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The Lion of Kent

by Aleksandr Voinov (Goodreads Author), Kate Cotoner

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 452 ratings · 89 reviews

Squire William Raven has only one goal: to finally receive his spurs and become a knight. When his lord, Sir Robert de Cantilou, returns from a five-year crusade in the Holy Land, William wants nothing more than to impress him.

After Sir Robert's return, noble guests arrive from France, bringing intrigue to the castle. William is oblivious to the politics, as he's distracte...more

Kindle Edition, 86 pages

Published (first published August 2010)

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Apr 25, 2013 Bev rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aleks-voinov, historical, m-m, shorties-good-and-bad

I liked this historical novella which was very well researched as you would expect by Mr Voinov and his co-author. Intrigue, sex (well, duh!!), fighting and men in tights (sorry, hose)....what more could you ask for? 4 stars

This period of British history has always fascinated me. Knights, squires,

Kings and Queens

...wonderful.

The story revolves around William Raven, a squire and his Lord Sir Robert de Cantilou. William wants to become a knight but must wait until Sir Robert returns from the Cr...more

8 likes · like · see review

Nov 13, 2012 Matimate rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, 2012, historical

I am not into middle ages, all that dirt and such is making me nauseous. Two unwashed and smelly knights who are doing anal makes me scared for life. BUT....

There is nothing like that in this book and luckily it is more about romancing squire and landlord in danger then hygiene habits or too much period stuff. The assassination plot put the additional drama, which was solved as quickly as it came to attention.

The verdict was simple. I enjoyed the book quite a lot. I like style of the author. But...more

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 30, 2010 Arzu rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-romance, ebooks-owned, historical

4,5 stars

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Aleksandr Voinov. Consequently I had high expectations for this prequel of Deliverance. I was not disappointed.

William Raven is a squire whose aims to earn his spurs and become a knight. When his lord, Sir Robert de Cantilou, returns after a five-year crusade in the Holy Land, William wants nothing more than to impress him.
Furthermore, Sir Robert announces that his castle will host French noble guests who will be accompanied by his brother,...more 4,5 stars

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Aleksandr Voinov. Consequently I had high expectations for this prequel of Deliverance. I was not disappointed.

William Raven is a squire whose aims to earn his spurs and become a knight. When his lord, Sir Robert de Cantilou, returns after a five-year crusade in the Holy Land, William wants nothing more than to impress him.
Furthermore, Sir Robert announces that his castle will host French noble guests who will be accompanied by his brother, a churchman. At the arrival of the guests, political intrigue entered the home of Sir Robert as William overhears a plot to murder Sir Robert. What should he do… inform Lord Robert or should he take matters in his own hands and save him??

The story is written in William’s POV. The setting is England in the crusade era during which the English crown, King Henry Sr. & Jr. and Prince Richard played a major roll and being the reason for many political intrigues. What I really appreciated is – and this count also for Deliverance – that Kate Cotoner and Aleksandr Voinov managed to tell and describe this particular period in the history in such an accurate way by giving authentic details to certain scenes without overwhelming you with historical facts and allowing you to read and embrace those details.

The authors succeeded in writing a story that grips you from the first word to the last. You enter a world of knights, armors and squires and have the feeling being a character in this particular period of history and watching the whole story develop. It is like you can taste the dust, the sand, the blood on your lips during the fighting/hunting scenes.

The love story between these two real men, young William and the older Robert, develops really beautifully. You read about the doubts, the fears of William committing what is in the Church’s eyes a sin, nevertheless feeling desire, want, love for Robert. What I missed though was Robert’s POV, his thoughts, feelings, …
The first sexual encounter between William and Robert (groping a stranger in the dark as William didn’t know it was Robert) was so hot and made me say YES when they finally come together and make love.

This is not a typical love story with a lot of sex scenes. Kate Cotoner and Aleksandr Voinov managed to write a story in which they balance history, plot and romantic love and this with a writing of high quality. I can highly recommend it and hope to read more books with this high level.
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3 likes · like · see review

Oct 12, 2010 Rachel Haimowitz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, historical, m-m

3.5 stars

I'm a bit torn on how I feel about this one. So, bullet points it is :)

First the good:

*William is delicious and I love him. In fact, all the characters--even the secondary ones--were beautifully shaped, interesting to read about, and distinct individuals. I want to read more about William and Robert both.

