tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79837413419865572024-03-25T17:39:02.904-07:00HISTORICAL ROMANCE REVIEW with Regan WalkerLove romantic historical fiction? Well, you've come to the right place! I share my reviews of those I've rated 4 and 5 stars, my favorite authors, my "best" lists and occasionally a special post. Come join us!
Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.comBlogger2040125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-41206599177455205912024-03-25T17:38:00.000-07:002024-03-25T17:38:14.949-07:00Catherine Coulter’s LORD OF HAWKFELL ISLAND – Well Told Viking Tale from 10th Century Ireland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBdjNFhQiAO6q77SfIQO5qPXmlJTGVm91boCUg1uPw2gflx2Dmj66ZUzSoC-TDxAIpAU19HxJM_Utpc-AQ-Q3XApGqBu-pnZTqE291AZZZSI9RBMOhLQjjPiBOKD8D4GCZ-mHWRDQLEM4SHyd4TD62zSlCZ7CDiD9ilkz14I-MpaU3r79tcBcxAiXLPY/s475/-LORD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBdjNFhQiAO6q77SfIQO5qPXmlJTGVm91boCUg1uPw2gflx2Dmj66ZUzSoC-TDxAIpAU19HxJM_Utpc-AQ-Q3XApGqBu-pnZTqE291AZZZSI9RBMOhLQjjPiBOKD8D4GCZ-mHWRDQLEM4SHyd4TD62zSlCZ7CDiD9ilkz14I-MpaU3r79tcBcxAiXLPY/s320/-LORD.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Set in Ireland and an island off the coast of England in 910, this is
the story of Mirana, a Viking woman who is abducted one night by her brother’s
enemy, Rorik, Lord of Hawkfell. Rorik seeks vengeance for the death of his wife
and children at the hand of Mirana’s brother, Einar. Once on Hawkfell Island,
Mirana makes friends among the women and comes to see the island as home, but
all is not well, and Einar still has plans for her. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Coulter has taken care
to get the period right, including details of dress, food and dwellings. She
has also created some wonderful characters, including a huge dog named Kerzog. The
writing is well done and the plot has many satisfying twists and turns. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">While Rorik’s actions
toward Mirana were brutal at times (and the low ratings are just a reaction to
that in my opinion), you have to remember this is a Viking romance, set in the
times when women were chattel and many were taken in raids to be slaves. Then,
too, Mirana, who Rorik is coming to care for, is the sister of his enemy who
slayed his family. That these two could find love is definitely a story of
second chances and love triumphing over many obstacles. Mirana’s brother, Einar
is a real deviant who likes inflicting pain and cares for no one. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">There is humor, action
and a complex love story here. A worthy tale.</span><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Viking Series</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Season of The Sun</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord of Hawkfell Island</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord of Raven’s Peak</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord of Falcon Ridge</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-47949367528084324132024-03-21T13:22:00.000-07:002024-03-21T13:22:57.498-07:00Jane Toombs’ BRIDE OF THE BAJA – A Bodice Ripper from Old California with an Irish Hero and a very well told tale!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9r-W4ZyJkK-br92txebuK6ZoDSjEcUoO0NhYJxXntmvrW0Kyla6d4CyB2j32ZeUHz9tuMu2oLkXxFfh7dh98cOebUKy9J1UqrMqAoAqfd2TBjy7Vjw_2gOQ8eIeS-gqd1lrpbxrBQ1cBtQwpLzg_vdXsDgbkeg_iaJOB9_Y9dIp_vq8WCYzwOUhMBYoc/s2550/-Bride%20of%20the%20Baja%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9r-W4ZyJkK-br92txebuK6ZoDSjEcUoO0NhYJxXntmvrW0Kyla6d4CyB2j32ZeUHz9tuMu2oLkXxFfh7dh98cOebUKy9J1UqrMqAoAqfd2TBjy7Vjw_2gOQ8eIeS-gqd1lrpbxrBQ1cBtQwpLzg_vdXsDgbkeg_iaJOB9_Y9dIp_vq8WCYzwOUhMBYoc/s320/-Bride%20of%20the%20Baja%20.jpg" width="213" /></a>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">First published in 1980 with the author listed on the cover as
Jocelyn Wilde (which is the pen name for John Toombs), the cover of the new
edition shows the author as Jane Toombs. While I cannot confirm it, this may
have been a collaborative effort of husband and wife.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Based on the real characters and events and one date late in
the book of 1813, it is set in the early 19<sup>th</sup> century in Alta
California, the waters off the coast and in Mexico. It begins as Alitha
Bradford is traveling with her father on his ship from Boston to California with
the intention of sailing on to the Sandwich Islands where she is to wed her
betrothed, Thomas, who is a missionary. As they leave Valparaiso, she sees a
handsome American captain standing on the deck of his ship. She will only learn
later he is Jordan Quinn. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Off the coast of California, Alitha’s father’s ship, struck
with cholera, goes down in a storm and Alitha ends up stranded on a coastal
island with a young Indian boy who saves them both.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, Jordan Quinn, the Irish American captain of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kerry Dancer</i> out of Portsmouth, sails to
Santa Barbara to wed the beautiful Margarita Mendoza. When the wedding is
delayed, Jordan steals away with Margarita aboard his ship—only to be accosted
by pirates, led by the Frenchman Bouchard.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Alitha, having been taken captive by a tribe of Indians, is
rescued by Esteban Mendoza, Margarita’s brother, and taken to his hacienda where
Jordan shows up in a trade of captives by the pirates. When Esteban and Alitha
travel to Mexico, Jordan goes too, but with a hidden agenda. To round out the
players, Alitha’s betrothed, Thomas will come to California, looking for her. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a well-told, absorbing saga of early California
bringing in all the cultural elements: the Californios, the Padres, the Indians
and the Americans (who have designs on the land0. And, lest I forget, there are
pirates. The scenes on the ships are very well described, and the characters well
developed. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I could not put this one down, wondering what next would
happen next and if Alitha would wise up about her future with Mendoza and make
a good choice. Still, it’s not for every reader of romance as there is violence
aplenty, even rape, which for pirates would have been the norm. And the
heroine, a spirited but in some ways naïve young woman, goes on a major detour
with Mendoza who takes advantage of her innocence. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I recommend it and would read more by this author.</p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-4526642969359143572024-03-18T05:53:00.000-07:002024-03-18T05:53:49.653-07:00Lorna Peel’s BROTHERLY LOVE – Love Among Warring Families in a 19th century Irish Village<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA82l_K9CQesjPvfANr7FzO3c_-NIlRnARodv4FLmssjYInV-2FZUw6HkZ_JRMYnlO8DNQMKkMhqxkUbD1RSpFuoWTUGX_7Gliu-X9alpR0ZJLuT28sKR3oFpvnL_RT2Fq20L3bwmdVYYVPhcparCrdbZ5qGXpECFJbrjqJgvs53ZFSZ7gHkcPcr5mU-4/s1866/-Brotherly%20love.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="1266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA82l_K9CQesjPvfANr7FzO3c_-NIlRnARodv4FLmssjYInV-2FZUw6HkZ_JRMYnlO8DNQMKkMhqxkUbD1RSpFuoWTUGX_7Gliu-X9alpR0ZJLuT28sKR3oFpvnL_RT2Fq20L3bwmdVYYVPhcparCrdbZ5qGXpECFJbrjqJgvs53ZFSZ7gHkcPcr5mU-4/s320/-Brotherly%20love.png" width="217" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Set in Ireland in 1835, this is the story of Caitriona
Brady, a widow of two years, who carries a torch for Michael Warner, the brother
of the local priest. Michael also wants her and soon, they acknowledge their
love. However, not all in the village agree. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Caitriona’s husband was the best fighter among the <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bradys
who battle the Donnellans at regular intervals, typically after a religious
event. Caitriona and Michael have declared their neutrality but no one seems to
be listening.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The well-written story brings to light
Ireland’s past when “Faction Fighting” occurred and “Ribbonmen” held sway. (I
had to look up the term “Ribbonmen”. They were Irish Catholics who worked to
prevent landlords from evicting their tenants; the name came from the green
ribbon they wore as a badge.) </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As if the villagers’ poverty was not
enough of a challenge, they took out their hatred on each other, making their
lives even more miserable, Caitriona and Michael’s lives among them. Even
Michael's brother, the priest, opposes their love.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I admired Caitriona, first for her
patience in enduring a loveless marriage and an unworthy mother in law, and
then in trying to hold onto love when everyone seemed bent on tearing her and
Michael apart. Michael is a noble hero but his failure to disclose his troubled
past did not help.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you want a slice of Ireland’s
troubled past, this fast-paced tale is a good read. I recommend it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-30764949075829985062024-03-14T10:28:00.000-07:002024-03-14T10:28:47.010-07:00Miriam Minger’s WILD ROSES – Well-written, fast-paced story from old Ireland<div class="separator"><p class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="1330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BepEVWeSQCEuLbrBaqv3sXqZSDhgIpY5_s5gCcwpOSsR5yKUXIeBTyd5FDzjIDjIjbaOpE0gJXMYN_j5dwswascTTZxhjaAB6DOXzyLjefqT-JVtQ8p8Pu55D-BPgOBhCYvC5FhpNbFupHRl8GeVKF1mhduCWejeb8v-EAmcA7pC_ah_cprB5efHdjY/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-13%20at%2012.37.35%20PM.png" width="214" /><span class="formatted"> </span></p></div><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="formatted">It’s the early 13<sup>th</sup> century
and the Normans are in control of most of Ireland. This tells the story of
Maire O’Byrne, sister of Ireland’s most infamous rebel, Ronan Black O’Byrne.
