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He Needs A Teacher To Save His Land…
Injured and unable to make his living by the sword, Sir Theo de Born needs to secure his keep by becoming an educated man. As he finds himself falling for his reluctant teacher, he learns of her plan to leave England before the winter sets in. How can he convince her to stay and fulfill her promise while protecting his heart?
…But She Wants Her Freedom
Denied her true love and sent away to a convent, Lady Rose de Payne has no choice but to accept to become Sir Theo’s teacher. However, she has a plan to escape the confines of her new prison and start fresh in a different country. As the chilly winds blow, her resolve begins to waver. Will she abandon Sir Theo to a miserable fate or will she give up her dreams to make his come true?
Injured and unable to make his living by the sword, Sir Theo de Born needs to secure his keep by becoming an educated man. As he finds himself falling for his reluctant teacher, he learns of her plan to leave England before the winter sets in. How can he convince her to stay and fulfill her promise while protecting his heart?
…But She Wants Her Freedom
Denied her true love and sent away to a convent, Lady Rose de Payne has no choice but to accept to become Sir Theo’s teacher. However, she has a plan to escape the confines of her new prison and start fresh in a different country. As the chilly winds blow, her resolve begins to waver. Will she abandon Sir Theo to a miserable fate or will she give up her dreams to make his come true?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2019
18 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Rae
15 books174 followersOlivia Rae spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult with her first Christian romance series, The Sword and the Cross Chronicles. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 2, 2019
My review today is on the Medieval Romance, Devotion. This is the book 6 in The Sword and the Cross Chronicles. I love Medieval Romances especially when they are clean and this book is not only clean but faith based. I love that. This story is well written, humorous, and full of twists and turns. I know you are going to love this story. It's a beauty and the beast story that will touch your heart. I love that she has brought back some of the characters from the other books, especially Jude. I like that man.
Sir Theo de Born had a series accident (book 5) and is now trying to make his own way. His body is broken and beyond help so he decides he needs a teacher to help him learn to read. Education is the only way he will be able to care for his keep and restore it. He brings a young woman to teach him but all she wants is to leave before winter. They fight constantly. Is she the true beast or just a broken soul like him? He finds that he can't bear the thought of losing her.
Lady Rose de Payne was on her way to elope when her father caught her. She was sent to a convent and her true love married another. For the last three years her only desire is to escape. She has no choice but to go to teach Sir Theo. She is horrified when she sees the man every one calls the beast. She makes her plans to escape. Can she really leave the man? Something with in her is touched by the man.
A struggle of two strong wills, each afraid of the other finding out that they care for each other. God has a plan for these two; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan you too; a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life.
Sir Theo de Born had a series accident (book 5) and is now trying to make his own way. His body is broken and beyond help so he decides he needs a teacher to help him learn to read. Education is the only way he will be able to care for his keep and restore it. He brings a young woman to teach him but all she wants is to leave before winter. They fight constantly. Is she the true beast or just a broken soul like him? He finds that he can't bear the thought of losing her.
Lady Rose de Payne was on her way to elope when her father caught her. She was sent to a convent and her true love married another. For the last three years her only desire is to escape. She has no choice but to go to teach Sir Theo. She is horrified when she sees the man every one calls the beast. She makes her plans to escape. Can she really leave the man? Something with in her is touched by the man.
A struggle of two strong wills, each afraid of the other finding out that they care for each other. God has a plan for these two; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan you too; a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life.
January 22, 2019
Olivia Rae has done it again. She has drawn me into history with a romance between two characters who need understanding. While readers may say the story between stubborn Lady Rose and injured-knight Sir Theo is a "Beauty and the Beast" story. Rae turns the tide and shows that the beast can be on the inside of a beauty. Lady Rose must see the error of her prideful heart and change her spiteful ways to be a true beauty. This book has action, cool-hearted lovers who try to spoil a good match, and stirring dialogue between two characters who need to challenge the world's perceptions in their own way. Of course, I love a happily-ever-after, too.
February 16, 2026
A week written book with a sweeping landscape, colorful characters and intriguing plot that went along the lines of Beauty & the Beast. At times the characters could be a little too dramatic but overall I enjoyed this book and the development of the characters. I especially appreciated the Biblical lessons. A good ending to an imaginative series.
December 21, 2018
I have read all of Olivia Rae’s books and I am an avid fan. This one is outstanding and a perfect ending to her series. Devotion is the final book in a wonderful inspirational series set in medieval times. This fast-paced historical tale has a strong “Beauty and the Beast” theme that centers on Lady Rose and Sir Theo, an unlikely pair to fall in love. The things I enjoyed: the story was unique and well written, the plot has twists and turns I wasn’t expecting, the characters are well developed, the love story was authentic and believable, and the faith topics are inspiring. Some of my favorite scenes are with Jude, a Christ-like character, who pops in and out of the story and adds beauty and humor.
Some of my favorite lines from the story:
“Not all scars are physical, some are on the inside and touch our souls…”
“God doesn’t call us to be successful Rose…Just faithful.”
