I’m a big fan of Elizabeth Chadwick and her stories always impress me. The Love Knot is a wonderful story set amongst the Civil War between King Stephen and his cousin, Empress Matilda. It realistically depicts the strife of that age, the sadness, the betrayals, the violence of the Medieval times.

This takes place during the English Civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda and follows supporters of Matilda’s cause. Oliver is a man just home from the Crusades, where he made a pilgrimage in honor of his young wife who died in childbirth. Once home he finds that King Stephen has stolen his family lands, and signs on with Empress Matilda so he can get his lands back. On a journey to Bristol to get orders he comes across a burned down country-house where he grew up, with a dead woman with whom he grew up with, her young son and nurse. The nurses’ name is Catrin.

Catrin and the dead woman’s son, who is the bastard son of the old king Richard, are taken by Oliver to Bristol. We have a love connection between Oliver and Catrin, both of whom are raw and damaged by the deaths of their spouses. Catrin also learns the trade of a midwife, and thus we are taught a great deal about childbirth and healing in the middle ages.

Elizabeth Chadwick’s books are always well researched, and her stories never cease to enthrall. Her true-life characters are treated with respect and her fictional characters are as believable. The detail for historical accuracy is outstanding. My favorite detail of this author is when she fills in the blank pages of actual historical people with her own story for them. I find it nice that they find a voice like this through her.

If you like a colorful romance where true love triumphs over adversity but with some adventurous, determined women and a real knight in shining armor then this book is for you.