Winterbourne was originally published in 1987 under the name Author Susan Carroll currently uses in real life, Susan Coppula. Among the first of her novels to see print, it is set in the early 13th century during the reign of King John. In many respects, it's a shame this is classified as romance. Carroll does an excellent job of recreating the feudal society England, describing her action scenes, and motivating her characters. Readers who fail to be engrossed by this novel must have either a distaste for historical settings or anything labeled romance. With all of the politics and medieval battles that it contains, what adherence it has to the romance genre can easily be overlooked.
As the story opens, 17-year-old Lady Melyssan is on the run. In order to deflect King John's advances, she tells him that she recently married the absent Jaufre de Macy, heir apparent to the Earl of Winterbourne. She uses Jaufre’s seal ring as proof of their vows. In truth, Jaufre had recently been engaged to Melyssan's sister, Beatrice, who jilted him in favor of another man and stole his ring. Melyssan had retrieved it with the intention of returning it Jaufre, who had gone to France with his grandfather on a quest to recover the Chateau Clairemont le Fleur, another estate the de Macy family once had in their possession. The old comte dies during the excursion, leaving his estate to Jaufre, who has been nicknamed "The Dark Knight without Mercy." Melyssan, in order to support her claim as Jaufre's wife, goes to Castle Winterbourne and takes over duties as its countess. As Jaufre returns he learns of an imposter, believing it to be Beatrice. When he finds out otherwise, his strategy changes.
This novel has one of the most compelling openings a reader can find in the historical romance genre. Carroll does an excellent job of setting up the conflict and steadily keeps it growing, with the appropriate dips and rises, until it reaches its ultimate climax. It covers the course of a few years, where the lovers unite, yet are constantly misunderstanding the motivation of the other. On the other hand, as all of this occurs, the reader never loses touch with its historical setting and politics.
Carroll does an excellent job of putting her readers in the life of a medieval castle. She knows the difference between a donjon and a dungeon. When Melyssan dismisses a steward because he is betraying the de Macys, it’s a part of day-to-day life. There is a clear understanding that the lord has to protect his tenants in the bailey, and Winterbourne's location by the Welsh border is a dangerous one.
Another intriguing aspect is that Melyssan has a serious physical flaw. She was born with a club foot. This is a major issue in her life during a time when people were insensitive to such circumstances. However, with 13th century fashions her handicap isn’t always noticeable. She had been preparing for life in a convent before she caught the eye of John and ran off to Winterbourne. The fact that Jaufre cares for Melyssan regardless makes him even more likeable, but she’ll always be insecure despite his emotional support.
The men in this novel are as believable as the women. Jaufre is an alpha male, but generally respectful of women--unless they give him reason not to be. Sir Tristan is a trusted ally, helping him see things in good perspective. Even King John is credibly rendered as arrogant, inconsistent, cowardly, vengeful, greedy, and spiteful, which seems accurate to the history books (this is not a time period I gave much study).
One minor complaint is that one obnoxious character, Father Hubert, is handled a little over the top. Every little detail of his description is offensive, right down to his bad breath. A little more balance would have made him less far-fetched.
All in all, Winterbourne is a riveting romantic adventure. Anyone who enjoys good historical fiction should enjoy this one. Even better is that the de Macy story continues on in a second novel, Shades of Winter. Both are worth the effort to find.
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