Kirjahaku

Adam de Guirande owes his lord, Roger Mortimer, much more than loyalty. He owes Lord Roger for his life and all his worldly goods, he owes him for his beautiful wife – even if Kit is not quite the woman Lord Roger thinks she is. So when Mortimer rises in rebellion against the king, Adam has no choice but to ride with him – no matter what the ultimate cost may be. England in 1321 is a confusing place. Edward II has been forced by his barons to exile his favourite, Hugh Despenser. The barons, led by the powerful Thomas of Lancaster, Roger Mortimer and Humphrey de Bohun, have reasons to believe they have finally tamed the king. But Edward is not about to take things lying down, and fate is a fickle mistress, favouring first one, then the other. Adam fears his lord has over-reached, but at present Adam has other matters to concern him, first and foremost his new wife, Katherine de Monmouth. His bride comes surrounded by rumours concerning her and Lord Roger, and he hates it when his brother snickers and whispers of used goods. Kit de Courcy has the misfortune of being a perfect double of Katherine de Monmouth – which is why she finds herself coerced into wedding a man under a false name. What will Adam do when he finds out he has been duped? Domestic matters become irrelevant when the king sets out to punish his rebellious barons. The Welsh Marches explode into war, and soon Lord Roger and his men are fighting for their very lives. When hope splutters and dies, when death seems inevitable, it falls to Kit to save her man – if she can. In the Shadow of the Storm is the first in Anna Belfrage’s new series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife.

Adam de Guirande has barely survived the aftermath of Roger Mortimer’s rebellion in 1321. When Mortimer manages to escape the Tower and flee to France, anyone who has ever served Mortimer becomes a potential traitor – at least in the eyes of King Edward II and his royal chancellor, Hugh Despenser. Adam must conduct a careful balancing act to keep himself and his family alive. Fortunately, he has two formidable allies: Queen Isabella and his wife, Kit. England late in 1323 is a place afflicted by fear. Now that the king’s greatest traitor, Roger Mortimer, has managed to evade royal justice, the king and his beloved Despenser see dissidents and rebels everywhere – among Mortimer’s former men, but also in the queen, Isabella of France. Their suspicions are not unfounded. Tired of being relegated to the background by the king’s grasping favourite, Isabella has decided it is time to act – to safeguard her own position, but also that of her son, Edward of Windsor. As Adam de Guirande has pledged himself to Prince Edward he is automatically drawn into the queen’s plans – whether he likes it or not. Yet again, Kit and Adam are forced to take part in a complicated game of intrigue and politics. Yet again, they risk their lives – and that of those they hold dear – as the king and Mortimer face off. Once again, England is plunged into war – and this time it will not end until either Despenser or Mortimer is dead. Days of Sun and Glory is the second in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife.

Adam de Guirande has cause to believe the turbulent times are behind him: Hugh Despenser is dead and Edward II has been forced to abdicate in favour of his young son. It is time to look forward, to a bright new world in which the young king, guided by his council, heals his kingdom and restores its greatness. But the turmoil is far from over… After years of strife, England in the early months of 1327 is a country in need of stability, and many turn with hope towards the new young king, Edward III. But Edward is too young to rule, so instead it is his mother, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who do the actual governing, much to the dislike of barons such as Henry of Lancaster. In the north, the Scots take advantage of the weakened state of the realm and raid with impunity. Closer to court, it is Mortimer’s increasing powers that cause concerns – both among his enemies, but also for men like Adam, who loves Mortimer dearly, but loves the young king just as much. When it is announced that Edward II has died in September of 1327, what has so far been a grumble grows into voluble protests against Mortimer. Yet again, the spectre of rebellion haunts the land, and things are further complicated by the reappearance of one of Adam’s personal enemies. Soon enough, he and his beloved wife Kit are fighting for their survival – even more so when Adam is given a task that puts them both in the gravest of dangers. Under the Approaching Dark is the third in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife.

