It seems my last review got deleted, though I have no idea why. Here it is again:

This story begins with Adhémar, King of Neroche, and his magic sword. His magical powers - the ones that help keep the evil lurking in the Northern borders at bay - have left him and his sword. In an effort to save the kingdom and find an answer to why his powers have left him, he goes in search of someone who can wield the Sword of Angesand and use its magic powers for the good of the Kingdom.

Enter Morgan; a highly trained mercenary who hates magic in all forms and sees no purpose for it. When she is sent on a mission, carrying and protecting the one thing she despises most, she encounters people and situations that will change her life.

--There is so much more to the story, but I don't want to give too much away. I really liked the book. I think it was very well put together, and it captured my attention completely. I gave it only three stars, because I fell as if the book lacked a proper ending. It had a beginning, and middle. Unfortunately, it seemed to me as if the book ended in the middle. Fortunately, there are two more books to read, so I cannot wait to get to those! ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The quote on the back cover that says, "Kurland out-writes romance fiction's top authors by a mile" is a truth I have witnessed. The story is not overly romantic, and bland but pure and refreshing.

The novel allows the readers to learn about Morgan, the lead female character, and consider what an interesting character she is--and how unlikely it would be for her to fall in love. She is tougher than the company she travels with, and is quicker to anger. Not to mention she hates anything to do with magic and yet is entrusted on a journey to deliver a magical sword. This delivery keeps her up at night and plagues her with nightmares.

Miach soon joins the company under a false disguise. He is a mage whose reliance is on magic and does not necessarily care for a sword. Already the pair seems unlikely. However, there is no bickering or "I'm going to be mean to you and end the end love you" which readers fall victim to in many romances.

Instead, the circumstances cause confusion in the two and obscures their priorities--such as their tasks, duties, and in Miach's case, saving the kingdom. But no, love is more important and that is what keeps them up at night.

The two main characters travel with a host of men which are Morgan's friends and Miach's brother. This makes the story much more interesting and humorous. There are also serious tasks they must attend that drives at them constantly. This causes the story to be constantly in motion, not for a single second is there anything that isn't happening! It's constant action, action, suspense and more action. It's was a surprising fast read, and although Kurland's writing took a couple of chapters to get used to I thoroughly enjoyed it because it made the story progressive and seamless.

The best part of the story? The love the two main character share is pure, and the two characters are noble and above anyone else in the world deserve to be loved...but can they survive all that deters them from achieving their dreams with one another? ( )

I was simply enchanted by this tale of dragons and mages, elves and warriors, woven around a romance that is as sweet and chaste as the Arthurian tales of knight errands and chivalry. Lynn Kurland peppered the story with her trademark subtle humour, timeless ideals of romance and honour, powered by her lyrical prose, interesting plot turns which make this tale of adventurous quests an epic fantasy worth staying up late for just to finish the last page. More here. ( )