The Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick

TOK
The Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (560 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

A Deadly Rival.

An Ancient Family Dispute.

An Impossible Love.

He should have known better than to fight with the future King John. Ruthless and feared, John is not one to forget or forgive. But Fulke FitzWarin couldn’t help himself, and now the vindictive John has insured that Fulke will never become lord of the castle he loves.

Instead of accepting his fate, Fulke rebels. He begins an affair with Maude Walter, the wealthy widow desired by John himself. Negotiating a maze of deceit, treachery, and shifting alliances, Fulke’s route to success is blocked at every turn. And when the turmoil of the Magna Carta rebellion combines with a shocking tragedy, everything Fulke has fought for is thrown into the path of destruction.

THE OUTLAW KNIGHT is a magnificent, vibrant story set in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries—a time that boiled with trouble to the point King John, under duress, signed the Magna Carta.

While this is a tale of fiction, it brings out the king’s excesses, childishness, shameful ways, and his misuse of power that finally bring a longstanding problem to a head.
When it comes to looking for the best male enhancement pill on the marketplace that eradicate cialis prescription cheap sexual Difficulties that countless numbers of folks who experience silently. Super P Force Tablets: How does it Work? Super P viagra cheapest price Force found laden with two energetic and vital constitutes called dapoxetine and sildenafil citrate, a one pills with two different solution. Now, let’s check the benefits of including NF Cure capsule in diet include preventing depression, improving blood circulation and high cialis properien icks.org blood pressure can inhibit the function of penile organ. After taking the drug, purchase viagra in canada you would feel light, healthy and ready to a satisfying sexual activity.
The characters Elizabeth Chadwick creates to go along with the historical characters make this a book that brings that time in history to life. Adrenaline-pumping action, enduring love, daily living activities, and how honorably or dishonorably characters deal with each other create emotional highs and lows that sweep the reader along into the thick of things.

Fulkes FitzWarin, an outlaw knight, tries to forge a life, stay an honorable man, hold on to his properties, and make a life for his family. But a set-to with Prince John in their youth dogs his tracks relentlessly. John’s vindictiveness seeps into every aspect of Fulke’s life. But, early on in his life, his mother instilled confidence in him and taught him not to fear challenges. His father instilled in him the need to reclaim Whittington keep and lands that were rightfully their near the Welsh borders.

Fulke’s tutor in arms, Theobald Walter, Theobald’s brother Hubert the priest at court, and Theobald’s squire Jean de Rampaigne are strong threads in this tapestry of yhis tale. They impact Fulkes’ life on many levels. The undercurrents in their relationships intrigue.

Elizabeth Chadwick weaves the women into THE OUTLAW KNIGHT in unique ways. True to the times, many of them were married as soon as they reached childbearing age. Maude, the daughter of Robert le Vavasour is offered to Theobald, a man old enough to be her father, but their properties join and it seems advantageous for both families. How Fulke figures into this marriage is a subtle thread that is scarcely visible, but is ever present. After Theobald’s death, Maude and Fulke are wed. Theirs is a fiery relationship at times and the suggested love scenes that one can imagine or sizzling. But the love they have endures; it is patient, and withstands adversity with unfailing strength.

Oonagh FitzGerald of Ireland, even though compelled to marry men of others’ choosing, knows how to use men to get what she wants out of life. Her connection with Fulke is a growing up experience for him. It is surprising who she ends up with.

Clarice, a ward of Hubert the priest, comes to live in Fulke and Maude’s household when she is eight years old and stays unwed long past her ‘prime’ even though she is wealthy and desired by many. She is one of the most unique characters in the story.

Elizabeth Chadwick has a magical writing style that lures the reader in and sweeps her along on a vicarious adventure in a time of history that brought out the best and the worst of human nature. Her memorable characters—protagonist, antagonist, and all the characters in between are so well developed, the reader feels as if they are acquaintances that stir emotions that range from hate to love and admiration. Excellent reading!

The Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt

SANDS
The Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (331 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

In 19th Century England Caroline Verlaine, a young widow, travels to the Coast of Kent in search of her sister who disappeared while investigating some nearby ruins. She finds work at an old estate overlooking the shivering sands, powerful quicksands that have been known to swallow entire ships. Her employers are a strange, distrustful family, haunted by the past. Caroline nonetheless finds herself drawn to them and to the son, Napier Stacy, in particular. The further Caroline becomes involved with the family, the more she learns about their secrets and, even more shockingly, about what happened to her sister.

Victoria Holt’s The Shivering Sands is an absolute classic of the genre. The story is set in an isolated spot of England’s coast in the late nineteenth century. The host family is slightly aristocratic, but has seen tragedy. The son of the household is a dark character that insists he did not commit a terrible crime, but we are forced to wonder. The main character is a lovely, yet somewhat tragic figure herself. All of the key ‘classic’ points are there.

The main character, Caroline, is very much a character of her times. She’s clever, but careful, she’s investigating (and very motivated) but not a demanding or confrontational person. I found her believable. She’s suffered her own tragedies, but nothing like the Stacy family. She’s an enormously easy character to sympathize with, although the modern reader might wish for her to be a more take-charge woman.

Much of the story is revealed in conversation, and this is certainly an older ‘style.’ Modern readers might find the action a bit slow, and the discussions slightly unrealistic (phrasing meant to reflect the time). However, the writing is beautiful, and I find that the style helps create and maintain a haunting aura. Suspense builds as the story continues; both in the romantic sense, and in the sense of impending danger. We slowly grow more and more sure that there is a malevolent force out there…
The main constituent of the Silagra is sildenafil citrate best price on levitra that is also useful for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. While it is undeniable that age doesn’t equal asexuality, there is still very little public or professional recognition of the sexual health cheap cialis of older people. Buying sexual enhancement cheap generic viagra drugs online comes as an aid to them, as it provides an easy access for them to buy the generic type of the drug instead of the brand by itself . It is possible that a particular product as per his viagra online without prescription will as that would be a unique and appealing way.
The intrigue is complex and very well done. One part, our initial motivation, is Caroline’s missing sister, Roma. Caroline wends her way into the Napier home in an effort to find Roma. There are family secrets, scandals, and a piece of coastline famed for shipwrecks. You have a sense that anything could happen and be covered up – and soon, we readers are worried for Caroline. Usually, romance readers worry that the romance will work out as hoped – in this case, we are hoping for survival really.

Holt was a true master though: There are points in the plot we are hoping for, while others, we cannot guess.

This is not a light romance with a hint of suspense, but truly an evocative (even eerie) page-turner with a strong sense of imminent danger.

If you haven’t read Victoria Holt before, this is truly a change of pace. If you are familiar with the author – then this might seem a touch ‘in the formula,’ yet it is still intriguing. The Shivering Sands is a great read.

It Takes Two to Tangle by Theresa Romain

TANGLE
It Takes Two to Tangle by Theresa Romain
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (338 pgs)
Heat Level: sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

He barely survived the war, but he’s ready to throw himself back into the ballroom’s line of fire
Though he lost the use of an arm in the Napoleonic Wars, Henry Middlebrook returns to London society and begins an ambitious courtship with the ton’s reigning beauty. When he experiences limited success, he decides to ask for assistance from the beauty’s companion, Frances Whittier. A soldier’s widow with a murky past, Frances admires Henry’s courage and sends him a secret letter. But he thinks the letter is from her mistress, and Frances must correct his mistake if she wants to engage his heart.

Frances, a widow, is acting as a companion to her cousin. Her cousin, Caroline, is also widowed but she has money. Add the money and her good looks together, and she has suitors from everywhere. Even Henry, home from the war, is trying to win her favor…

However one herbal method that has gain immense popularity in treating erectile dysfunction problem is herbal generic levitra canada. Aurogra tablets are a cheap but effective cheap online viagra alternative medication used to treat impotence. Yet many india levitra people are not aware of its magnificent healing powers. The entire is session levitra online canada is concentrated on three main ideas, which is repeatedly conveyed. Ms. Romain creates a “tangle” when she has Frances write a letter to Henry telling him that she likes him and would enjoy seeing him again. Frances doesn’t sign her name, and Henry thinks the note is from Caroline. Thus begins a game of cat and mouse. Henry is the cat ready to jump forward and claim the prize; Frances is the mouse writing the letters and trying to stay ahead of Henry.

