Review - Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory

Title:  Knight of Passion (All the King's Men) 
Author:  Margaret Mallory

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446559865
• ISBN-13: 978-0446559867

Rating: 4.0

Product Description
HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT...
Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie's love for a chance at vengeance.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she's tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie's love - this time forever.

Review: This story contains lots of passion with some missteps and excitement along the way.

Lady Linnet is set on revenge and will do whatever it takes to find the men who betrayed her Grandfather.  She cannot forget hiding under the bed as the men stripped their house and left her and her twin brother, Francois, out in the cold to fend for themselves.  Linnet’s plans are to marry an elderly man and become a young, wealthy widow with the means to search out the men who destroyed her family. At sixteen she seduces her childhood sweetheart, Sir James, who is perfectly willing because he is in love and plans to marry this beautiful, rebellious temptress.  Jamie is stricken to learn Linnet has used him to tarnish herself to keep her father from making an unwanted marriage for her.

Sir James turns tail and heads out to war to become a fierce warrior knight. When he returns from battle five years later  he doesn’t plan on renewing an affair with Linnet but the passion between them flares hot.  Their manipulative dance picks up again as neither is willing to invest their hearts or let the other know their true feelings.

I had a lot of trouble enjoying the beginning of this story because I was very put off by Linnet’s flirtatious manipulations and her sexual relationship with Jamie. She practically flaunts her dishonesty as she purposefully leads him to believe the worst about her behavior. Linnet actually is a smart merchant and a good friend to the Queen but she has the tendency to use her beauty and sexual nature as a tool, ignoring the fact she is developing a few enemies.

Fortunately I am glad to say that the last 100 pages of this book saved the read for me. When Linnet gets kidnapped by the villains the story rushes on at a breath catching pace while you hope for her rescue!  I also enjoyed the history that is the backdrop for the story. Linnet is a close  friend to widowed Queen Katherine whose baby is a pawn in the royal household struggles  between the Duke of Gloucester and the Bishop of Winchester. The political posturing added additional intrigue to the story.

The writing flowed well and Ms. Mallory is to be commended on creating the complex character of Linnet. Once I got beyond Linnet’s flirtatious personality I did enjoy the book and recommend it especially to readers who enjoy the historical genre.