*The historical details are masterful. This was a writer who REALLY did his homework and built an immersive world without inundating the reader with details.

*The writing was overall q...more

6 likes · like · see review

Sep 17, 2010 Brita rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: m/m fans, Aleksander Voinov fans, Kate Cotoner fans

Recommended to Brita by: Mr. Voinov's previous work

I loved the characters in this book, the setting and pure testosterone that poured from my e-reader (it will take awhile for that image to get out of your heads, won't it?).

These are men who don't fight what they want, they embrace it. No angst! I vote for angstless heroes - sometimes that is. These men are admirable in their zeal for battle, their duty and each other. Yet, the need for each other is subtle and not tunic-ripping so to speak. That alone showed the great writing in this book.

The...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Elin added it · review of another edition

Shelves: mm, ebook, historical

Too short, but enjoyable.

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 23, 2010 Amara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm, favorites

I have to say, I love a good historical romance. Give me a good read about knights and crusaders, and I am one happy girl. Aleksandr Voinov and Kate Cotoner did a great job with this one. This baby had it all; Action, intrigue, great characters, seduction, hot sex, as well as an amazing historical accuracy and detail that transported me back to time and place.

I absolutely loved the characters in this one. I first read about Willam Raven in Aleksandr’s short story Deliverance, part of the Forbid...more

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 08, 2010 Latetocomics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Finally. Bought this book like years ago.....OK - just a couple of weeks - on Carina Press and I didn't notice that it wasn't exactly available until today. so, yeah me!, it's here.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Macky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: keepers-never-to-be-deleted, favourite-aothors, medieval, sizzling-chemistry, historical

Read Aleksandr Voinovs Dark Soul series which I loved, so looked up more of his books and discovered this co-written novella with Kate Cotoner.

The story is set in medieval times - an age full of rough fighting men, buxom wenches, serfs, squires, knights, squabbling monarchs, court intrigue and religious wars. This was all captured brilliantly within the novella and interwoven with a sexy,but surprisingly tender love story between two tough hard men, each a product of his time, one born into nob...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 11, 2012 Jaya rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: okay, never-again, slashreaders

SlashReaders: The Lion of Kent, is what I would term historical romance, about a young--but not so young--Squire named William Raven and his encounters with Sir Robert. The story more or less chronicles his initial tryst and romance with Sir Robert. Inadvertently over the course of events, he also becomes Sir William Raven.

So, truth be told I'm not sure how to tell you what I think of this book. It was short, which was quiet disappointing but that was my own fault for not paying better attention...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Sophia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

I love stories set in medieval times because of all the unrest and intrigue that takes place as nations are born of alliances and war. There is all the vows of honor and duty along with the unique society structure. So of course I just had to read this one. It was a quick read since it was novella length, but it was very enjoyable from start to finish.

Will, a squire who is ambitious to earn his knightly spurs, has just learned that his lord is finally returned from the Crusades and Sir Robert ha...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Loves To Dive rated it 4 of 5 stars

Squire William Raven wants nothing more than to receive his spurs and become a knight. Since the lord of the manor, Sir Robert de Cantilou, has been off the past five years on a crusade in the Holy Lands, he knows this is not bound to happen soon. While participating in a particularly nasty practice fight where his temper gets the best of him, his instructor Ulric has to pull him off his opponent, because none other than Sir Robert himself is riding into the courtyard.

Sir Robert returns a differ...more Squire William Raven wants nothing more than to receive his spurs and become a knight. Since the lord of the manor, Sir Robert de Cantilou, has been off the past five years on a crusade in the Holy Lands, he knows this is not bound to happen soon. While participating in a particularly nasty practice fight where his temper gets the best of him, his instructor Ulric has to pull him off his opponent, because none other than Sir Robert himself is riding into the courtyard.

Sir Robert returns a different man than when he left, the crusades have aged him and he seems more relaxed than before he left. Much to William’s embarrassment, Sir Robert not only saw him lose his temper, but seems amused by it. This is not the way William hoped to bring himself to Sir Robert’s attention, which makes him all the angrier.