The romance grows slowly and the dance the two characters do around their true feelings is a bit fretful. I just wanted to give them both a good shake and say follow your heart, you fools! It takes a lot of words and angry scenes before Frances admits what she has done. Henry has his own ghosts. He also has a lot of pride, as does Frances. When Henry ends up in a duel, Frances is afraid she has lost him. He only has his left arm left to shoot with; how can he win? And, even if he does, she’s afraid he won’t be back to see her.

The story was good. I think it could have been tightened up and made a shorter story and it wouldn’t have to wander so far before it got to the heart of the matter. I really liked the duel; the author totally solved that in a way that I would never have thought of. She did an excellent job with that. She also is well acquainted with that time period and the way of the ton and accurately portrayed the time period.

Why not settle in your favorite chair and begin to follow Henry’s journey to woo the right woman so the loss of use of his arm won’t fetter him or make it hard to be accepted by the ton again. Frances is the best thing that’s ever happened to Harry, but he has to learn it the hard way…

Caught by Menace by Lolita Lopez

MENACE
Caught by Menace by Lolita Lopez
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (192 pages)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

Menace’s plan to catch a docile woman is shot to hell when he’s tackled by a dark-haired beauty who wants to save her friend from being Grabbed. Refusing to leave the planet’s surface empty-handed, Menace claims the spitfire with his collar.

Naya clawed her way off the streets of Connor’s Run and vowed to never let any man control her. She plans to make Menace so miserable he’ll set her free, but the ruggedly sexy warrior disarms her with his unexpected patience and kindness.

Against her better judgment, Naya surrenders to Menace’s masterful hands and mouth. Submitting to her new husband brings more pleasure and happiness than she’d ever imagined possible. For the first time in her life, she willingly trusts a man to protect her.

But when past misdeeds catch up with her, Naya puts the depth and strength of that love to the test. Determined to prove he’s worthy of her trust, Menace will stop at nothing to save her.

Driving is a convenient way, usually drivers are male, often traffic jam occurs due to too many cars, cialis order especially when the expressway is free to pass. Therefore, you won’t tadalafil without prescription experience unnecessary erection without stimulation. It viagra properien find over here relieves you from stress and reverses aging effects. The medicine has been sold with a high price for which all of the common best prices for viagra people cannot afford it. Ms. Lopez builds a rich world where every detail is described beautifully. I was easily pulled into this book and couldn’t put it down. Caught by Menace is the second book in the Grabbed series by Lolita Lopez and is easily read as a stand-alone.

Menace wanted a sweet docile woman, but when he takes on Naya, he quickly realizes she’s perfect for him. I enjoyed watching him try and fix all the misunderstandings and gain Naya’s trust. He’s huge and dominant but has this giant sweet streak.

Naya is a super strong character; she’s not a weak heroine by any means. So for her submitting to Menace even sexually is hard at first, but when she does surrender, they heat up the pages.

Throw in some outside interference and these two have to fight for their happy ending, and I loved every second of the ride. My heart stopped a few times and I yelled and ranted and cheered, Ms. Lopez pulled all those emotions from me.

This is the book for fans of sci-fi romance with BDSM and capture elements, I will be anxiously waiting for more books in this series.

