Addax al-Kort follows the tournament circuit competing. It's his livelihood and he is very successful. The day he meets Lady Emmeline de Witt, is the day he begins to loose his heart. But Emmeline is promised to his friend Maximilian also competing in the tournament circuit. Manipulated and forced into marriage by his father, the Earl of Bretherdale, Maximilian has no use for a wife. Emmeline sees her second marriage as unhappy as the first. Addax is caught in the middle of a marriage two people neither want, to the point where things become dangerous. This is one hard read where you see the impossible, but hope for the best possible outcome.
Keep a box of tissues close by, this is one heartbreaking book. Mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This is a wonderful book. I really enjoyed the characters and their banter. The build up in the beginning was a little slow for my tastes but once it gets into it, it takes off quickly. I love the twists and turns that the author incorporates into their story. So much happened in this story. My poor heart was dragged through quite a work out. Gives this book a chance it is really good.

This is Addax al-Kort's story. Kathryn finally gives us a pretty complete history of Addax's early life in Kitara. Addax and his brother have appeared in other stories, so I always wanted their early life story. We learn how the brothers meet Christopher de Lohr, and so much more.
Addax is on the tournament circuit with his friend Maximillian de Gray. When Maximillian becomes bethrothed, Addax travels with him to meet his betrothed, Emmeline de Witt.
Addax sees a side of Maximillian that he abhors, as Maximillian is a horrible husband to Emmy. It becomes complicated as Addax realizes his feelings for Emmy and she is married to a monster.
I loved seeing the young DeWolfe, Paris and Hage on the tournament circuit, as well as seeing Christopher de Lohr together with Addax at the end of the story.
Kathryn, you continue to write fantastic stories with your creativity and all your attention to detail.

What a book!! I was crying within the first couple pages. What a journey Emmy and Addax went on. Brava!! I hope Essien is next!
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

What a fantastic love story. Addax and Emmeline’s story is so exceptionally written that I don’t think that there could be another love story better than this. The writing is simply amazing. I have nothing but good praises about this remarkable book. Telling Addax and Essienne the story from beginning made it easy for you and me to understand where the brothers came from.
What their struggles were. Who were their enemies and who were their friends. I truly believe that it’s simply amazing how a love story was written this way. I enjoyed reading each character. Even the antagonists.
I loved the ups and downs of Addax and Emmeline trying to understand their relationship, even though it was a very unique one. The relationship between Addax and his brother was a very close and protective relationship. Then there’s the relationship among friends. You know what they say about friends right?
You got to have them, but with friends like this, who needs enemies? Anyway Addax Emmeline and Essienne were marvelous. I love the slow romance. The fear of losing something so special, but trusting in your love and friendship that the ones you love are not going anywhere.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Really enjoyed this book, so full of action.
Kathryn’s books are great, she always manages to keep me hooked on her stories .
I love the intrigue and tension, the battle scenes and the characters that are so well written.

This was about an exiled Prince who has spent most of his life as a knight in England.
Addax al Kort has led a life of fighting with his brother. But he’s never really been happy in what he was doing, when he meets Emmeline, everything slots into place, she is is future.

A beautiful story of love, passion and honour.
Brilliantly written and detailed.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

I was not disappointed in this hook. It was excellent. A true love story for the ages. Marriages back in their times were uncertain and not always a good thing. Emmeline found this out, where husbands could what they want without prejudice. Addax was a king by all rights of his country, but he couldn't go back there, so he and his brother tour the circuits in England. There's plenty going on in this story and it was truly a great love story. HEA.

Excellent Medieval Romance

The beginning of Addax’s tale is a sad one. Uprooted from his home, he and his brother experienced unbelievable hardship until an honorable English knight found them while on the Crusades. Addax would become a wealthy knight, but he could never forget what he had endured.