One day, an attack on Maire’s men kills many in her detail and Maire is
captured by the evil sister of Lord Duncan FitzWilliam, the Norman master of
Longford Castle. He wants to return her to her clan but Maire feigns amnesia
because her brother is the rebel Lord Duncan is hunting.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span class="formatted">As he begins to fall for Maire, Duncan, a man of honor,
sends his Irish mistress away. Meantime, Maire begins to have feelings for him
and fears her brother may try to kill the Norman lord.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="formatted"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The story is well-told, the writing good and the
relationship between Duncan and Maire slowly developed making it very
believable. There is a lot of action, too. I had the impression the author did
much research into Ireland of the era and that pleased me. Very authentic. You
get a good sense of the tensions between the Normans and the Irish who aren’t
loyal to King John.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It does have graphic sex scenes should that be a concern.</p>
<p><style>@font-face
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<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BepEVWeSQCEuLbrBaqv3sXqZSDhgIpY5_s5gCcwpOSsR5yKUXIeBTyd5FDzjIDjIjbaOpE0gJXMYN_j5dwswascTTZxhjaAB6DOXzyLjefqT-JVtQ8p8Pu55D-BPgOBhCYvC5FhpNbFupHRl8GeVKF1mhduCWejeb8v-EAmcA7pC_ah_cprB5efHdjY/s1992/Screenshot%202024-03-13%20at%2012.37.35%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="formatted">I</span></a></p><p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-2561674341662239252024-03-11T11:05:00.000-07:002024-03-11T11:05:52.983-07:00Sara Hely’s THE LEGEND OF THE GREEN MAN – Superb Storytelling in this Irish Classic<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnP56TpjQM8eQyFPaZsnxYpvoAjKvd_8TzqlAWgzdMqq4XEjF_MvVcdc6RoXG61NNz-wmFk5pkgNAp0UM58CHF_4olmaL7hC6Whhhc_DwKgUrC1jhSkqznnq1tzAyhcThksNMsE7gNlTXPZEfvN4YF-qMOolBSyxX_L3FzvT9fWza4XdpIYS3UUkCVT8/s602/-The%20Legend%20of%20the%20Green%20Man%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnP56TpjQM8eQyFPaZsnxYpvoAjKvd_8TzqlAWgzdMqq4XEjF_MvVcdc6RoXG61NNz-wmFk5pkgNAp0UM58CHF_4olmaL7hC6Whhhc_DwKgUrC1jhSkqznnq1tzAyhcThksNMsE7gNlTXPZEfvN4YF-qMOolBSyxX_L3FzvT9fWza4XdpIYS3UUkCVT8/s320/-The%20Legend%20of%20the%20Green%20Man%20cover.jpg" width="191" /></a>Set
at the dawn of the Regency period (years after the defeat of the Irish
Rebellion in 1798), this is the story of an aristocratic young English widow,
Lady Kitty Harcomb, who fleeing the scandal-ridden <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ton</i> in London, decides to pay a visit to her Irish suitor, Sir
William Fossick. Perhaps she would even marry him and settle down at last. Of
course, she does not love him, but love played no part in her plans. So, she sets
off with her young son and his nanny for Ireland. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On a
stormy night in Ireland as her coachman refuses to continue, she is saved from
the elements by a local hero, Luke Denny, who is the head of the poor Dennys, a
family whose other branch sided with the English and gained an earldom. Luke
and Kitty meet in a ruined Irish castle, where he holds her at gunpoint. But he
soon realizes she is not the person he thought her to be. He takes her and her young
son to his home where she becomes involved in the Denny family and a world of
danger, not to mention her own attraction to Luke.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
story reminded me of Victoria Holt’s tales. It’s told mostly from the heroine’s
perspective. I was immediately drawn in and could not stop turning pages as the
plot thickened and the past came to haunt the present. I had to know what
happened to the beautiful Lady Kitty and the mysterious Luke Denny. Irish
politics abound as old stories rise to affect the present.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke
is a clever, noble hero and Lady Kitty is a heroine with spunk. I could not
help but love them. And, I loved this story. Written in the 1970s it is still
fresh today though I had to buy it used, in paperback. I only wish Hely had
written more.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-31773553535945941952024-03-09T17:10:00.000-08:002024-03-09T17:10:51.108-08:00Amanda Hughes’ BEYOND THE CLIFFS OF KERRY – Absorbing tale from old Ireland and the American Frontier with an Irish Heroine to Admire and a Frontiersman to Love!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn8O5hauBiyvwHjFCelgQQxhAsE4OU4ViYqg36sGshlDUn8GS_JDOErdQhhKb8h3Y_LDK6ZUGuX_DRgviK7cKIietnfcvlPVcbaJwdS9mGqWvWdLUsnHM7Fx4-TrwfJyYYfkyWOFMq8yhCrPVkR0TvfXEXZjmSjVxO_0OA70E-tvTw7QQgswGZZvvYKs/s200/-Beyond%20the%20Cliffs%20of%20Kerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="129" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn8O5hauBiyvwHjFCelgQQxhAsE4OU4ViYqg36sGshlDUn8GS_JDOErdQhhKb8h3Y_LDK6ZUGuX_DRgviK7cKIietnfcvlPVcbaJwdS9mGqWvWdLUsnHM7Fx4-TrwfJyYYfkyWOFMq8yhCrPVkR0TvfXEXZjmSjVxO_0OA70E-tvTw7QQgswGZZvvYKs/s1600/-Beyond%20the%20Cliffs%20of%20Kerry.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This was Hughes' debut novel and it is a great story! Set in
Ireland and America, beginning in 1755, this is a captivating tale of a
beautiful young Irish girl, Darcy McBride, who has a thirst for knowledge and a
spirit of adventure. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Darcy survived The Hunger in Ireland that claimed most of
her family and when the story opens, she is keeping house for her embittered
brother. To pay taxes and put food on the table, Darcy and the young men of
County Kerry take to smuggling, illegally trading their wool with the French
for brandy. In one shipment, they also smuggle in a Jesuit priest who befriends
Darcy and teaches her to read and write. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When British soldiers discover the smuggling, Darcy is
transported to the English Colonies for 7 years of indentured service, which
for a beautiful young woman meant sexual servitude to her owner. One day at
Fort Lawrence, Darcy meets Jean Michel Lupe, a surveyor for the Crown and an
educated man, who will change her life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a romance, to be sure, but quite unusual in that the
hero isn't introduced until half way through the book, a characteristic of
Hughes’ stories. Much of what would be "back story" in other
historical romances becomes an intense, well-told tale that at times is heart
rending. For example, we experience the brutality of cruel English soldiers and
savage Indians on the American frontier. But there are many warm, charming
moments and we see how times of great hardship affect people for both good and
bad. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are some truly, desperately sad moments that will tear
at your heart since both life in Ireland and on the frontier was hard. Darcy is
a wonderful heroine with a strong heart, a giving nature and great courage. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hughes brings to life a cast of wonderful characters,
including the wise and kind-hearted Father Etienne (a kind of hero). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Darcy's story has great realism and I highly recommend it.</p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-36666315886748541122024-03-06T15:31:00.000-08:002024-03-06T15:31:38.524-08:00Cordia Byers’ THE BLACK ANGEL –Irish Privateer and an English Lass in the Revolutionary War<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n0Q5yIIqj90MX4xw9O2H8ZwnJyobuOEu-IetpGMCQ01PClPARyP9vV6rXDidHv4hm0AOxKqVRKSoCgRzhbWt55TPA0rxlRc_ZO9nNC15WAIuiztBk5I2N4EuGn9fQZX2HCZtSZyEANmnrdxVT9S0Ikzwept6i-StodbqWX7sldS1UTgaeBL9jqw2QcE/s475/-Black%20Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n0Q5yIIqj90MX4xw9O2H8ZwnJyobuOEu-IetpGMCQ01PClPARyP9vV6rXDidHv4hm0AOxKqVRKSoCgRzhbWt55TPA0rxlRc_ZO9nNC15WAIuiztBk5I2N4EuGn9fQZX2HCZtSZyEANmnrdxVT9S0Ikzwept6i-StodbqWX7sldS1UTgaeBL9jqw2QcE/s320/-Black%20Angel.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This is the sequel to Byers’ DEVON, though it can be read as
a “stand alone.” Set in England and the Caribbean in the time of the
Revolutionary War, this is the story of Roarke O’Connor, the Irish privateer captain
of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Black Angel</i>, who rescues
Brianna McClure when her ship goes down after a storm. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Brianna fled England after stabbing her stepfather when he
tried to rape her. Hiding her deep secret by taking a different last name, she
hopes for a new life in the West Indies. Since Roarke is headed to Eustatia
Island, she decides that will do.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Black Angel</i>
docks, Roarke’s first mate thinks to seduce Brianna by taking her to a certain
tavern where aphrodisiac herbs come with the rum, which he does, but Roarke
intervenes to save her, but alas, not from himself. Brianna, who is already
half in love with Roarke, then becomes the object of jealousy from Roarke’s
mistress and Roarke must save Brianna once again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s a fast-moving, well-written tale of adventure and peril
as Brianna tries to make her own way in a hostile world. And when the English
lord she stabbed recovers and wants vengeance, Brianna gains one more enemy.