A well-researched historical setting provides the background against which the personal challenges and tragedies of The Graham Saga are set. In this the ninth book, we return to a Maryland presently torn apart by religious conflict – the hitherto so tolerant approach to various faiths is a thing of the past now that the staunchly Protestant William & Mary sit on the throne, and when Catholic friends of the Grahams end up in danger, Matthew and Alex must ride to the rescue. Meanwhile, in London little Rachel Cooke has her entire world turned upside down the day the man she thought to be her father sells her to pay off his debts. Fortunately for Rachel, her Graham relatives set out to find her. But will they be too late?

After Henry of Lancaster’s rebellion has been crushed, a restless peace settles over England. But the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents’ puppet, and soon enough Adam is torn between his loyalty to the young king – and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer, now co-regent and effective ruler of England. Edward III is growing up fast. No longer a boy to be manipulated, he resents the power of his mother, Queen Isabella, and Mortimer. His regents show little inclination of handing over their power to him, the rightful king, and Edward suspects they never will unless he forces their hand. Adam de Guirande is first and foremost Edward’s man, and he too is of the opinion that the young king is capable of ruling on his own. But for Adam siding with his king causes heartache, as he still loves Roger Mortimer, the man who shaped him into what he is. Inevitably, Edward and his regents march towards a final confrontation. And there is nothing Adam can do but pray and hope that somehow things will work out. Unfortunately, prayers don’t always help. The Cold Light of Dawn is the fourth in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord and his king

In the long lost ancient past, two men fought over the girl with eyes like the Bosporus under a summer sky. It ended badly. She died. They died. Since then, they have all tumbled through time, reborn over and over again. Now they are all here, in the same place, the same time and what began so long ago must finally come to an end. Ask Helle Madsen what she thinks about reincarnation and she’ll laugh in your face. Besides, Helle has other stuff to handle, what with her new, exciting job in London and her drop-dead but seriously sinister boss, Sam Woolf. And then one day Jason Morris walks into her life and despite never having clapped eyes on him before, she recognises him immediately. Very weird. Even more weird is the fact that Sam and Jason clearly hate each other’s guts. Helle’s life is about to become extremely complicated and far too exciting…

After having spent more than fifty lives looking for his long-lost love, Jason Morris felt entitled to a Happily Ever After with his Helle. But fate intervenes, and that ride into the sunset is postponed as Jason and Helle deal with Sam Woolf’s determined attempts to destroy them. Plus, of course, there’s Juliet, a woman who has followed Jason from life to life and has no intention of giving up without a fight

For the king’s loyal man-at-arms, Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer’s hand in marriage is an honour he could never dream of. For Eleanor, being obliged to wed the man responsible for the deaths of her father and brother is not quite as much of a fairy tale. Not that she has any choice: in this the year 1282, King Edward I rules absolute and he has far bigger concerns than the fate of one young woman—he has the conquest of Wales to plan. Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks since the age of twelve. A loyal and trusted captain, he has ridden with Edward to the Holy Land and back, fought at his side in innumerable skirmishes. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control. Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family and friends—has grown up lonely. Her Castilian mother died when Noor was a child, her father and brother have rarely been home and now they are off to fight in Wales. When a messenger arrives telling her both father and brother are dead and that the king has ordered her to wed an unknown upstart named Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply. After all, it seems her dead kin were riding against the king, not for him, when they died. While Robert is more than happy to be the lord of Orton Castle, he is not immediately taken by his plump little wife. She is young and innocent, a far cry from the willowy and statuesque Edith that has warmed Robert’s—and many others—bed for years. When Noor understands just how close Robert and Edith are, she makes a drastic attempt to have the marriage annulled. That does not go down well with Robert, surprised into realising he has not wed a plump dove but a proud Castilian hawk—a hawk he must woo or lose forever.

According to Helle Madsen, being the protagonist of a time-spanning epic love story has some things going for it, primarily Jason Morris. Because seriously, meeting up with your fated lover after 3 000 years apart is not bad—at all. Unfortunately, where Jason goes, there goes Sam Woolf, yet another very, very ancient acquaintance—with the fundamental difference that Sam is not into Happily Ever After. He’s into destruction, more specifically of Jason and Helle. Helle may believe in second-chance love, but she sure doesn’t believe in reincarnation. Okay, she didn’t believe in stuff like that until she met Jason Morris a year or so ago. By now, she has accepted that sometimes impossible things are quite, quite possible—like an ancient princess being reborn as an ambitious financial analyst. Finding Jason was like finding the part of her that had always been missing—a perfect match. But handling Sam Woolf, the reborn version of their ancient nemesis is something of a trial. No sooner do you have him well and surely beat, but up he bounces again. Sheesh, will it take an oak stake to permanently rid their lives of him? Sam Woolf is a powerful adversary. Too powerful, even. Jason and Helle will need help from unexpected quarters to finally bring this tangled, ancient love-and-hate triangle to some sort of conclusion. Question is, will they survive the experience?

