The Warlords Mistress - Juliet Landon

The Warlord's Mistress, by Juliet Landon, was released by Harlequin Historical in 2006 and is the third Roman story I've read in their line. Unlike the other two this one struck me less as a romance novel and more as survival novel with a romance sub plot. This isn't a bad thing, because of the set up between the two main characters I'd have found it very difficult to believe that Dania, the heroine, could have fallen head over heels in love with Fabian, the Roman hero of the story.

After her marriage of a year to the son of the Druid comes to an end Dania finds herself with a choice, become a sacrifice to the gods, or risk her life spying on the Romans for her people. Marked by a brand, so she can never forget where she comes from, she walks into danger and sets up shop close to Hadrian's wall.

Her original plan to focus on weaving and spinning quickly changes and Dania ends up running a House of Women, or whore house, that also provides baths, healing herbs and a much needed calm hand for any woman who needs it. After six years amongst the Roman's Dania has managed to keep herself from being touched by any man since her husband of a year, but all of that changes when Fabian Peregrinus walks into her life.

When they first meet and for several meetings after that, I wanted to slap Fabian silly. He was cold, arrogant and tried to bend Dania to his will. He was determined to take what he wanted from her and her needs be damned, but he wasn't reckoning on her strength of will, or her courage.

The love affair that slowly builds between them is wrapped around the struggles of the time period. Along with the dangers of her work, and the betrayal of her own people, or rather her brother. Dania is a strong, courageous woman and it wasn't unheard of for the woman of the tribes in that time period to spy, kill and work however they could to protect their own people from the Romans and other invaders.

Is this book a romance? No, it certainly doesn't start as one. There is a lust connection between Dania and Fabian that slowly becomes more, and that slow progression makes the entire story more realistic, at least to me. There is a sense of need, understanding that she doesn't do what is best for her, but rather for her people, be they the tribe she serves, or the members of her household.

I won't spoil the ending for you, but will tell you this book is the type of story that those who like their romance as a secondary issue to the story, will enjoy. The characters are strong, the storyline well thought out. The plot powerful, but not overwhelming. I truly enjoyed this book and the fact it held my attention on a day when I'd had very little sleep is a miracle all in its own.

ISBN 978-0-373-29469-5