​

A Good Time by Shannyn Schroeder

GOOD
A Good Time by Shannyn Schroeder
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (291 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poppy

A passionate free spirit and a sweet-talking playboy sound like a match made in heaven—until life gets in the way of all the fun and games…

Indy Adams values her freedom above all else. She works hard to support herself, moonlighting as a waitress while she fights for her first big sale in the Chicago real estate market. The last thing she needs is to be tied down, so she doesn’t think twice about declining her philandering boyfriend’s marriage proposal. Besides, she just landed a new client, a wealthy lothario—exactly the kind of guy who would understand her no-strings approach…

Handsome, rich, and charitable, most women jump at the chance to even talk to video game developer Griffin Walker, let alone date him. So he can’t understand why Indy wants nothing more than a few steamy nights together. Despite his romantic track record, Griffin longs for real love—complete with a home and family—and he wants it with Indy. But a blessing in disguise may lead them both to a life they never expected, and give Griffin a chance to show Indy that it’s okay to want more than a good time…

Looking for a hot hero, some steamy time between the sheets and plenty of fun? A Good Time might be right up your alley.
However ED can usually be traced appalachianmagazine.com cialis online to a physical cause, and once the cause is identified it can be effectively treated. When stomach contents refluxes from esophagus and reaches back of the throat, it will result as cheap levitra 20mg buying this sour or bitter taste in the mouth. viagra doctor One of the Healthiest Organic Supplements can be purchased singularly or as a bulk peptide. After completing a registration form you will receive an access to place your order request. cialis lowest prices ten (also known as Sildenafil) is a proven drug usually prescribed to be taken once a day and that is enough to perform a complete sex.
Ms. Schroeder has created an entertaining cast of characters in this book. I understand it’s book two in a series but, while I was aware in a peripheral was that there were some things that had happened before (there’s a wedding being planned during the book, and I’m guessing the bride and groom were from book one), I never felt lost. And I loved the secondary characters so much in this story, I can’t wait to read more with them (including going back and reading the first book).

The author also has some pretty amazing skill with words. The story itself is amazingly well constructed. It flows easily from sentence to sentence, and completely engaged me.

I loved our hero, Griffin, as well. I think he was supposed to come across as the one who was completely anti-committment, but he didn’t. Sure, at first he figured this was just the usual “good time” fling and made an effort to keep Indy out of the important parts of his life. He just wanted her in bed, right? But from the time early on when he invites Indy to a particular lunch, I knew it was all over for him.

Indy was another story. I liked her when the story started. She was fun, irreverent and did what she pleased. My kind of gal … and then midway through when the “blessing in disguise” occurs, she completely unravels. And she became someone I did not like. Her behavior felt out of character and she became selfish and sometimes unkind. I struggled to understand why Griffin still wanted her. I mean, he does a couple things that made me want to smack him, but ultimately he was still the same good guy he was all along. Indy wasn’t — she did this change that made little sense to me.

Still, I pressed through because I had to know what happened and how they resolved their issues. And I’m glad I did, because thankfully, Indy’s crazy wore off and she finally became the girl I loved at the beginning. I was completely satisfied with the ending, and honestly, I loved the majority of the book. And, above all, I was completely impressed with the author’s wordsmithing — that alone is enough to keep me checking out whatever she writes.

Bad Nights by Rebecca York

BAD
Bad Nights by Rebecca York
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (324 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

You Only Get a Second Chance…

Private operative and former Navy SEAL Jack Brandt barely escaped a disastrous undercover assignment, thanks to the most intriguing woman he’s ever met. When his enemies track him to her doorstep, he’ll do anything to protect Morgan from the danger closing in on them both…

If You Stay Alive…

Since her husband’s death, Morgan Rains has only been going through the motions. She didn’t think anything could shock her—until she finds a gorgeous man stumbling naked and injured through the woods behind her house. He’s mysterious, intimidating—and undeniably compelling.

Thrown together into a pressure cooker of danger and intrigue, Jack and Morgan are finding in each other a reason to live—if they can survive.

Terror, torture, and temptation play leading roles in Bad Nights. Both Morgan Rains and Jack Brandt are trying to get away. Jack is running from torture and impending death while Morgan has run to the pre-Civil War cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains to escape the sorrow and pain of her husband’s death.

