He’s taken her as his prisoner. But she’s holding his heart captive. In gaining their freedom, will they lose what matters most?

When Lady Olivia’s castle is besieged, she and her sister are taken captive and held for ransom by her father’s enemy, Lord Pitt. Loyalty to family means everything to Olivia. She’ll save her sister at any cost and do whatever her father asks—even if that means obeying his order to steal a sacred relic from her captor.

As Lord Pitt’s commander, Sir Aldric is in charge of the beautiful but feisty new prisoner. He has his hands full attempting to keep Lady Olivia out of trouble. When Lord Pitt throws her in the dungeon and threatens to hang her for stealing, Aldric conceives a plot to save Olivia’s life—betrothal to him.

Can Olivia give up the prestigious match her father has arranged with a wealthy marquess in order to marry a lowly knight like Aldric? And can Aldric move beyond his past mistakes to embrace love again? When loyalties are tested, they’re thrust into danger that could cost them their love and their lives.

For Love and Honor

A Daring Sacrifice

Meet Lady Rosemarie Montfort and Sir Derrick Harding

About the book:

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Isabel Lucas)

Brief Physical Description:
Lady Rosemarie Montfort is a young woman on the verge of vowing celibacy and devotion to God on her eighteenth birthday; in accordance to a vow her parent's made before her birth. All will agree that Rosemarie is the most beautiful in the land with her golden blonde hair and fair complexion.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Max Irons)

Perhaps the best way to describe Sir Derrick Harding is through Rosemarie's view:
"...The knight's eyes were the gray color of burnished steel. His hair was a hazy blond, not at all like my pure golden strands, but tested, tried, and weathered by battles and elements from which I'd always been sheltered. The muscles in his face were as taut and well defined as the rest of his body. The only imperfection on his face was a scar alongside one of his eyes -- eyes that even now seemed to see past the walls that surrounded me and to the vulnerable young woman I really was..."
Sums him up pretty well, don't ya think?

Character Traits:
Rosemarie's most eminent trait is compassion. She is very tenderhearted and can't stand to see anyone suffer unduly. She struggles with making big decisions on her own but through Derrick's influence and God's guidance she prepares herself to become her land's ruler.

Derrick has many of the same traits as Rosemarie. Once you get to know him you will vouch that he has a soft side to him that is hidden to the eye. He may come off as apathetic at first but he is actually very loyal, noble, kind, daring, compassionate,...the list continues. Combine those with the thought of him being a real knight....every girl's dream guy, right? :P

Occupations:

Montfort Castle, Ashby
(from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice)

At the death of her parents Lady Rosemarie Montfort became Ashby's ruler. Though young, she possesses wisdom beyond her years and a heart of kindness for her people. For the past fours years she has been preparing to enter the convent on her eighteenth birthday.

Sir Derrick Harding is a knight in the train of the Duke of Rivenshire. Not just any knight, but one of the three most noble and known for brave and valiant deeds. At the Duke's bidding, he competes with two other knights for the hand of Lady Rosemarie.

Noble Knights / An Uncertain Choice

Wow! Isn't that a great quote? So profound...While reading An Uncertain Choice you'll come across plenty more words of wisdom that you're sure to enjoy...

5 more days till the official start of the wonderful season of Summer! :)

Book Title: An Uncertain Choice 

Series: Noble Knights (Book 1)

Author: Jody Hedlund

Description:
Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

My Review:
I wasn't exactly sure what Jody Hedlund's first YA book would be like. I wasn't at all hesitant to read it, mind you, just curious. It was awesome! The style was basically the same as her other books but the main character, Rosemarie, was a teenager on the verge of adulthood instead of the usual slightly-more-mature characters. It was "cleaner" too, not that her other books aren't clean, don't get me wrong, but in this book the characters never kissed until the epilogue after they married. I'm sure something that parents appreciate. :)

I loved how Jody portrayed her characters. Rosemarie, a beautiful, young woman learning to make decisions through God's guidance. Derrick, a humble and noble knight willing to stand against wrong. Collin, humorous and attentive (can't wait to read more about him). And Bennet, tall, dark, & handsome :P, with a personality I'm looking forward to learning about in full.

The plot was as exciting as the characters. It was filled with mystery, action & adventure, romance, and wisdom for all, young and old.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Follow Jody Hedlund's board Novel: An Uncertain Choice on Pinterest.

Noble Knights / Prequel to An Uncertain Choice

Today's book is The Vow, the prequel to An Uncertain Choice, by Jody Hedlund. I'm glad that I bought The Vow and An Uncertain Choice at the same time because it would have been difficult to have to wait to find out the rest of Rosemarie's story. Next week when I post my review on An Uncertain Choice I plan to post another Time in the Limelight! Exciting, right? :) They're one of my favorite things to share on this blog.

Another new desktop background available under this link. :)

By the way, The Vow and An Uncertain Choice are on sale for free and $1.99, respectively. I'm sure that's a highlight of your week. It was to mine.

Countdown to the first day of Summer: 9 days :D

Book Title: The Vow
Series: Noble Knights (Prequel to An Uncertain Choice)
Author: Jody Hedlund

Description:
In this historical romance novella by Jody Hedlund, young Rosemarie finds herself drawn to Thomas, the son of the nearby baron. But just as her feelings begin to grow, a man carrying the Plague interrupts their hunting party. While in forced isolation, Rosemarie begins to contemplate her future—could it include Thomas? Could he be the perfect man to one day rule beside her and oversee her parents’ lands?

Then Rosemarie is summoned back to her castle in haste. The disease has spread, and her family is threatened. And the secret she discovers when she returns could change her future forever.

My Review:
What a great prequel to An Uncertain Choice. Definitely exciting enough for you to feel that "you just have to read the next book"! In just fifty-one pages Jody Hedlund develops a well-written, interesting plot. You can picture the surroundings and atmosphere perfectly.

I absolutely love the medieval era; have since the age of seven when I first studied it in school. This book, and the next, have been added to my favorite medieval reads. I'm so glad Jody Hedlund endeavored to write YA medieval books. Once you've read them, I'm sure you'll feel the same.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(This rating is kind of based off An Uncertain Choice as well. Without it The Vow wouldn't have been complete.)