Emmeline was a wealthy widow, making her a pawn in the plans of kings and nobles. She would marry a friend of Addax's, but this friend would dishonor his vows in every way possible. Addax would find himself protecting Emmeline, and little by little, losing a friend he had known for many years. His friend was someone he no longer recognized. Addax would find himself in an untenable position. He was falling in love with Emmeline. Could love find a way? Emmeline fell in love with her champion, too, but she could do nothing about her love since she was married. She would honor her vows to her husband even if she despised him.

Emmeline and Addax would face tough challenges, and the odds were not in their favor. This story kept me turning the pages, rooting for them. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like medieval romance.

Wow! What an awesome book! The Black Dragon hooks you right from the start and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The journey of Addax and Emmeline is a heart felt journey that will have you hoping for a happy ending. Kathryn Le Veque is one my all time favorite authors, every new book she releases I preorder and I have almost all her books. Addax and Emmeline' story is filled with characters you will love to hate but also with ones you will love, even the flawed characters. They all manage to grow and yet retain their personalities which captivates you from the beginning until the very end, sizzling passion, angst, heartbreak and reunited with those who have a special place in your heart from other books, and family unity. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life and as the uncertainties escalates the suspense builds and hope abound which brings this read together perfectly.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Black Dragon by Kathryn Le Veque is a book her readers have been waiting for as we have met Addax al-Kort in many previous books, but never was a woman mentioned. In this book, his best friend, Maximillian, a good man but sort of a wastrel, is suddenly faced with a marriage arranged by his father. The man arrived with the bride in tow and had them married within hours. At this time in history, the marriage wasn’t binding unless consummated so Maximillian dragged his bride into a storage room at the church and that was the end of it. Addax was shocked at the change in his friend. He had never wanted marriage, preferred to find relief where he could, with as many different partners as possible. Addax wasn’t the same sort of man, but didn’t judge, until Emmy came along and he observed how miserably Max treated her. Max’s father had gotten what he wanted: her mines and her wealth. Max used whatever coin she would give him on drink and other women. Addax observed, trying to be loyal to both.

Addax is an amazing character, so well written that we know him almost better than we know ourselves. He has in interesting history and proves that through adversity, greatness can happen. The plot was a good one, playing out a little differently than most of Le Veque’s books. It simply had a different feel to it. There were twists and turns aplenty as Addax struggled with his honor at every turn. It was hard to know for whom to feel sorry. Addax is a favorite on the tournament circuit and an Executioner Knight, fighting for the good of England, often covertly. It was a heart-breaking story in so many ways. Thanks, Katherine Le Veque!

I was invited to read The Black Dragon by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #KatherynLeVeque #TheBlackKnight

I've been looking forward to this medieval romance. Our hero has been a secondary character in many other books from this author, but now it's his turn.
In a land far away he was born a prince. Sent away by his father, with his mother and siblings at only five years old to save their lives. I won't spoil the story by telling you how he finds himself many years later, an Executioner Knight in service to England. At the start of the main story he is with many of his friends competing in a tournament.
Our heroine however has had a sheltered life. She is a very wealthy widow who hopes a new husband will at least give her a child to love.
This is an emotional story full of torment, disappointment, and frustration. Don't worry though, there is also a lot of fun. But how can they have their happy ever after??? Read it to find out.
Another great read from my favourite author.
I loved it.

So much heartache in one book!

I assure you from the start that Addax and Emmeline do get their HEA, but that's after a long series of heartache-driven longing, a couple conveniently-timed tragedies, and a completely unnecessary yet gruesome twist at the end. Still, this author knows her stuff and I was enthralled from the start.

The story opens with perhaps one of the most heartbreaking prologues I've ever read. It can only go up from there. Addax and his brother Essien come to England from their homeland as children, and rise up through the ranks of the elite knights of the realm. Emmeline is married off at a very tender age, yet has learned to make the best of her situation regardless of her lack of any control over her life.

Once the Addax meets the now-widowed Emmeline, the story starts to get interesting as it focuses almost entirely on the love triangle and the tournament circuit. It's a tale of forbidden love, honor and dishonor, and chivalry at its finest. Of course there's only one path to the HEA, but the particular details the author chose were satisfyingly full of just deserts.

