Hearts of Blackmere Series by Marie Lipscomb

"I'm not gentle with you because I doubt your strength, my lady, but because I know the full extent of mine."Lady Natalie Blackmere has always dreamed of meeting the renowned champions of Aldland, especially the legendary Brandon the Bear. When at last the Grand Tourney comes to Blackmere, Natalie swaps places with a barmaid and sneaks out to follow her dreams. But when bandits besiege her town, Natalie barely escapes with the surviving champions... more"I'm not gentle with you because I doubt your strength, my lady, but because I know the full extent of mine."Lady Natalie Blackmere has always dreamed of meeting the renowned champions of Aldland, especially the legendary Brandon the Bear. When at last the Grand Tourney comes to Blackmere, Natalie swaps places with a barmaid and sneaks out to follow her dreams. But when bandits besiege her town, Natalie barely escapes with the surviving champions. Alone in the woods with the man she has always admired, Natalie must keep her identity a secret and step up to become the leader she was born to be, if she is to save her people.Brandon the Bear is a champion that ballads are sung about. Or, he was. Past his prime and struggling with each new tourney, Brandon fears his time as a champion has come to an end. When the fight becomes real, he is determined to save the townspeople of Blackmere and rescue the lady who ruled over it. Though there is no love lost for Lady Blackmere, the noblewoman who allowed her town to be vulnerable to attack, and his fellow champions slain, Brandon is resolved to do the right thing. And when a beautiful barmaid looks at him with stars in her eyes, he feels like maybe he can be the hero she thinks he is.Note from the author: Content warning: This story is about two people falling in love and neither of them are skinny. On a couple of occasions, a big jerk picks on the hero for his weight. He is a jerk, and no one likes him. He'll get what's coming to him in future books. We love the hero and his magnificent bod. Also a few people get murdered. Enjoy! less

Can forbidden love overcome the pull of duty and tradition?No longer the Lady of Blackmere, Natalie joins the champions as a squire, aiding them in their pursuit of the traitor who organized the bandit attack which cost so many lives. But when their chase ends at the Champion’s Guild, she and Brandon must keep their love a secret, or risk being cast from the order.Against the advice of the Guild Master, Brandon insists on competing in the Midsummer Melee... moreCan forbidden love overcome the pull of duty and tradition?No longer the Lady of Blackmere, Natalie joins the champions as a squire, aiding them in their pursuit of the traitor who organized the bandit attack which cost so many lives. But when their chase ends at the Champion’s Guild, she and Brandon must keep their love a secret, or risk being cast from the order.Against the advice of the Guild Master, Brandon insists on competing in the Midsummer Melee. Long thought to be past his best, he finds renewed strength in the arms of his lady. But when an opportunity arises which could guarantee the comfort and security of his family for the rest of their days, he must choose between the woman he loves, and the Guild he calls home. less

“I’ve faced the meanest, toughest warriors in Aldland, I’ve been stabbed and sliced and lanced, but I never trembled until I met you.”After years of humiliating defeat, Brandon the Bear has at last found his strength renewed by the love of Natalie Blackmere. When he and his lady are called back to the Champion’s Guild, and the hosting nobleman demands they take part in the Grand Tourney, Brandon sees a chance to prove his worth once and for all... more“I’ve faced the meanest, toughest warriors in Aldland, I’ve been stabbed and sliced and lanced, but I never trembled until I met you.”After years of humiliating defeat, Brandon the Bear has at last found his strength renewed by the love of Natalie Blackmere. When he and his lady are called back to the Champion’s Guild, and the hosting nobleman demands they take part in the Grand Tourney, Brandon sees a chance to prove his worth once and for all. Natalie is finally free to love her champion, but finds herself struggling with the newfound pressures of notoriety. Suffocating in silk and wilting under the prying eyes of Aldland’s nobility, she dreads the day she must return to her duties at the castle. But when she and Brandon return to the Champion’s Guild, she must decide who she wants to be; Lady Natalie, or the Lioness of Blackmere.Marie Lipscomb is a writer with a penchant for unlikely heroes, fantastical creatures, and finding romance in the midst of chaos. She has a particular fondness for big, squishy, cinnamon-roll heroes, especially if they’re beardy. less

When feisty chambermaid Annora is imprisoned in a dungeon for striking her noble lord and master, she wastes no time in formulating a plan to escape. Unfortunately, that plan involves bringing her odious, yet undeniably handsome fellow prisoner, Henry Percille, along with her. Before long, desire overcomes irritation and the cracks in Henry’s armor begin to expose the man he truly is. He may be a monster, but it would take nothing less to tempt her... moreWhen feisty chambermaid Annora is imprisoned in a dungeon for striking her noble lord and master, she wastes no time in formulating a plan to escape. Unfortunately, that plan involves bringing her odious, yet undeniably handsome fellow prisoner, Henry Percille, along with her. Before long, desire overcomes irritation and the cracks in Henry’s armor begin to expose the man he truly is. He may be a monster, but it would take nothing less to tempt her.Henry Percille, the disgraced champion once known as the Dragon, sat in a dungeon for ten years, haunted by his crimes. But when a foul-tempered chambermaid is thrown into the opposite cell, he finds not only freedom, but also his match. Annora is beautiful, grumpy, and vicious, yet he can’t seem to convince himself to be rid of her no matter how hard he tries. When danger closes in, Henry becomes all that stands between her and the nobleman who wants them both dead. He must choose between vengeance or his glorious harpy- the woman he burns for.***The Harpy and the Dragon is the 4th book in the Hearts of Blackmere series but can be read as a standalone. There is a summary of the events of the first three books in the front matter for your convenience.This book is an enemies to lovers morality chain story and both of the main characters are on the darker end of the morality scale. For content guidance please visit the author's website. less