Pink Heart Reviews
At Her Service
Shari Anton
ISBN-10: 0446614653
ISBN-13: 978-0446614658
Warner Forever, January 2005, 340 pp
Medieval Setting
Out Of Print
Reviewed by Mary
May 2008
Can a mercenary who has lived his entire adult life as a man for hire and known no other existence but one of battle and fatigue have a kind and gentle side, be a man of character and good will not just a sword for hire? All these thoughts and emotions plague Logan Grimm as he takes his next position and runs right into a woman he not only could love but one that he feels he needs to love. Logan had been deceived by another woman and still doubts the possibility that he can trust and love another woman with all his heart and hope for its return. Logan Grimm has enjoyed the mercenary life and at first the job of ridding Lady Joanna Lord and Mistress of Lynwood Manor of her village thieves is just another one for making money. This job seemed easy enough to handle while giving him time to continue his recovery from the injury he incurred during the last battle he fought. Logan may have had doubts about working for a woman but once he sets his eyes on Joanna everything he knows and feels about women, lover and life on his own changes.
Lady Joanna has been the Lord of Lynwood Manor since her husband's death by the plague that took so many innocent lives in its wake including the two of her three children – a husband she does not miss but children she still mourns for daily. The plague left so many left and fending for themselves that it seemed right and natural for her to take control and become Lord of the manor a job no man truly thought a woman should hold. She had many friends and trusted advisors but none felt a woman should be allowed this title and that Joanna should marry. Joanna had been married and her late husband was not worth discussing not was another relationship worth her time, or so she thought. Logan's appearance did not ease this tension with the people under her rein but in some ways increased the displeasure from her critics yet she stood her ground and continued to make her way in a man's historical time. Joanna knew the Logan was the man to handle the demons she fought as the ruler of the kingdom as well as those that she has within her personally.
AT HER SERVICE by Shari Anton is a love story that is very genuine with more than enough bumps to make it not only believable but also very endearing. She took time with her characters and story and I appreciate that. Logan does not immediately fall for Joanna but takes his time to not only discover if she is trustworthy but one of character who is strong enough to run a large castle and care for the people. As the story took hold Logan also found himself turning into not only a man of character but displayed feelings when Joanna's daughter, Ivy warms up to him and decides he is her protector. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more by Shari Anton.
