I really enjoyed this book! Both main characters are very likeable as well as the "uncles". Allan is sweetheart and Cecily personality is very refreshing. . Charmrlainge of course is my favorite !!!!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good novel. If you love the Tudor period you might want to check out this novel. Love the cover.

This is my very first experience with Elizabeth Keysian's book and unfortunately, this is the last book of the series. Soooo it actually can be read as a standalone but again I prefer I can read from the first book. Anyway, the premise sounds pretty decent. The characters are fine too but obvs this book fell flat for me. I don't really enjoy this book that much but it's still a pretty decent book.

Buried Secrets and Hidden Truths

Things did not start off well between Allan and Cecily, but as time went on, they both realized that they had no reason to be enemies. There is a greater threat that they must unite against. However, Cecily had secrets, and they might be dangerous ones. Then, there was his partner who would stop at nothing to possess Cecily. How far would he go, and could Cecily and Allan survive his treachery intact? One of Cecily’s secrets might be dangerous, but another one might be their salvation. What was Cecily hiding, and could love beat the odds at a time when being different could be deadly? I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with suspense and mystery.

Lord of the Manor by Elizabeth Keysian is book 5 in the Tryst and Treachery Series. This is the story of Allan Smythe and Cecily Neville. I have read the previous books which has added to my enjoyment of this book, but I do feel you can make it a standalone book if you wish to do so. Cecily is a struggling women who has not at all had a easy go of it. Kennett Clark. is the heart of most of her current issues. Allan is a widower who doesn't know what a harsh man his brother-in-law is. But he soon starts to learn and this puts him in Cecily on their path to their story. I am of course a big fan of Ms. Keysian writing and I do recommend this book...and series.

Lord of the Manor by Elizabeth Keysian is an entertaining story of a young woman, Cecily, who lived with her uncles in the village after having been kicked out of the Temple Roding Commandery after two gentlemen had purchased it from the Crown. The Crown had ignored it for years and so the four had lived there, lived off the things the land grew, and shared it all with the village. She had been born there and lived with the monks her whole life, until they had been run off and there were just the three lay brothers left. Her mother had died as she was being born. Now she was protective. She first met Allan Smythe and developed a rudimentary friendship with him. She next met his partner and brother-in-law, Kennett Clark (Allan's dead wife had been Kennett's sister). He was up to no good, one could tell by looking at him and some of that no-good was centered on Cecily.

Cecily was nothing if not loyal. Part of the issue was that her uncles were staunchly Catholic in a time when that was not acceptable and could garner a death sentence. She was not as faithful but for Allan to be seen aiding and abetting Catholics was a serious crime. Kennet had invested the most money in the venture and so believed he did not need to work, leaving all the back-breaking work to Allan. Things got difficult quickly. This was a wonderful book, so different from any of these types of historical romances. Allan got thrown in jail, which was not a fun place to be. Cecily worked tirelessly to not only free him, but feed him and keep him healthy while he was there. She was a fabulous character and Allan was almost as fabulous. The uncles were fine, but not as well-rounded as would have been entertaining. The plot was better than excellent and the history was worth the read. This was a terrific book and I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Lord of the Manor by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #lordofthemanor

This story takes place during a time when the Catholics are in hiding and they are forbidden to have mass and worship. Cecily and her three uncles are basically in hiding in plain site among the village where they live.
Cecily's mother died while giving birth to her at the Hospitaller commandery. She was raised there by her three "uncles - Martin, Benedict, and Anselm."
The commandery was bought by Master Allen Smythe and his brother-in-law Kennett Clark. It doesn't take long for Master Allen to start questioning the actions of his brother-in-law.
This is a story about life and surviving all its struggles. It is also a story about trust, loyalty, and love in all its many forms.
Wonderful story.

Lord of the Manor was a interesting and informative book about how they treated those who were not in the same things as the current King. If the King took offense one day at the color green then nobody would dare wear that color.
Cecily Neville and her adopted “Uncles” were tossed out of their home and displaced with nothing but what they could take. Cecily and her falcon regularly returned to hunt and forage for food on the grounds, but the new owners were now in residence.
Allan Smythe and his brother in law Kennett made a partnership, but Allan didn’t realize he just made a pact with a devil.
Cecily, Allan, and Kennett will all have a rocky relationship and the villagers will suffer at the hands of the new owners as well.

The book starts out slowly, but it does pickup and things start to come together and make for a good read.

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

England 1855
Step back in time to an adventure that this author always weaves most brilliantly, with her historical knowledge and imagination.

Allan and his brother in law had bought a former Hospitaller commandery and hoped to make it into a prosperous venture. What he didn't expect was to come face to face with Cecily and her peregrine. She looked no more than a peasant, but he could not help but notice her beauty.

Cecily had grown up in the commandery, the remnants of the Knights Hospitaller who had owned it with the catholic monks who were like her family. They now they had to make their place in the village and hide their religion. Of course there was the legend that there was treasure left by the Templars and with their new landlords, Allan Smyth and his brother in law, Kennett,she would have to be careful on her treks.

I want to just tell you the whole book, it was so engaging! A little suspense, intrigue, a charming falcon and a wonderful cast of characters pulled me into this story that I could not put down until I turned the last page! Simply wonderful.

