The margrave owns the finest hunting grounds for miles around–and Odette Menkels spends her nights poaching his deer to feed the hungry orphans of Thornbeck. By day, Odette is a single maiden who teaches chidren to read, but by night this young beauty has become the secret lifeline to the poorest of the poor.
For Jorgen Hartman, the margrave’s forester, tracking down a poacher is a duty he is all too willing to perform. Jorgen inherited his post from the man who raised him. . . a man who was murdered at the hands of a poacher.
When Jorgen and Odette meet at the Midsummer festival and share a connection during a dance, neither has any idea that they are already adversaries.
The one man she wants is bound by duty to capture her, the one woman he loves is his cunning target . . . What becomes of a forester who protects a notorious poacher? What becomes of a poacher when she is finally discovered?
Melanie Dickerson weaves a story to rival that of Robin Hood. Where a young, eligible and actractive women poaches from the rich to feed the poor. Odette, from a strong held sense of duty and long remembered past, begins poaching deer in the forbidden forest to feed those that are less fortunate than she. She is not unaware of the penalties for her actions, but continues to poach, as she believes it is the only way to ensure that the poor are fed.
Jorgen, like Odette, remembers what is it like to be hungry. While she was rescued by her uncle, Jorgen was rescued and adopted by the previous forester. Upon the murder of his adoptive father, Jorgen becomes the forester. He has a great sense of duty and feels the need to prove himself worthy of his post.
When Jorgen finds evidence of poaching, he has to face old hurts and his desire for revenge. It is not enough for Jorgen to find the poacher, he wants the poacher to pay with his life.
This story is wonderfully told. Part fairy tale and part adventure story. Melanie Dickerson has used her amazing gift to craft a wonderful tale that keeps the reader enthralled until the very end. There were so many questions going through my head, as I continued reading, questions like: What will Jorgen do when he discovers Odette’s secret? Will he be able to show her mercy or Will his anger at another cloud his judgment? How will Odette explain her poaching? And lastly, Will she ever be able to put her bow and arrows away?
Follow me on a great adventure through Thornbeck Forest and discover the answers for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest was the first of Melanie’s books, which I have read. I can honestly say it won’t be the last. This book has put her other books at the top of “To Be Read” pile. I can’t wait to travel back to the Middle Ages with her again.
Melanie Dickerson is a two-time Christy Award finalist and author of The Healer’s Apprentice, winner of the National Readers Choice Award for Best First Book in 2010, and The Merchant’s Daughter, winner of the 2012 Carol Award. She spends her time writing romantic medieval stories at her home near Huntsville, Alabama, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.
No comments:
Post a Comment