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Strangclyf Secret
Bernon of Normandy, known as the Black Bear, weds a woman by proxy to gains a stronghold on the English East coast at The Duke of Normandy’s prompting before the Norman invasion.
Barwolf of Strangclyf wants to prove herself worthy of her new husband as he claims Strangclyf. After a life of drudgery under a father who despised her, she knows submission, but lacks manners.
As they battle treachery in William’s court and later at Strangclyf, she proves everything he believed about the evil of women may not be true and he gives her hope for a future without domestic violence. Can the pair actually find love before a traitor destroys their lives?
Barwolf of Strangclyf wants to prove herself worthy of her new husband as he claims Strangclyf. After a life of drudgery under a father who despised her, she knows submission, but lacks manners.
As they battle treachery in William’s court and later at Strangclyf, she proves everything he believed about the evil of women may not be true and he gives her hope for a future without domestic violence. Can the pair actually find love before a traitor destroys their lives?
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2015
18 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 7, 2022
Read: 2010-2020
Goodreads must have lost my review. This definitely is a fun medieval read. It has just the right amount of wit and humor. The h was fantastic!
I highly recommend!!!
Goodreads must have lost my review. This definitely is a fun medieval read. It has just the right amount of wit and humor. The h was fantastic!
I highly recommend!!!
February 8, 2015
This book is about two lost souls and how hey come together through a marriage ordered by King William. Bernon the hero of this book is not happy about the holding and the lands through this marriage. His issue is with women and as he hadn't even met his bride by proxy as of yet. He doesn't trust women in general due to pays betrayal one from his mother and the other his former betrothed whom he found in bed with another man with a babe in her womb she tried to pass off as his. In the end he broke it off and she died trying to rid herself if the unborn child.
He doesn't realize his wife is nothing like these women if anything the exact opposite as she has been beaten and hated by men since her birth. As she was told she killed her twin brother in the womb to try to make more room for herself. Her father has always admitted he hates her just for being a female but the only heir. Luckily her grandfather teaches her hiw to defend herself with a dagger the only reason she still remains a virgin as many of the men in her family have tried to sexually assault her. Yet the beatings had been so severe that she is deaf in one ear. Yet she has the beauty of a fairy princess is what Bernon thinks first time he sees her. Of course he thinks she might be insane since she thinks he is Lucifer himself.
I found this book such a pleasure to read as this female is so different from the court women Bernon whom are all vain and self serving. Especially from his first gift from her is her mane of hair. As she is is a beautiful naive thoughtful and anything but self serving or vain as she has been beaten abused and treated like a servent her entire life and belittled and told she us plain all she want us her husband to give her a female name as after her father is killed she now has the title of Strangclyf as she doesn't want it. Yet for her husband to claim Strangclyf she must share its secret yet in front of witnesses but without them knowing the secret.
To King William who first discovered Bernon as a boy of nine stealing bread from him and then he took him under his wing and turned him into one his best seasoned warriors. Yet the only woman Bernon had ever respected and trusted is Queen Matilda but it is fun watching watching this mans cold heart start to thaw as he starts falling in love with his own wife and starters understanding the type of honest woman she truly is.
Yet when he sees his wife might be a target to be killed as well as himself he realizes how much he cares for her and softens toward her.
He doesn't realize his wife is nothing like these women if anything the exact opposite as she has been beaten and hated by men since her birth. As she was told she killed her twin brother in the womb to try to make more room for herself. Her father has always admitted he hates her just for being a female but the only heir. Luckily her grandfather teaches her hiw to defend herself with a dagger the only reason she still remains a virgin as many of the men in her family have tried to sexually assault her. Yet the beatings had been so severe that she is deaf in one ear. Yet she has the beauty of a fairy princess is what Bernon thinks first time he sees her. Of course he thinks she might be insane since she thinks he is Lucifer himself.
I found this book such a pleasure to read as this female is so different from the court women Bernon whom are all vain and self serving. Especially from his first gift from her is her mane of hair. As she is is a beautiful naive thoughtful and anything but self serving or vain as she has been beaten abused and treated like a servent her entire life and belittled and told she us plain all she want us her husband to give her a female name as after her father is killed she now has the title of Strangclyf as she doesn't want it. Yet for her husband to claim Strangclyf she must share its secret yet in front of witnesses but without them knowing the secret.
To King William who first discovered Bernon as a boy of nine stealing bread from him and then he took him under his wing and turned him into one his best seasoned warriors. Yet the only woman Bernon had ever respected and trusted is Queen Matilda but it is fun watching watching this mans cold heart start to thaw as he starts falling in love with his own wife and starters understanding the type of honest woman she truly is.
Yet when he sees his wife might be a target to be killed as well as himself he realizes how much he cares for her and softens toward her.
April 28, 2015
I found this book sweet and laughed my way through it!
February 24, 2015
Not very historical, heroine not believable. Not bad read, just not great.
January 29, 2019
The Bear and the Wolf. Once upon a time there lived a princess in a castle by the sea and she has a special collection whom she loves with all her heart. She collects the unwanted and maimed children... she rescues bastards and they are her children for they call her Mama. She teaches them and provides for them in the secret rooms underneath the castle which was long ago built by the Romans, most specially by the ones called Ursus or Bear. But the secret passages and rooms and heated Roman baths are just part of the mystique of Strangclyf Castle. There is also a legend and treasure and a real Bear destined to be the Princess' husband. This is their story.
March 10, 2015
Great Read - if you are looking for something light and funny
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought Bernon and Barwolf/Melita were both likable characters. And their interactions were laugh out loud funny.
Was the book 100% believable? No, but it was 100% entertaining! I really loved it. Sure Barwolf/Melita was too good to be true - but it doesn't matter. She is a fictional character in a fictional story and if you keep that in mind and don't overanalyze the book - you can't help but be amused and entertained.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, sexy funny read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought Bernon and Barwolf/Melita were both likable characters. And their interactions were laugh out loud funny.
Was the book 100% believable? No, but it was 100% entertaining! I really loved it. Sure Barwolf/Melita was too good to be true - but it doesn't matter. She is a fictional character in a fictional story and if you keep that in mind and don't overanalyze the book - you can't help but be amused and entertained.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, sexy funny read.
April 3, 2016
Here is another fantastic, wonderful story from Mary McCall. Mary McCall is marvellous writer. I read the story in two days and I didn't want it to end. This story was funny and serious at the same time. Barwolf was so innocent about a lot of things but she had a big heart even though she was abused. Bernon was a hard warrior until he was with Barwolf. Barwolf got confidence and Bernon got a heart. I can' t wait until her next book comes out. Please read this story because I know you will enjoy it very much.
March 6, 2015
It has been awhile since Mary McCall put out a book but I am delighted to say that her writing is as good, if not better then it was before. This is such a wonderful tale. Barwolf is a true delight and watching her struggle with her issues is something I won't forget. Bernon is her perfect foil.
If you are a Hannah Howell fan, but like a little more spice, this one is for you.
If you are a Hannah Howell fan, but like a little more spice, this one is for you.
February 23, 2015
Good story but the Strangclyf woman was just too naïve to be real. It strained a reader's empathy to read about someone who was that clueless.
April 2, 2015
5 stars!!!!!
I loved loved loved this book. I can't say enough other than you have to read. It has everything. I laughed I cried it just had everything
I loved loved loved this book. I can't say enough other than you have to read. It has everything. I laughed I cried it just had everything
October 24, 2015
The book has great characters. I would of given this book four stars but the plot line was hard to follow at times.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews