Prisoner of My Desier ~ Johanna Lindsey

I have read many romance novels and have never read anything along this storyline very shocking.

Rowena Belleme, is being forced to marry a very elderly man by her greedy stepbrother, Gilbert who wants her to quickly produce an heir with him. Gilbert wants her to increase her holdings, although she owns land that has been in her family for sometime, but he needs to increase his fighting power to save what he has left from his sworn enemy Warrick deChaville who he has already tried to seize one his holdings and failed, and needs a bigger and stronger army before Warrick returns.

Rowena goes along with the marriage, but then a something happens and she is not able to consummate the marriage. Her brother then arranges for another man to be brought to his sister with the same hair and eye color as her husband, and is forced to do the unthinkable or her mother will die. The man is held captive in a room and tied down with chains and gagged he tries to resit her, but he is unable to. He is so angered that he lost control he plots his revenge while he is held prisoner. Rowena lets him know she likes this no better, but she has no choice. Rowena finally decides she no longer can keep this up and she has him released secretly.

Unknown to Rowena or Gilbert the man that was captured is Warrick deChaville, and when he comes back for his revenge he captures Rowena and has her thrown in his dungeon until he returns, but he has no idea she is the sister of his enemy Gilbert. Once he returns home he has her released and brought to his room where he turns the tables on her and seeks his revenge, once he is done with her he strips her of her title “Lady” and treats her as a serf and leaves her in his household to rule over her and have her do manual labor and wait on him. He takes her personal clothing and gives it to his daughter’s to wear in order to hurt her. The staff is shocked, since he has never treated a woman like he has Rowena.

Rowena, decides to turn the tables on him, but in a different way, but will it work? Warrick, believes she is up to something, but he begins to warm up to her. When he is called away he misses her, but he learns something while away and he feels betrayed again by her.

WOW, is all I can say about this story there are several scenes some may find offensive I normally skip over those parts, but not with this storyline I had to read it. I could not put the book down; I was so gripped by the storyline and what would happen next I read this book almost in one day. I have read a few of her books and by far this is my favorite book. I enjoyed both characters, and you could almost feel the heartache both of them felt when they had to be so cruel to each other, and the pain they had to work through to find love. If you have not read this Lindsey book I recommend it, but it is not for the faint of heart, some of the scenes are intense. This is on my keeper shelf.

Tatiana and Alexander - Paullinja Simons

*** SPOILER ALERT**** Second book please see review for first book here:
The Bronze Horseman

Luckily this book was already out when I discovered this series I could not wait to continue the story of Tatiana and Alexander. Again I was so captured by the love story of these two and in this sequel Alexander tells the story and what a story.

The Leningrad war is still in progress and Tatiana who is carrying Alexander's child flees to America. Tatiana tries to start a new life gets a job and makes friends, but she cannot forget the love of her life Alexander who she believes is dead. Unknown to her he sits in a prison awaiting execution.

Tatiana has information that Alexander may still be alive, so she returns to find Alexander. Again these two endure more life struggles and find themselves in some scary situations.

I am always skeptical about a series, but without a doubt this story was as intriguing and I was so drawn in again to the characters. Again 5 Stars...

The Bronze Horseman - Paullina Simons

I have not read a novel based on either WWI or WWII, but the reviews of this novel and that is takes place in Russia appealed to me. I was quickly drawn into the story the characters Tatiana and Alexander are so real and their story is so genuine it was easy to fall in love with them. The setting in Leningrad during the Nazi invasion is such a horror the citizens living in fear of the bombings and food had to be rationed and many starved to death so many that the bodies were piled outside of the cemeteries. Paullina Simons story is so powerful it really pulls at your hear strings.

The story begins with Tatiana at the age of 17 and she meets Alexander at a bus stop, it is love at first sight. Not long after the two meet Alexander is taken away by the war. The two are meet by so much tragedy and you want their hopes and dreams to come true, their story has so many turns and twist you cannot put the book down you want to know what happens next. This book is so much more then a love story it is about the human will to love and survive I recommend this book to everyone.