Sir Robert assembles all the knights and squires, and informs them that in a month’s time they will be holding a hunt by order of the king for French nobility from the County of Toulouse. They must all be on their best behavior and do whatever it takes to entertain their guests. At last, William thinks there may be a way for him to show his skills to the visiting dignitaries, and possibly receive a knighthood from one them.

As the castle prepares to receive the visitors, most of the squires take advantage of the extra maids that have been brought in to help. One night while listening to another squire do just that, William is visited in his bed by a stranger. He never sees the stranger, just smells and tastes him.

While on his way to the banquet for the visitors, William overhears a conversation between two people conspiring to kill Sir Robert. Not knowing who they were, William thinks it's best he try to figure out who they are himself and take them down. William has his hands full trying to solve the mystery, protect Sir Robert, and figure out exactly what his relationship with Sir Robert is. He wants to protect Sir Robert, but he also wants his knighthood, which may mean leaving him.

What fun this novella was. We are transported back in time to medieval England in all its glory. We sit at banquets in the great hall of the castle, our hearts race as we ride with hounds on the hunt for a wild boar; we hold our breath as William and Sir Robert explore their new feelings for each other. This is a short novella, but the authors manage to pack so much into it that you don’t feel cheated after finishing it. The setting is vivid and real, you feel you have been transported back in time. By the end of the story, you feel like you’ve met two very special people in William and Sir Robert, and almost wish you didn’t have to leave them.

I hesitate to say this novella is erotica, there is slightly graphic male/male sex, but it’s not the focus of the story. The story is William learning who he is, and Sir Robert gentling this tormented young man. I worked with William to try to figure out who our culprits were and I must say, I was just as shocked as he was when it was revealed. I begged him to try to control his temper and I fell a little in love with Sir Robert for his calmness and fairness in not only dealing with William but with all those around him.

This was a quick easy novella to read, and after I finished my journey I was proud of William and enjoyed my visit with him in his world.

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team

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Aug 21, 2012 Grammy 1 rated it 5 of 5 stars

4.5****'Stars

When we receive book submissions from Alexandr Voinov, I look at page one as a reading adventure. I never know what to expect, but I do know I will love the rush. This seems to be a pre-quel to something more, and he has paired this journey with author Kate Cotonor. My rating might not be justified. It is a 4.5****Stars because it does leave the reader wanting, even though there is a beginning a middle and a happy-for-now ending. So, you be the judge if I was harsh in my rating.

Will...more 4.5****'Stars

When we receive book submissions from Alexandr Voinov, I look at page one as a reading adventure. I never know what to expect, but I do know I will love the rush. This seems to be a pre-quel to something more, and he has paired this journey with author Kate Cotonor. My rating might not be justified. It is a 4.5****Stars because it does leave the reader wanting, even though there is a beginning a middle and a happy-for-now ending. So, you be the judge if I was harsh in my rating.

William Raven is a squire in the English Manor of Lord Robert de Cantilou. A squire is an underling in training to Knighthood. This is William's dream. Our story begins as Sir Robert returns from a five year crusade in the Holy Lands. Five years have passed since Sir Robert’s wife died, and rather than take a new bride for his children, he left with five senior knights to see the world, leaving the child raising to Lady Alais and nannys.

Upon his arrival, Lord Robert called a meeting of his squires and knights, telling them that they soon would have guests, and a hunt that would be held by order of the king. They would entertain French nobility from the County of Toulouse. William’s mind went racing. If he performed well he might “gain his spurs” to become a knight at last. If he were noticed by the nobles he could win riches and fame.

Politics and rumors abound, young Henry was at odds with his father, The King, and the emissaries from Toulouse were at Westminster. The French and the English had border issues. Along with the French, Sir Robert announced one of the guests would be his brother Stephen. Everyone knew there was no love lost between the two. So the scene is set, yes? The staff, the squires, the knights all working hard in preparation for their guests. William is working so hard to perform and be seen by Sir Robert.

It is the night before their guests arrive. William, having drunk too much ale, is lying in his bunk listening to another squire who has taken a serving girl to bed. Someone settles behind him, reaching for him. The body behind him is not feminine, and that excites him even more. In the dark he knows not who it is and when he awakens the following morning feels it might have been a dream.