Life in the Colony of Maryland is no sinecure--as Alex and Matthew Graham well know. But nothing in their previous life has prepared them for the mayhem that is about to be unleashed upon them.Being labeled a witch is not a good thing in 1684, so it is no wonder Alex Graham is aghast at having such insinuations thrown at her. Even worse, it's Matthew's brother-in-law, Simon Melville, who points finger at her.Not that the ensuing hearing is her main concern, because nowadays Alex's entire life is tainted by the fear of what Philip Burley will do to them once he gets hold of them. On a sunny May afternoon, Philip finally achieves his aim and over the course of the coming days Alex sees her whole life unraveling, leaving her family permanently maimed. As if all this wasn't enough, Alex also has to cope with the loss of one of her sons. Forcibly adopted by the former Susquehannock, Samuel is dragged from Alex's arms to begin a new life in the wilderness.How is Alex to survive all this? And will she be able to put her damaged family back together?Revenge and Retribution is the sixth book in Anna Belfrage's time slip series featuring time traveler Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth-century husband, Matthew Graham.

Life in the Colony of Maryland is no sinecure--as Alex and Matthew Graham well know. But nothing in their previous life has prepared them for the mayhem that is about to be unleashed upon them.Being labeled a witch is not a good thing in 1684, so it is no wonder Alex Graham is aghast at having such insinuations thrown at her. Even worse, it's Matthew's brother-in-law, Simon Melville, who points finger at her.Not that the ensuing hearing is her main concern, because nowadays Alex's entire life is tainted by the fear of what Philip Burley will do to them once he gets hold of them. On a sunny May afternoon, Philip finally achieves his aim and over the course of the coming days Alex sees her whole life unraveling, leaving her family permanently maimed. As if all this wasn't enough, Alex also has to cope with the loss of one of her sons. Forcibly adopted by the former Susquehannock, Samuel is dragged from Alex's arms to begin a new life in the wilderness.How is Alex to survive all this? And will she be able to put her damaged family back together?Revenge and Retribution is the sixth book in Anna Belfrage's time slip series featuring time traveler Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth-century husband, Matthew Graham.

Some gifts are double-edged swords ...For Matthew Graham, being given the gift of his former Scottish manor is a dream come true. For his wife, Alex, this gift will force her to undertake a perilous sea journey, leaving most of their extensive family in the Colony of Maryland. Alex is torn apart by this, but staying behind while her husband travels to Scotland is no option. Scotland in 1688 is a divided country, torn between the papist Stuart king and the foreign but Protestant William of Orange. In the Lowlands, popular opinion is with Dutch William, and Matthew's reluctance to openly support him does not endear him to his former friends and neighbors. While Matthew struggles to come to terms with the fact that Scotland of 1688 bears little resemblance to his lovingly conserved memories, Alex is forced to confront unresolved issues from her past, including her overly curious brother-in-law, Luke Graham. And then there's the further complication of the dashing, flamboyant Viscount Dundee, a man who knocks Alex completely off her feet.All the turmoil that accompanies their return to Scotland pales into insignificance when a letter arrives, detailing the calamities threatening their youngest daughter in Maryland--at the hand of that most obnoxious minister, Richard Campbell. Matthew and Alex have no choice but to hasten back, no matter the heartache this causes. Will they make it back in time? And what will Richard Campbell do? To Catch a Falling Star is the eighth book in Anna Belfrage's series featuring time traveler Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth-century husband, Matthew Graham.

