Book Blog--LADY THIEF by A.C. Gaughen

A.C. Gaughen put a spin on the Robin Hood tale when she wrote SCARLET--the story of a knife-wielding, plain-speaking "Will" Scarlet in band of Merry Men.  I fell in love with this stunning character, with the narrative voice, with the complex and real relationships between the members of Robin's band. 

I was thrilled to discover there would be a second (and third!) installment of Scarlet and Robin's story, and begged and pleaded for a chance to read this book early (thank you, Class of 2k12!)  I didn't think it would be possible to love Scarlet more, but in this book she reveals courage and vulnerability I wouldn't have thought possible. 

Who can pass up a great Robin Hood story?  Having grown up on swashbucklers and Errol Flynn, I am a sucker for retellings of these fabulous tales, and even more of a sucker for the way A.C. Gaughen tells them (see my blog about SCARLET here.)

Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

(LADY THIEF was published on February 11.)