The ending will leave you hanging so I recommend you have the 2nd book which is Tatiana and Alexander. I give this book 5 STARS

The Queen's Man - Sharon Kay Penman

1st Book of the Justin de Quincy Series

New author for me and I am pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story. This is the first book in a series that begins in 1192 with the main character Justin de Quincy who grew up as an orphan and was taught by a high ranking bishop who paid for his education, housing etc. During his search for his mother he discovers the bishop is his father.

Justin sets out to find his fate in the world, when he stumbles upon an ambush where he witnesses a murder. As the goldsmith lies dying he ask Justin to deliver a message to Queen Eleanor. Once he delivers the letter the Queen becomes worried her son King Richard the Lionheart has been missing for a couple of months and her youngest son John is plotting to take over the throne.

Queen Eleanor is impressed with Justin and asks him to identify the killer(s). He gladly accepts the task. Justin returns to the town of the goldsmith to begin his investigation, here he discovers some interesting characters. Who can he really trust?

The book is well written nice quick read, very little romance, nice plot and some twists. I am looking forward to reading the remaining 3 books in the series.

The Bride Finder- Susan Carroll

Anatole St. Leger who has special powers is a descendant of some interesting family members. Anatole carries some emotional scars from his childhood along with the visible scar on his forehead. He knows he needs to marry and contacts the Bride Finder, who selects all the St. Leger’s brides. If the bride is not chosen by the Bride Finder he will be cursed as his father was who did not follow tradition. He is very stern with the requirements of his bride and makes a list. Unknown to Anatole the resident ghost Prospero switches the list.

The bride, Madeline, and her cousin arrive from London and are soon greeted at the front door by Anatole, who immediately grabs the cousin and kisses her passionately. In shock the cousin flees and leaves Madeline alone to face her husband who in no way resembles the photo in the locket she carries around her neck given to her by the Bride Finder. Madline is left to wonder did she do the right thing should she flee as her cousin or stay and try to fall in love. Her visions of prince charming sweeping her off her feet are fading fast.

Madeline struggles to reach deep within Anatole to discover his dark past, while Anatole struggles to keep the past a secret.

The story has it all twist, mystery, suspense, interesting characters, magic and a beautiful romance. I love it when I find new authors to read, I cannot wait to read the remaining 2 in the series.

The Prince Kidnaps a Bride

I have finished The Missing Princesses Series and was eager to read Sorcha's story the oldest of the three sisters, and I was not disappointed. This book had me from the first page, again Dodd brings action, mystery and a wonderful romance to life in this book.

Sorcha has been hidden away in a remote convent for her safety, but a mysterious fisherman rows to shore and a fire starts that quickly puts her life in jeopardy so a plan is constructed to get her back home. Prince Rainger disguised as the fisherman called Arnou, plans to escort Sorcha to her homeland, but is surprised to find she has left with another.

Sorcha disguised as a boy has no idea that Prince Rainger is alive and following her, when he is able to catch up with her he is still disguised as the fisherman, but something is familiar about him. They continue on, but soon she finds herself more comfortable with him and they share a kiss, Sorcha wants more, but Rainger wants her to have it all so he want allow their feelings to go to far.

The two end up in a village of where people from both Richarte and Beaumontagne live. Sorcha still disguised as a man does not fool the people they know who she and the fisherman really are. In order to share the same room, they must wed unknown to Sorcha this is actually a royal wedding.

Eventually she finds out the identity of the fisherman and is very distraught. They return to Beaumontagne, where things are still in turmoil. The man who locked Rainger up for eight years still rules Richarte.

Again, I enjoyed this story the characters romance is more genuine and enjoyable. I felt so many emotions reading this story and enjoyed the whole cast. I was happy the third book was good as the first in the series. FIVE STARS *****

The Barefoot Princess Christina Dodd

The second book in The Lost Princesses series and tells the story of Amy the middle sister who left her sister Clarice in Scotland in the first book. This story was also great with some mystery and danger. The love story itself fell flat for me in the middle of the book, not much chemistry between Jermyn Marquess of Northcliff. The secondary characters were wonderful.