Cecily’s life is shattered when the only home she’s ever know is gone due to the reformation. She has lived with monks – and they are now enemies of England. The story is about Cecily and Allan Smythe. Allen is a young man, a bit lost, who buys the Temple where Cecily had lived. No spoiler here, but there are mysteries and a bit of fraud going on. The time period in history that this is written is, is not my favorite, but Ms. Keysian kept me reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Edward, Henry VIII's son maybe on the throne, but nothing will change for Catholics in England. Cecily and her "uncles" are hiding in plain sight, protected by the village of Temple Roding. When the commandery is purchased by two Protestants, Cecily and her uncles' safety is threatened. In time Allan Smythe is working the commandery by himself and plans to buy out his brother-in-law, Kennett Clark. . Attracted to Cecily, Allan's heart starts to heal from the death of his wife and child. When Kennett threatens Cecily, Allan places himself as her protector, not knowing her secrets are the biggest threats of all. Nice historical romance with a very strong compassionate hero who deserves the heart of the lady. .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book

This is an interesting tale of trechery and love.
Cecily and Allan are a good couple considering their origins. Originally adversaries they come to love one another.
Elizabeth Keysian writes a good story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily

With the repudiation of the Catholic church by the King of England, many of the monks had to live in hiding. Three of those monks and a young orphaned woman had to leave the hospitaller commandery when it was seized by the Crown. Now Cecily Neville is just another villager in Temple Roding trying to keep food on the table for herself and her "uncles".

Allan Smythe bought the old commandery in partnership with his brother in law. Little did he know the type of man his brother in law really was.

This is a sweet historical romance set in mid sixteenth century Essex at a difficult time for many. There is danger and a little mystery. Our hero is only an ordinary gentleman doing his best to make a new life for himself. Our heroine doesn't know who either of her parents were, so the only family she has are the men who brought her up.

Really good fun.

Cecily Neville’s life is an upheaval as the only home she’s ever know when the reformation took her home displacing her and her “uncles”. Temple Roding has been bought and inhabited by their greatest enemies Allan Smythe and Kennett Clark, the new owners of Temple Roding. I feel for Cecily who’s an orphan and now she’s lost the only home she’s known to complete strangers. She comes to know and like Allan Smythe, he’s a handsome gentleman with soulful heart after he lost his wife and young son. His brother-in-law Kennett, his wife’s brother, is another thing all together, he’s arrogant, demanding and wicked. Cecily’s falcon Charlemagne steals the show with his antics for and against Allan and Kennett as these three navigate life, love, trust and loyalty. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent story.

This is your typical historical romance story. Very amusing to read, though sometimes I did want to put it away. The characters were kind of bland, there was nothing really interesting about them. Which, kind of is a shame.

Giving it 2.5 stars.

Cecily was caught trespassing, all because Charlemagne-her bird of prey-would not obey her. Allan was angry to find a girl on his land and with a bird that would certainly destroy his pets. When she realizes that this man is landlord to, she and her uncles, she attempts to appease his temper.
Allan is still morning the death of his wife. Why else would he agree to purchase a run down property with her brother, Kennett Clark. Clark, a man that seemed to have endless funds for clothing and other items of his current interests. When Clark sees Cecily and correctly surmises that Allan is smitten with her, he immediately begins to plot the downfall of his brother in law so that he can have Cecily in his bed.
As her uncles and the townspeople have always loved Cecily and in turn have grown to accept and respect Allan, it maybe that Clark’s plans will be foiled.

This book was so hard to put down once I started reading. I adored every character and loved the setting as well as descriptions. It paints a beautiful, idyllic, quaint town; taking use back to the past. I have to say, books like this one are the reason I enjoy historical fiction so much. Everything about it is beautiful.

Cecily is a mysterious character. She poses as one of the poor villagers, but somehow, she doesn't fit in with them. There is more to her story, and Smythe wants to know all about it. She intrigues him. But right now he has too many worries of his own. His brother-in-law turned out to be an unreliable co-investor. Now, he must find a way to pay him back and keep himself afloat. Financial worries consume him.

On the other hand, Cecily finds it to a perfect opportunity to use Smythe's financial problems and make her way back to the hospitaller commandery. There is a secret that she must uncover without letting Smythe know. It will benefit her and her people. However, she never thought she would actually like the new property owner. For some reason, Smythe is growing on her. Things are definitely going to get interesting.

I enjoyed every second of this book and would recommend it to all historical fiction lovers. This is a must read.

This was a very enjoyable read with engaging main characters. What a hero in Allan Smythe, tall, broad, blonde and handsome, as well as having a good heart. What more could you ask for? Cecily Neville, has a caring nature and often helps the people in her village. Their first meeting wasn’t friendly but as they were in each other’s company so their attraction grew. However, Cecily has a secret that if discovered could cause serious difficulties. Elizabeth Keysian always sets the scene with good detail of life at this time, from the food they eat, to religion and the law. There is a villain to add spice to the story. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.

In a tenuous period of history, this sweet romance finds a place to grow and flourish as Cecily Neville draws Allan Smythe's attention. Allan has put aside all thoughts of love and marriage after his wife died, but he cannot help but think of Cecily and her falcon. As Allan begins to realise that the local community has been helping themselves to the produce in his garden before taking ownership, he determines to keep a closer eye on things. Unfortunately, when his brother-in-law begins to show his true colours, Allan has to resort to strong-arm tactics to keep Cecily safe. This charming Tudor romance portrays all the tension of the era, the drama that is taking place in the lives of ordinary men and women, as well as a love story between a man and an unusual woman. I received a copy of this book as a gift from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

In true Keysian fashion, what we receive from Lord of the Manor is a satisfying, classy romance fraught with tension, intrigue and desire. I really enjoyed this reading experience, and feel like I need to get my hands on the rest of her books!