The story you know...
Lady Marion FitzWalter would never admit she’s been waiting for Sir Robin of Locksley to return – not to her uncle, not to the unimpressive suitors she’s turned away, and certainly not to herself.​ But she’s spent the last few years keeping one ear trained on rumors from the Holy Land and the other on the slow unraveling of Nottingham under its new power-hungry sheriff. When Robin finally does return – wounded and grim – it’s to find his father dead and his estate in ruins all at the whim of the sheriff, Phillip de Marc. Once Robin's childhood friend, Phillip coldly claims the tragedy was due to Lord Locksley’s deep debts. Determined to confront the sheriff, Robin goes to Nottingham Castle. There he sees Marion for the first time since they were children and without a word he knows that they are allies again. Robin tries to keep his fury in check, but when he later defends a hungry boy caught poaching, his battle-scarred instincts take over. He kills the captain of the guard in a flash of violence – and in that moment Robin becomes and outlaw.
But, to include HER point to view...
Excerpt
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She had spent half her life roaming Sherwood Forest. She knew it like she knew the hallways of her own castle. And after so many years of obsessive practice, she was better with a bow and arrow than any man she had ever met, save for her father’s professional archers. And, the best part? Who would ever suspect the Lord Alverstone’s own niece of poaching…
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She just hadn’t built up her own sense of self righteous bravery quite enough to follow through with her plan yet. Also a problem, she was still looking for a trustworthy tanner to process and distribute the meat once secured. While she formulated her strategy, she had worked on her forester uniform. And now she was glad she had.
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“Help me out of this, will you? Then, while I change, can you mouse your way into the kitchen and pack a bag of food for Much? Choose hearty things that will last a few days — bread, dried meat, maybe a few apples. And a thick blanket. And some socks. It’s so cold at night still.”
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“I will do no such thing!” Maudy held her hands up in the air, refusing to touch Marion who was backing into her with the expectation of assistance out of her gown.
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“Maudy.” Marion spun around again to face her cousin. She placed a hand on each arms and squeezed reassuringly. “I will use the tunnel. That will get me well into Sherwood without any chance of being seen. I can make it there before nightfall if we hurry. Once I am there, I know those woods better than the Phillip’s own men. I will look for Much in that one location only and if he is not there, I will return straight away. I promise there is no chance of being caught and no danger.”
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“Just because you say it does not make it true.” Maudy grumped, but pulled Marion around in and started helping her disrobe. Marion smiled triumphantly.
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“You never trust me.”
“You are rarely trustworthy when it comes to your own preservation.”
Written because my favorite stories are ones full of fun and faith...
Marion has three qualities in common with the outlaw Robin Hood – a talent for mischief,
an impressive stubborn streak, and enough faith to hold on when everything goes wrong.
All are necessary when rebelling against a corrupt and loathesome sheriff
A historical romance for readers who enjoy the wit and levity of Karen Witemeyer and the engaging medieval worlds build by Melanie Dickerson. Hoodwinked offers inspirational themes, a spirited heroine, and just enough arrows and action to keep things interesting in this fresh retelling of the Robin Hood legend.