After recently reading Scorpion, and its secretive male/male sexual encounters which might turn some readers off, this wonderful relationship is wonderfully open, sexy and sensual. The wooing of William Raven is a great part of the story, but the storyline takes us into intrigue, murder and a cast of good and evil. Brother Stephen in particular is a man you love to hate. With shocking revelations and steamy male sensuality, this book delivers. Kate Cotonor is new to me, but not for long. I will look up her list of books and choose one or two for starters: and Aleksandr you have my vote every time!

Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair of the Paranormal Romance Guild

Aleks has written a snippet short story about our William Raven in Forbidden Love called Deliverance put out by Noble Romance Publishing. It skips a number of years and Aleks has promised me that he will write a sequel from where we leave off in Lion of Kent to Deliverance, to fill in the blanks!(less)

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Apr 22, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was too short. It was more of a novelette (which I should have realized from the very reasonable price :)) But I guess that's a compliment, because it means it was fun to read. For me, this was a fluff piece with some hot sex described in a way I really enjoyed. Despite the fact that this was historical fiction, I felt very much cheated of that aspect. I did not get a visceral feel for the time period at all. I mean, I know the details were right--I just didn't feel like there were many of...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 06, 2011 Elisa Ramblings added it

Even if it sounds strange, one of the strengths of The Lion of Kent is that it’s not too long; I like historical romances, but they tend to be so long that readers have to “plan” the reading, having time to plunge into the story, and time to arrive to the main focus of the plot, and usually this is not at all fast.

With 115 pages to count, The Lion of Kent is a good historical romances that is enjoyable and not boring, that allows the reader to appreciate the historical period without being bore...more Even if it sounds strange, one of the strengths of The Lion of Kent is that it’s not too long; I like historical romances, but they tend to be so long that readers have to “plan” the reading, having time to plunge into the story, and time to arrive to the main focus of the plot, and usually this is not at all fast.

With 115 pages to count, The Lion of Kent is a good historical romances that is enjoyable and not boring, that allows the reader to appreciate the historical period without being bored by unnecessary details. When the reader is introduced to William, the squire, and Sir Robert, the master, it’s pretty clear what will be the evolution of their relationship: William is young and stubborn, but Robert sees a fire in him that is the right intensity to pick him out the other squires as his partner, in many ways other than on the battlefield.

I found romantic but also very “manly” how Robert courtships William, teaching him the way to be a good knight and in that way, also the right companion for a Lord; it could sound cold, but to me it was romantic. Robert is a widower, he has 2 heirs, he doesn’t need to marry again; I’m not sure if he preferred the company of men even before going to the Crusades, but for sure now he is not interested in finding another woman to warm his bed. And when he comes back to his castle, and can appreciate how William grew up in the past 5 years, he decides he will “groom” the squires to be his.

Another point that is good, even if the story is short, is the accuracy of the historical details. Have you ever noticed how these medieval castles seem always big and full of rooms? And have you ever noticed that instead, when you go to visit some ruins, they are basically a 3, maximum 4 floors tower with one room for each floor? People tend to share the space according to their role, and so all the squires and knights were sleeping in the same main room, bundled together to share the warm, and of course that led to also sharing something else.

Regarding the characters, I think that also on that point the accuracy was good; sure, maybe William is a little too stubborn and proud to be a simple squire, the illegitimate son of some wealthy man, but well, this is a romance after all, and if one of the heroes was not a little “out of the ordinary”, a relationship would have not worked. On the other hand, Robert is a little selfish, a little proud, and even a little aloof and detached, like I think it should be a nobleman of that time. This is not a bed of roses romance, the courtship is not made of kisses and cuddles, but more of convenience and formality: Robert cannot pick everyone as chosen companion, he has to pick someone who “respects” some standards.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U89SO8/?...(less)

1 like · like · see review

May 22, 2011 Thea Nishimori rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: homoerotica

:::SPOILER ALERT:::

While the sex scenes were quite steamy, my primary objection is that the main character was not likable. William was painstakingly portrayed (and half the pain was the reader's embarrassment on his behalf) as a hot-tempered, insolent, and stupid boor. In short, there was nothing to recommend him to his master's fancy, let alone engender the kind of respectful courtship with which Robert wooed him. It would not have been believable, either, for him to have turned suddenly into...more :::SPOILER ALERT:::