The twist at the end was what kept me from giving this five stars - as I said earlier, it was completely unnecessary and even if it had to be included, it didn't need to be so conveniently timed and horrific as well.

It was fun to see de Wolfe and his friends in their youth, and I really enjoyed the tournament scenes. If you're looking for a medieval romance, you can't get any better than this author's catalogue. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Trigger warnings for: Marital rape, suicide attempt, domestic abuse, stillborn birth

This is a pleasant enough historical romance dealing (more or less realistically) with the difficulties of being married to someone who despises you while falling in love with someone else. While this is the thirteenth book in the series it reads easily as a stand-alone. There are dark moments, especially in Emmy's marriage to Max, but it feels grounded in the world of the story. The ending is a bit too convenient for my taste, but I do appreciate Emmy and Addax getting their happily ever after.

This is not a low angst book, however, as Emmy's marriage to Max is truly awful and the situations she is forced to endure cause her to, at one point, try to take her own life. The writing is good, the pace is fast and the story is well put together.

Wow! I love this author, her writing style, attention to historical detail and the depth, honor and chemistry found within each of her books. But this one hit a completely different level of admiration for me. Addex is a knight of great integrity, honor and discipline. He isn't Anglo-Saxon, or even anything close to the British Isles. Yet he was raised and fostered to be a knight to William Marsh. This is just the beginning of the differences within the story. Much like Camelot, there is a deep friendship that is put at risk, a deeper question of honor, loyalty and integrity. The story will have the reader questioning, their own moral code as they dig deeper into each of the characters. Your tears will fall as your heart is squeezed from page to page and you won't put this one down until you reach the last word. Amazing, exceptional, beyond description! A 10+

A romance that highlights the chivalry and love of a knight for the lady of heart, makes this a wonderful, albeit heartbreaking novel. Addax stands by his friend, Maximillian de Grey, through thick and thin as the two of them battle their way through the tournament circuit. Carrying the emblem of his family's origins, known as The Black Dragon, Addax becomes wealthy and wins the adoration of the crowds. Despite his fiercely competitive spirit, he is nevertheless a gentle giant when it comes to protecting and keeping women safe, including Maximillian's new wife. Addax is horrified at the treatment Emmiline receives at his friend's hand but refuses to give in to his feelings for her. That is until Maximillian reveals his true colors and does the unthinkable to take his revenge on his father for forcing him into marriage. Ironically, Maximillian receives the same treatment that he dishes out, opening the way for Addax and Emmeline to eventually find hope for the future. The novel is well written, suspenseful, and romantic and although part of a series, it is a standalone and comes to a sigh-worthy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Tournaments, Betrayals, Saviors, Emotionally Gripping Story
Ms. KLV took me to another time and place in this magnificent and complex story that is filled to the brim with excitement, love so strong and deep that had my heart pounding through many tragic, and heartwarming situations all through this unbelievable story that captured my heart and soul until the most shocking ending I think I have ever read in any of this authors books before. I actually had to stop and take a breath before moving on to the very rewarding ending.
I don't have the words to describe this amazing story any better than I absolutely loved the characters, their commitment to honor, their courage through so many horrible situations and how they overcame them.
🏆Simply an amazing. story I highly recommend. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐➕
 📣Special Mention: Essien the brother who added much to this story.

Love reading about this time period and all the intricacies that are involved in daily life.
Addax has a tumultuous past but handles it with great dignity despite falling in love with his friend’s wife,.Emmeline.
Addax handles himself with honor and dignity according to his code.
Characters are familiar and add to the ease and wonder of reading but it can be read as a standalone.
Makes you want to read every book in this medieval world.

I liked the author's writing style: captivating characters, enthralling and interesting settings, vivid descriptions, engaging dialogue, and a fascinating storyline which held my interest throughout. Overall, I liked the appealing narrative and the historical setting, not to mention wonderful, likable characters.