There are so many good books out there that rarely do I spend my precious time reading any of them twice. One author whose books I have read more than twice is Tamara Leigh. Tamara writes contemporary and medieval romance, and if you know me, you know I think there’s nothing better than a guy with a sword on a horse. I’ve read nearly all of her medieval romances at least once (see comprehensive list below) and I’ve read several of them twice. I’ve also listened to most of them on Audible. To say I love her books would be a gross understatement.
What do I love about Tamara Leigh’s writing? First, she has the most amazing way of working medieval phrases and lifestyle into the words she writes without bogging the reader down in dialect or obscure idioms. While some words may be new to those who aren’t familiar with the genre, those who’ve read other medieval novels will find her choices spot-on.
Secondly, all of her characters are unique and believable—and none of them are perfect. There’s nothing worse than a character who is physically perfect and never does anything wrong. Ugh.
Tamara writes what are classified as inspirational and clean-read romances. That means we get all of the swoon-worthy chemistry between men and women without feeling icky afterward. Lack of abject sex scenes is a plus for other reasons, too – her stories have to rely on, well, story. With plenty of unexpected paths to happily-ever-after, her complex plots and intense relationships leave the reader wanting for nothing.
I also appreciate her historical accuracy in the settings and events, and in her characters’ behavior. As a scientist, I’m a real stickler for accuracy in historical novels in as much as it is possible. I once read (or, rather, tried to read) a medieval romance that had the heroine speak repeatedly of “women’s rights.” Of course, an author can make up anything they want if their novel is meant to be speculative fiction!
Speaking of speculative fiction, Tamara’s two-book Beyond Time medieval time travel series is, in a word, fabulous. In fact, Dreamspell (Book 1) is the reason I wrote Sword of the Fairvern, my first medieval time travel novel.
Of all Tamara’s books, I think Dreamspell is my favorite, with The Feud: A Medieval Romance series a very close second (or, mayhap, a tie?). I’ve read all of them more than once, and have also listened to them on Audible.
As for Tamara’s Audible offerings, I cannot say enough to recommend these to you. The narration by Mary Sarah Agliotta is excellent. If there was a word that meant “more excellent than the usual excellent,” I would use it to describe Mary Sarah’s work. In addition to all of the Tamara Leigh Audible titles, she has narrated Northanger Abbey by Jane Austin, children’s books, and even Jack London’s Call of the Wild! The tone of her voice gives excellent support to both male and female characters, and her use of pauses, pacing and other non-visual cues lends enhanced richness and drama to the performance.
If you are looking for an author whose works are both entertaining and fulfilling, then check out these offerings from Tamara Leigh (all available on Amazon.com.).
CLEAN READ HISTORICAL ROMANCE by Tamara Leigh
~ THE FEUD: A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE SERIES ~
Baron Of Godsmere: Book One
Baron Of Emberly: Book Two
Baron of Blackwood: Book Three
~ LADY: A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE SERIES ~
Lady At Arms: Book One
Lady Of Eve: Book Two
~ BEYOND TIME: A MEDIEVAL TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE SERIES ~
Dreamspell: Book One
Lady Ever After: Book Two
~ STAND-ALONE MEDIEVAL ROMANCE NOVELS ~
Lady Of Fire
Lady Of Conquest
Lady Undaunted
Lady Betrayed
INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE
~ AGE OF FAITH: A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE SERIES ~
The Unveiling: Book One
The Yielding: Book Two
The Redeeming: Book Three
The Kindling: Book Four
The Longing: Book Five
The Vexing: Book Six
The Awakening: Book Seven
See the full listing of books by Tamara Leigh at TamaraLeigh.com!