I am an avid Shannon Drake fan and love all of her other medival romance novels. However, this was the absolute worst book I ever read. The characters had no substance and the plot boring and predictable. I am usually drawn into the stories she weaves, but I could barely make it through this one. Shannon, looking forward to some of your better work, such as Princess of Fire, Lie Down in Roses, etc. This one should be burned at the stake!