While the sex scenes were quite steamy, my primary objection is that the main character was not likable. William was painstakingly portrayed (and half the pain was the reader's embarrassment on his behalf) as a hot-tempered, insolent, and stupid boor. In short, there was nothing to recommend him to his master's fancy, let alone engender the kind of respectful courtship with which Robert wooed him. It would not have been believable, either, for him to have turned suddenly into a meek, tractable youth upon his lord's return, but surely some gradual change in his demeanor (proof that he could hold his tongue and temper, at least) was necessary before Robert would have singled him out from the rest of the riff-raff. As it was, William's only redeeming virtue was in successfully thwarting the assassin at the end, but even that was done in a most ill-advised manner, and could have easily failed and worked against him. How a man of Robert's caliber could have even considered bedding a wild boar like William eludes me.

Another minor objection I had to this story was the plot twist at the end. When the author threw a curveball to the reader, he indicated it with only one brief sentence initially. For a whole page or more, I believed that sentence to be a typo, until he elaborated on the twist.

Also, the premise of the assassination was flaccid. By killing Stephen, it seems like his enemies would have done Young Henry a FAVOR. It would have made more sense if they wanted him dead so they could replace him with another man more malleable to their wishes, or if someone had a vendetta against him for deflowering their sister, or they wanted to send a message to Robert, etc., etc. In the very description of the book, it is noted that William is not savvy in political dealings, but I must conclude that neither is this author.

If all that mattered were mindless sex, then the whole assassination plot -- what little there was of it -- may as well have been left out. The sex scene at the end was perhaps the best part of this story, as indeed it was written at length, out of all proportion to the rest. A clandestine love affair with the lord of the manor would have been suspense enough for a novella of this length, without the distraction of a poorly-constructed plot arc.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 02, 2010 Cynthia (aka Artemis) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, historical-romance, m-m-romance

The story is told from the viewpoint of William. He’s frustrated because he is well past the age when he should have his “spurs” and be a knight. Just like your typical eighteen year-old (well, for Medieval England), William is brash and pretentious. He also has all the qualities you would find in an aspiring knight: Honor, loyalty, sincerity. I thoroughly enjoyed watching William as he struggled with becoming a knight and with his intense feelings for Robert. William is confident in his trainin...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Leontine rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was drawn to read this story since I recognized the name of Aleksandr Voinov. He is part of the duo that also wrote the SPECIAL FORCES series, which I so cherish. Before I started the novella THE LION OF KENT I had no clue that it was connected to a historical anthology story titled DELIVERANCE. Apparently the story of William Raven is expanded from DELIVERANCE with three short novellas and I hope each will be released at Carina Press.

My Review: THE LION OF KENT turned out to be a five chapter...more I was drawn to read this story since I recognized the name of Aleksandr Voinov. He is part of the duo that also wrote the SPECIAL FORCES series, which I so cherish. Before I started the novella THE LION OF KENT I had no clue that it was connected to a historical anthology story titled DELIVERANCE. Apparently the story of William Raven is expanded from DELIVERANCE with three short novellas and I hope each will be released at Carina Press.

My Review: THE LION OF KENT turned out to be a five chapter short read but one that irrevocably had my attention. The length of this novella had both a strength and a weakness. The strength was that in a short time frame the strong personalities of the characters really impressed me and drew me in to the story. The weakness was the plot which hardly had time to be fully fleshed out and became somewhat predictable. Save the plot I really was charmed by what I got to sample from the joint effort of the authors.

Together, Aleksandr Voinov and Kate Cotoner create a historic setting that feels authentic and emphasizes on the way of life in the days of England anno 1176. The writing is imaginative yet isn’t overly detailed and quickly drew me in to the story where I got a very good impression of the castle life, of the life as a squire in training and the passion blooming.

William Raven has a hot temper with the reputation for being all pride and hunger to become a knight. He is so eager and in his eagerness makes mistakes showing his age, but I couldn’t help it to be enamored by him. The first person narrative definitely puts the focus on William and his emotional turmoil. It is one of the reasons I really look forward to reading the other stories and get to know him even better. His character was a live wire of passion, of personal anxieties and determination to reach his goal. The moments of sheer lust between him and Robert smoothly entwines with a thin plot that gives William a chance to expand his experience both sexually and as a man.

