to be offered an advance copy of Honor & Roses in exchange for an honest review
Alric of Hawksmere and Lady Cecily are childhood friends when war calls and Alric has to leave home. Five years later, Sir Alric returns home to find that the 14 year old Cecily he left behind has become a woman.
I found the progression of Alric and Cecily's relationship genuinely sweet and believable for the period. The difference in their class keeping them apart and Cecily's lack of control over her future infuriates the 21st century woman in me, but it makes for a satisfying love story. There's a few twists and turns and questionable characters that keeps things very interesting, as well as events set in motion to move on to the next tale involving the knights. I'm really looking forward to visiting these characters again in her next novel!

I receveid an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book as those about Zodiac series.
This book engages you from the first page and keep you with it until the end. The main characters are well descripted, engaging and strong. The setting is very beautifull and takes you into a word of knights and ladies. In fact, the main story is set in 1141 in the war between King Stephen and his cousin Moude for the throne of England.
The romance is centered on the lady Cecil and knight Alric, on their trouble love, being banned because she is superior rank, but strong and sincere, on the betrayal of trusted people because part of the family and on mysteries to solve.
A book for everyone.

Cecily and Alric have known each other from childhood, hoping to see each other again when he returns from battle without fully realizing what they hope for. Alric comes home a knight, accompanied by companions pledged to be his brothers, and soon begins to sense things are not quite right at the manor. Cecily's uncle is holding tight to the lands she will inherit ... and that is only the beginning of the plots within plots these two must face. Elizabeth Cole has created delightful characters I wanted to succeed without seeing exactly how they would achieve their desired goals. There's something of Tristan and Iseult in Cecily and Alric's story, but the bond is long friendship and shared memories, not a magic potion.

We also meet the knights who might feature in the next books in this new series, different men, different characters and backgrounds, who we know have their own stories. This first book introduces a medieval world filled with challenge but also beauty, danger and also love. I am familiar with Cole's Zodiac series, and enjoyed the feel of this book. I received and ARC with a request for an honest review, and honestly look forward to the next books in this world.

I usually read Regency romance and love Elizabeth Cole's books from that time in history. Medieval romance is new to me. I was lucky and received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Well, Mrs. Cole got me hooked. The way she writes makes it easy for anyone to picture not just the characters in the story but also the setting. Until I read this book I had very little knowledge of the 12th century and the area in which the story takes place. If you like a little history and geography lessons in a book with strong heroes and heroins and a great plot that might surprise you then this book is a must read. I recommend this book to anyone. And I am looking forward to next one. There are so many interesting characters in the book that this just can't be the only one we get. Even so it is a stand alone. I enjoyed it tremendously and I know you will, too.

Interestingly, this book introduces minor characters who are even more intriguing than the hero, and as such is a must read for those who intend to read the series. (I am a fan of her Zodiac series). The book slowed down for a couple of chapters , then accelerated to an action-packed last half. I am sure others will give a synopsis of the plot...I would just encourage the reader to keep going, because a twenty minute slowdown for a couple of short chapters is more than made up for in the surprising rest of the book. The characters also seem to start off as stereotypes but soon develop into more rounded personalities. I would give it a 4.5 in actuality, because the beginning should be improved, but as that rating is not available and I do think her readers will enjoy the ending, I bumped it up rather than down.

I really enjoyed Honor and Roses. The beginning of the story was a little slow. One reviewer accurately called it a gentle introduction. Once the stage is set, the story flows right along. There are some twists and turns along the way, but Cecily and Alaric get their happily ever after. There was no cliffhanger (yay!), but there was enough to make you wonder what will happen next. I look forward to the rest of this series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the story!! The plot and characters where complex, the writing was very well done, and it all flowed nicely. The questions I had as I went along were answered making it very compete. But the opening to the continuation has me looking for more without leaving me with a cliffhanger. Thank you for that! I felt I was right there in the story as I read. I didn't want to put it down. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this Elizabeth Cole story as an advance ARC copy to give a review and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have since purchased an ebook copy as well to add to my library.
I have read a number of Elizabeth's books and Honor and Roses will keep you immersed in the story as with her others.
The story was a bit slow at first but the scene and period (medieval England time of knights and holy wars) had to be set for the reader. Once there the story moved well with a few twists and turns along the way.
I won't give away the story but suffice to say go and buy it you will enjoy it.

I cannot wait for the next in the series.
Margie H

I give this honest review as thanks for being part of a selected group who have been given an advanced copy (ARC) to read and review. As a lover of Historical Romance, I fell in love with Elizabeth Cole's Zodiac Series. This author does not disappoint! Her newest book, Honor & Roses is set in the 1100's, and she has an uncanny ability to sweep you up and transport you there. From the moment you pick up the book you will come to love the characters of Alric and Cecily. I know I did. The book is fast paced and well written leaving you with anticipation for the next book in this delightful series.

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book for review. I loved Elizabeth Cole's Zodiac series and was delighted that this book remained true to her writing style. Her descriptions paint great visuals that make you feel as if you are right there with the characters - I loved it. Very good twists and turns that you will enjoy and real characters that grow with the story. And best yet this is the 1st book in a series so more to come.

Really enjoyed this & looking forward to more from Elizabeth Cole. As a fan of the Zodiac series was lucky enough to get an advanced review copy. Looking forward to continuing this series and period from Elizabeth Cole.