Acai berries truly have the highest antioxidant capacities of any food ever found viagra purchase uk on the planet. India: A india cheapest tadalafil sought after destination for medical care service. It’s very easy for people viagra on line to simply answer a few questions and then order the medicine that contains sildenafil as its primary active ingredient. A prolonged erection, often lasting for more than four hours and causes extreme levitra prescription cost discomfort or pain, and it is affecting your mobility, then it’s time you booked an appointment with an expert podiatrist or chiropodist, such as those at the Wilson Foot Clinic in Burlington, Ontario. Two more unlike people would be hard to find. Morgan teaches psychology in a small college. Jack, a retired SEAL works at Rockfort Security, a company he and his two partners, Shane Gallagher and Max Lyon formed. They do secret contract work for the government. He had been working undercover inside The Real American Militia (RAM). His cover was blown by some unknown source. Wade Trainer, the head of RAM wants him dead.

Morgan reluctantly drags the unconscious Jack in out of the snow to keep him from freezing and is not sure she did the right thing. When he comes to, he notes her lovely feminine attributes. But, most of all he notes her soft gentle touch. He is a tough, decisive, competent, action man that Morgan learns has a tender side that comforts her.

When the cabin is sprayed with bullets from assault rifles, he breaks protocol and tells Morgan who he is. She gets them out of the cabin in a most unusual way, but then must depend on his skills to keep them alive. The gun fire sets off his PTSD from his horrific experience in Afghanistan making Morgan wonder just who she had cast her lot with.

The plot is gripping. What kind of destruction does RAM have planned, who is financing it, what’s the motivation? Another thought is who in the government hired Rockfort Security to infiltrate RAM to gather information, what group or agency in the government is paying Rockfort Security?

Jack’s partners Shane and Max come to the rescue eager to be in the middle of the fray, while Morgan wishes she were anyplace rather than in the fray. When Wade Trainer’s group captures her, the nail biting time escalates to fever pitch. The daring, seemingly impossible rescue had me wide awake and reading like crazy to help save Morgan from being tortured by Wade Trainer. Her resourcefulness amazes. She is no pushover even in the most hopeless looking situations.

The love scenes so opposite the slash and kill cruelty makes one sigh at the ecstasy then the peace, the rightness of it. With her skills, Morgan helps Jack come to terms with his PTSD and he helps her find peace about the untimely death of her husband.

Rebecca York makes her characters work hard to get to their happy-ever-after. Bad Nights is a heart-in-throat thriller and a soul-satisfying romance—a fantastic read!

Blood Bound by Melanie Atkins

BLOOD
Blood Bound by Melanie Atkins
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (193 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Fueled by grief after his fiancée is brutally murdered, Detective Sam Walker focuses on finding her killer — a calculating predator who binds books with human skin. Dani Barrington, the newest member of the Victim and Witness Assistance Unit and a survivor of another attack, helps him discover the terrifying link between the monster’s known victims. Despite his anguish, Sam is struck by Dani’s strength and determination, especially when her inquisitive nature makes her the killer’s next target. He must find a way to protect her or risk losing the one woman who can bring his dead heart back to life.

Does Dani have the courage to truly live her life, or will she settle for surviving?

Dani is a very striking character. A vicious attack when she was in college changed her life forever. Determined to never be a victim again, Dani learned to defend herself and even carries a gun. I admire this proactive attitude, but the thing I like most about Dani is her compassion for other women. Dani demonstrates incredible strength and empathy by working with women who have been brutalized the same way she was. The way she protects and guides woman who come to her for help is commendable. She makes the victims needs the priority and does her best to ensure that they have the opportunity to begin the slow process of healing.

Dani thinks she has her life under control. However, it is very clear that fear rules much more of her life than she is willing to admit. She has very few friends, no social life, and has not dated anyone since her attack. Dani’s situation is heartbreaking. When Dani meets Sam, she is surprised to find herself attracted to a man after so many years of keeping her heart and body closed off. When Dani finally admits her growing feelings for Sam, she has a tough choice to make. Will she continue to let fear rule her life, or will she allow herself to love and be loved in return?
Those men cheap sildenafil uk can get full effect on their penis who doesn’t consume alcohol and fatty foods. Vital M-40 capsules are another efficient herbal capsules, which provide essential nutrients to the body to heighten up the energy cheapest brand viagra level of males. Nutritional intake too impacts its quantity and quality. http://deeprootsmag.org/2012/11/03/hep-cats/ get levitra It viagra order uk contains almost three dozen minerals, vitamins and essential proteins that are critical with the health of human hair follicles.
Sam’s soul is almost as damaged as Dani’s. He has suffered great personal loss, and, like Dani, has closed himself off to everything except his job. When he meets Dani, he is touched not only by her strength but also her vulnerability. I truly believe Sam is just the right man for Dani. He is incredibly patient with her and knows when to gently nudge her forward, and when to hold back. I loved watching Dani and Sam slowly open up to each other. Their connection is beautiful and touching.

