Castilian Saga

For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d'Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale. Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control. Eleanor d'Outremer-Noor to family-lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply. Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor's blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert's bed for years. Robert's new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king. Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?

An enraged and grieving queen commands them to retrieve her exquisite jewel and abandon their foundling brat overseas-or never return. Robert FitzStephan and his wife, Noor, have been temporarily exiled. Officially, they are to travel to the courts of Aragon and Castile as emissaries of Queen Eleanor of England. Unofficially, the queen demands two things: that they abandon Lionel, their foster son, in foreign lands and that they bring back a precious jewel-the Castilian Pomegranate. Noor would rather chop off a foot than leave Lionel in a foreign land-especially as he's been entrusted to her by his dead father, the last true prince of Wales. And as to the jewel, stealing it would mean immediate execution... Spain in 1285 is a complicated place. France has launched a crusade against Aragon and soon enough Robert is embroiled in the conflict, standing side by side with their Aragonese hosts. Once in Castile, it is the fearsome Moors that must be fought, with Robert facing weeks separated from his young wife, a wife who is enthralled by the Castilian court-and a particular Castilian gallant. Jealousy, betrayal, and a thirst for revenge plunge Noor and Robert into life-threatening danger. Will they emerge unscathed or will savage but beautiful Castile leave them permanently scarred and damaged?

Blood is not always thicker than water... At times a common bloodline is something of a curse-or so Robert FitzStephan discovers when he realizes his half-brother, Eustace de Lamont, wants to kill him. A murderous and greedy brother isn't Robert's only challenge. He and his wife, Noor, also have to handle their infected relationship with a mightily displeased Queen Eleanor-all because of their mysterious little foundling whom they refuse to abandon or allow the queen to lock away. Eustace is persistent. When Robert's life hangs in the balance, it falls to Noor to do whatever it takes to rip them free from the toothy jaws of fate. Noor may be a woman, but weak she is not, and in her chest beats a heart as brave and ferocious as that of a lioness. But will her courage be enough to see them safe?