Robert de Cantilou was a changed man coming back from a crusade and while he remains a bit of a mystery I really enjoyed the effect he had on William. He didn’t doubt his nature, he didn’t flaunt it but neither was he hiding it either. I could respect his morals, the way he guided William and I enjoyed the way they acted and interacted together. At first William feels like almost barely contained energy which is countered by the confidence Robert possess and this interplay changes throughout the novella in a more equal relationship.

Of course there are a few more characters who play their part in the plot or challenge William and Roberts in other ways while the attraction between the two men enter another level. Still, it is William who really puts his mark on me and the intrigue of how he will fair in life a major trigger for me to be on the lookout for future novella’s regarding him!

THE LION OF KENT is a novella where passions and danger blend in to a beguiling and character driven read.
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Feb 21, 2011 Andrea Guy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, ebook, erotica, historical-fiction, quick-reads

This is a really short gay historical romance. Some might try to lump this in as erotica, but it really isn't. There isn't enough sex for it to be considered that. Mind you there's a bit of sex and in a story that's only a little over 80 pages, some might consider it more erotic, but when you compare it to some of the novellas put out by mass market romance it is pretty tame.

I found out after having read the novella that it is a a prequel to Aleksandr Voinov's story Deliverance from the antholog...more

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May 23, 2011 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

I have something of a weakness for medieval settings, so I was predisposed to enjoy this, even before I started reading, and it was the first book by this author I've read (date of this review not withstanding--this was a re-read, and this time around I Took Notes!)

Having a reasonable background in the history of the way Western religion changed throughout the Dark and Middle Ages (or Middle and Dark Ages? I forget which way 'round it goes sometimes), I particularly enjoyed the commentary relati...more I have something of a weakness for medieval settings, so I was predisposed to enjoy this, even before I started reading, and it was the first book by this author I've read (date of this review not withstanding--this was a re-read, and this time around I Took Notes!)

Having a reasonable background in the history of the way Western religion changed throughout the Dark and Middle Ages (or Middle and Dark Ages? I forget which way 'round it goes sometimes), I particularly enjoyed the commentary relating to the Church, particularly in regards to William's Lord Robert's brother Stephen, who aims for an archbishopric when *his* king, Young Henry, ascends to the throne. I may need to poke my nose back round a few history books and refamiliarize myself with the politics of the time. One standout jibe: "Too much risk and not enough gain. Only a churchman would see the world in such mercenary terms." (Robert, speaking of his brother Stephen's unwillingness to join him on Crusade.)

In the beginning of the story, William seems to have a lot of self-doubt; his impulsiveness leads him to speak out-of-turn and to overreact to jibes from fellow squires. His desire to please and to gain his spurs leads him to challenge the visiting Frenchmen to a knife fight at dinner their first night there. (He does manage to win, but almost more by luck than by skill, I thought.) He overhears a plan to murder someone, and thinking the target is his lord, and being unable to determine the conspirators, he keeps silent and decides to figure it out and protect his lord all on his lonesome--I can understand his motivation; it would surely earn him his spurs if he doesn't lose his life in the process. And honestly, how easy would it be to go to someone and say "I overheard some people; they're planning on killing someone and I heard your name, but I don't know who is planning it, and to be perfectly honest, I don't know for absolutely sure that it's you they plan to kill."? I would want more certain information myself.

Also, William is being slowly "courted" by Lord Robert at this time; as Robert has spent the last several years while on Crusade learning about the "Greek ways of Love" in Constantinople and Damascus. William is aware that he prefers boy-bits to girl-bits, but struggles some against the church strictures against sinning in this way. Making it even more difficult, he wants to please his lord (in more ways than just one!) but Robert is trying to not take advantage of hero-worship combined with loyalty, and doesn't want to force anything due to the inequity of the Lord/squire dynamic.