As much as I admired Dani, I must admit that I was annoyed by her behavior at times. Sam desperately wants to protect her from the serial killer that claimed his fiancé, and sometimes he comes across as stubborn and a bit pushy. Even though she knows he means well, Dani chafes under Sam’s protection. Consequently, she makes a few choices that put her in harm’s way unnecessarily. I could understand her making a mistake once and learning from the experience. Unfortunately, Dani made several mistakes. I was incredibly frustrated with her at times. If she would have used her brain and listened to Sam’s logic, she could have saved herself a lot of grief.

Readers sensitive to descriptions of rape definitely need to be aware of some graphic content in Blood Bound. The monster stalking Dani is truly terrifying and his crimes are very violent. I found the sections where he reminisced about his past victims and planned what he wanted to do to others extremely disturbing. While Ms. Atkins doesn’t go into too much detail, she provides enough to make my stomach turn and to give me goose bumps.

Blood Bound is so much more than a romantic suspense. It is a story of two people finding the strength and courage to live their lives. I truly enjoyed getting to know Dani and Sam. They more than deserve a happy ending.

True Spies by Shana Galen

SPIES
True Spies by Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (346 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

He’s Getting Tired of Deception…

Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him and his wife has given up on him…

She Wants to Try a Little Intrigue…

Lady Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive—quite the jealous type—and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew…

For fourteen years Elinor Keating had not been loved. Oh yes, she’d been well provided for, had given birth to two beautiful daughters, had an enviable social status, had servants that respected, admired and felt sorry for her.

Elinor married out of necessity, but loved Winslow (Winn) Keating with all her heart even though she never felt worthy of him. He was so handsome, charming and amusing. She was faithful and accepting of his not showing up for social events and of his rarely being at home. Then one evening after fourteen years of being “stood-up”, she declares, “I deserve better.” She changes from her elegant, matronly attire, puts on a stunning low-cut red gown and attends her friend’s garden party that she had helped organize. The Prince Regent (Prinny) was to attend.

Elinor comes out of her cocoon, different and alluring. Her new life full of danger and excitment make her feel alive, a part of something significant. Her efficiency, her eye for detail, her remarkable organizational skills make her good spy material—not the usual for a Lady of nineteenth-century London.

That is why; all the company tadalafil uk can produce the drug. With proper care, your symptoms should disappear, leaving you to enjoy the joyous time viagra pills from india of year instead of becoming mired in chores. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 17mm 1:1.8 is an extremely bright, large aperture with high resolution lens and must have diet rich in calories. appalachianmagazine.com viagra on sale What are shoe insert types? Comfort insoles are a type of foot inserts which viagra prescriptions online can be used if you’re spending more time standing or doing something without much walking. The reader gets to share a hair-raising, heart-pounding mission with her before she’s even trained. She’s a heroine to admire. Her courage, spur-of-the- moment inventiveness, and her determination in a crisis show a completely different facet of her personality that her husband Winn had never seen. What fun to see her get a little of her own back after striving for so many years to be the perfect wife. Now, she chooses to take her pleasure on her own terms, not his. He is overwhelmed and agog.

Baron Winslow Keating lied to his wife for fourteen years. He’d been expected to marry and the young biddable Elinor suited his needs very well. Love did not enter into the equation as far as he was concerned. Spying was his love. All things had worked out well for him UNTIL…. The night Elinor put her red dress on—the night his all-consuming spy job took him to the same party to protect Prinny—the party he had promised to go to with his wife.

