"From This Moment On"

I've just finished reading From This Moment On by Lynn Kurland, thanks to cousin Ivy who sent me a boxful of her novels a few months ago. This one is set in medieval France and England and concerns the adventures of Alienore and Colin. Alienore, betrothed without her consent (not necessary in those days) to Colin, who is known far and wide as a merciless warrior, takes refuge by stealing her brother's armor and running away disguised as a young knight.

Ironically she ends up being assigned to protect a young airhead, er woman, named Sybil, who is the next one betrothed to the infamous "Butcher of Berkhamshire." Sybil is so terrified of Colin that she continually faints every time she meets him face to face, and locks herself in the solar with her maids in waiting and a huge amount of food. (Sybil also appears to be a likely candidate for Overeaters Anonymous if it had existed in the thirteenth century).

Perceiving Alienore as a young man, passing herself off as Sir Henri, Colin decides to teach the lad to be a sword fighter, since it is clear that this young knight's training has been less than sufficient. In the course of training together an attraction grows, much to the consternation of both of them. Alienore can't understand why she is attracted to so terrifying a man, and Colin is disturbed at the thought that he may be attracted to a young man.

Several people learn Alienore's secret, most of them supportive of her, but of course there is an obligatory villain who uses it against her. Her own stepmother is also a villainess in her own right and Alienore is endangered again when brought to her homestead in, ironically, a search for herself!

Of course, being it is a romance novel, all's well that ends well, and it does. I found this an entertaining and amusing story even though the events recounted were so improbable. Apparently in order to keep historical romance fresh it is necessary to invent convoluted and improbable scenarios so that readers will not become bored with the usual plots of abduction by a sexy pirate or forced marriage to the man of her dreams.

It's a fun book and I recommend it.