The Battle Sylph by L. J. McDonald
Solie finds herself kidnapped as bait for a dangerous Battle Sylph named Heyou, but she fights back and takes control of him, an immensely powerful shapeshifter. Solie & Heyou flee death to seek sanctuary, and Heyou begins to fill Solie with desires that threaten to change the world.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
My Review:
This is Ms. McDonald's first book, and it's a good start. She's done a great job at world-building in this story. The characters are interesting, and she does a wonderful job with the story. However, it doesn't have much in the way of romance. The two leads are basically just kids, so it's more groping and giggling than a grand romance. However, the secondary characters in this book are very good, and I'm looking forward to seeing their stories.
Rating: ****
The Bride Hunt by Margo Maguire
Her life is in the hands of a man she dares not love...
Lady Isabel Louvet is a woman of noble birth, wit, courage, and beauty. But though these qualities make her an excellent bride, they cannot save her when, on the night she was meant to choose a groom, wild Scottish brigands storm the walls of her father's castle. As what should be a celebration turns to terror and bloodshed, Isabel is carried away from her family to be offered to a Scottish chieftain as a slave...or worse.
But unbeknownst to Isabel, she has a champion, a feared warrior and knight of legend named Anvrai d'Arques. His visage bears the scars of battle, but his heart remains pure in its devotion to country and king –– that is, until he sets out to rescue Isabel. Her fierce spirit of survival stirs his passion more than combat ever could, and with her touch his world forever shifts. Now, with the Scottish on their heels and a country on the brink of war, they must go forth in battle together –– to save themselves, to protect their countrymen, and to find a love that can set them both forever free.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
My Review:
This story takes place at the same time that The Perfect Seduction takes place. In fact, Isable and Kathryn are sisters, both captured on the same day. I enjoyed this book just as much as the companion piece. Isabel is a wonderfully strong female character. She's terrified at what's happening to her, but yet she doesn't give in to the fear. Annvrai is our hero, who is tortured by his past; he is also badly scarred, having lost an eye years before. Isabel is at first frightened by Anvrai's appearance, but a la Beauty and the Beast, she learns not to judge based on appearance. Once again, the romantic relationship between the leads is allowed to progress in a reasonable manner. I thought it was just a really great story.
Rating: **** 1/2
The Perfect Seduction by Margo Maguire
After spending years in a French convent, Kathryn de St. Marie is to be reunited with her family, only to be abducted by Scots, then rescued by a Saxon nobleman/warrior – Edric of Braxton Fell. Now Kathryn cannot return to Norman society, having her reputation tainted by her kidnapping. Forced to stay at Braxton Fell, she falls in love with Eadric, the fierce and bitter Saxon whose brother was killed during Kathryn's rescue.
Edric must deal with dissatisfied Saxons as well as raiding Scots. He is determined to return his estate to its former affluence, without Norman help. Yet his spoiled Norman wife has just died in childbirth, leaving him with a newborn son who will take feedings from no one but the rescued Norman woman. He gradually comes to realize that Kathryn is nothing like the other Normans he has known, and falls in love with her.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
My Review:
Don't let the cheesy cover of this book turn you away. (Not only cheesy, but the folks look nothing like the characters described in the book!) I just adored this story. Though Kathryn started out quite naive (she did live in a convent, after all) and Edric was a hard man, you couldn't help but become quite attached to this hero and heroine. Kathryn was Norman and Edric despised Normans, so there was no "love at first sight, let's sleep together immediately" going on. They were given a chance to grow and evolve, making their relationship a lot more believable. There was also a great mystery plot here besides the love story. I will definitely be reading more by Ms. Maguire.
Rating: **** 1/2
A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Darroc MacConacher spends sleepless nights dreaming of a raven-haired beauty who makes him ache with desire. Then his dream comes true: the lady with her lush curves and fair skin appears shipwrecked on his shores. Darroc is immediately drawn to her strength and beauty, and from the moment she lays eyes on this powerful, broad-shouldered warrior, Lady Arabella MacKenzie knows she'll never want another man.
But theirs is a forbidden love. The MacKenzies drove the MacConachers from their lands and destroyed their honor. Now, Darroc can use this sapphire-eyed seductress to shatter his foes. Yet how can he deny the passion that burns between him and Arabella, and ruin the one woman who touches his very soul?
My Review:
While I was reading this I found out that I had books by this author that come before this one! (That's what comes with not having your TBR piles organized!) Luckily, it didn't make any difference. Whew! This was a fun, entertaining story. Nothing spectacular about it, but the hero and heroine were quite likable, as were the ancilliary characters. I thought the "Thunder Rod" plot device to be rather silly. But all in all, worth the time spent reading it.
Rating: ****
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