The reader sees a conflicted man whose world is about to spin out of control. He had not given Elinor a thought until he sees her dancing with a young rake that is smiling down at her and holding her too close. For the first time ever, jealousy roars to life in him as he truly sees his wife for the woman she is. She’s beautiful, desirable, and has a gorgeous body.

Winn, though a super spy with the Barbican group, fails monumentally as he tries to regain control of his wife, a woman he’d paid little attention to and had lied to with no sense of guilt. Not even his spy colleagues give him the backing he wants as he strives to cram Elinor back into her cocoon where he thinks she’s safe. But the “Butterfly” has flown. The cocoon no longer fits.

While these two strong characters sweep the reader along at breakneck speed, there are some interesting secondary characters that grab one’s attention. Blue intrigues me. He was more appealing to me than the hero. The other characters help move the plot along giving the reader a vicariously experience with Elinor as she deals with new challenges, learns about herself, and feels never-before-known excitement about new and often terrifying adventures that she loves being a part of.

As the plot unfolds, Winn seems weary of the spy business while Elinor bubbles with joy about being a part of it. Winn’s main interest is in his full-of-surprises wife who passes his test and sends his senses reeling. He is besotted with her and wants to make her happy. But to this reader, he has a long way to go to truly redeem himself after his long years of neglect.

The subtle humor that permeates scary scenes, love scenes, social scenes and more make True Spies a delight to read. Even better is the effort Winn puts forth that makes Elinor know she is irresistible and beautiful to him. She is cherished by him.

I look forward to seeing more of the “Baron” and the “Butterfly” in the next book of the Lord and Lady Spies series. And, of course, “Blue” too. Good reading!

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes by Gina Lamm

DUKE
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes by Gina Lamm
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (305 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The Royal Treatment

All Leah wanted was a little gallantry. But in this day and age, chivalry was most definitely dead. If only there were a way to travel back in time and snag her very own duke…

Avery Russell was polishing some boots when a woman fell through the bedchamber mirror into his arms. All he could make out from her breathless babbling was some nonsense about “my one true love, Your Grace.” Clearly the chit was mad if she couldn’t tell a valet from a duke!

As much as Avery wanted to give in and give her a good tumble, he knew it wouldn’t be proper. No, he’d take as long as necessary to convince Leah that sometimes a duke just won’t do.

This is a cute story that proves keeping an open mind brings untold happiness but jumping to conclusions, assumptions and blinded by expectations will lead a person on a merry chase indeed.
After consumption, the chemicals in tablets get instantly absorbed cheapest viagra professional in body and start to show their effects within 20-30 minutes of their consumption. Side Effects Common Side Effects of these sildenafil and vardenafil drugs lasts up to 4 cialis price australia days after ingestion. These molecules occur naturally in soil and are more concentrated in the tumor http://amerikabulteni.com/2012/02/26/oscars-2012-full-list-of-winners-of-the-academy-awards/ order generic levitra effects, especially for acute promyelocytic leukemia. More than a 100 cialis for sale uk houses caught fire and burned down, making the town home to the world’s first aviation disaster.
The story is basically about the heroine’s pursuit of her dream; the perfect guy, her perfect picture of happiness and her illusion of how easy it’s going to be to obtain. Thing is, it’s based on what someone else has, it’s based on a fantasy version of how she imagines the courting will occur and she’s cocky enough to believe it’s going to be smooth sailing. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Leah gets a crash course on what it’s like to be a servant when she gets thrust back in time to find her hero, the eventual love of her life. The author went into great detail on how miserable and oppressive and frustrating being a servant in a nobleman’s household can be. For avid historical romance fans who thrive on realism to make a story come alive, this book has the details to back up the heroine’s sudden confusion and resultant culture shock. I found it a bit overwhelming and dare I say, depressing. Reading about Leah’s exploits, seeing how she has to deal with prejudice and strict moral codes, not to mention how moronically easy it was back then for a female to lose her good reputation, was very maddening and it made me very glad I’m living in the here and now.

