Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen (Scarlet book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Scarlet and  Lady Thief, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the series for you.

“We all need something - someone - to fight for …”

Prince John has hidden Scarlet from his mother and her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her hopes of escape or rescue are dashed when he takes the necklace Eleanor gave her and informs her that King Richard, her father, is being held for ransom by the Holy Roman Emperor. If John has her necklace, Eleanor would know that she is dead. When two guards come to her cell, David says that they are just moving her. The other guard, Thomas, informs them both that there has been a change of plans. They are to kill her per John’s orders. When David refuses, a scuffle breaks out and David, who is loyal to Eleanor, overpowers Thomas with Scarlet’s help. The two are able to leave when Scarlet poses as dead.

On their way to London, they run into Allan who has been looking for Scarlet. Prince John had a letter sent to Robin informing him of Scarlet’s execution. Robin never believed it and had sent Allan to look for her. Scarlet is hopeful but Allan tells her that  he hasn’t had time yet to send Robin a letter. Feeling downtrodden, her spirits soar when Allan hands her a bundle of letters that Robin has written to her. Dirty, she doesn’t want to touch them. The innkeeper’s daughter, Kate, takes her to get cleaned up. Afterwards, Kate tells her that everywhere, not just Nottingham, is bad under John’s rule.

Scarlet knows that she needs to get to Eleanor if she has any hope of stopping Prince John. To make matters worse, the Holy Roman Emperor is demanding an exorbitant amount of silver for King Richard’s return. In order to raise the money, Eleanor has levied a stiff tax that the downtrodden people of England cannot afford. Going to Robin’s friend, Lord Winchester, he provides Scarlet with a safe haven.He offers to get word of her safety to Robin, but she must think about it. Scarlet tells him of her thoughts that Prince John plans to kill Richard to claim the throne. Scarlet knows that in order to keep everyone safe, she must remain hidden and await word from Eleanor.

Can Scarlet stopp Prince John? Will King Richard return to England and reclaim his throne and his daughter? Does Scarlet join forces with Eleanor or can she trust her? What did Robin write in his letters to Scarlet? Will Scarlet and Robin be able to live happily ever after?

Visit A.C. Gaughen’s website.

Lady Thief by A. C. Gaughen

"Even secrets can be stolen....."

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read the first book in the series, Scarlet, Stop! I don't want to ruin the story for you.

Even though Scarlet is in love with Robin Hood, she was forced to marry Lord Gisbourne. Prince John has compelled all of the able bodied men from the towns to rebuild the castle that Scarlet and the boys damaged in the explosion that killed the sheriff. Rob, Scarlet, John and Much are teaching the women and children how to defend themselves from all of the knights overseeing the repair of the castle. Rob is suffering from terrible nightmares that are keeping him awake and he refuses to divulge them to Scarlet. Everyone is waiting to see who is named the new sheriff of Nottingham. Soon news arrives that Lord Gisbourne is back and he leaves word with Tuck at the tavern that he wants to meet with Robin Hood. After being gone for months, they can all agree that he is back because of Scarlet.

Since his marriage to Scarlet, Gisbourne has assumed the land and title her father promised him in their contract. He wants her to be living under his roof as his wife when Prince John comes to name him as the new sheriff. He is willing to make as Scarlet a deal; live with him as his dutiful wife and he will give her an annulment after the Prince leaves, because if she doesn't, he will never end their marriage.

It is evident that Robin was tortured as his nightmares get increasing worse. When he nearly beats Scarlet to within an inch of her life, he decides that she and the boys must leave. Scarlet refuses but Robin says it's either her or him. He no longer trusts himself and it is her safety and his sanity. Beaten and broken, John takes Scarlet to stay at Tuck's. They talk and he tells her that she must make a choice; if she loves Robin as much as she claims to, an annulment to Gisbourne would free Robin's troubled mind. Take Gisbourne up on his offer but beware, just because she wants their marriage annulled doesn't mean that Gisbourne really does. She must be extremely careful around him. When Scarlet finds out that her hand is broken and she won't be able to use a knife to defend herself, she decides not to let Robin know. He would never let her take Gisbourne up on his offer if he knew the extent of her injuries. She decides not to see Robin one last time before she goes to Gisbourne.

Who will Prince John name as the new sheriff of Nottingham? What are the real reasons behind Gisbourne's offer to Scarlet? Can she protect herself from Gisbourne? Will Robin be able to get past his torturous nightmares and no longer be a threat to Scarlet? Does Gisbourne keep his word and give Scarlet an annulment? What secrets have been kept from Scarlet? Will Scarlet and Robin find a way to finally be together?

Fans will be eagerly waiting for book three.
Visit A. C. Gaughen’s website.

Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen

“No one really knows ‘bout me. I’m Rob’s secret, I’m his informant, I’m his shadow in dark places. No one ever takes me for more than a knockabout lad, a whip of a boy. They never really see …”

In a retelling of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, Will Scarlet is hiding a secret. He is really a she and only Rob and his gang know the truth. By helping to steal from the rich to give to the poor, Scarlet tries to play the tough guy and refuses to divulge anything about her previous life. Always threatening to leave, deep down she stays with the band of thieves to help the people of Nottingham. It doesn’t hurt that her heart picks up speed when Rob glances her way.

While on a mission to rescue a young lad from the palace jail, Scarlet discovers that Prince John has ordered the Sheriff of Nottingham to rid the town of Robin Hood and his band of thieves. What really unsettles her is that the thief taker hired for the job is Lord Gisbourne. Having last seen him four years earlier, Scarlet has been running from Gisbourne ever since. “Now it seemed fate’d run straight back around to slam our lives together.”

With tax day looming and Gisbourne looking for the “Hood”, the pressure is on Scarlet, Rob and the others to protect not only the citizens of Nottingham but themselves. What other secrets is Scarlet keeping from the others? Who is Lord Gisbourne and why is Scarlet terrified of him? Will the “Hood” be able to escape the wrath of the Sheriff of Nottingham? And what happens to Scarlet at the end?

Scarlet was written as a standalone novel.

Visit A.C. Gaughin’s website.