Loyalty’s Web
Though they are sisters, Clothilde and Heléne de Laurant are very different. Clothilde is renowned as one of the greatest beauties in Poitou, while Heléne is gangly and ordinary. Henry II sends the Earl of Gunthar to the de Laurant home to ensure that the rebellion has been quashed, and Gunthar arrives with the intention to wed Clothilde, but he unexpectedly finds himself attracted to independent-minded, tomboyish Heléne. Heléne is also interested in Gunthar, but cannot bear to betray her emotionally fragile sister. Meanwhile, rebellion is brewing among the neighbors of the de Laurant family, and Heléne must act quickly to ensure the safety of her family and her beloved.
DiPastena’s novel is a medieval potboiler, full of secret trysts, promises of love, backstabbing, and betrayal. The focus is more on the de Laurants and their circle rather than the larger events of the era. Heléne is an interesting character, and while her independent spirit sets her apart from the other women in the novel, she isn’t implausible for the era. Gunthar is your standard alpha-male romance hero with a strong sense of loyalty and duty toward his king—and his lady love. Readers who enjoy historical romance with a strong dose of intrigue will find Loyalty’s Web a pleasing read.