After Henry of Lancaster's rebellion has been crushed, a restless peace settles over England. But the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents' puppet, and soon enough Adam is torn between his loyalty to the young king--and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer, now co-regent and effective ruler of England. Edward III is growing up fast. No longer a boy to be manipulated, he resents the power of Mortimer and his mother, Queen Isabella. His regents show little inclination of handing over their power to him, the rightful king, and Edward suspects they never will unless he forces their hand.Adam de Guirande is first and foremost Edward's man, and he too is of the opinion that the young king is capable of ruling on his own. But for Adam siding with his king causes heartache, as he still loves Roger Mortimer, the man who shaped him into what he is. Inevitably, Edward and his regents march toward a final confrontation. And there is nothing Adam can do but pray and hope that somehow things will work out. Unfortunately, prayers don't always help.

Adam de Guirande has barely survived the aftermath of Roger Mortimer's rebellion in 1321. When Mortimer manages to escape the Tower and flee to France, anyone who has ever served Mortimer becomes a potential traitor--at least in the eyes of King Edward II and his royal chancellor, Hugh Despenser. Adam must conduct a careful balancing act to keep himself and his family alive. Fortunately, he has two formidable allies: Queen Isabella and his wife, Kit.Late in 1323, England is a place afflicted by fear. Now that the king's greatest traitor, Roger Mortimer, has managed to evade royal justice, the king and his beloved Despenser see dissidents and rebels everywhere--among Mortimer's former men, but also in the queen, Isabella of France.Yet again, Kit and Adam are forced to take part in a complicated game of intrigue and politics. Yet again, they risk their lives--and that of those they hold dear--as Edward II and Mortimer face off. And yet again, England is plunged into war--but this time it will not end until either Despenser or Mortimer is dead.

Adam de Guirande has barely survived the aftermath of Roger Mortimer's rebellion in 1321. When Mortimer manages to escape the Tower and flee to France, anyone who has ever served Mortimer becomes a potential traitor--at least in the eyes of King Edward II and his royal chancellor, Hugh Despenser. Adam must conduct a careful balancing act to keep himself and his family alive. Fortunately, he has two formidable allies: Queen Isabella and his wife, Kit.Late in 1323, England is a place afflicted by fear. Now that the king's greatest traitor, Roger Mortimer, has managed to evade royal justice, the king and his beloved Despenser see dissidents and rebels everywhere--among Mortimer's former men, but also in the queen, Isabella of France.Yet again, Kit and Adam are forced to take part in a complicated game of intrigue and politics. Yet again, they risk their lives--and that of those they hold dear--as Edward II and Mortimer face off. And yet again, England is plunged into war--but this time it will not end until either Despenser or Mortimer is dead.

Adam de Guirande has barely survived the aftermath of Roger Mortimer's rebellion in 1321. When Mortimer manages to escape the Tower and flee to France, anyone who has ever served Mortimer becomes a potential traitor--at least in the eyes of King Edward II and his royal chancellor, Hugh Despenser. Adam must conduct a careful balancing act to keep himself and his family alive. Fortunately, he has two formidable allies: Queen Isabella and his wife, Kit.Late in 1323, England is a place afflicted by fear. Now that the king's greatest traitor, Roger Mortimer, has managed to evade royal justice, the king and his beloved Despenser see dissidents and rebels everywhere--among Mortimer's former men, but also in the queen, Isabella of France.Yet again, Kit and Adam are forced to take part in a complicated game of intrigue and politics. Yet again, they risk their lives--and that of those they hold dear--as Edward II and Mortimer face off. And yet again, England is plunged into war--but this time it will not end until either Despenser or Mortimer is dead.

On a muggy August day in 2002, Alex Lind disappears without a trace. On an equally stifling August day in 1658, Matthew Graham finds her on an empty Scottish moor. Life will never be the same for Alex-or for Matthew.Due to a series of rare occurrences, Alexandra Lind is thrown three centuries backwards in time. She lands at the feet of Matthew Graham-an escaped convict making his way home to Scotland in this the year of our Lord 1658.Matthew doesn't quite know what to make of this concussed and injured woman who has seemingly fallen from the skies-what is she, a witch?Alex gawks at this tall, gaunt man with hazel eyes, dressed in what to her mostly looks like rags. At first, she thinks he might be some sort of hermit, an oddball, but she quickly realizes the odd one out is she, not he.Catapulted from a life of modern comfort, Alex grapples with this new existence, further complicated by the dawning realization that someone from her time has followed her here-and not exactly to extend a helping hand.Potential compensation for this brutal shift in fate comes in the shape of Matthew-a man she should never have met, not when she was born three centuries after him. Matthew quickly proves himself a willing and most capable protector, but he comes with baggage of his own, and on occasion it seems his past will see him killed. At times, Alex finds it all excessively exciting and longs for the structured life she used to have.How will she ever get back? And more importantly, does she want to?A Rip in the Veil is the first in Anna Belfrage's time slip series featuring time traveler Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth-century husband, Matthew Graham.

