The Falcon’s Eyes

Stanfill’s (Wakefield Hall; Shadows and Light) third novel is set in medieval France and features Isabelle, a headstrong, intelligent girl who does not fit into the role of a proper young lady. When she is married off to a lord, Isabelle hopes her life will change for the better, but Gerard is controlling, making it clear that his fortune, his reputation, and his home are to be her priorities, along with bearing him a son, an heir. There are moments that Gerard seems to genuinely care for Isabelle, but mostly he is more concerned about his name and his reputation. Isabelle tries to control her own destiny in her new life. At times, her life seems to parallel that of fallen Queen Eleanor, whom Isabelle reveres. She is surrounded by a host of interesting people, including Eleanor of Aquitaine; some are her allies and some are not.