In the Shadow of the Storm

By: Anna Belfrage

Narrated by: Greg Patmore

Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Lord Roger rises in rebellion against the king, Adam has no choice but to ride with him - no matter the ultimate cost.

England in 1321 is a confusing place. Edward II has been forced by his barons to exile his favorite, 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.

Adam fears his lord has overreached, but he has other matters to concern him i first and foremost, his new wife, Katherine de Monmouth. His bride comes surrounded by rumors concerning her and Lord Roger, and Adam hates it when his brother snickers and whispers of "used goods".

Kit 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.

But domestic matters become irrelevant when the king sets out to punish his rebellious barons, and the Welsh Marches explode into war. 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.

The first in Anna Belfrage's new series, In the Shadow of the Storm is the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife.

©2018 Anna Belfrage (P)2018 Timelight Press

A deeper, meatier version of the usual HR

This book is like those people in our lives (maybe you’re one of them) who are blessed with beauty and brains- Miss Universe with a Ph.D. in European History from Oxford. Yes, it definitely is a solid romance, with all the requisite steam, but what sets this one apart is the author’s skillful rendition of the story’s setting. Rather than a dry documentary, this tale provides all the facts surrounding King Edward II/Queen Isabella/Edward III/Roger Mortimer/Hugh Despenser in the context of what it was like to live during that time. Walking down the street in 13th century London, for example, with all the squalor and despair that pushed starving street urchins to brutality in order to survive. The utter ruthless nature of successful leaders and the absolute vulnerability of everyone else. The tenuous hold on life that touched every single person regardless of age or class. She brings to life all those details and makes us FEEL right along with the characters. The narrator is absolutely spot on, whose widely ranging talent provides the final dimension needed to fully immerse the listener. No joke, there are situations (misogyny, domestic violence, rape, torture) which may be difficult to get through, but they are presented right along with other behaviors that were accepted for the time and enhance, rather than detract from the texture of the writing. So, now that I have experienced this level of historical accuracy and moving prose in a romance novel, it will be a little disappointing going back to the usual fare. Absolutely worth a credit.

I fell in love with this story

WOW. I read this book for a book club with my publishing company and it blew me away! The writing is breathtaking and the story is riveting. It reminded me of Philippa Gregory -- with spice!

I already bought the rest of the books in this series and can't wait to read them all, highly recommend!

Enjoyable read

highly recommend for those readers who enjoy a mix of history, romance, adventure and a well told story.

Wonderfully Entertaining

I thoroughly enjoyed this 14th century historical novel. The whole book was very entertaining and the characters were vibrant. But most of all the narrator did such a fabulous job with all of his accents and keeping track of the characters, nobody could have done it better.

This is a romance not historical fiction

Audible should recategorize this as historical romance. The characters are so bratty and do not act as of the time period. Unless you want a romance novel stay away from this one.

Outstanding !

This is the first time I read a book for this author and I am impressed. Stayed up all night and the narrator just made it even better. Certainly worth a credit.

same old

listened right to the end story line exactly the same as the authors other books not impressed

just sex

not historical fiction but ridiculous scenario, and not as described, no mention was made of sexual content

Not for me

Had expected history in the vein of Alison Weir and Phillipa Gregory not Mills and Boon. Not a criticism of latter but not my thing.