Cue Big Dramatic Hunt Scene in which William saves a life and kills a boar, and learns valuable lessons about human frailty. After which he is lauded, and eventually led to the chapel to meditate on his vows as a knight. He considers his worthiness to take those vows, and muses that the knightly virtues (courage, loyalty, obedience, faith) are not inborn qualities, but rather something that you must strive for, and that to live up to them you must always be aware of how fleeting they can be in moments of emotional stress. Not only that, but you cannot know till you're in the middle of one of those moments whether you'll be able to uphold those virtues.

Next comes big Dubbing of the Knight ceremony (for some reason, that word--dubbing--always makes me think of gum. Completely random, but there you are.) after which, the visiting viscomte offers him a place in his retinue. William is encouraged by Robert to spend the night in his (Robert's) bed where Robert finally meets him as an equal and they both get their jollies.

I enjoyed this story a lot, but I think I would have liked it better if it were longer. On my reader, it came in at around 80 pages, with 7 pages alloted to cover, author bios, etc. I enjoyed the characters but didn't wholly connect with any of them in the way I would have liked to. I came close with William a couple of times, but I don't feel any of them had quite enough room to really spread their personalities. Ulric, in particular, I think could have been more well-developed, so that I could have felt the same sense of betrayal William did. And I still feel there's a distinct inequality between William and Robert. All in all, though, I'm really looking forward to the upcoming sequel.(less)

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Mar 24, 2011 Fangtasia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Again Mr. Voinov manages to transport me in time and distance with the power of words. Not too much description, mind you, like in other books where I end up skipping pages and pages of uninspiring, unnecessary verbage that does not contribute anything to the story. No, with just a few words this author describes the environment surrounding the scene in a way that makes you almost feel the scents and temperature and hear the whisper of the wind. You are simply there, experiencing what the charac...more

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Sep 21, 2010 Jon Hess rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Any fan of Historical M/M Romance

My introduction to Aleksandr Voinov & Kate Cotoner's The Lion of Kent has simply left me wanting more! I have fallen in love with William Raven and must now read Deliverance from Forbidden Love ASAP.

I love William for his pride, humility, loyalty, devotion, and honor. He is a true Knight in every sense of the word and the epitome of masculine chivalry. His devotion and willingness to lay down his life for his lord and master, Sir Robert is breathtaking.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. M...more

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Jan 04, 2011 Therinia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved the way this book flowed. It was clear and descriptive, and I felt I was right there, part of the action. William is a young man on the cusp of knighthood. He is antsy to earn his spurs and make a name for himself. Robert has just returned from a long absence in the Middle East. This book is more of a courtship, as William and Robert become better acquainted and delve into a forbidden, sensual affair.

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Aug 22, 2010 Alex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: queer, romance, review-copy

Stars: 4.5/5

Overall:
I was very impressed with this novel, not that I went in with low expectations, but I was just pleasantly surprised. It never struggled to be something other than it was, and it excelled at what it did. Plot, characters and writing were all well done.

What I liked
Cover Art. Rarely do I find books in the M/M genre to be enticing, but the knight staring me down on this cover was hot. The cover was telling without being abusively obvious, leaving the reader intrigued and curious...more

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Apr 20, 2011 Shira Anthony rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, m-m-slash, to-re-read

Wow! I was so bowled over with this novella - it was just so beautifully written and so incredibly hot. Just a perfect historical slash romance - it left me wanting more. And more. And more!

(view spoiler)...more

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Aug 31, 2012 J9 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, mm, 2012-reads

Originally reviewed for The Book Vixen

A good MM historical romance but with a lopsided romance that didn’t wow me.

What I Liked: I started reading romance with knights and ladies in Jude Deveraux and Catherine Coulter books of the early 90’s. This book is the MM equivalent to those and I enjoyed this trip down romance lane. Sure, it’s an MM romance so not identical but it captures the lord-of-the-manor hero those early romances did, as well as the near-death plot so common. I’ve always been simul...more

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Nov 22, 2011 Calathea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure-action-journey, historical, m-m

3.5 stars

This was a nice and easy read inbetween. A knight in shining armour is an enjoyable distraction from all the gloomy PIs and police detectives. ;-)
Maybe that is the reason why I thought it all went a little too smooth, the danger was averted and our young squire earned his spurs (in and out of bed).

