A Banished Knight’s Love Rings out for His Queen

Bed of Rose and Thorns by Lee Hunt

“A beautifully crafted setting with complex character dynamics and layers of political intrigue … Combined with Hunt’s excellent plot machinations and stellar prose, the book makes for a memorable read.” —Prairies Book Review

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Do you hear that? It’s a chime emanating from deep within the heart of a devoted man, proclaiming his love for a woman he cannot have to heaven. How seductive an idea that love might be so powerful as to demand itself heard, its reverberations felt, by those surrounding such a sincere proclamation. And yet, no one knows better than Sir Ezra, the very Elysian Bell of romantic legend from whom terrific violence and true love provoke pealing bells, that “the curse he had been born with was perilous to everyone who felt its touch.” His control must not falter.

Sir Ezra once served as the Queen’s knight, her sole remaining guardian after her husband, the Prince of Erle, had dismissed her other knights. Ezra refused to leave out of fierce loyalty to, not to mention love for, his Queen, but that devotion would ultimately lead to his banishment following the murder of the prince. Yet no stretch of time or distance would alter the fact that “his heart beat only for the woman who had sacrificed him.” Thus begins Lee Hunt’s epic medieval fantasy novel Bed of Rose and Thorns.

Having gleaned only a sliver of the events that transpired 11 years earlier, Hunt propels Ezra’s tale through the present where he lives in exile, working diligently as a guard in the service of Lady Kristen Province. With more than a decade having elapsed since he last laid eyes on his beloved Queen, Ezra finds himself shocked to learn, upon his new appointment as seneschal, that his banishment has been rescinded. Tasked with assisting in negotiations on behalf of his region, this news removes any legal obstacles to his impending trip to the capital, but legality isn’t what worries Ezra.

His knight’s armor has long concealed his bell nature from the world, but the thought of seeing his love once again proves too strong to keep his chimes silent as outside forces trigger powerful memories. Ezra’s desperation for even one glimpse of the Queen only grows stronger as he journeys closer, but what he finds in the capital he left 11 years ago disturbs him. Rebel factions are calling for the Queen’s death, and despite Ezra’s several attempts to gain an audience with her, she continues to evade him. And in her absence, new secrets and enemies reveal themselves. 

ARMOR DOES NOT PROTECT EMOTIONS

In his leading man, Ezra, Hunt has created a figure of mythical proportion. Readers will no doubt find themselves intrigued by this knight who chimes when overcome by love and anger. And it is this very ability of his that produces a uniquely tantalizing tension within the story. His love for the Queen must be kept secret, and yet his bell nature exposes such emotion with a very loud, undeniable declaration. Ezra’s near-constant struggle to maintain control while grappling with potent feelings — yearning and desire, hurt and betrayal — is palpable.

In addition to Hunt’s well-drawn and complex characters and worldbuilding, the action, political intrigue and romance elements of this novel will certainly entice any lover of sword and sorcery fantasy tales. Prepare for a most absorbing adventure dressed in engaging writing that charms readers as it ruminates on a host of ideas from passion to honor; Bed of  Rose and Thorns will not disappoint.

Bed of Rose and Thorns is available for purchase here.