There’s lots of action and shipboard scenes to please the lover of high seas
romance. I recommend it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s on my Irish, Pirate/Privateer and Patriotic Best lists.</p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-48392605021791828582024-03-01T01:00:00.000-08:002024-03-01T01:00:00.139-08:00Alexandra Ripley’s SCARLETT – If You Only Saw the Movie…you must read this sequel to Gone With The Wind. It’s a great love story!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zk_5lXjX9Ey71XH-T9pRA9KujpebS_hQ-s-l0b_a1x5H-mGLNpkKF_8k8Aynxr8IWx3J_Sjdrp8BJPJNxYqVoQmfrVj4bGpWJyN0Eu8apFykp0vAZc6kG3xs7u_hyDJDpm9Tivqxe48i__ZCu-5YZSPJMiTWhbhnRV2daBLEsG7ULpA13QFS_LVLEjg/s400/-%20Scarlett,%20VERT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="257" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zk_5lXjX9Ey71XH-T9pRA9KujpebS_hQ-s-l0b_a1x5H-mGLNpkKF_8k8Aynxr8IWx3J_Sjdrp8BJPJNxYqVoQmfrVj4bGpWJyN0Eu8apFykp0vAZc6kG3xs7u_hyDJDpm9Tivqxe48i__ZCu-5YZSPJMiTWhbhnRV2daBLEsG7ULpA13QFS_LVLEjg/s320/-%20Scarlett,%20VERT.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">March is Irish Historical Romance month so I thought to
start with one of my favorites…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scarlett</i>!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After seeing the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gone
With The Wind</i> for the umpteenth time and once again being disappointed
there was no happy ending (sorry you classic lovers, but the ending where
Scarlett says she’ll find a way to win Rhett back just begs for the rest of the
story!), I was glad there was a sequel. It was commissioned by Margaret
Mitchell’s estate and the author selected in a competition.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scarlett</i> satisfies
the romance lover’s need for the ending we crave. It tells us what happened to
Scarlett and Rhett <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">after</i> he left her,
when she declared her love for him and he told her he didn’t give a damn. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The story begins in 1873, as Melanie, Scarlett’s lifelong
friend, is buried and the mourners standing around gossiping about Scarlett,
saying she’s “all business, and no heart.” When Atlanta society shuns her, Scarlett
is left very much alone. It’s the bane of a strong woman’s existence, that
people think she doesn’t care and hate her for it when, in fact, she cares very
much though she doesn’t allow herself to show it. Of course, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gone With The </i>Wind, Scarlett was selfish
and spurned Rhett’s love when offered. And when she finally realized she loved
him, it was too late. He believes she only wants him because he doesn’t want
her. But stay tuned…Scarlett is about to grow up. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where you wanted to slap Scarlett in the movie, now you will
want to hug her as she triumphs over trials that would break any other woman on
the way to learning how to love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For much of the 823 pages, the story is told through Scarlett’s
perspective. Though Scarlett shows great kindness to others and pursues Rhett
because she genuinely loves him, her motives are often misunderstood and others,
quick to judge, reject her. Society snubs her and Rhett is cold, even cruel. His
only aim is to get out of the marriage, describing her as a drug that will
destroy him. (It was easy to see Clark Gable saying those lines.) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The book is divided into four sections, each finding Scarlett
in new place:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lost in the Dark</i>
(Atlanta)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">High Stakes</i>
(Charleston)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New Life</i> (Savannah)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Tower</i> (Ireland)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ripley paints a compelling picture of Ireland, its people
and their struggles, with wonderful characters, rich dialog and emotional
scenes. We mourn the lost history of the O’Hara family as Scarlett seeks to
regain her family’s land. And we cheer Scarlett as her incredible intelligence
and courage rebuild, at least in part, of what was lost. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are used to the pace of a normal historical romance,
this story may seem a bit meandering. (There are whole chapters where Scarlett
and Rhett never encounter each other.) Still, I found it a very satisfying love
story and it kept me reading late into the night (two nights in a row!). When
the “black moment “ came, it was the blackest I’ve ever experienced. But the
ending is a sweet reward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The book is a treasure, a keeper. I recommend it!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> <br /></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-48562680459331290222024-02-28T09:06:00.000-08:002024-02-28T09:06:14.786-08:00Best Pirate and Privateer and High Seas Romances!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSk9Q0cykq67Tsx_mWxam-C01noPxEGRaHpfwE_VBZvVu-r77T8s94M3r2IfaRJUs1-nqTrU9B7tey3qEPDPxzDg3MAlvogv6ReR4rfUoPIy4GogAA8r5MifUGrsaG07Jk9H9HNBy7E96gnajaw_mzl_rVuoXWILhNCd7HaxmayjNAB6bAyJzReKaKWI/s319/Best%20Pirate%20romances%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="319" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSk9Q0cykq67Tsx_mWxam-C01noPxEGRaHpfwE_VBZvVu-r77T8s94M3r2IfaRJUs1-nqTrU9B7tey3qEPDPxzDg3MAlvogv6ReR4rfUoPIy4GogAA8r5MifUGrsaG07Jk9H9HNBy7E96gnajaw_mzl_rVuoXWILhNCd7HaxmayjNAB6bAyJzReKaKWI/w640-h385/Best%20Pirate%20romances%20pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Who doesn’t love a good pirate or privateer story?
