DIANA FRASER
Norfolk Knights — Medieval Romance by Diana Fraser, writing as Saskia Knight
I grew up near the village of Gresham in Norfolk, England where, in the middle of a field, hidden by towering trees, the remains of Gresham Castle lay. And, from an early age, my imagination was filled with the men and women who had once lived and loved in the castle and the bustling medieval communities which surrounded it.
I couldn't help make up stories about them, breathing life back into the people who had once passed under the stone arches that now lie in ruins, leading only to a tangle of nettles and wildflowers...
I hope you enjoy their stories.
01
Claiming His Lady
Passion—hot enough to melt the heart of the iciest maiden—contained within.
After her father's death, Lady Rowena Gresham wants nothing more than to be left alone to run her estates and live a life free from the destructive passion that had ruined her mother's life. But the year is 1207 and her father bequeaths the estates to a distant relative.
Sir Saher de Bohun fought alongside her father for the King and has been rewarded with the wealthy Gresham estates, and the feisty Lady Rowena. But he will not take her by force and is determined to woo her into his bed.
But will Saher's courtship be enough to allay her fears, enough to stop her from putting into action a plan, the discovery of which would incur both his displeasure and the King's wrath?
02
Seducing His Lady
Passion, hot enough to banish the shadows of grief from the most vengeful knight, contained within.
North Norfolk, England, 1208. All Lady Melisende Gresham wants is to become a nun at Blakesmere Priory. It's the only real home she's ever known and the only place where she can practise medicine and study. But it's been a year and her aunt, the Abbess, still insists Melisende isn't ready to take her vows.
Sir Galien de Forester has spent his life avenging the death of his family. Now, with the blood of his father's killer on his hands, he arrives, wounded, at Blakesmere Priory needing help to recover, and escape the King's retribution.
Melisende and Galien are as different as light is to dark and they both want very difference things from life. Yet, despite that, they are irresistibly drawn to each other. But is that attraction strong enough to allow them to forsake their long-held hopes and dreams?
03
Awakening His Lady
Passion, hot enough to scorch the icy flints of a medieval castle, contained within.
"She would never be married...But she remembered the cravings of her body for this man... She felt them still as he touched her, awakening within her feelings that she must forever suppress if she were to be in control of her life. Should she submit to this one weakness, this one night? One night in which to indulge herself, to explore herself, before closing down that side of her forever..."
It is the year 1213 and Lady Angelique Gresham is a wealthy widow who is determined to remain free of the cruelty and control of marriage. Angelique has arranged to buy her freedom from the King and is awaiting his envoy to pay the last instalment when her first and only love returns, wanting to marry her.
Sir Guy, a noble but impoverished knight, wants three things: land, peace and Angelique. But it's Angelique he wants the most. She refuses to marry him but he tempts her with a night of passion in which she can realize her fantasies for the first and last time before she leaves for a remote northern castle.
But is one night enough for Angelique to find the strength to trust not only Guy, but her own heart?
04
Defending His Lady
A warrior without a heart, a lady without a name, forced into a marriage which will ruin them all.
England, 1204...With his heart turned to stone after years of fighting, Rufus de Vere has returned from the Crusades to protect his family by marrying the daughter of their enemy. But, instead, the King forces Rufus to marry a Romani nobody knowing it will ruin his family. Everyone agrees the marriage has to be annulled and that the Romani, Kezia, must desert Rufus to secure the de Vere family’s future.
What begins as a simple plan becomes more complicated when Rufus and Kezia find they cannot resist each other and Kezia discovers a home in the flat Norfolk lands that she’s always wanted. Kezia might not have a name but her forest ways soon make her invaluable as Rufus prepares to fight for his family’s lands.
But when tragedy strikes at the heart of the de Vere family, Kezia has to decide whether she loves Rufus enough to leave him…
05
Honoring His Lady
A knight who will do anything for his lady—except let her go.
As a boy, William de Vere knew two things truly—that he loved the land, and that he and Alice de Courcy would one day marry and have a family. But his plans are thwarted when Alice is betrothed to another.
As the only daughter of ambitious parents, Alice is used mercilessly as a pawn in other people’s games and learns she can trust no one. To protect herself she creates a beautiful, cold façade to hide behind. It’s a place where no one can hurt her, or touch her, not even those she loves.
Can William not only rescue Alice from her parents’ schemes, but find in her the girl he once knew, even if it means he has to let her go?
Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
The Norfolk Knights Box Set (books 1-3) record the romances of the Gresham sisters in 13th-century England.
Claiming his Lady (Book 1, Rowena)
Lady Rowena Gresham wants to be left alone to run her estates and live free of the destructive passion that had ruined her mother's life. However when Sir Saher de Bohun claims both her and her estates, it appears she has to accept him or lose her home. But Rowena has a plan, the discovery of which would incur both his displeasure and the King's wrath. Passion, hot enough to melt the heart of the iciest maiden, contained within. Claiming is a 23,000-word novella.
Seducing his Lady (Book 2, Melisende)
All Lady Melisende Gresham wants is to become a nun at Blakesmere Priory, the only place she's ever felt she truly belonged. However when Sir Galien de Forester appears with the blood of his father's killer on his hands, pursued by the King's men, he turns her world upside down. Melisende and Galien are as different as light is to dark. Yet, despite that, they are irresistibly drawn to each other. But is that attraction strong enough to allow them to forsake their long-held hopes and dreams? Passion, hot enough to banish the shadows of grief from the most vengeful knight, contained within. Seducing is a 25,000-word novella.
Awakening his Lady (Book 3, Angelique)
Lady Angelique Gresham is a wealthy widow who is determined to remain free of the cruelty and control of marriage, even to her ex lover, Guy de Lacey. Determined to win her over, Guy tempts her with a night of passion in which she can realize her fantasies, but will one night be enough for Angelique to find the strength to trust not only Guy, but her own heart? Passion, hot enough to scorch the icy flints of a medieval castle, contained within. Awakening is a 17,000-word novella.
The Norfolk Knights series continues with full-length novels: Defending his Lady (Book 4) and Honoring his Lady (Book 5)
