Joan Lovnt is slowly losing her sight but she is determined to cling on to her independence. Her brother asks Sir Warrin of Talmont to watch over her whilst her brother goes to defend his liege.
Joan is an independent, proud individual, despite a harsh childhood and her father blaming her for their family’s problems. Warrin is a widower, determined not to love again after losing his wife and daughter to kidnapping. He asked Joan not to go out in the city at night but she ignored him and carry’s on. As the threats increase she realises she needs his help and in return helps him. A friendship develops but thy both try and avoid a relationship due to the past. When they are trapped together they realise they want a HEA.

Joan suffers from poor sight but is determined to make her own way, meanwhile Warrin has been asked to look out for Joan in her brother's absence but the more time Warrin spends in her company the more he finds himself attracted to her, But he has loved and lost before and doesn't want to put Joan at risk so tries to hold his feelings in check. But after getting trapped together he finds he simply can't resist her.

An interesting read with mystery running throughout.

3.75 stars

It's quite near my 4 star books though there's a build up of romance I felt there was something missing. Joan is loosing her sight and Warin is a colleague of her brother. He is a widower having lost his wife and daughter to a kidnapper. I didn't realise this was the start of the series which explains why there's a few more potential heros and an over arcing menace from someone trying to destroy their liege.

It was Ok but not sure I'll continue.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely story! Fabulous hero and heroine, and well plotted. This author is new to me but I’ll be looking out for more of her books.

5 Word Review: Family, love, loyalty, generosity, intrigue.

Excuse me while I grab some crusty bread and a glass of wine - it's time for more historical romance and I know from past books that this author will have me craving certain snacks.

Joan is very much the defiant maiden of the title - she is so strong willed and independent even as her condition rallies against her. Her encroaching blindness isn't the end of her world, and she strives to make it a better world for those less fortunate, her generosity with the Church was amazing. She has such a strong spirit.

Warin is the very definition of a knight. He's brave and driven and chivalrous and loyal, and I love that it was this that brought him and Joan together.

I loved the slow growing attraction between them, the way they both fought against it at first. Their attraction grows from getting to know each other, and I love relationships that build that way. The banter between them is excellent.

The story isn't just romance - I loved the threads of intrigue and mystery that went along with Warin's position in the Knights Fortitude.

The writing in this book is beautiful, a real pleasure to read. The setting is brought to life so vividly that I felt like I was there in the market streets from the very first page - and I was hungry. Get yourself some crusty bread and a juicy apple for this book because you will need snacks.

I can't wait to see what Melissa Oliver comes up with next.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

A great way to spend an afternoon
Read in one sitting - very satisfying read

Surprisingly satisfying! A really good book following Joan as she continues to lose her sight but still wants independence. Her brother’s friend Warin is supposed to keep an eye on her however he is working to find a traitor and Joan ends up going along. An interesting romance looking at how precious independence and motivation is and how love can sneak in.

I truly enjoyed this novel about a strong lass who is slowly loosing her sight, she has been blamed by her father for every bad thing that happened to her family despite himself being the cause. She finally finds love with the ‘knight “ assigned to watch over her when her broth goes off to protect his liege. Well written and I particularly enjoyed the description of the tanning process.