All that capturing, swashbuckling and romancing on the high seas—oh yes! Gets my
blood boiling just thinking about it. Some of these do not have pirates as
such, but may have a swashbuckling sea captain or a privateer. In almost every
case, part of the story takes place on the high seas.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Here’s my list of those rated 4 or 5 stars.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
Kiss in the Wind</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
by Jennifer Bray-Weber </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Pirate’s Love</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Johanna Lindsey</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Pirate’s Pleasure</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> from the North American Women
trilogy by Heather Graham</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
Wild Hope</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Celeste De Blasis</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Across a Moonlit Sea,</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Iron Rose</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Following
Sea, </i>Pirate Wolf trilogy by Marsha Canham</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beauvallet </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Georgette Heyer</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bound by the Heart</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Marsha Canham</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bride of the Baja</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jane Toombs </span>(original
author Jocelyn Wilde)</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Broken Wing</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Judith James</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Call of the Sea</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Rebecca Hart </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Captain of My Heart</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Danelle Harmon</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chance the Winds of Fortune</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Laurie McBain </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Crimson Rapture</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jennifer Horsman</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dead Man’s Kiss</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jennifer Bray-Weber</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Desire in Disguise</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Rebecca Brandewyne</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Desire in the Sun</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Karen Robards</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">D</span></i><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">evil's
Embrace</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and <i>Devil's Daughter</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> by Catherine Coulter</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Embrace and Conquer</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jennifer Blake</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fields of the Sun</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Nadine Crenshaw</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fortune’s Flames</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Janelle Taylor</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fortune’s Mistress</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fortune’s Bride</i> by Judith E. French </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gentle Rogue </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Johanna Lindsey</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her Pirate
to Love </i>by Michelle Beattie</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Island Flame </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and the sequel<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Sea Fire</i> by Karen Robards</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lady of Fire</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Valerie Vayle</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lady Vixen</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Shirlee Busbee</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lord of the Sea</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Danelle Harmon</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love of a Lioness</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Sawyer Belle </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Magic Embrace</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jennifer Horsman</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Master of My Dreams</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Danelle Harmon</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Master of Seduction</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Kinley MacGregor</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Wicked Pirate</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Rona Sharon</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Passion’s Joy</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and the sequel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Virgin Star</i> by Jennifer Horsman</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Passion’s Ransom</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Betina Krahn</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perfume of Paradise</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jennifer Blake</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pirate in my Arms</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Danelle Harmon</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pirate’s Angel</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Marsha Bauer</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pirate Royale </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Cordia Byers </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sea Raven</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Patricia McAllister </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sea Mistress</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Candace McCarthy </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sea Mistress</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Nancy Morse</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shadowheart </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Laura Kinsale </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Silver Storm</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Cynthia Wright</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sweet Piracy </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Jennifer Blake</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tainted Lilies</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Becky Lee Weyrich</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Black Angel</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Cordia Byers</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Black Rose</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Christina Skye </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Captain of All Pleasures</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Kresley Cole</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Duke’s Lady</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Brenda Jernigan</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Flame and the Flower</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Kathleen Woodiwiss</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Game</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Brenda Joyce</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Hawk and the Dove</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Virginia Henley</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Hidden Heart</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Laura Kinsale</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Legend of the Gypsy Hawk</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Sally Malcolm</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Pirate and the Pagan</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Virginia Henley</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Pirate Lord</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Sabrina Jeffries</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Pirate’s Captive</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Dana Ransom</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Pirate’s Widow</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Sandra Du Bay</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Pride of the King</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Amanda Hughes</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Prize </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Brenda Joyce</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Rogue Pirate’s Bride </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Shana Galen </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Storm and the Splendor</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jennifer Blake</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Redemption</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Marylu Tyndall</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Wind and the Sea</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Marsha Canham</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Windflower</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Laura London (aka Sharon and
Tom Curtis)</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Till Dawn Tames the Night</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Megan McKinney</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Treasured Embrace</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Marsha Bauer</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Under Crimson Sails</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Lynna Lawton </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Velvet Chains</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Constance O’Banyan </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wild Bells to the Wild Sky</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Laurie McBain</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With One Look</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Jennifer Horsman</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">And, if you want to read a
seafaring adventure with a British privateer hero, you might enjoy my novels, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Tame the Wind </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Wind Raven</i>. Both feature a pirate and a lusty sea captain. And for
a pirate’s second chance at love, try <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Echo
in the Wind</i> with the dashing Jean Donet, comte de Saintonge. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">For Norse pirates and a hero who
became the first Lord of the Isles, you’ll want to read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Summer Warrior</i>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">And my <a href=" https://shepherd.com/best-books/pirate-sea-stories" target="_blank">short list </a>of recommended
pirate sea stories.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"> </p>
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{margin-bottom:0in;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-76730301854844193652024-02-25T05:18:00.000-08:002024-02-25T05:18:51.932-08:00Elizabeth Ellen Carter’s LIVE AND LET SPY – Early Regency set in Cornwall<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVVqsXMHUhXkqU5Fiv0ler4eSG9BOx-gRDpa9w_a_CGGNN5t5Blt9itWHVvtgWhZMpfFulXkooZX6bherq5JuCnztyQq_49Ct88renqvc3psMFr9d2daNuXRgpuG6tVSf1KH-EFU1-i67fXrADp3_GAbRKiwBBIIAjIINZIwYaE9UXjDSQQTEY-qaDJ4/s2400/-Live%20and%20Let%20Spy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVVqsXMHUhXkqU5Fiv0ler4eSG9BOx-gRDpa9w_a_CGGNN5t5Blt9itWHVvtgWhZMpfFulXkooZX6bherq5JuCnztyQq_49Ct88renqvc3psMFr9d2daNuXRgpuG6tVSf1KH-EFU1-i67fXrADp3_GAbRKiwBBIIAjIINZIwYaE9UXjDSQQTEY-qaDJ4/s320/-Live%20and%20Let%20Spy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
story begins in 1804 when Adam Hardacre, a seaman in the Royal Navy, is refused
a promotion to officer he well deserves. He quits in disgust and is then
approached by a senior spy who wants him to serve his country undercover. It
was all a setup to put Adam in the place the government agents want him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Adam
takes up his work as a spy and is assigned to Cornwall where he spent his youth.
There he is to ferret out traitors plotting a French invasion of England. While
about this task, he meets a governess between jobs, Olivia Collins. Interested
in Adam, she finds a secret from his past—a youthful summer love affair with
the local squire’s daughter that led to a child he is not aware of. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Olivia
gets tangled up in Adam’s spying and both end up in trouble. The story is well-written
and has enough twists to hold your attention. While the hero is a seaman turned
spy, there are no scenes aboard a ship. It’s more of an early Regency, but the
Cornwall setting adds flavor. The characters are well drawn and the bad guy(s)
deceptive.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-82462393800671327282024-02-21T01:30:00.000-08:002024-02-21T01:30:00.133-08:00Karen Robards’ SEA FIRE –Sequel to Island Flame as Exciting a Pirate Story as the First<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIG8qXZlal4qUY8ZXRYpnkB_EO4mX5835E6otpe5NNQKWlf61iRFdsvrfS1BmK6OMTkXiMgIsXKAUa-9rjefv2vBJnzsGxffRbVx4r41SBSUMPgcj2cdBaTW-LOcNOzNHnJCwmSmH9q5mhOxB1H7k53mdGAMB2qBIAL65jiIw8qhXmuQ73xoTkr3R8SA/s400/-Sea%20Fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIG8qXZlal4qUY8ZXRYpnkB_EO4mX5835E6otpe5NNQKWlf61iRFdsvrfS1BmK6OMTkXiMgIsXKAUa-9rjefv2vBJnzsGxffRbVx4r41SBSUMPgcj2cdBaTW-LOcNOzNHnJCwmSmH9q5mhOxB1H7k53mdGAMB2qBIAL65jiIw8qhXmuQ73xoTkr3R8SA/s320/-Sea%20Fire.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>This is the sequel to Robards’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Island Flame</i> and it involves the same hero and heroine two years after
their “happily ever after” in book 1. Like the first one, this is an 80’s
bodice ripper, so accept that going in, but it is very well done and I
recommend it. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Robards knows how to write historical romance. Few authors
could follow the same couple after the happily ever after and still produce
great sexual tension, a suspenseful story and as many twists and turns, but
Robards does and with great success in my mind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sea Fire</i> is set in
1844, beginning in South Carolina where Jonathan Hale and his wife, Catherine
(“Cathy”) are living with their young son, Cray. When word arrives her father
is ill, Cathy hurries back to England with her young son to find her father
recovering from what appears to be a stroke. Meanwhile Cathy learns her
marriage to Jon was not valid and cannot wait to get back to America and wed
him again. But before she can leave, her pirate husband shows up and is seized
and thrown in prison. Harold, her cousin who has designs on her—and her
money—tells Cathy he will save the pirate from hanging if she agrees to marry
him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like the first story, we are once again immersed in the
troubled but sexually charged relationship of Cathy and Jon. His past will not
allow him to trust any woman, much less the beautiful minx he married. Cathy
loves him, but is too proud to admit it when he treats her like a cad. Still,
she will save him from death if she can.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A great tale with many twists and turns and lots of action.