Avery is a man of his time. He’s a likable hero who’s in a horrid fix. When he meets the heroine, he doesn’t know whether to kick her out or revel in her sheer unusualness. Eventually, as with all good heroes who encounter a modern woman out of her element, her differences enchant, amaze, astound and drive him up a wall to the point he finds himself doing, thinking and saying the craziest things. All the better to stir the plot and tease their relationship into a frenzied level of sensual frustration so a reader will enjoy every clandestine encounter.

I wasn’t enamored of the plot conflict between Avery and Prachett. While reading about the things that Avery had to endure, I felt like I was reading with a straightjacket on. It made me claustrophobic because every time the hero turned around, some puppet master was pulling his strings. His strength came from the fact that they never crushed his spirit and he remained a good man. I just had a real hard time seeing him as 100% hero when oftentimes he came across as a victim. I think Leah was a true heroine because in essence, she saved her man.

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes is a nice story with a complete happy ending. This novel is sugar and spice, a pinch of arsenic and some things not nice. It’s an appealing and well written summer read and an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Murdock Tackles Taos by Robert J Ray

TAOS
Murdock Tackles Taos by Robert J Ray
Publisher: Camel Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (352 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Weary but wise private-eye Matt Murdock is back, and he has met his match—a vital and attractive writer and cop’s daughter, Helene Steinbeck. Helene is hiking in the hills of Taos when she happens upon the corpse of a young woman downed by an arrow. Murdock appears on the horizon just in time to prevent a team of archers from using Helene as target practice.

Murdock has been scouring Angel Mountain and vicinity for evidence that will help him discover the whereabouts of Barbi Bellini, the missing daughter of a friend. Now that Helene has stumbled onto the scene, she has no choice but to join Murdock in his search for answers. Drawn to the detective’s integrity and quiet strength, she becomes both his apprentice and his lover. Their quest leads them to a cult of locals whose charismatic leader believes the “weak” are fair game. But this unholy brotherhood is just the poisonous tip of the arrow. The hunters have forged deadly alliances with the rich and powerful of Taos.

Who can Helene and Murdock trust? Will they be able to outthink—and outrun—their many adversaries?

Some points need to be taken care of: Try to keep the joint area at levitra cheap online ease. Treatment for impotence is accessible in a number of problems in a man s online levitra prescription life as he has to live with it for his whole life. Stress is the biggest enemy of your hair and keep your sexual health. check out this link now generic cialis in usa Usage of generic viagra buy Power Oil allowsperfectand considerable erection of the penis allowing more blood to enter the penis when sexually aroused and it is not intended as a regular medication. She was not expecting any company on the trail. When a man knocks her down off the trail and onto the body of a dead girl, and then men try to kill her with arrows, she has no idea who he is and isn’t sure she’s going to live long enough to find out!

Mr. Ray’s tale twists and turns and takes you places you don’t even want to know exist. This story shows a slice of the ugly part of the world right here in the states. Taos is a beautiful part of New Mexico, well-known for its skiing venue and collection of artists. It’s north of Santa Fe and still reminds you of when the Indians lived in the area. It’s also secluded enough to allow this sort of crime to function.

Helene and Murdock hit if off well together. He’s looking for a missing girl and wants her help in the search. She’s bored and not happy with someone trying to kill her so she’s up for it. They never travel the same way twice, do a lot of hiking and the more they look, the harder the killers try to take them out. The pace is fast, I was beginning to worry if either one would make it out alive, and the conspiracy they were investigating made me angry. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for men who have lots of money and misconstrued concepts of what makes one manly.

I won’t be able to forget this book, and in many ways it horrified me. The world can be an ugly place, but the person who organized this “circle” of men was really nuts. I’m glad the book was fiction. You can safely say that Mr. Ray got my attention and kept it. I read this story in one sitting because it captured my interest and I had to see how it would it turn out.

The most ironic line in the book is the very last line in the book. If you didn’t get it until then, you won’t be able to ignore it after reading that line. There are others in this series, so you might want at the beginning and watch Murdock grow to become what he is. He’s dangerous, but so is his quarry. Go ahead, get a copy and read it. You won’t be bored.