In The Black Lyon we meet Ranulf de Warbrooke, the Earl of Malvoisin, who is the champion knight of King Edward I. He is dark, powerful, wealthy and, of course, incredibly handsome. At the tender age of 15, he was married to a woman, Isabelle, who only wanted him for the wealth and power that his earldom brought. Although she came to the marriage carrying the child of another man, Ranulf was so in awe of her that he worked day and night training to be a knight in order to please her.

However, Isabelle had no use for Ranulf, saying that his black looks revolted her; she continued her adulterous behavior after she gave birth to the other man's child, a daughter, whom Ranulf grew to love. When Isabelle lay dying from a fever, she professed her hatred for Ranulf and told him her greedy reasons for marrying him. Out of hatred and spite, Isabelle was determined to take away any shred of love that Ranulf had for anything. The cruel woman made sure that her little girl died of the fever along with her. Her hateful words and actions on her deathbed closed Ranulf's heart and made him even more determined to be the most powerful earl and strongest knight in England and he eventually does becoming The Black Lyon.

Sixteen years after the death of Isabelle, Ranulf meets Lyonene, the beautiful, seventeen year old daughter of a baron who named her for a lioness because of her mass of tawny hair and emerald eyes. They decide to marry after a whirlwind three-day courtship, but do not actually marry for another three weeks. It is during this waiting period, during which they are separated, that Ranulf has more than enough time to dwell on his decision to marry again. He recalls all too well the emotional pain inflicted on him by his first wife. Because of his reflections on Isabelle, he falls into a black mood, which he displays on his wedding day and wedding night. Lyonene is left to wonder where the Ranulf that she grew to love over those glorious three days went.

Ranulf accuses Lyonene of conspiring with a boy from her childhood and threatens to cast her aside. Lyonene is determined to save her marriage/ She disguises herself as a serf so that she can hide in Ranulf's entourage as he travels to Wales, where the king has sent him to thwart plans of a Welsh uprising. Lyonene discovers the truth of her husband's past and understands the hurt and mistrust he has suffered. She knows that mere words will not convince him of her sincerity. During a Welsh attack, Lyonene proves her love by her deeds, which nearly kill her. Her response to Ranulf when he asks why she acted as she had is a two-hanky moment. Ranulf finally appears to have come to his senses about his relationship with Lyonene and he vows to start their lives anew.

Of course, Jude Deveraux fans know that this is not the only trial by fire these two will face. Sure enough, amid the announcement of Lyonene's pregnancy, we learn that a jealous plot is being concocted to tear the two lovers apart. How their love triumphs will appeal to all lovers of romance.

The Black Lyon is a joy from start to finish. I especially loved the secondary characters - Berengaria, the friend Lyonene made at court; her younger brother Brett who is sent to foster at Ranulf's castle; Dacre, Ranulf's friend and comrade and especially Ranulf's seven knights, his "Black Guard." I loved how Jude Deveraux gave each of them his own unique personality. I love this book so much I am now on my second copy because I read the first one so much the spine split.

I am a huge J.D. Fan. The Black Lyon started off really great. I loved how the green-eyed heroine managed to make the fierce dark Ranulf melt in her hands in the first few chapters. The story line is okay but you kind of feel that it lacks in certain places. For example, I thought Giles was going to at least confess somewhere along the story that he was the one that forged the letters, but he died too quickly. And when Lyonene dances for Ranulf I thought she was going to confront her husband about "making out" with another woman he didn't even know (although it was her in disguise) and turn the tables on him for forever being angry and jealous at her whenever a man so much as looks her direction. But she never got around to it and she just seemed to not care after her initial feeling of anger.

Anyway, why four stars? The setting was great and the story had great high points like the storm, the baby being born, the tournament and of course those first good chapters. Also, this is one of J.D.'s earlier books..i gave it some slack because of that. And, the supporting characters give the book a little spark of life. Especially the entertaining Black Guard.

I do not however like that the hero hits his heroine in the book. actually, i was quite shocked! also, the whole jealously thing was just too ridiculous towards the middle and ending of the book.

I also gave it four stars because of the letters Ranulf & Lyonene exchanged while he was at war. That was by far the most romantic part of the whole story.

i received my order in a quickly, & all the items were in excellant condition

It was an enjoyable book as a whole, but one I will not keep. The first third of this book is amazing. It was love at first site for the fearsome Black Lyon and his Lioness, the woman who tames him.

HOWEVER, Jude Deveraux has unfortunately written a book about misunderstandings, and mistrust. A writer can write about those things, but very few can nail it with a crafty tale and overlook those individual things and mold them into a story. At times the book went too quick, then too slow. But I did enjoy the love that was shared between the two while the big misunderstandings were not the head of the story. This medieval does not compare to a Julie Garwood.

I item was sent in plenty of time. It was prompt and new condition. Great door to door services.