Yes, Jon is a brute at times and Cathy’s a brat, but I still kept reading it
late into the night. I recommend it. If you liked <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Island Flame</i>, I daresay you will like this one.</p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-61041590226984352022024-02-19T09:19:00.000-08:002024-02-19T09:19:38.898-08:00Karen Robards’ ISLAND FLAME – An Exciting Story with Pirates—very well done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9LZJK2fKRK3NYoT-6Qvuu4JB-PiPd9kj6C_hrhWh0Vz_quRUGCxRCxaqlJSNfikIizYn9daHruFc1MnyPsSDEs3yjQmb1pxY2-H8fI_FbOP8zHvSaiE5bvnBvqMlpxsYz3s0V79T6qjqnTQhn7_EXzydDOWPze1Wie1ofZ_KNzg7u3ZX5w6iI6rR_3k/s398/-Island%20Flame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="245" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9LZJK2fKRK3NYoT-6Qvuu4JB-PiPd9kj6C_hrhWh0Vz_quRUGCxRCxaqlJSNfikIizYn9daHruFc1MnyPsSDEs3yjQmb1pxY2-H8fI_FbOP8zHvSaiE5bvnBvqMlpxsYz3s0V79T6qjqnTQhn7_EXzydDOWPze1Wie1ofZ_KNzg7u3ZX5w6iI6rR_3k/s320/-Island%20Flame.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br /><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">You cannot beat Robards for an exciting read. This one and
its sequel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sea Fire</i> are bodice
rippers, too. Every now and then, an arrogant alpha male (in this case a sea
captain) can be cathartic, reminding us that all historical romance heroes are not
all nice guys. This one certainly wasn’t. The heroine starts out as a 17-year-old
innocent brat, but she quickly grows up and actually develops a very mature
outlook. She may take longer than some to get there, but eventually, she sees
the light.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Set in 1842, this is the story of Lady Catherine Aldley,
whose father sent her on a military ship to London from Lisbon where he was an
ambassador, never knowing it is a silver transport ship and bate for an
American pirate named Jonathan Hale, who thinks nothing of ruining an innocent wellborn
lady half his age to have his pleasure. Cathy may be young and innocent but she
is not tame. When Captain Hale captures her and sets out to tame her in a most
brutal way, he has no idea that he will become her victim.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Say what you will about the old romances that don’t reflect
21<sup>st</sup> century sensibilities, but I can tell you this: this story kept
me reading hours past my bedtime and that, folks, is a well-told tale. The
pacing is fast, the action never ceasing and the chemistry between the two is
compelling. Great sexual tension. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Modern historical romance authors can learn much from
Robards. She makes some masterful twists and turns, I must say. All believable,
which counts for much in my book. However, there was definitely some Stockholm
syndrome going on as Cathy came to see herself at fault (“she had brought her
injuries on herself”), and the captain as heroic. Yes, he saved her from a band
of nasty thieves and murderers in Cadiz, but she never would have been exposed
to them in the first place if he hadn’t taken her captive. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also thought Robards did a great job with the ship setting
and the sailor/ship jargon, bringing to life the ship’s culture. You might take
that for granted, but having done that work for my novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wind Raven</i>, I know it required much work on her part. Her
descriptions put you in the setting, trust me. If you love a good bodice
ripper…this is a great one!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-76050204837413619762024-02-17T02:00:00.000-08:002024-02-17T02:00:00.143-08:00Virginia Henley’s THE HAWK AND THE DOVE - A Privateer to Love, a Sea Hawk, and a fiercely independent Irish lass...oh yes!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9GVkEAdOSi8JWp0H4A9cU-IPuKXsbWQdX4iBUU-nDX2Xt_Ydoh36y7_k_y81_DrPbKr-mArQ6a74ukPUxYNCbYmo5A_N6zW9rMcFMfh98y7ToqRGct7HutlllSAgW-Ck9OCOMVrJh2iqVSjs6ovPDMtmMoPaIoE3AtBF2ivevL2DzDiW5s7FgdRLFPY/s475/-Hawk%20&%20Dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9GVkEAdOSi8JWp0H4A9cU-IPuKXsbWQdX4iBUU-nDX2Xt_Ydoh36y7_k_y81_DrPbKr-mArQ6a74ukPUxYNCbYmo5A_N6zW9rMcFMfh98y7ToqRGct7HutlllSAgW-Ck9OCOMVrJh2iqVSjs6ovPDMtmMoPaIoE3AtBF2ivevL2DzDiW5s7FgdRLFPY/s320/-Hawk%20&%20Dove.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
love Henley’s attention to historic detail and her ability to weave a
captivating tale. This one is no different. The story is set in 1586, when
Queen Elizabeth ruled England and her sea hawks ruled the seas, robbing the
Spanish fleet to fill her coffers. Captain Shane Hawkhurst was Queen Bess'
favorite. She named him “the sea god.” He was, in fact, not the son of Lord
Hawkhurst, but the son of an Irishman named O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone. But
his English father claimed him as heir, and when Shane’s father died, Shane
became Lord Hawkhurst. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shane
had promised his father he would marry, and to stave off Queen Bess’ jealousy
and because he did not really want a wife, he had his solicitor find a country
lass who had some land in Ireland he wanted and married her by proxy. Little
did he know his new wife was the red-haired Irish vixen, Sara Bishop, referred
to by her jealous half siblings as “Sabre Wilde” after her dead father and his
sword. Shane planned to have his brother Matthew take Sara to one of his
estates and dump her there, never wishing to meet her. Ah, but Sara—as Sabre—has
a different plan. She intends to go to Court and seduce her husband and become
his mistress, making him her love slave and having her revenge.<br />
<br />
You have to love this heroine. She is fiercely independent, courageous, feisty
and smart. Just the woman to tame a wild man like Shane Hawkhurst. And Shane is
a man worthy of taming. Both have Irish blood running through their veins—at a
time when Queen Elizabeth feared the rebellious Irish. So the sparks fly
continuously. It’s one of the things Henley does so well—excellent characters
and a plot with great twists and turns!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Henley’s
love scenes are unique and fit the people and the story, so very well done,
very sexy, tasteful and not contrived. It is so worth it to dive into one of
her complex, winsome tales. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
addition to wonderful characters, a great plot and interesting history, she has
included some great one-liners. One of my favorites was: “...to be Irish is to
know the world will break your heart before you are thirty”. So true. </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-2586758215053027882024-02-15T14:45:00.000-08:002024-02-15T14:45:55.309-08:00Elizabeth Chadwick’s THE SUMMER QUEEN – First in a Series about the Magnificent Eleanor of Aquitaine<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aOkf8YRrK3KFgdhpFhp3bwtwA30vFVvZisdMSugJjvjTyC9R_4qUySHlcrpey3XN62SKl-SiBcIFzeDb5JhsTXxifoO094co0niuL37BYpOAgGREJNSaNRzgIjCNw2VzIbZSyyecc7rJe3Yh6DhQSbsIalqwnp91om_iP1rtFn_QhqxHoZdpYD2B1r4/s475/-THE%20SUMMER%20QUEEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aOkf8YRrK3KFgdhpFhp3bwtwA30vFVvZisdMSugJjvjTyC9R_4qUySHlcrpey3XN62SKl-SiBcIFzeDb5JhsTXxifoO094co0niuL37BYpOAgGREJNSaNRzgIjCNw2VzIbZSyyecc7rJe3Yh6DhQSbsIalqwnp91om_iP1rtFn_QhqxHoZdpYD2B1r4/s320/-THE%20SUMMER%20QUEEN.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set
in the 12<sup>th</sup> century, this is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who
at 13 lost her father and was forced to marry the young Prince Louis of France.
A week after the marriage she becomes a queen. Louis is a disappointment to the
intelligent young queen, preferring his devotion to the church to her or much
else. In addition, she has a mother-in-law no one would want. Her sister<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Petronella is self-willed and Eleanor must
deal with her as well. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eleanor
gives birth to a daughter (to Louis’ disappointment) and then he forces her to
go on Crusade with him because he does not trust her with France while he is
away. With their marriage in trouble ,Eleanor falls in love with an old flame
and, missing Aquitaine, seeks an annulment from her marriage.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is another well-written historical novel by Chadwick based on much research
into some truly interesting characters, Eleanor being the primary one. I
enjoyed it. It’s the first in her Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy. Henry of Anjou
only shows up toward the end and one must read book 2 for their marriage.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Summer Queen</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Winter Crown</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Autumn Throne</i></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-10817432587867344302024-02-06T11:39:00.000-08:002024-02-06T11:39:35.516-08:00Danelle Harmon’s LORD OF THE SEA –American Privateers in the War of 1812!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U98Mi_5SEjQnY2IP5ClyNwXimBJR488UxkJz18p_vcww2-VH51qz4ag-e55YQmjgWC_IUvrewq0VjDx3_b9DZG30-zIZAU8Tqplz12vGMO5YSRB4bED1Cg1E3Ty7tRKmbCewXsXKKV5WD8EQDlEUFhUDUvTiRmVX8kIIWckM4WVzmvKQg9rhf0gqrQo/s475/-Lord%20of%20the%20Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U98Mi_5SEjQnY2IP5ClyNwXimBJR488UxkJz18p_vcww2-VH51qz4ag-e55YQmjgWC_IUvrewq0VjDx3_b9DZG30-zIZAU8Tqplz12vGMO5YSRB4bED1Cg1E3Ty7tRKmbCewXsXKKV5WD8EQDlEUFhUDUvTiRmVX8kIIWckM4WVzmvKQg9rhf0gqrQo/s320/-Lord%20of%20the%20Sea.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Set during the War of 1812 in the Caribbean, this is the
story of Capt. Connor Merrick, a cavalier Yankee privateer, and Rhiannon Evans,
a young British girl. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rhiannon wants an adventure and so she accepts an invitation
to winter at the home of Sir Graham Falconer in Barbados, who happens to be
Connor’s brother-in-law. On the way, pirates attack her ship, and Connor saves
her and takes her to Sir Graham’s. Intending to leave to hunt British merchant
ships, Conner stays long enough to get trapped into marrying the young
Rhiannon.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Harmon has woven an entertaining seafaring tale of divided
loyalties with an American privateer whose sister is married to a British
admiral. Reckless and daring, yet insecure about his ability to be his famous
father’s equal, Connor takes one British prize ship after another, all this in
his brother-in-law’s backyard. Meanwhile, Rhiannon, a naïve young woman in many
ways, quickly grows up trying to keep up with Connor—and keep him out of
trouble, an effort that is doomed to failure. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The descriptions of the ships and sails and all things
nautical are done exceptionally well and will keep you turning pages as Connor