“Man has a habit of making the same mistakes over and over. It would be better if her were silent and opened his heart. The truth is always before him, but his own thoughts and mouth usually get in the way.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
Some of my favorite lines from the story:
“Not all scars are physical, some are on the inside and touch our souls…”
“God doesn’t call us to be successful Rose…Just faithful.”
“Man has a habit of making the same mistakes over and over. It would be better if her were silent and opened his heart. The truth is always before him, but his own thoughts and mouth usually get in the way.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
April 19, 2023
I think I liked the 4th and 5th book in this series more than this one. Disclaimer: I have no problem with "strong women" in novels, but a lot hinges on the way they are written: and the protagonist Rose does not come across as a strong woman. She comes across rather as the stereotype of the "angry woman" who is unstable, bitter, self-centred, and prone to bouts of casual violence.
Running at someone with a hammer and threatening to smash their skull in over a trivial matter.... really?
That's the level of sociopath. Now I admit she does develop/question her actions towards the end but Rose for the first 2/3 of the book sets my teeth on edge- but it was hard to overlook her previous behaviour and not see her in light of that. We also aren’t given information about an incident which may have contributed to her later behaviour until later in the story: it felt like a late addition perhaps designed to make it more explicable.
I did like Theo and parts of the story involving him, as well as the ambiguity surrounding Rose's father. What I didn't like:
Only Tolkien gets away with including potatoes in a Medieval setting, and maybe some other fantasy authors, but in Historical Fiction I find this rather an off-putting mistake.
Also, Rose has a skill which isn't evidenced or even mentioned in the book before she utilized it at the end. I don't know why but I feel that's kind of like cheating: a character suddenly being able to do whatever the plot requires of them when that skill or competency wasn’t demonstrated before.
Although this book was enjoyable it felt rather out of place. Like it should not have been the final book in the series but rather in the middle of the series (it seems a lot like book 2-3 in some ways). Maybe its an unpopular opinion but I really think Adoration: Book 5 would have been better as the final novel.
Running at someone with a hammer and threatening to smash their skull in over a trivial matter.... really?
That's the level of sociopath. Now I admit she does develop/question her actions towards the end but Rose for the first 2/3 of the book sets my teeth on edge- but it was hard to overlook her previous behaviour and not see her in light of that. We also aren’t given information about an incident which may have contributed to her later behaviour until later in the story: it felt like a late addition perhaps designed to make it more explicable.
I did like Theo and parts of the story involving him, as well as the ambiguity surrounding Rose's father. What I didn't like:
Only Tolkien gets away with including potatoes in a Medieval setting, and maybe some other fantasy authors, but in Historical Fiction I find this rather an off-putting mistake.
Also, Rose has a skill which isn't evidenced or even mentioned in the book before she utilized it at the end. I don't know why but I feel that's kind of like cheating: a character suddenly being able to do whatever the plot requires of them when that skill or competency wasn’t demonstrated before.
Although this book was enjoyable it felt rather out of place. Like it should not have been the final book in the series but rather in the middle of the series (it seems a lot like book 2-3 in some ways). Maybe its an unpopular opinion but I really think Adoration: Book 5 would have been better as the final novel.
May 11, 2019
SENSUALITY RATING: No PROFANITY; No SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS; No Euphemistic "CODE WORDS
GENRE: 12th century; Medieval; Historical English Romance; CLEAN Romance; Inspirational Romance;
SETTING: 12th Century; Taine Manor, England.
CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: ROSE – persistent; stubborn; does not believe in God; cannot be trusted.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: THEO – some say he is a monster; maimed for life; patient; also persistent; strong in his religious faith.
SYNOPSIS: His body is broken and battered. Taine Manor is now her home after living at the convent for three years and driving the nuns crazy. She is determined to leave this broken and in need of repair manor.
WHAT I LIKED: The old man and how he shows up in every book in this series, giving his advice in riddles, is always a joy to read. The slingshot.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: The fact that this series ended with this book. It could have been written all the way up to book 20 and I would have loved each and every book.
RATING: (5) stars BECAUSE the plot is built on a fairytale that we all know and love. Each story connected a character from the previous book. Wish the author had continued to write this series.
Please read a few quotes and a brief summary of this book on “my Main Page” of LibraryThing.com https://www.librarything.com/work/232...#
GENRE: 12th century; Medieval; Historical English Romance; CLEAN Romance; Inspirational Romance;
SETTING: 12th Century; Taine Manor, England.
CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: ROSE – persistent; stubborn; does not believe in God; cannot be trusted.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: THEO – some say he is a monster; maimed for life; patient; also persistent; strong in his religious faith.
SYNOPSIS: His body is broken and battered. Taine Manor is now her home after living at the convent for three years and driving the nuns crazy. She is determined to leave this broken and in need of repair manor.
WHAT I LIKED: The old man and how he shows up in every book in this series, giving his advice in riddles, is always a joy to read. The slingshot.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: The fact that this series ended with this book. It could have been written all the way up to book 20 and I would have loved each and every book.
