Margaretha is the daughter of a fifteenth-century German duke, and her family and acquaintances have always noted not only her penchant for talking incessantly but also her deeply romantic nature. She is looking forward to finding her one true love, and she thinks it might be her latest suitor, Lord Claypool. In a chance meeting with Colin, an Englishman come to the continent claiming that Claypool has murdered good people and seeking justice, Margaretha learns not only that her suitor may not be as honorable as she thought but also that she can successfully pare down her chattiness, keep an important secret, and help take righteous action. She and Colin join forces in a well-paced adventure that pits good against evil, features a strong and credible young woman, and relies on accurate social history in its Christian orientation. Margaretha's sensations, expectations, and fears are all evoked realistically, making this a good choice for readers who loved Katherine Paterson's Lyddie (1991) or Karen Cushman's Catherine, Called Birdy (1994) and are now ready for more romance.

Gr 9 Up-It's April 1413, and 18-year-old Margaretha, eldest daughter of Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim, is reluctantly entertaining the pursuit of her latest suitor, Rowland Fortescue, Earl of Claybrook, when a handsome, severely injured stranger, Colin, arrives. The heroine is immediately drawn to the alluring young man and the daunting information he insists that he must share with her fatherinformation that could put her and her entire family at risk, but could also save their lives. Talkative, sheltered, and carefree, Margaretha must undertake the task of spying on Lord Claybrook and his men to learn for herself if what Colin has warned her of is true and if so, how she can save her family from certain death. Throughout the story there is an undertone of attraction between the protagonist and Colin that builds gradually, leaving readers yearning for the moment the two will finally express their love. The story and the characters are believable, and the author seamlessly weaves details about this Holy Roman Empire village and courtly life, while maintaining the narrative's even pace. References to God are made throughout the story: Margaretha and Colin's thoughts and prayers often address the deity, making this an appropriate title for teens who enjoy princess-themed Christian romance. Susan Harris, Ridgeway High School, TN