I was lucky enough to find an old copy of Red Adam's Lady at a library sale. It is a very good book with only a couple of minor quibbles for me. That the compromised heroine keeps resisting Red's offer of marriage, when her uncle (who also beats her physically) and his wife are so awful to her and are promising her retribution, makes no sense. There is a minor character, whom the heroine finds out is actually her biological mother towards the end, really doesn't add to the story at all. It would have been nice to have an epilogue, since the story ends somewhat abruptly. 4-4.5 stars ( )

Lady Julitta is mistaken for a peasant and is accosted by a drunken "Red" Adam de Lorismond, the new lord of Brentborough. Adam takes Julitta back to his keep bent on rape, but the ever resourceful Julitta knocks him out with a stool and when he's sober Adam marries her to assuage her damaged honor. Julitta is none too thrilled with the match, but sparks soon fly between the two as Julitta's uncle Lord William and his cronies conspire to support young Henry in his plan to oust his father Henry II and rule England instead. Julitta also soon finds her hands full with a castle and mutinous servants allowed to run to ruin by the previous lord of Brentborough (Adam's uncle), a thieving seneschal, invading armies of Scots, a perilous climb down ocean cliffs, a mysterious death or two and more as "Red" Adam and his lady banter their way through it all to find true love in the end.

While I very much enjoyed this book, at times it was a bit too busy and fast paced for my tastes. At times I lost track of who was who when characters from the first part of the book returned back to the story and the author didn't provide enough background to refresh my memory, and I got lost more than once until I fell back into the groove. A cast of characters and their various names and titles would have helped quite a bit and enhanced my appreciation of the story. That said, it was a highly enjoyable romp through the 12th century and a very entertaining read. I see from the current selling price the book is quite rare, but if you are lucky as I was to find it at your library it's worth taking the time to check this one out. ( )

Historical romance, 12th England setting with and excellent blend of history, well-rounded and remarkable characters and original story line. An exceptional read ( )

A good historical romance. Red Adam, an ex-mercenary has inherited a castle and "lord"-dom and returned to England. Drunk and unruly he grabs a "wench" who is indeed a noble woman. She repulses his advances and he sees himself as she sees him, w/o honor, and sobers up to claim her as his bride. Julitta rejects him until she begins to see his worth. And of course by this time he has become embattled by other landowners because he is loyal to King Henry II, while his neighbors are supporting the "Young King". But of course, all's well that ends well. A lusty, entertaining saga of star-crossed lovers. ( )