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Showing posts with label Escape Publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Escape Publishing. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Book Review: Chieftain by Command by Frances Housden

I liked the characters in this satisfactory Scottish romance. 
by Frances Housden
  • File Size: 554 KB
  • Print Length: 212 pages
  • Publisher: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd (September 1, 2014)
  • ASIN: B00M19AWGU
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Clans
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


Blurb:
From the bestselling, RITA-nominated author Frances Housden comes the gripping, sensual, suspenseful follow-up to The Chieftain’s Curse...
Gavyn Farquhar’s marriage is forged with a double-edged blade. Along with the Comlyn clan’s lands, a reward from the King, he is blessed with an unwilling bride, Kathryn Comlyn, and an ancient fort with few defences that desperately needs to be fortified before it can act as a sufficient buffer between Scotland and the Norsemen on its northern borders.
Gavyn needs wealth to meet his king’s demands, and he knows of only one way to get it — with his sword. Leaving his prickly bride behind in the hands of trusted advisors, he makes his way to the battlegrounds of France and the money that can be made there.
Two years married and Kathryn is still a virgin. A resentful virgin, certain that, like her father before her, she is perfectly capable of leading the Comlyn clan. In her usurper husband’s absence, she meets the clan’s needs, advising and ruling as well as any man.
But she is an intelligent woman, and she knows the only respect and power she will ever hold will be through her husband. And to wield it, she needs to make him love her. An easy task to set, but impossible to complete, when said husband has been gone for two years, and there is no word of his return. But Kathryn is undeterred. After all, a faint heart never won a Chieftain.


Review:
Kathyrn Comlyn was only fifteen when she was thrust, by the King’s command, into a marriage to Gavyn Farquhar. Kathryn was chagrined and relieved when Gavyn only pretended to consummate the marriage before leaving for France to earn funds needed to fortify the stronghold. Kathryn has managed the affairs of the clan for the past two years but has learned that, as a woman, she can only gain respect and authority as the Chieftain’s lady wife.

Gavyn finally returns home after two years of battling and dreaming about the spitfire, reluctant wife he left behind. His unannounced arrival is greeted by an arrow shot by that wife. Although Gavyn wants to gain her companionship he fears that she may truly hate him and the circumstances that brought them together. He also has to deal with clansmen who view him and his band of mercenaries as usurpers on their lands.

Kathryn has taken Lhilidh, a young girl whose mother has recently died, as her maid. Lhilidh was raised with Nhaimeth, a dwarf, who was always thought to be a fool as a youngster but who has now grown to be a respected, intelligent and loyal man. Nhaimeth is devoted to Kathryn and Lhilidh and his two young friends, both noblemen’s sons in training, Rob and Jamie, keep an eye out for the ladies too. But no one is aware that Kathryn’s two disreputable cousins are plotting behind her back.

I liked the primary characters and many of the secondary characters added to the story. I was glad that there was intrigue and danger, with a few secrets, to fill out the romance. Unfortunately I found the pacing to be on and off, a little slow and then fast. There was annoying repetition in the themes of distrust between Kathryn and Gavyn and their unwillingness to reveal their growing affection for each other. The sexual scenes were also a bit more descriptive than I care for.

Still, the writing is sound with some rich descriptions and realistic emotional fears. Although I wasn’t enthralled, I did enjoy the overall read and would try this author again.

I received this title from Escape Publishing for an honest review. 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Book Review: Lace & Lead by M.A. Grant

I highly recommend this action packed, strong romance novella.
Lace & Lead, a novella
by M.A. Grant

  • File Size: 692 KB
  • Print Length: 102 pages
  • Publisher: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd (November 1, 2013)
  • ASIN: B00FB3MWN4
Genre: Sci Fi Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2013
Breathtaking action, startling originality and polished story-telling combine in this futuristic Sci-Fi novella about a rough mercenary, a pampered daughter, and the lies they both believe.

Blue-blood Emmaline Gregson survived one of the most brutal mining accidents ever recorded in the Republic, but she's never been in a firefight. So when unknown assailants circle the family estate, the only man she can rely on is Peirce Taggart. A former Lawman turned mercenary, Peirce has a simple job: protect Emmaline until her father can collect her and sell her to sex trafficker Richard Stone to pay off his debts. But when Arthur Gregson tries to cheat his way out of the contract, Emmaline seizes the opportunity to hire Peirce for herself, regardless of how crude, dangerous, or appealing he may be. Given the chance for redemption, he promises to help her escape both her father and Stone. But Peirce soon realises that hiding her in his apartment until the storm has passed may be more dangerous than looking down the barrel of a gun...


Review:
Emmaline is a pampered daughter of a wealthy man. She has always had maids and has never had to take care of herself or perform simple household chores. She did however survive a terrifying, brutal mining disaster that left her with nightmares. Her wealthy father has hired a ruthless team of mercenaries to protect Emmaline as she is now his most valuable asset. Emmaline doesn’t know it yet but her father has agreed to sell her to a known sex trafficker in satisfaction of all of his debts.

Emmaline became smitten with the head ‘bad boy’ mercenary, Pierce Taggert, as soon as she saw him. He is a ruggedly handsome ex-Lawman with a confident swagger, a foul mouth and oozing sexuality.

Pierce and his men face an unexpected attack and the clues lead back to a double cross by Emmaline’s Father. Pierce takes Emmaline into hiding as he tries to figure out what to do - first to protect her and then what to do with her! He’d like to treat Emmaline as just another paycheck but there is something about her fresh, naive trust and her willing determination to survive that makes him pause. He remembers another young lady who followed his example working in mechanics and war service. He wasn’t there to save her and the loss has left an emptiness filled only with his guilt. Perhaps he can redeem himself by saving Emmaline from those who would use her, including her father.

This is a quick, fast-paced story with action from beginning to end. The setting isn’t completely fleshed out although there is enough to keep it interesting. The strength of the story is in the characters who are likeable and grab your attention, the action packed plot and the vulnerable romance. The strong combination outweighed the bad language and I enjoyed the story reading through it in practically one sitting. I would be interested in trying other works by Ms. Grant. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy romance and action.

I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley.

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