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When a mysterious and seductive man calling himself Renard arrived at noblewoman Katrine de Gravere’s weaving shop he offered her what every weaver in Ghent needed to stave off starvation – wool – the lifeblood of the Flemish city. Due to politics good English wool had been cut off by England’s King Edward as he fought to gain more land and more power against the French King Philip. Katrine is a noblewoman whose love of weaving is all-consuming. Left by her father who now languished in an English jail, Katrine was under the care of her disreputable and harsh uncle who her told over and over again how she was an evil lustful woman, her hair the mark of the devil. Katrine had little trust for the stranger, but had sworn to keep her father’s business alive so she bargained for the wool. What Katrine had not bargained for was to have the stranger move in while he was ‘supposed’ to be bringing her three sacks of wool, nor was she expecting to fall in love with a man who kept many secrets as he tried to control the beastly passions Katrine aroused in him. *** As a reviewer I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to read Gifford’s debut, The Knave and the Maiden, as well as The Harlot’s Daughter. Each book had been highly engrossing, well-written, well-researched featuring one of the leads as illegitimately born and having to deal with the stigma of their births. Using the same illegitimate theme in a totally unrelated story, Ms. Gifford is back with another highly absorbing historical with the mysterious Renard, born twelve months after his mother, the Duchess of Brabent had been widowed. (The author used artistic license as Margaret, daughter of King Edward I, had never been rumored as having any illegitimate children, whereas the duke had many. Fair play, I say!!!) Renard was deeply portrayed as having always lived on the fringes of the nobility but having no rights to it. His cousin and best friend was King Edward II. Gifford showed how Renard was deeply affected by his illegitimacy and fought to curb his passion for Katrine. Renard wanted the power that came with the title of Bishop if he could help Edward obtain France, in doing so he would never have to bow before the king again. Yet, how could he remain celibate when all he could think of was Katrine’s soft body; how could he give his soul to the church when he had already given heart and soul to Katrine? When Katrine discovered how he had lied, she still wanted the one chance to see what it was like to be loved by a man. Katrine had given Renard her greatest gift and in her mind, which had been inundated by her crazy uncle repeatedly telling her of her unworthiness, committed the greatest sin. Even though Katrine had noble blood – was in fact a lady – her self-esteem had been torn to shreds by her maniac uncle. Katrine could not control her attraction to Renard feeling she had nothing to lose by giving herself to him, believing that he returned her sentiments. Gifford kept the emotional roller coaster continually through this story with he lied, she lied, back and forth right to the very poignant end. Betrayals and secrets all came into play in this powerful tale of love and passion. Masterfully weaving in actual historical events with the fictional characters of Renard and Katrine, Ms. Gifford keeps the passion and adventure simmering with volatile human emotions. Gifford’s passionate and creative historical scenarios work fabulously when put together by an author whose word-smith talent excels in creating amazing characters and complex relationships culminating in fabulous love stories. Marilyn Rondeau - Reviewers International Organization (RIO)
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INNOCENCE UNVEILED
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