Matthew Graham committed the mistake of his life when he cut off his brother's nose-however much he deserved it. In revenge, Luke Graham has Matthew abducted and transported to the Colony of Virginia, there to be sold as indentured labor-a death sentence more or less.Matthew arrives in Virginia in May of 1661, and any hope he had of finding someone willing to listen to his tale of unlawful abduction is quickly extinguished. If anything Matthew's insistence that he is an innocent man leads to him being singled out for the heaviest tasks.Insufficient food, grueling days, and the humid heat combine to wear Matthew down. With a sinking feeling he realizes no one has ever survived the seven years of service-not on the plantation Suffolk Rose, not under the tender care of the overseer Dominic Jones.Fortunately for Matthew, he has a remarkable wife, a woman who has no intention of letting her husband suffer and die, and so Alex Graham sets off on a perilous journey to bring her husband home.Alex is plagued by nightmares in which her Matthew is reduced to a wheezing wreck by his tormentors. She sits in the prow of the ship and prays for a miracle to carry her swiftly to his side, to let her hold him and heal him before it's too late. Fate, however, has other ideas, and what should have been a two month crossing becomes a yearlong adventure from one side of the Atlantic to the other.Will she find him in time? And if she does, will she be capable of paying the price required to buy him free?Like Chaff in the Wind is the second in Anna Belfrage's time slip series featuring time traveler Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth-century husband, Matthew Graham.

Safely returned from an involuntary stay in Virginia, Matthew Graham finds the Scottish Lowlands torn asunder by religious strife. His Restored Majesty, Charles II, requires all his subjects to swear fealty to him and the Church of England, riding roughshod over any opposition. In Ayrshire, people close ranks around their evicted Presbyterian ministers. But disobedience comes at a high price, and Alex becomes increasingly nervous as to what her Matthew is risking by his support of the clandestine ministers-foremost amongst them the charismatic Sandy Peden. Privately, Alex considers Sandy an enervating fanatic and all this religious fervor is incomprehensible to her. So when Matthew repeatedly sets his faith and ministers before his own safety, he puts their marriage under severe strain. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Ian, the son Matthew was cruelly duped into disowning several years ago. Now Matthew wants Ian back and Alex isn't entirely sure this is a good thing. Things are brought to a head when Matthew places all their lives in the balance to save his dear preacher from the dragoons. How much is Matthew willing to risk? How much will he ultimately lose? The Prodigal Son is the third in Anna Belfrage's time slip series featuring time traveler Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth-century husband, Matthew Graham.

Safely returned from an involuntary stay in Virginia, Matthew Graham finds the Scottish Lowlands torn asunder by religious strife. His Restored Majesty, Charles II, requires all his subjects to swear fealty to him and the Church of England, riding roughshod over any opposition. In Ayrshire, people close ranks around their evicted Presbyterian ministers. But disobedience comes at a high price, and Alex becomes increasingly nervous as to what her Matthew is risking by his support of the clandestine ministers-foremost amongst them the charismatic Sandy Peden. Privately, Alex considers Sandy an enervating fanatic and all this religious fervor is incomprehensible to her. So when Matthew repeatedly sets his faith and ministers before his own safety, he puts their marriage under severe strain. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Ian, the son Matthew was cruelly duped into disowning several years ago. Now Matthew wants Ian back and Alex isn't entirely sure this is a good thing. Things are brought to a head when Matthew places all their lives in the balance to save his dear preacher from the dragoons. How much is Matthew willing to risk? How much will he ultimately lose? The Prodigal Son is the third in Anna Belfrage's time slip series featuring time traveler Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth-century husband, Matthew Graham.