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Sep 01, 2010 Jenre rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicals, m-m, romance

Back in the days when I read m/f historical romance I was never really that keen on the Medieval romances. They always seemed to gloss over all the really interesting stuff, like day to day living, the feudal system and the social and political machinations of the day, focusing instead on dresses, running wild on the hills and improbably feisty heroines who would probably have been tied up in a chastity belt and locked in the cellar for the sort of behaviour they displayed in these books. So you...more Back in the days when I read m/f historical romance I was never really that keen on the Medieval romances. They always seemed to gloss over all the really interesting stuff, like day to day living, the feudal system and the social and political machinations of the day, focusing instead on dresses, running wild on the hills and improbably feisty heroines who would probably have been tied up in a chastity belt and locked in the cellar for the sort of behaviour they displayed in these books. So you can imagine that I felt a certain amount of trepidation at reading an m/m book set in Medieval England. Thankfully, The Lion of Kent was a real treat: A historical romance with the best bits of history left in, and also room for a gruff, but tender, romance.

The story is set in 1176, during the first crusade to the Holy Land. As the story starts, Sir Robert de Cantilou returns to his manor from the Holy Lands, after an absence of 5 years. William, our third person narrator, is a squire in his early twenties who has been waiting for his lord’s return so that he may prove himself and earn his spurs as a knight. William is hot-headed, impetuous and generally quite outspoken. It takes a lesson in patience, and the attention of Sir Robert, for William to learn to control himself.

There was much to recommend about this book, mostly in the evocative setting of the manor, and the people who lived under the protection of Sir Robert. There was enough detail in terms of the lives of people living in Medieval times, the way they ate, slept, worked and lived to satisfy my curiosity about the time period as well as make the setting solid and real in my imagination. I loved many of the incidental details, such as the food, or how the manor was set out, as well as many of the larger issues, such as the impact of Christianity on their lives, the formal way the lives of the knights and squires were arranged, and the underhand politics which affect the life of Sir Robert, no matter how much he wishes to avoid it. Coupled with this were two large ‘set pieces’ involving a boar hunt and a ceremony later in the book, both bursting with detail in different ways. The boar hunt was thrilling, chock full of adrenaline and danger as the riders chase down the dangerous animal. In contrast the ceremony was full of formal pageantry, fealty and tradition – and I’d love to know whether the words used during the ceremony were historically accurate or not, they certainly seemed so! All these details, both big and small, immersed me in the time period, and meant that I learned new things as a read – something which always pleases me about historical fiction.

As William is our narrator, we learn most about his character. He’s an engaging character, full of fire and frustration at being denied his opportunity to become a knight for so long, and determined to prove himself. He’s a great mix of intelligence tempered by an impetuous nature and if I have any complaints it’s that he seemed much younger than a man in his twenties in the way he behaved at times. The relationship between William and Robert was understated and yet also romantic. I liked the way that the relationship shifted as the book progressed and also that the age difference between them was never an issue. I did wonder about how they would be able to continue their relationship in the long term, especially as manor life has little privacy for anyone, but that was just a minor niggle in what was an engaging romance.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this historical romance. There was a good balance in the historical detail – enough the set the scene and add authenticity without having a history lesson; the relationship was realistic and intense with lots of longing admiring looks across the banqueting hall as well as a satisfying conclusion to the sexual tension; and there was a nice contrast with the romance in the political suspense sub-plot where William attempts to discover the identity of a would-be murderer. If you like historical romances then The Lion of Kent should be a definite must. I liked it a great deal and hope to see more from this writing duo.(less)

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Sep 19, 2010 K rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, read-in-2010

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Oct 15, 2010 Jayded rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-read

I haven't read historical in a long time, so was a little hesitant about putting this one on my challenge shelf. I was glad I did though, it was well written, and the language wasn't difficult to deal with at all. I enjoyed William and his impulsiveness.

1 like · like · see review

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“Half of love is restraint. Patience and respect. Don’t waste your time on the unworthy.” — 6 people liked it

“Knighthood. Was he even worthy? Just a little while ago, he’d have answered yes without a doubt, but now, facing the cross and his own desires, he wasn’t so sure. Courage, loyalty, obedience, faith. If even a man like Ulric could act against those virtues, then they were not something one possessed, but something to be constantly guarded and reclaimed.” — 4 people liked it

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