Valorous

Age of Honor, Book 1

By: Tamara Leigh

Narrated by: Paul Draper

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

The Wulfriths. First. In between. In the end.

The Hundred Years' War of the late middle ages, the backdrop against which the formidable Wulfriths of the Age of Conquest and Age of Faith series continue their tale.

The honor of Hector Wulfrith

Pale rider. For all the wives lost to him, it is what some call England’s renowned trainer of knights, a name that reaches beyond those losses to the plague come out of the east. Believing it God’s will he not wed again, Hector Wulfrith resists being drawn to the courageous lady who enters a country at war with her own, and, disguised as a man, trespasses on his home. However, when her resolve to obtain training for a boy she claims is Wulfrith kin drags him into her mess of murder and thievery, mutual attraction becomes something more. If he can save her, dare he risk gaining her for himself knowing her fate could prove the same as his doomed wives’? Would it not be better to encourage her to return the affections of his heir - a brother wronged for what Hector stole from him?

The mess of Séverine De Barra

Since the surrender of her town to English forces, the greatest kindness shown Séverine is that of an enemy of silvered dark hair who saved her from his own when she sought to protect her cousin. Years later, she crosses the channel to keep her word to the boy’s departed sire to place him with distant kin for knighthood training. But the trouble awaiting them in England follows them to Baron Wulfrith, whom she must deceive to gain an audience - one that comes to naught though he proves her former savior. Desperate to secure her cousin’s future before the fugitive made of her endangers him, Séverine furthers her deception to obtain the baron’s aid and finds her heart turning to him. But, to what lengths will one of fortified emotions go to save a French lady destined for imprisonment in the Tower of London - and possibly death?

©2022 Tammy Schmanski (P)2022 Tammy Schmanski

Love the continuation of this fabulous series!

I have every one of Ms. Leigh’s books in this expansive storyline and love all them, listening to them often.

Although the narrator did an adequate job, I felt his portrayal of the men was quite flat. I bought this audible version (as I do all in audible) assuming it would be Mary Sarah Agliotta’s wonderfully engaging and careful rendering of each character. And although I enjoy different narrators’ voices and don’t mind someone different, it would be much better if s/he would be able to flesh out each character with inflection and intonation. In my mind, as this narrator would speak some dialogue for Hector, for instance, I would say, “Mary Sarah would have said that like this,” and I’d actually speak it out loud. (Good thing I live alone!) After all, all we have when we’re listening is the sound of a voice—no costumes, fancy sets, or live action.

But do read this first in this series for the continuing saga of the Wulfriths!

another medieval hit

I loved the Age of Faith book series so much so when Tamara Leigh went back in time to give us the Wulfrith back story (Age of Conquest) I was very excited. Now she's completed that series and is jumping forward to 200 years after the Age of Faith series to continue the Wulfrith's family line.

It was absolutely what I've come to love and expect from this author. Beautiful romance with a medieval setting, clean but still swoony and full of adventure, knights, thieves, enemies, loyalty and love.

Biggest (only) complaint is that the narrator for the audible version was a man instead of the wonderful narration of Mary Sarah Agliotta who has narrated all of the past books in these other series. It was so disappointing that I couldn't listen to it and had to read it instead. BRING BACK MARY!

Awesome story

I have all of Tamara Leighs medevil audibles. She is my FAVORITE author and I have listened several times to each one. Even though I know what's going to happen in the story, I still stay up to late to finish the book!!
True to my past history, this historical romance was hard to stop reading and save for another day. I have the kindle book.
My greatest disappointment was the narration. I LOVE Mary Sarah Agliotta as a narator. She puts so much expression and passion in her naration. I was disappointed when I started the audio of Valorus. I was expecting Mary Sara's voice and this male starts reading. His narration is flat, no expression and I had to slow down the speed to catch the story. I couldn't finish listening so I read the book. I want Mary Sarah back! I will buy Tamara 's kindle books but if he keeps narating, probably won't buy the Audible version.

Alright

Took a long time to establish a connection and I liked the narrator’s voice and his accents were great but he read in such a way it was a bit hard to follow the story line. The character development was good but slowwwww. The last hour was the best. I felt like this book was mostly a set up for the series. Still interesting and I did enjoy the story and appreciated that it wasn’t the same as so many other stories. I enjoyed the depth.

Why Change Narrator!

I have read all of her books at least twice and listened to once, but it has taken me three times trying to even listen to this book. Narrator is so monotone and boring. I even changed speeds. Unfortunately I had bought the first three books in the series before realizing how unpleasant an experience listening to the books would be. I will read the rest but do not recommend listening!!