faces pirates, battles at sea and storms. There is deep emotion, too, as Connor
comes to terms with his own frailties and the strengths of others.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s been a while since I read one of Harmon’s seafaring
adventures, so I was a bit lost when characters from her other books made an
appearance and there were references to earlier stories. I say this only to
suggest you might want to read this book as a part of the series, and in order.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heroes of the Sea</b>
series:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Lady Pirate</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain of My Heart</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Master of My Dreams</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Admiral’s Heart </i>(Short Story)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord of The Sea</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-51165419091004046562024-02-03T19:07:00.000-08:002024-02-03T19:07:18.748-08:00Michelle Beattie’s HER PIRATE TO LOVE – Ruthless Pirate, Gracious Pirate... The Heroine Experiences Both<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7R6KD3kbYGqDMpuYMmSbJnXgOKNTAzD8_lpG_D5ZCx6VJKM3QJs35sJGUvTPFDTiX0TGPdnq5RN-0g1irkJt5JDOPtQeJ-5bVsdsmB0lIN-GnOElMEg6GjsNfmurGEsw7oFVxL55hQfT5KQ3H2Uh0oAW9O1vFZ7-mkB9_I59vaum0BHlif6pBSZp-6S0/s500/-Her%20Pirate%20to%20Love%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7R6KD3kbYGqDMpuYMmSbJnXgOKNTAzD8_lpG_D5ZCx6VJKM3QJs35sJGUvTPFDTiX0TGPdnq5RN-0g1irkJt5JDOPtQeJ-5bVsdsmB0lIN-GnOElMEg6GjsNfmurGEsw7oFVxL55hQfT5KQ3H2Uh0oAW9O1vFZ7-mkB9_I59vaum0BHlif6pBSZp-6S0/s320/-Her%20Pirate%20to%20Love%20.jpg" width="213" /></a>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set
in 1664 in the Caribbean, this is the story of pirate Sam Steele, a name
assumed by Cale Hunter, to escape the tragedy that befell him when his wife and
son disappeared leaving behind evidence of slaughter. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Grace
Sullivan, an Irish lass, who defied her parents and took a ship to Ireland, or
so she thought. Instead, she became the captive of the ruthless pirate, Roche
Santiago who raped and tortured her, enjoying her pain. When Steele rescues
her, she is reluctant to accept his help, fearing to trust no man, especially
when she realizes she is pregnant with Roche’s child. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Amazon lists this as the first in the Sam Steele series, but
it has the feel of a book in the middle of a series as some of Steele’s couple
friends are characters (toward the end) and their stories are alluded to. It
can be read as a stand alone, however.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s a lot of introspection in this book, some seemed
repetitive, but if you don’t mind that (or you like it), you will enjoy the
read. It’s well researched and there are some exciting fighting scenes,
including one at the end when Roche Santiago shows up. It’s a pirate romance so
some violence is to be expected. I enjoyed the fighting scenes but not Roche’s
cruelty which is truly awful.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What surprised me: Grace is to give birth to the child of
the ruthless, evil pirate who not only raped her, but also tried to kill her,
yet she never worries about how she can raise a son that is his spitting image.
I can see her having angst over that and then deciding to love the child
anyway, but Grace never even has a thought about this. That seemed odd. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But overall, it's a good
story and pirate romance lovers will be happy.</span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-50738140612456257262024-02-01T06:27:00.000-08:002024-02-01T06:27:28.953-08:00Georgette Heyer’s BEAUVALLET – Lively Elizabethan Swashbuckler set in England, France and Spain <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnnvhSYjU5ELVrARMFqas0OT4lxvb07TfOBCQiSY9Vx8RAvJ5OXN80CZOGoqUwPuPbFP3MTLHUlcrnYBradaRSUf07B1o0OEa7VGe_4-HpU68fuXX6xbmnW4CHJlZ5sR4oJT93x9qzaByAxwnBU9pY_aIcgrZO6Enii8N0dkfOng8UIJMpbKug26furg/s500/-Beauvallet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnnvhSYjU5ELVrARMFqas0OT4lxvb07TfOBCQiSY9Vx8RAvJ5OXN80CZOGoqUwPuPbFP3MTLHUlcrnYBradaRSUf07B1o0OEa7VGe_4-HpU68fuXX6xbmnW4CHJlZ5sR4oJT93x9qzaByAxwnBU9pY_aIcgrZO6Enii8N0dkfOng8UIJMpbKug26furg/s320/-Beauvallet.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">February is
Pirate and Privateer month…all those swashbuckling tales set on the sea. I’m
starting with a classic, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beauvallet</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Set in 1586
in England, France and (mostly) Spain and the waters off their coasts, this is
an early work of the classic author, Georgette Heyer, a swashbuckler with an
English aristocrat, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet. “Mad Nicholas” prefers sailing his
ship and troubling the Spanish galleons to enjoying the wealth he had gained
and the family estate in England.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">On one of
his excursions, Nick captures a Spanish galleon carrying Doña Dominica de Rada
y Sylvan, a young maiden returning to Spain with her ailing father. Instantly
he is in love with Dominica, who is quite a brat at first, and vows to return
her and her father to Spain. But Nick tells Dominica he will reclaim her within
a year. She protests but is secretly thrilled. The man to whom her aunt would
wed Dominica is loathsome to her.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Nick was
well loved in England. Queen Elizabeth adored him and his friends included many
notables, such as Sir Francis Drake. But to his enemies, he was the
"Scourge of Spain". </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This story
is all about the hero and his noble (and quite funny) valet, Joshua. Though
Nick is quite full of himself, he is charming in his conceit, and apparently,
his conceit is justified. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Enjoyable
romp with Heyer’s unusual witty banter.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-16801263639625080162024-01-30T10:13:00.000-08:002024-01-30T10:13:00.174-08:00BEST VIKING ROMANCES!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrgZmFWnzmTQFd_tburXclQhDivFwgDAF6kEfnK9_dbpyMkN1JtIaB6zSt1ReHzpTv9JrS03q42XnvBLvr_LgPjceRXSvnsDZ4dx89BeRq3MGoWZ_EZOci6qayJALunkbYSCYM9HT7veQOooU2bf1e9nrPINrzFqCUSEsij-WgpfJfkLHTjK2VfhU5KQ/s960/Best%20Viking%20Romances%20pic%20with%20label.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="960" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrgZmFWnzmTQFd_tburXclQhDivFwgDAF6kEfnK9_dbpyMkN1JtIaB6zSt1ReHzpTv9JrS03q42XnvBLvr_LgPjceRXSvnsDZ4dx89BeRq3MGoWZ_EZOci6qayJALunkbYSCYM9HT7veQOooU2bf1e9nrPINrzFqCUSEsij-WgpfJfkLHTjK2VfhU5KQ/w640-h318/Best%20Viking%20Romances%20pic%20with%20label.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Every now and then I love a good Viking story. Not fantasy,
not paranormal, just straight up historical love stories from the time of the
raiding Northmen. The Viking Age was that part of the medieval period from the
end of the 8<sup>th</sup> century to the middle of the 11<sup>th</sup> century,
although there are Norse pirates still around beyond that. It was an age of
valiant and sometimes ruthless warriors and raiders. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s nothing like a Viking raid and a strapping tall
warrior to get your blood boiling, right? Well, of course, it must be well done
and we want a strong heroine to give the guy some grief. And a little history
thrown in doesn’t hurt either. If you like ‘em, here’s a list of those I’ve
rated 4 and 5 stars!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blind
Allegiance</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blind Mercy</i> by Violetta Rand</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Breton
Wolf </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
Ivar the Red </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by Victoria Vane </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dawnfire </i>by Lynn
Erickson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dream of Me, Believe
in Me</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Come Back to Me</i>,
trilogy by Josie Litton </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Edin’s Embrace </i>by
Nadine Crenshaw</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fires of Winter,
Hearts Aflame and Surrender My Love, </i>trilogy by Johanna Lindsey</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Forbidden Passion</i>
by Theresa Scott</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Golden Surrender, The
Viking’s Woman </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord of the
Wolves,</i> trilogy by Heather Graham</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kept by the Viking</i>
by Gina Conkle</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord of
Hawkfell Island, Lord of Raven’s Peak</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and <i>Lord of Falcon Ridge</i>, trilogy by
Catherine Coulter</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord of the Runes</i>
by Sabrina Jarema</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love’s Fury</i> by
Violetta Rand</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Loveweaver</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Maiden Seer</i> by Tracy Ann Miller</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Maidensong</i> by
Diana Groe (aka Mia Marlowe)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Norse Jewel </i>by
Gina Conkle</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Northward the Heart</i>
by Maureen Kurr</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Odin’s
Shadow,</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Flame Put Out</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oath </i>Breaker,
3-part story by Erin Riley </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raeliksen,</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mac Liam</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Temperate Warrior </i>by Renee Vincent (re-edited and re-released
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Sunset Fire, Emerald Glory and Souls
Reborn</span></i><span style="color: #353535; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sea Jewel</i> by
Penelope Neri</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Season of
the Sun </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">by Catherine Coulter</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Storm Maiden </i>by
Mary Gillgannon</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tara’s Song </i>by
Barbara Ferry Johnson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bewitched Viking</i>
by Sandra Hill</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Enchantment</i> (first
published as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Warrior’s Heart</i>) by