Amy who washes up on shore and is found by Miss Victorine, and soon finds out how poor her living conditions her and everyone else is due to the lack of funding from the Marquess. Amy kidnaps him and shackles him in the basement of Miss Victorine's cottage. They soon send a ransom to his Uncle Harrison in order to help locals regain their losses. To their dismay the uncle refuses to pay the ransom.

Jermyn is surprised to learn his captures are the dear Miss Victorine and an unknown female companion. He has never trusted women since his mother abandoned him at a young age. Jermyn always enjoyed Miss Victorine when he was young and thought him very handsome and never believed his mother abandoned him. Soon Jermyn begins to fall in love with Amy and she confides in him that his uncle will not pay the ransom and come to the conclusion he does want him dead.

They begin to set a plan in motion to prove his uncle has been plotting his murder for years, but things don't go as planned. Prince Rainger also shows up to question Amy about her older sister and where she might be.

I rate the book as a four the beginning and ending were the best, the middle fell flat since I could not get into the characters falling in love it was to quick and no chemistry.

The Love Knot Elizabeth Chadwick

The story takes place during the feud around 1140 between England’s King Stephen and his cousin Empress Mathilda. The story begins when Oliver Pascal smells something burning and decides to investigate. When he arrives what he finds is a horrible scene and his friend who has been raped by lawless mercenaries, she soon miscarries and dies. The only survivors are her 10 year-old son and Catrin her widowed maid. Oliver escorts them to Bristol Castle, home of Earl Robert of Gloucester, who Oliver hopes will help him reclaim his family lands.

Catrin becomes bored and finds a friend in Ethelreda who helped raise Oliver. Ethelreda introduces and teaches her the ways of a midwife. Catrin is a quick study and is soon at Ethelreda’s side helping the local women with their births. Oliver and Catrin are attracted to each other, but are afraid. Oliver’s wife died in childbirth and does not want to be close to anyone, and Catrin loathes the thought of reliance upon and tries to ignore her feelings. They cannot run from their feelings and fall in love.

Ethelreda sees something bad in Catrin’s future, and warns’ her to watch out for this unknown man on a horse. Oliver is soon called into battle where he is captured. Catrin decides to go and ransom him, when she arrives she discovers her husband who was supposed to be dead. Catrin’s old feelings for him quickly returns and she chooses her husband over Oliver.

Soon Catrin realizes she made the wrong choice by going with her husband. Catrin is with child and soon gives birth. Their home becomes under attack, her husband leaves for reinforcements, but never returns.Catrin makes a decision about her and her child’s future, she must return to Oliver.

Catrin arrives she find Oliver badly injured during a fight when he visited his homeland, and she begins to nurse him back to health. Soon they begin to live their life together until Catrin's husband makes his final demand on her loyalty ...

Wow an amazing story there is so depth to this book and the characters. Every time I read an Elizabeth Chadwick book I am drawn back into time.

Read my first book in Christina Dodd's The Lost Princesses series, reading this book was like a breath of fresh air since the last few books have been duds great choice for a summer read. This book has it all from suspense, damager, mystery, love, strong woman, and a hero and the old men in the village are a great set of characters.

We learn in the prologue that three princesses (all sisters) are exiled into England and lose contact with each other and their country. The Prince of Richarte sets out to find the three princesses, but before he does he makes a bargain once he returns them all he will choose one to marry.An enchanting beauty rides into the town of Freya Crags her name is Princesses Clarice she has come to sell her potions to make women beautiful and appealing. Robert MacKenzie the Earl of Hepburn, is wary of this exquisite stranger, but she stirs emotions in him that have been dead for years. Although, not sure if she is being honest about being a princess he intends to use her in his scheme of revenge.

Soon we are introduced to another great characters Robert's sister Millicent. Also, we meet Clarice's younger sister Amy, who has a minor roll in this story. I could not wait to read the next page to find out what was going to happen next. Why did Robert want Clarice to pretend to be someone she was not, who was this hero Ogley, and the mysterious man sneaking outside Robert's home. I do hope to some of the characters show up in the next book, which I cannot wait to read.

I read another series by Dodd that was OK, but so far this one rates very high and I cannot wait for the next story..... 5 STARS