RATING: (5) stars BECAUSE the plot is built on a fairytale that we all know and love. Each story connected a character from the previous book. Wish the author had continued to write this series.
Please read a few quotes and a brief summary of this book on “my Main Page” of LibraryThing.com https://www.librarything.com/work/232...#
June 18, 2020
Book six in a series, but you don't have to read the first books to pick this up and enjoy it. I'm always looking for a good medieval romance, and this didn't disappoint.
Well, I'll admit that I wish the ending had dragged on a little bit longer -- I would have loved to see a little more during their profession of feelings. And sometimes the dialogue felt a little more contemporary than some medievals (I missed 'mayhap' and other such expressions). But overall, the author swept me right into the story and into the keep. I'd never heard of Olivia Rae before I picked up this book, but I'm going to have to check out the rest of her series now.
If you like Tamera Leigh's Age of Faith series or Lord of Her Heart by Sherrinda Ketchersid, you need to pick up this book.
Rated PG for thematic elements.
Well, I'll admit that I wish the ending had dragged on a little bit longer -- I would have loved to see a little more during their profession of feelings. And sometimes the dialogue felt a little more contemporary than some medievals (I missed 'mayhap' and other such expressions). But overall, the author swept me right into the story and into the keep. I'd never heard of Olivia Rae before I picked up this book, but I'm going to have to check out the rest of her series now.
If you like Tamera Leigh's Age of Faith series or Lord of Her Heart by Sherrinda Ketchersid, you need to pick up this book.
Rated PG for thematic elements.
January 26, 2019
Soooo gooood!
I have truly enjoyed this series - the characters and writing style has been top notch and I have goobled each book up ! This final book is no exception and was just a joy to read! Don’t miss any book in this series and!
I have truly enjoyed this series - the characters and writing style has been top notch and I have goobled each book up ! This final book is no exception and was just a joy to read! Don’t miss any book in this series and!
March 24, 2019
An endearing story of two wounded souls who initially only see the "beast" in each other. But, gradually, beauty begins to shine and with it comes redemption and happily ever after. A wonderful wrap up to the series.
February 2, 2019
Great Series
I thoroughly enjoy the entire series and I will no doubt re-read the books in the future. I am looking forward to her next series of books from the Tudor era.
I thoroughly enjoy the entire series and I will no doubt re-read the books in the future. I am looking forward to her next series of books from the Tudor era.
January 26, 2021
Devotion
I absolutely love all of the books in this series. I'm sorry to see them end, but look forward to the next book by Olivia. Bravo!
I absolutely love all of the books in this series. I'm sorry to see them end, but look forward to the next book by Olivia. Bravo!
February 3, 2019
AN ENJOYABLE CONCLUSION TO THIS EXCELLENT SET
This was the final book in this set by Olivia Rae. What an excellent story to bring these stories to a conclusion. This one is specifically about Theo and "Rose". The book has the author's signature "bible verse" at the beginning of each chapter. The reader enjoys encounters with others that we met in earlier books, which gives the story aǹ "old
friends" warmth. Each of these books is definitely a stand-alone story, but there is a lot more depth to enjoy it you read the whole set in order. Great characters, interesting stories with an historical timeline, clean, HEA, full of inspirational pieces! My favorite characters in these books -I love Jude and the Goats- I would highly recommend these books to all who love to read this genre!
Vicki from Wyoming
This was the final book in this set by Olivia Rae. What an excellent story to bring these stories to a conclusion. This one is specifically about Theo and "Rose". The book has the author's signature "bible verse" at the beginning of each chapter. The reader enjoys encounters with others that we met in earlier books, which gives the story aǹ "old
friends" warmth. Each of these books is definitely a stand-alone story, but there is a lot more depth to enjoy it you read the whole set in order. Great characters, interesting stories with an historical timeline, clean, HEA, full of inspirational pieces! My favorite characters in these books -I love Jude and the Goats- I would highly recommend these books to all who love to read this genre!
Vicki from Wyoming
February 3, 2019
Another excellent book by this author. This book picks up the story of "Theo" and his life at the new keep he has been given and his custody of Rose, who comes to tutor him in reading. This is another excellent read that abounds with love, hate, smiles, laughter, crying, screaming, good, bad, ugly, beautiful and everything in between. Beautiful scriptural references throughout and once again we see Jude and the wonderful herd of goats. My favorites by far! This book has some surprises peppered throughout and is a wonderful read! I would highly recommend all of the books by this author. Vicki from Wyoming
January 20, 2019
The Devotion was full of Gods Scriptures from the Bible.
This was a good book. All of The Sword And The Cross Chronicles were excellent reads. I am glad to see Gods Scriptures written throughout the reads. I love historical romance and appreciate that they are clean.
This was a good book. All of The Sword And The Cross Chronicles were excellent reads. I am glad to see Gods Scriptures written throughout the reads. I love historical romance and appreciate that they are clean.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews