Ending the series off on a strong note, Margaret Mallory’s tale of second chances and everlasting love makes this medieval a rare and not-to-be-missed treat.

Ms. Mallory’s talent first caught my attention when I was urged to read her debut, Knight of Desire. Quite aware of my aversion to medievals but knowing my tastes, a trusted friend assured me that I would enjoy this particular medieval. Well I did. I enjoyed it a lot. So that is how I became hooked on All The King’s Men series and Ms. Mallory’s knack for telling a beautiful love story regardless of era or setting.

I’ve found that some series don’t hold up well over the course of several books. Well, as the final book in this series, Knight of Passion does not disappoint. This is a love story through and through with just the right measure of intrigue and suspense.

Sir Jamie Rayborn, who is first introduced to us in Knight of Desire as a young child, gave his young heart to the beautiful Lady Linnet only to have it crushed under the weight of her thirst for revenge. Now, five years later, he’s decided it’s time to take a wife—a virtuous one. But meeting up with Linnet in England throws his plans awry. The attraction between them burns hotter than ever and their scorching affair resumes.

At the age of sixteen, Linnet allowed her quest for revenge against the men who ruined her family, to break the heart of the only man she’d ever love. But now that Jamie’s back in her life—and in her bed, can she finally put aside her need for her own brand of justice or risk losing Jamie—this time forever?

Jamie is everything you could want in a hero: strong, intelligent, handsome, sexy, passionate and a man who loves his woman with everything he has in him. And make no bones about it, Linnet hurt him five years ago. And there’s nothing I like better than a romance with old hurts and second chances because that storyline is rife with innate conflict.

Of course Jamie tries to resist his attraction to her…but he can’t. He’s jealous of every man who pays her attention. He’s possessive when he has no right to be. He wants to kill the man who dares to try to sexually assault her.

“I cannot let that swine get away.” The blood was pounding in his veins. “I must go after him now.”

“Do not leave me,” she wailed. “Please, Jamie, do not go.”

Every muscle screamed to run after Pomeroy and tear him limb from limb with his bare hands. But with Linnet weeping and clutching his tunic, he could not leave her. He sighed and wrapped his arms more tightly around her.

My feelings for Linnet vacillated. She’s a great heroine, in equal parts intelligent, strong, daring and beautiful but vulnerable in the most heart breaking way. There were times during the book that I just wanted to strangle her. She knows her continued quest for revenge could cost her Jamie’s love yet she still takes these silly chances. But when Jamie declares he’s finally done with her and goes about really looking for a wife, I can’t help but feel her pain, her loss, her heartbreak.

I loved visiting with characters from the other books in the series. Ms. Mallory gives you just the right amount of time with them so you can catch up on their lives, see how their children have grown and never have it be too much as to take away from the main focus of the book, which is Jamie and Linnet’s love story.

The ending is an exciting rush of intrigue and suspense where you’ll see Jamie at his knight in shining armor best. And if you’re a sucker for epilogues, like I am, you’ll love it when you see Jamie and Linnet years later, still enjoying their HEA.

As sad as I was to see this series end, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. ~ Beverley