The Dark Knight's Captive Bride

Reminded me somewhat of Kathryn Le Veque. This was an awesome debut! I loved the intimate portrayal of the love story. Reminded me of being in love. The sex scenes were done very tastefully. Sad the author has nothing else to offer. I will be following.highly recommend!

Beautifully written, this captivating love story was hard to put down! As with other period pieces, the story was a bit predictable, but the twists and turns made it so enjoyable the similarities didn't matter.

The author has written a fine story. Richard and Gwen are strangers thrown together against their will who find love for a lifetime. Their story spans a cataclysmic period in the history of England and Wales, which fights against their happily ever after. The characters are strong and enduring. Very hard to put down.

Natasha weaves a few love stories into the English and Welsh history keeping it interesting and a bit naughty! My favorite way to learn, or relearn, a bit of history I was not familiar with, a great author with a literary license! Makes visiting French Plantagenet castle's come to life!

I really felt the characters were developed nicely, with a good dose of humor, intensity, lust, and treachery throughout the book. You do have some of the typical antagonistic characters, but they are sprinkled in enough to build the tension without overtaking the main characters. One plot point seemed to never expose itself, but perhaps I was waiting for something that Ms. Wild did not intend. Still, it was a great read!

Natasha Wild's book "The Dark Knight's Captive Bride" felt very familiar as I read it. In fact, I even wondered if I had read it some years previously - but it was published in 2016, so that couldn't be it. However, the story itself and the period of history it covered was very recognizable to this reader. Protagonist Gwen was quite one dimensional in many respects, although her character did grow and change somewhat during the tale which helped her flesh out; husband Richard was presented as a fairly stereotypical warrior lord, and yet his changes by the end of the book were the most profound as he allowed himself to feel the love of his woman over his loyalty to his king and understand how important, necessary, Gwen was in his life. In staying true to history, Wild included details and skirmishes that may very well be historically accurate, but really didn't add to or help move Gwen and Richards story forward, so left this reader feeling like the tale had a textbook quality at times. It was simply too (historical facts) wordy periodically.

Protagonist Gwen was presented as quite naive and sheltered, which would be expected from a young female living in a secluded keep during the medieval era. Her suspician and hatred of all things English was presented well, as a girl from Wales that was influenced by the talk of the men around her and one that had witnessed the horrors of war from a distance. Her gullability felt like too much, at times, especially when she so willingly believed in and trusted her uncle - a known traitor of Wales, over the man she had been living with and able to see what type of man he actually was - her husband, a warrior of the English king. Add to that gullibility was the fact Gwen wanted to distrust and hate her husband, to honor her father... a man that had been emotionally distant with her, her entire life. Where were the small scenes of her upbringing to present reasons why Gwen felt this desperate need to honor and please her father above all others? This reader fully understands why so many other readers were displeased and gave a low rating. As readers, we want to escape realities and visit a happy place; yet, Gwen truly came across as a medieval female for the majority of this tale. Because Gwen was wishy-washy with her trust and tried to be loyal to all things Wales versus anything English, really is accurate for the era....

A few spelling, grammar and punctuation errors were found, although not enough to toss this reader from the tale. There was a lot of history told, much of it unnecessary to move Richard and Gwen's love story forward. The lack of communication which fostered the distrust between Richard and Gwen was tiresome, yet completely believable and likely historically accurate for the times. Women were chattel; men ruled supreme and did what they wanted. Although it felt like a long read, this reader did enjoy the book for the most part and will recommend Wild. However, Wild did remind this reader why she stopped reading historical romances and now prefers paranormal romances above others!

Loved Richard and Gwen and their story! One of the reasons I like this book is because the misunderstandings between the couple weren’t so ridiculous that kept them away from each other for long periods of time. Love prevailed! Looking forward to reading all of the author’s new books!

Alpha Male?? Historical Political Romance, Circa 1280.

Richard De Claiborne????, the huge, handsome, Dark Knight, now an Earl, and right hand man of the English King, Edward?, is away winning in battle when his father is killed in another battle with the Welsh Prince?of Wales, Llywelyn, along the border. Richard???? is also called the Black Hawk De Claiborne, he is the mightiest of English Warriors!
Richard's victory is ashes, now that his father is dead. He vows to have his revenge!

Black Hawk???? is building a castle? after his victory in a place that will control the distribution of food and trade. He will starve out Prince? Llywelyn, unless the Welsh Prince? surrenders.
Princess Gwen?, the daughter of Llywelyn?, is purported to be the daughter of a fairy maiden? that came from the mists, and disappeared back into them shortly after Gwen? was born. Gwen? is believed to have second sight, even though she is but a maid at 15. She was raised by loving servants.

At Rhuddlan Castle, Wales headquarters of King Edward?, the surrender of Llywelyn? is made. Gwen? is given as hostage to King Edward? and Black Hawk????, the Dark Knight and Earl of Dunsmore.
Gwen's flame red hair?, beauty, and innocent personality draws Richard???? from his darkness into her light. He is smitten with the daughter of his mortal enemy!

The second sight gives Gwen? numerous dreams of Richard????. She always sees him in armour, with a fierce black hawk upon his arm, one of its leashes dangling free, the other held in a lions mouth. What does it mean?

This is a truly wonderful book! It took me away at once, deep into the history, political intrigue, and primitive but lush lifestyle of the royal people? of that time period. I could stay inside this book? forever!
Keeping with the times, the Royal? men could do about whatever they wanted with women. This is a long, very involved book about life after the Crusades. So, there are instances of adultery, mistresses, and various partners. Just saying! This is how it was..........They came, They saw, They took what they would, because they could!

I highly recommend for lovers of Adult Historical fiction.

YEHAW! Ride Em Bareback, Cowgirl!??????????Ten studs for this one!

This book was recommended on McNaughtized.com as as a time-passer while waiting for a Judith McNaught book to hit print or old ones to make it to Kindle. This is a very commendable stand-in. I laughed; I cried; I held my breath. It was a great love story with some potent steam. If you like medievals and romance, this is a really good one!