Betina Krahn</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Norse King’s
Daughter</i> by Sandra Hill</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pagan’s Prize</i>
by Miriam Minger</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Valiant Heart, The Defiant Heart</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Captive Heart </i>by Kathleen Kirkwood (aka Anita Gordon)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Viking</i> by Marti Talbott</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Viking’s Defiant
Bride</i> by Joanna Fulford</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Viking’s Sacrifice</i>
by Julia Knight</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Viking Warrior’s
Bride</i> by Harper St. George </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">To Find a
Viking Treasure</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> by Gina Conkle</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twin Passions</i> by
Miriam Minger</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viking Captive</i> by
Emma Merritt </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viking Gold</i> by
Nadine Crenshaw</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viking Passion</i> by
Flora Speer </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viking Rose</i> by
Ashland Price<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viking Sword: The
Stranded One</i> by Mairi Norris</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">For stories
that include a Viking attack, consider my own <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue Knight</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rebel
Warrior</i> in the <a href="http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/medieval-warriors.html" target="_blank">Medieval Warriors series</a></span></p><p>
<a href="http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/summer-warrior.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Summer
Warrior</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">, the award-winning first in my Clan Donald Saga has
Norse pirates! </span>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-75404431994573913382024-01-25T15:08:00.000-08:002024-01-25T15:08:40.877-08:00Tracey Ann Miller’s LOVEWEAVER – Viking Weaver of Spells Falls for Saxon Warrior<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZjkSQKUv3VRhd85oqeyuOmWBvyxWAgLcXpYBWWzflt4U-PuJzzCr_3AgGqgeA6VllG-BOC_cvuWUNpFamhBKNzzzyZ4VpVcRbA4cRM6eVMPhV8S-CAQtnf-oUHBETl4sDfJ1eAVvGvn0wHO89hSCVf_-UVcRQrbeM8ogJS4cX5G4Hfw38rnMJYXBYCQ/s2500/-Loveweaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZjkSQKUv3VRhd85oqeyuOmWBvyxWAgLcXpYBWWzflt4U-PuJzzCr_3AgGqgeA6VllG-BOC_cvuWUNpFamhBKNzzzyZ4VpVcRbA4cRM6eVMPhV8S-CAQtnf-oUHBETl4sDfJ1eAVvGvn0wHO89hSCVf_-UVcRQrbeM8ogJS4cX5G4Hfw38rnMJYXBYCQ/s320/-Loveweaver.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">The story begins in Hedeby, Denmark in 895 as Llyrica, a
weaver who weaves spells into her beautiful trimming design, disguises herself
as her old Aunt Solvieg, an expert weaver and resident “old crone”. Llyrica is
discovered by a flesh peddler who would have her for himself. He takes her from
her home, along with her brother. They end up in the waters off Wessex, she in
the hands of a Saxon warrior named Slayde the StoneHeart, ealdorman of Kent,
and her brother (unknowingly) in the hands of their Viking father.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">It’s pretty much instant lust on Slayde’s part, no matter
they are in freezing water and he is saving her from a shipwreck. But, being
the strong “I need no woman” man he is, Slayde ignores his sexual attraction
for her and goes about his business. During the day, he berates her in front of
his men, accusing her (without reason) of being a whore. But at night he “sleep
walks” to her bed where he whispers sweet words of love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Llyrica is determined to reach the
Danelaw where her father, Haesten, is a feared warrior. (She has no idea that’s
where her brother ended up.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Initially I found the author’s word
choices and writing style a bit difficult to wade through, but once I got
accustomed to it, I found the story entertaining and wanted to see what
happened. Miller has obviously done much research into the Viking culture and
London of the time and I really enjoyed the historical detail. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Llyrica is a clever heroine who will
have Slayde on her terms. Slayde, determined to resist, has not a prayer. Many
secondary characters add to the story, making it a rich tapestry. And some
exciting scenes will keep your heart pumping. It’s also intriguing with the
spells woven into the cloth by the “songweaver”. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Viking lovers will enjoy the match
between a Saxon loyal to King Alfred and a Viking maiden from Denmark.</span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-20340179584690560172024-01-22T18:06:00.000-08:002024-01-22T18:06:45.055-08:00Gina Conkle’s TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE – An Exciting Viking Tale!<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgbhh2ayrhOwtLACfY4ULZ0IlIU3rwbP8TmLjmQDVgC7xSk63-r4JCrf7xB-0quGxKWGFe2CbcttfAFnJFuIkI4MRzmOHq5iLYvuu46vmRp4uZfKkk-sOgVPmJmr30pelnmXJQfH8g22hHAYeMIkJ2Vm-XjY5IcOK23lOj9waHPIa0IgT2mHWVubgJMY/s1360/-To%20Find%20a%20Viking%20Treasure%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgbhh2ayrhOwtLACfY4ULZ0IlIU3rwbP8TmLjmQDVgC7xSk63-r4JCrf7xB-0quGxKWGFe2CbcttfAFnJFuIkI4MRzmOHq5iLYvuu46vmRp4uZfKkk-sOgVPmJmr30pelnmXJQfH8g22hHAYeMIkJ2Vm-XjY5IcOK23lOj9waHPIa0IgT2mHWVubgJMY/s320/-To%20Find%20a%20Viking%20Treasure%20.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set
in 1022 in the kingdom of Svea (Sweden), this is the story of warring Viking
leaders and a rough yet noble warrior who serves the man who saved his life.
Brandr wants to leave Uppsala to start a new life, but his desire to protect
the slave, Sestra, keeps him from leaving.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sestra
is a thrall who has known only abuse from men who lust after her beauty. But
when she tells the Viking leader of a treasure hidden by their enemy, Brandr
and she are sent to find it. To Sestra, Brandr is a mysterious figure, a man of
strength whose only words are ones meant to tease yet he always treats her with
respect.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is a Viking version of lost on a desert isle. Alone and facing the enemy who
would be eager to kill them, Brandr and Sestra discover passion between them as
they fight to survive. Choices must be made by each as to what is truly
important. Brandr is a freeman and Sestra longs to be free. She hopes the
treasure will bring her that freedom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Conkle
has obviously done considerable research into the Viking life, which enriches
the tale. Some exciting scenes will hold your attention and for those who like
a spicy romance, Conkle has delivered a romance with many scintillating love
scenes.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Norse series</b>:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Norse Jewel</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Find a Viking
Treasure</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Steal a Viking
Bride</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Heal a Viking Heart</i></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> <br /><br /></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-74197200612622242482024-01-18T16:20:00.000-08:002024-01-18T16:21:54.352-08:00Sandra Hill’s THE NORSE KING’S DAUGHTER – Fanciful yet based on good research…a Viking Adventure!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd9rtuPqAlMPDm-AEBPmnlozf0xK_HiYcVVWG6dpHfR796p38gx7YC270PuC3a2RNfMYb1Qdo2uZK3UZVfli8tAUAVfhvPSkqIbLgRx60rMS1wGEskiXA4otrKYtZjiz_CRW57u9dVqK0glgVQinLxhgohH8YfWodtezWSJms7kAybVhnnc98AJayRY0/s323/-Norse%20Kings%20Daughter.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd9rtuPqAlMPDm-AEBPmnlozf0xK_HiYcVVWG6dpHfR796p38gx7YC270PuC3a2RNfMYb1Qdo2uZK3UZVfli8tAUAVfhvPSkqIbLgRx60rMS1wGEskiXA4otrKYtZjiz_CRW57u9dVqK0glgVQinLxhgohH8YfWodtezWSJms7kAybVhnnc98AJayRY0/s320/-Norse%20Kings%20Daughter.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is the story of King Thoval’s (a Norse king) last unmarried daughter, Drifa,
and Sidroc Guntersson, a Viking warrior, who needs a wife and a mother for his
infant daughter left him when his wife died. Unfortunately, Sidroc never told
Drifa of his need for a mother for his babe as he courted her. When she found
out, she was less than pleased and bashed him on the head. When he awakes, he
learns his daughter has disappeared and fears she is dead. Now, years later,
Sidroc and Drifa are reunited in Miklagard where Drifa has come to study
flowers. Sidroc is one of an elite guard who is assigned to Drifa. He means to
have his revenge.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></h1><h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hill weaves her solid research
into her fanciful story, presenting the Vikings’ way of life and the great city
of Miklagard (the Viking name for <span style="color: #3c0404;">Constantinople)
in a realistic manner. Yet it is still a fanciful, often humorous tale. The sex
is pretty graphic.</span></span></h1>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #3c0404; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #3c0404; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hill will draw you
into the characters’ lives. Though I soon realized this was part of a series,
it can still be enjoyed as a stand-alone. In fact, Hill has eleven books in her
Viking series, all worthy reads and some as much fantasy as historical.</span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-77601976718852442112024-01-16T13:18:00.000-08:002024-01-16T13:18:59.005-08:00Victoria Vane’s BRETON WOLF – Excellent Viking Novella Set in 10th Century Brittany<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3aEdBuxvQ8w1FcBWJmuBYPhnXLO6JGkZcDMwYcveUYeEvqTQyaRPwsGcqBstXNgu-mR_YPhyphenhyphenc38NfxXo1tMf2f8z-bTkpdgb66lJbkvhceBC-RlXxEIUpjrxHUICcrTBGXlvZLqnTgIi9frcpOtLcGLeg74cEXUtgb7FOCDlh7e1Wy5m88KP6DhEDAo/s500/-Breton%20Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3aEdBuxvQ8w1FcBWJmuBYPhnXLO6JGkZcDMwYcveUYeEvqTQyaRPwsGcqBstXNgu-mR_YPhyphenhyphenc38NfxXo1tMf2f8z-bTkpdgb66lJbkvhceBC-RlXxEIUpjrxHUICcrTBGXlvZLqnTgIi9frcpOtLcGLeg74cEXUtgb7FOCDlh7e1Wy5m88KP6DhEDAo/s320/-Breton%20Wolf.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set
in 10<sup>th</sup> century Brittany, this is the story of Adele of Vannes, the
daughter of a duke and granddaughter of a king and the Viking who claims her. Adele
was bartered at birth in a marriage treaty for the sole purpose of producing a
royal heir. When her philandering husband, the duke, is slain by Norse
marauders, she marries their chief in order to protect her home and her people.
