The Lord of Ireland Blog Tour and Review

The Lord of Ireland (The Fifth Knight, #3) by E.M. Powell

Publication Date: April 5, 2016 
Publisher:Thomas & Mercer
Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook; 370 Pages
Series: The Fifth Knight 
Genre: Historical Thriller
Source: Publisher via HFVBT for an honest review

   

England, 1185. John is a prince without prospect of a crown. As the youngest son of Henry II, he has long borne the hated nickname ‘Lackland’. When warring tribes and an ambitious Anglo-Norman lord threaten Henry’s reign in Ireland, John believes his time has finally come. Henry is dispatching him there with a mighty force to impose order.

Yet it is a thwarted young man who arrives on the troubled isle. John has not been granted its kingship—he is merely the Lord of Ireland, destined never to escape his father’s shadow. Unknown to John, Henry has also sent his right-hand man, Sir Benedict Palmer, to root out the traitors he fears are working to steal the land from him.

But Palmer is horrified when John disregards Henry’s orders and embarks on a campaign of bloodshed that could destroy the kingdom. Now Palmer has to battle the increasingly powerful Lord of Ireland. Power, in John’s hands, is a murderous force—and he is only just beginning to wield it.

Praise for The Fifth Knight Series

"With her fast-paced mysteries set in the tumultuous reign of Henry II, E.M. Powell takes readers on enthralling, and unforgettable, journeys." -Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown

“Both Fifth Novels are terrific. Benedict and Theodosia are not merely attractive characters: they are intensely real people.” -Historical Novels Review

 “From the get-go you know you are in an adventure when you enter the world of E.M. Powell's 12th century. Peril pins you down like a knight's lance to the chest”-Edward Ruadh Butler, author of Swordland

My Take:

E.M. Powell has done it again - The Lord of Ireland is the third book in the Fifth Knight series and it is as fast-paced and compelling as the previous books. In this third book, Benedict has been sent to Ireland with Henry's son, John - often called "Lackland" since he isn't expected to ever sit on the throne. Howeveer, John is very ambitious and determined to make his reputation - unfortunately, he is an unscrupulous and often cruel young man. 

John is unaware that his father has sent Benedict, so Benedict must remain basically undercover while protecting John - mostly from the results of the young prince's own actions. Benedict's wife - and secret daughter of King Henry, Theodosia, is supposed to remain safe and secure, but she takes matters into her own hands when she receives what she perceives as a sign from God. 

Once Benedict and Theodosia are reunited in Ireland, things get really interesting. Theodosia must also be undercover since she is masquerading as a sister - a role she knows well. But it does make it difficult to communicate with Benedict. As usual, Theodosia is enterprising and uses her role to obtain useful information and help her husband in his extremely difficult job of protecting John and keeping Henry's plans on track. 

I enjoy how well Powell intertwines historical events and people into her novels. There are numerous historial people who wind there way through the narrative and at times I forget and the two main characters are fiction. Our couple, Benedict and Theodosia, are as delightful as ever - their relationship has a great dynamic and they make a great team.

As with the other Fifth Knight books, I found The Lord of Ireland to be a fast-paced, entertaining and informative read. I feel confident that it - and all the Fifth Knight novels - will appeal to many readers, especially those who like historical ficiton and action-packed thrillers. 

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About the Author

E.M. Powell’s medieval thrillers The Fifth Knight and The Blood of the Fifth Knight have been number-one Amazon bestsellers and on the Bild bestseller list in Germany.

Born into the family of Michael Collins (the legendary revolutionary and founder of the Irish Free State) and raised in the Republic of Ireland, she lives in north-west England with her husband, daughter and a Facebook-friendly dog.

She reviews fiction and non-fiction for the Historical Novel Society, blogs for English Historical Fiction Authors and is a contributing editor to International Thriller Writers’ The Big Thrill magazine.

Find more information at E.M. Powell's website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, June 9
Review at Impressions In Ink
Friday, June 10
Excerpt & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Monday, June 20
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Tuesday, June 21
Interview at Layered Pages
Friday, June 24
Review at Dianne Ascroft's Blog
Monday, June 27
Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Tuesday, June 28
Review at CelticLady's Reviews
Wednesday, June 29
Review at Book Nerd
Thursday, June 30
Guest Post at The Writing Desk
Tuesday, July 5
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Thursday, July 7
Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Monday, July 11
Review at A Book Geek
Saturday, July 16
Review at Bookramblings
Monday, July 18
Review at Just One More Chapter
Friday, July 22
Review at Broken Teepee