Lela is in love with the Master of the Guard, John, but the king is not going to allow her to remain a widow for long, nor will he allow her to marry beneath her station. Properties in this time were hot political issues, and the opportunity to form a political alliance is far more important than matters of the heart. Lela thinks she has found an acceptable alternative in Marcel, a childhood friend whose own property needs a strong alliance, but she can't shake her feelings for John.

Lots of political intrigue, plenty of chivalry, and an attention to detail that is rare in historical novels. The author deftly includes detailed information on the daily lives of her characters, giving the reader a true feel for the living conditions and societal mores of the time. It's a beautifully told story from start to finish.

I think that if I had professors who made history sexy, I would have been a history major instead of an English major. Granted that might well be because of the number of Sex and Shakespeare classes I had, of which there were many. In “Chateau of Longing”, Monica Bentley once again makes history sexy (or…sexy history?).

In this story, Lela has come into her own as a countess as she must now navigate the world of nobles and being bought/purchased to advance placement in society. Likes: Medieval France. What’s not to like? There’s so much pomp and intrigue and posturing (and killing) for power. I loved her nickname for her husband (hee). Holy smokes! What happens! Bounces. Read it! The intrigue and and and…yessss!

This second installment also had me enthralled as I learnt more about Lady Lela, her love for John the Master of the Guard and the deception of her childhood friend Marcel, the Count of Anjou. Monica weaved yet another vivid story with glimpses of the main characters of Book 1 while drawing into the limelight characters previously briefly mentioned.
The adventures and deception draw one into the book keeping us enthralled as you try to guess who Lady Lela will end with.