</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Valdrik Vargr, “the Norse Wolf”, has dreams of a dynasty and so he uses his
might and his shrewdness in statecraft to conquer Brittany and claim Adele’s
hand to sire sons from royal blood to solidify his hold. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vane
does a wonderful<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>job of bringing us into
the times of the Norsemen who arrived in France (Brittany in this case) not to
pillage but to conquer and settle. Vane does her research and it shows. This is
the first of three short tales that involve the matches made by Valdrik and his
men. A great short read and the trilogy is related.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>The Wolves of Brittany Trilogy of Novellas: <br />
<br />
</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Breton Wolfe <br />
Ivar the Red <br />
The Bastard of Brittany</span> </i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /></p><br />Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-47440050644924407042024-01-05T17:57:00.000-08:002024-01-05T17:57:09.000-08:00Sharon Key Penman’s A KING’S RANSOM – The Rest of Lionheart’s Story…<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWB8cnuACpl4sIv8OF3Q0SWMrZD_zj1e_kkyKD1qISv8hzjh6UZXVedlF0KB6aW46a53_G-Izhj_40rksu1N4uZbOt_vvuVpFHhy6H-iqeTNvC7RnGsljgK1PnIdwMmwes8o6llZmGiXw38vLnTIq1aqoNFVQwWPgC6JDMY7_E5VwW1hWJLDdsjU_KnM/s1520/-A%20KING'S%20RANSOM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWB8cnuACpl4sIv8OF3Q0SWMrZD_zj1e_kkyKD1qISv8hzjh6UZXVedlF0KB6aW46a53_G-Izhj_40rksu1N4uZbOt_vvuVpFHhy6H-iqeTNvC7RnGsljgK1PnIdwMmwes8o6llZmGiXw38vLnTIq1aqoNFVQwWPgC6JDMY7_E5VwW1hWJLDdsjU_KnM/s320/-A%20KING'S%20RANSOM.jpg" width="211" /></a>This
is a well-researched, well-told story of King Richard I after he went on
crusade. Returning to France with the best of his faithful men, he moves to
take back what the French king took from him while he was gone. Taken captive
by the Holy Roman Emperor in violation of the papal decree protecting all
crusaders, Richard spends fifteen months chained in a dungeon and imprisoned in
Germany while his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine moves heaven and earth to raise
the exorbitant ransom. And what a woman!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
love how Penman adds fiction to the real story to bring it alive for the
reader. The characters will draw you into their lives. Richard emerges, as in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lionheart</i>, as a hero with no equal. For
the five years remaining to him, he faces betrayals, intrigues, wars, and
illness. His marriage never seemed to be what he or his wife might have wanted
and she produced no children. But you will see why the courage, compassion, and
intelligence of Richard became the stuff of legend.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Highly
recommended but start with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lionheart</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /></p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-71739643200973406972024-01-02T11:41:00.000-08:002024-01-02T11:41:42.315-08:00Betina Krahn’s THE ENCHANTMENT– Simply Wonderful Viking Tale!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uDtgLPY7bm4yqq4pZW7a9HgCMZR2MZ3MMYNcS-qRCM929AWd7Dq_8Aw90LInmNpD0Ri1Ca7XY3LBSOQVBuAlgZt1IQpTvLD7ZlMMFGk0l8tyzrIc12CcCuIKglz9ia43mpHSuJr1XEJy4uY_X0VoKL84KzRfjCLrmMEdfAYXd8PCbY7CwRYjok6aixU/s450/-The%20Enchantment%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uDtgLPY7bm4yqq4pZW7a9HgCMZR2MZ3MMYNcS-qRCM929AWd7Dq_8Aw90LInmNpD0Ri1Ca7XY3LBSOQVBuAlgZt1IQpTvLD7ZlMMFGk0l8tyzrIc12CcCuIKglz9ia43mpHSuJr1XEJy4uY_X0VoKL84KzRfjCLrmMEdfAYXd8PCbY7CwRYjok6aixU/s320/-The%20Enchantment%20.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">January is Viking romance month! One of
my favorites is by Betina Krahn. I have come to appreciate Krahn's attention to
detail in her well told romances…it's excellence in romance writing. I always
know I’m going to find a well woven tale that spends time with character
development, and gives me a feel for the culture of the time. This is a Viking
romance that takes you into the late Viking period when the Swedish Vikings
sailed all the way to Byzantium. It was also a time when the old Asa gods were
being replaced by Christianity and the "White Christ." Krahn treats
this subject with great care, showing us how the old often combined with the
new in this story that begins with belief in myths and ends in very real
action.<br />
<br />
Since she was a young girl, Aaren, daughter of Serrick, understood she was
unusually tall and strong, trained to be a warrior, a battle-maiden, and not a
woman of the hearth, because her mother was a Valkyr, a daughter of the Viking
gods. She is beautiful with a long, lean body, dark red hair, and golden eyes.
Aaren had two beautiful sisters, also daughters of Serrick, and born from
another blond Valkyr. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Serrick brings his three daughters to
the village of Borger, a powerful jarl, and gives them in payment of a tax
debt--but with conditions. No man may touch them or wed them until one man can
defeat Aaren in sword fighting; then each may be given in marriage. Borger
accepts the conditions with his eldest son, Jorund, in mind. Jorund is a huge,
handsome Viking, who two years ago tired of battlelust and the "dew of
wounds" (blood), so he has no intention of fighting any woman. But after
Aaren defeats two of Borger's best warriors, Borger decrees that no man may
fight Aaren save Jorund. Aaren wants to end the curse and the condition to her
sisters' ability to marry, so she prods and taunts Jorund into fighting her. He
resists.<br />
<br />
That's the basic storyline, and except for the myth underlying Aaren and her
sisters' introduction to the village, which myth Jorund doesn't accept since he
is a follower of the White Christ, the rest of the story is pure historical
romance. It's an unusual courtship, to be sure, and there is more than one
romance in this one. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I highly recommend it. It's not a fast-paced light read, however. You
need a good rainstorm, a cup of tea and a fireplace to settle in with this one.<br />
<br />
NOTE: This was previously released under the title </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">THE
WARRIOR’S HEART</span>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983741341986557.post-28459088939477795952023-12-31T13:32:00.000-08:002023-12-31T13:32:34.671-08:00Happy New Year to you all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jZBDKC-ldKo3CfRENdBq9y5YqDtY2O_ELbdB7G496JF2oVXdcdCfP6MwozHa0ur_9iLPbqVkUVUyfdLp7RlvXxFGBdxSZ0JBjLiWrLYLEfhqJf9cWiINm8wMkKN31nBMGH9agrU4_gofH7y1QvnRQP03I8fnWrq4A6P95Vny6uPCGpwCU3u2XoedQlE/s736/Happy%20New%20Yaer%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jZBDKC-ldKo3CfRENdBq9y5YqDtY2O_ELbdB7G496JF2oVXdcdCfP6MwozHa0ur_9iLPbqVkUVUyfdLp7RlvXxFGBdxSZ0JBjLiWrLYLEfhqJf9cWiINm8wMkKN31nBMGH9agrU4_gofH7y1QvnRQP03I8fnWrq4A6P95Vny6uPCGpwCU3u2XoedQlE/w640-h640/Happy%20New%20Yaer%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /> </p>Regan Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977297105533227463noreply@blogger.com0