A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund

Book 2 of Noble Knights

Summary: 

A reverse twist on the Robin Hood story filled with romance, adventure, twists, and turns, a treat for all fans of historical fiction and medieval stories, featuring a strong female character who can kick butt in a cloak.

For three years, the Cloaked Bandit has terrorized Wessex, robbing the nobility by knifepoint and a well-placed arrow. But little does anyone know, this bandit is in fact Juliana Wessex, the rightful ruler of the land, and a girl her tyrannical uncle—the current Lord Wessex—believes was killed along with father.

Juliana has become skilled at hiding from Lord Wessex in the forest, using her stolen goods to provide food and shelter to the peasants her uncle has taxed into poverty. But when she robs Collin Goodrich, her red hair betrays her true identity. Lord Collin remembers Juliana from their childhood—and challenges her to stay on his estate for a week in hopes she will leave her thieving ways and become a proper lady once more. Juliana is intrigued by Collin and his charms, but only time will tell if he can overcome her distaste of the nobility—as well as win her heart.

Opening Lines: 

"Time to chop off your thumbs." The hulking soldier pinched the back of my neck through the coarse wool of my cloak. The sharp pressure forced me to kneel in front of the flat stone. "Put out your hand, you poacher."

"You can't cut off my thumbs," I protested in a gruff voice I hoped disguised my true, girlish tone.

"For hunting on the Wessex land, I'm obliged to hack off the whole hand." The soldier, who was as wide as an ox, shoved me so that my false, padded belly pushed into the rectangular slab. "Count yourself lucky that Sir Edgar is in a good mood today and only ordered the loss of your thumbs."