Valiant Chaos

De: Kathryn Le Veque

Narrado por: Tim Campbell

Listeners take note: This work was originally published under the title For Love and Honor, but it had been reissued with a new ending and bonus chapters!

1469 A.D. - Brogan d'Aurilliac is a master sergeant in the infantry of Edward IV. The son of a Germanic knight, he came to England at his father's death and worked his way up through the ranks of the infantry to become the king's highest ranking soldier. Brogan is a very large man with power and skill, but uneducated due to his family's immigrant social standing.

He meets our heroine by chance, a member of the mighty de Nevilles, the most powerful ruling family in England. The Lady Avalyn du Brant's uncle is the all-powerful Richard Neville, "The Kingmaker". Although Brogan knows she is out of his league, he is nonetheless taken by her. Avalyn, too, is intrigued by the big soldier with the heavy accent and menacing presence. What starts out as pity for the man turns to something else and her uncle, used to meddling in people's lives, seeks to separate his niece from Brogan by betrothing her to a powerful but foolish baron.

Yet Avalyn is intelligent; she takes charge of the situation and, like a great chess match, seeks to beat her uncle at his own game. Brogan, the man that enemy and ally alike call "The Monster" in battle, offers support and affection such as Avalyn has never known in this story of reversal of roles.

She is the 'smart and cunning' one in this battle to save her relationship with Brogan from her uncle's destruction.

©2014 Kathryn Le Veque (P)2014 Kathryn Le Veque

The perfection of the story

In an ideal world, the ending which keeps Avalyn and Brogan together would be the better one. However, realistically, given the era in which the story takes place, with its social strictures and the wealthy world in which Avalyn was brought up, I doubt that long term, the marriage would have flourished. The first ending better suits the story. Avalyn has Brogan’s son who will be elevated beyond his father’s status and through him she can remember and love Brogan. She also has in William a man who truly cares and loves her, loves her son by Brogan and who can help her maintain her social status and in so doing, elevate Ty. It’s a win/win for all. Additionally, it is Avalyn who “gives” Brogan his daughter, Lake. Brogan’s saving grace.

I'm so relieved she rewrote the ending

This is a rewrite (and re-titling) of an earlier Veque novel, For Love and Honour. I'm so glad she did the rewrite. While the original ending may have been more correct for that time, as a romance it didn't work for me. If I wanted a depressing romance, I'd read Thomas Hardy. Thanks for the rewrite, Kathryn Le Veque - I love your medieval romances.

One Book. TWO Endings.

This story was awesome and while I can understand the disappointment of the original ending, I have to say that it was my favorite. I am happy that the author rewrote it for those hopeless romantic readers but I thought the original was heartbreaking and realistically charming. I really enjoyed this book and BOTH endings.

Valiant Chaos

It’s very funny how nervous I got when they made live in the stables! I was sure someone would catch them. Always an unexpected twist to Kathryns books. I liked both endings. Either one had a happy ending! Thanks Kathryn I live your writing! 👏👏❤️

Valiant chaos

I am so glad the author included the first ending! I found the rewrite less compelling then I usually find Leveque's work. I tried to return the book, towards the end, but could not. Therefore I listened to the Entirety, and was so glad that I was able to hear the original ending, which I preferred greatly, and felt Entirety, and was so glad that I was able to hear the original ending, which I preferred greatly, and felt was richer and made more sense.

Other ending better

I think I liked the original ending better although both were good. Good story as usual however not one of the best

TWO STORIES ENDINGS

I truly glad how Kathryn rewrote the ending. Brogan and Avalyn belong together. William should had just stayed her friend because that all he was to her threw out the book. I truly didn't like the original version much at all. I enjoyed the rewrite..

SO HAPPY FOR THE REWRITE!!!

Must have my happily ever after!!! Not getting back together in the end ruined it for me! This is soooooo much better!!!

Good story!

I very much enjoyed this story. I had not read this one previously, and thought both endings were good, but I preferred the new version. I love Tim Campbell’s narration; I hope he will continue working with Ms. LeVeque’s new books.

I can appreciate both endings.

Everyone loves a good HEA. But life isn't really like that, is it? I think that's why I can appreciate both endings of this story. I personally got my own HEA, but I had to go through Hell first to get it. I'm much more grateful for what I have now because of what I had to go through to get it. Sometimes, life just doesn't turn out the way we want it to. However, I DO think that it turns out the way that it's supposed to. Bravo! To my favorite authoress.