Whispers of Desire

A Castle Romance

By: Amanda Mariel

Narrated by: Marynn Franklin

Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

A Medieval Castle Romance

In the heart of medieval England, a lady and a mercenary forge a love stronger than steel, battling both their haunted pasts and a looming threat in Whispers of Desire: A Castle Romance.

Step into a world of medieval intrigue, where the legacy of Almerry Castle is forged through the fires of love and valor. In the heart of the lush earldom of Almerry, a tale of honor, bravery, and an unbreakable bond unfolds.

Lady Isabel of Almerry is a force to be reckoned with—tall, with long black hair and piercing green eyes, she has mastered the skills of a knight, forged in the flames of tragedy. The brutal murder of her mother shattered her trust, leaving her with a heart guarded by steel walls. But when her loyal lady-in-waiting, Clarisse, vanishes without a trace, Isabel's unwavering determination propels her into the treacherous unknown.

Enter Sir Ariston, a mercenary knight in the employ of Almerry whose past is etched in sorrow. Haunted by the merciless deaths of his parents and sister before his very eyes, he carries the weight of a heartrending past. The loss of his wife and newborn child only deepens his wounds, leaving him a solitary figure with pale hair and piercing blue eyes, seeking solace on the battlefield.

Fate weaves their destinies together when Ariston stumbles upon Isabel amidst the woods that surround Almerry. A chance encounter blossoms into an unbreakable connection, defying the barriers they've each erected around their hearts. As they embark on a perilous journey to rescue Clarisse, their partnership transforms into a love that transcends the scars of their pasts.

Setbacks and challenges test their resolve, but every trial only strengthens their bond. Romantic feelings emerge, igniting a flame that neither can deny. Yet, their quest for Clarisse reveals a sinister plot—an enemy's cunning ploy to weaken Almerry by luring its knights away. United by a common purpose, Isabel and Ariston raise an army, ready to face the looming threat.

Returning to the ancient walls of Almerry Castle, they stand side by side. As the clash of swords and the echoes of battle fill the air, love's enduring power merges with their unyielding courage. In this breathtaking medieval tale of knights and castles, Isabel and Ariston embody the spirit of Almerry, a realm where love, honor, and sacrifice converge to shape a destiny forged in the heart of history.

Immerse yourself in a breathtaking medieval romance that captures the essence of love, honor, and sacrifice with Whispers of Desire: A Castle Romance and embark on a journey where history and passion converge.

©2023 Amanda Mariel (P)2023 Amanda Mariel

Isobel and Ariston

Whispers Of Desire is A Medieval Castle Romance by Amanda Mariel. Isobel is a strong willed and determined lady. She is searching for her friend when she encounters Sir Ariston. Sir Ariston is a knight, frequently flummoxed by Isobel. These two clash at first, but then their relationship develops. The story is entertaining and well written. Characters well developed. The narration was well done. I received a free copy of this audiobook from BookSprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Broken Souls

Beautiful audio production of this story. Narrator is clear, sharp and does a terrific job alternating voices. Overall story is also beautifully written as it tells the story of two very lost and broken souls who come together to fight evil, deceit and war. As they fight against the external forces, they are also fighting to free themselves from their own emotional chains in order to move forward in to a happier live.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Really Enjoyable

The audiobook was well-narrated; the pacing was good, the accents were good, and I didn't notice any quality issues. The story was well-written, a bit dramatic, full of action, chemistry, and the characters were intriguing enough to keep me interested.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Swashbuckling Noble Heroine?

Over the years, I've read or listened to many historical romances by this author, but I did not know she wrote medieval romances as well as Regency ones. In this novella, the author wisely constrains the time period of the book to just a handful of pivotal days. As happens far too often in historical romance, the heroine had far too modern sensibilities. It's hard to imagine a young medieval noblewoman acting as she does throughout the book. Once you accept that concept, though, the book is much more enjoyable. I loved the interaction between the hero and heroine. St their meet-cute, they get into swordplay! They're up against severe challenges that only get more complex as the story progresses. Despite their Rocky beginning, they become a strong team against several foes, saving others along the way. Even though they had only known each other for a short time, the romance felt believable. They were thrown into so many hazardous situations and had to rely on each other; it would be easy for affection to blossom. An enjoyable listen.

Midieval

This is Lady Isabel and Sir Ariston story. When they first meet it is in a sword fight. When he figures out who he is fighting he tryst to take her home. She refuses and he feels obligated to make sure she stays safe. But what will happen if her father finds out? I think you will like reading their story of battle with everything.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Entertaining

This was an entertaining audiobook. The author has provided us with an engaging story line along with entertaining characters. The narrator managed to breathe life into the story and make this a fun listen that ended all too soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Passionate Medieval Romance!

Isabel and Ariston's quest is entertaining, filled with danger, suspense, action, and twists and turns. Isabel is such a wonderful character, strong, smart, and determined. Ariston, a widow, is handsome, enigmatic, and protective. They are perfect together. I liked this slow burn and passionate medieval romance. The world building is entertaining. Marynn Franklin did an excellent job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Action-Packed Romance

This is for the most part a character driven story. There is betrayal, a kidnapping, rescue, and a battle all seen through the eyes of Isabelle and Ariston. As they battle, sometimes each other, through the events, they come to trust and confide in each other. The story is action-packed, the characters strong and courageous, the romance delightful, and the epilogue heartwarming. Marynn Franklin’s narration was enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.

Whispers of Desire!

This is an entertaining story set in Medieval England. It is a fairly short and quick read about Lady Isabelle and Sir Ariston. It is a battle of wills between these two. She is very determined and yet so is he. I love the adventure and how their story develops. The romance has witty dialogue, kidnapping, betrayal and more.

Great Medieval Romance!

I have read a LOT of historical romances. Sweet, Spicy, Closed Door -- I love them all. But, somehow, I had never read a medieval historical romance before Whispers of Desire. I've previously read a Regency romance by Amanda Mariel, so I knew I loved her writing, so I thought now was as good a time as any to finally give medieval romances a try. While I definitely didn't love the time period *quite* as much as regency/victorian settings, I really adored the feisty, headstrong heroine and the loyal mercenary by her side. If you love romances with tough, stabby women and men who fight for their woman, you will adore Sir Ariston and Lady Isabel.

Notable Tropes:
* questing together
* saving the castle
* fighting beside each other
* widower MMC

I enjoyed this novella as an audiobook, and I highly recommend it! It was so much fun, clocked in at just over 4 hours, and the narrator was absolutely fantastic for each and every voice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.