Review - Captured by Desire by Kira Morgan

This is a sensual ride with fun characters and an engaging plot.

Captured by Desire by Kira Morgan

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446548189
• ISBN-13: 978-0446548182

Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
In 16th century Scotland, young Miss Florie Gilder runs away from her drunken foster father to find her real father and her noble heritage. Along the way, she is accused of theft, becomes a fugitive hiding in a forest, and is accidentally wounded by a handsome local huntsman. The huntsman--a Robin-Hood figure who poaches wild game from the landowner's estate to feed the starving poor--carries the beautiful maiden to a church where she is guaranteed 40 days of sanctuary from the law. During that time, he learns her true story, falls in love with her, and helps her in her quest, at the risk of his own life. Smitten with him, she worries more for his survival. But enemies of the state are seeking to overturn the Catholic royals, while a vicious noblewoman is out to destroy Florie. (2010)

Review:
Florie is beautiful and independent considering that she has had to take care of herself for years. She is an expert goldsmith but her drunken foster father has been taking credit for her work. She has come to the Selkirk Fair to sell her wares and also to look for her true father.  She gets accused of stealing her own family heirloom by the Selkirk Sheriff’s very greedy wife, Lady Mavis, forcing Florie to seek sanctuary in the local, run down, church.  Mavis has many secrets and she is willing to do anything to hide the heirloom, even if it means arranging to kill Florie.

Rane is the Sheriff’s successful huntsman, but he also sneaks food for the starving crofters.  After he accidentally shoots Florie he takes her into the church to take care of her.  Florie believes he is there to protect her and doesn’t know he has been given guard duty to make sure she doesn’t’ escape.  Florie tries hard to resist the community’s Viking heartthrob especially since all the ladies are ready to throw themselves at him. Rane is a true charmer and actually a nice guy after all. He can’t understand why Florie won’t return the heirloom to Lady Mavis and he almost thinks that Florie cares only for the gold.

I liked learning about Hnefataf, a game similar to chess and I liked the character of the blind priest. The villainess, Lady Mavis, is a particularly nasty character. I really enjoyed the fun banter between sassy Florie and flirtatious Rane.  The romance was sweet, sensual and warm but, to be honest, I thought this part of the story went on and on. I was ready to get back to the action and mystery.

The writing is really quite lovely with a very good flow and pace. Here is one example I liked when Florie succumbs to her desires for Rane and they are kissing:  "All the while she kept making those sounds, moans that were at once demanding yet helpless, deliberate yet fearful, expert yet artless." This is a good, enjoyable read, especially if you are ready for a story rich in the romance element.

xxx

Thank you to Hachette and Anna for this book to read and review.  Please take the time to read the author Q&A and enter the Giveaway for a chance to win this book!

Blog Tour Q&A with Kira Morgan, Author of Captured by Desire

Please join me today to visit with author Kira Morgan.

1Q.  I see that you write under three names: Sarah McKerrigan (historical romance), Glynnis Campbell (historical romance) and now Kira Morgan.  Why have you chosen different pen names?

Kira Morgan:  Sometimes, no matter how good an author's reviews are, circumstances of marketing or timing or other issues beyond the author's control affect the sales.  If the publisher is wise and recognizes this, they give the author a fresh launch with a new pen name in the hopes of generating better sales the second (or third) time around.  Only nine more names till I catch up with Dean Koontz!

2Q.  All three names write historical romance. Do you have plans to write in any other genres?

Kira Morgan: Yes!  I have plans for a historical biography about an amazing Italian Renaissance woman, a paranormal YA series, and a trilogy of contemporary romances involving the rock-and-roll world (I have an inside scoop since my husband is in the classic rock band, America).

3Q.  What most inspires your plots?

Kira Morgan:  I'm most inspired by "what if" situations, and the more challenging, the better.  My last Sarah McKerrigan book, "Danger's Kiss," started with "What if the hero were the man who executed the heroine's father?"  The inspiration for "Captured by Desire" was "What if the hero shot the heroine at the beginning of the book?"

4Q.  Why did you choose the particular time period and setting for Captured by Desire?

Kira Morgan:  It's always an interesting challenge for me to write a romance set against a backdrop of great conflict.  It proves that love does indeed conquer all!  The time of Mary Queen of Scots was full of political upheaval, especially along the Borders, where King Henry VIII of England had pummeled Scotland repeatedly, leaving the land in ruins.  What better place to create a hero of the people, who poaches game on his lord's lands to feed the starving peasants?

5Q.  Can you summarize Captured by Desire in one sentence?

Kira Morgan:  No.  I'm afraid you'll have to read the whole thing .  Well, okay, I'll try.  When the queen's jeweler takes sanctuary in a church for a crime she didn't commit, it's up to an honor-bound huntsman to prevent her escape, leaving him torn between duty and desire when he begins to fall in love with his spirited captive.

6Q.  In Captured by Desire is there anything that your heroine would never be caught dead doing or saying?

Kira Morgan:  Willful Florie Gilder would never utter these words:  "Sure, I'll do whatever you say."

7Q.  Is there an ancillary character you had the most fun with?

Kira Morgan:  I loved writing the villainess, Mavis.  She's deliciously spoiled and mean, yet there's a pathetic quality to her that almost makes you feel sorry for her...almost.

8Q.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned in researching this book?

Kira Morgan:  Seeking sanctuary in a church was a very complex prospect that went something like this: 1) outrun pursuers, 2) sound special knocker on church door, 3) run to fridstool (the seat of refuge) near the altar, 4) make confession to priest, 5) promise to surrender sharp weapons and help in case of fire, 6) survive 40 days on kindness of strangers, and finally, either go on trial or agree to be exiled.  Sanctuary wasn't for the faint of heart!

9Q.  Do you write for yourself or for your audience?

Kira Morgan:  Wow, interesting question.  I think I do both.  I feel like I'm sharing the ride, like I've pulled readers aboard my stallion and we're charging off together on an adventure.

10Q.  What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

Kira Morgan:  I love to travel, and sometimes I'm lucky enough to tag along on my husband's tours, which is great fun!  I also like to sing, go to the movies, dance, do voice overs, garden, and of course, read.

11Q.  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be? (I’d like to use this one for the Giveaway if that is agreeable.)

Kira Morgan:  I liked CAPTURED BY DESIRE, because...
(With their permission, I'd love to use snippets of your readers' "reviews" on my website!)

12Q.  Just for fun: Since your bio indicates that you do voice overs, which has been the most fun for you to do?

Kira Morgan:  Probably my most fun voice over was playing Julie Winters in the MTV animated series, "The Maxx."  Most of the time, voice over actors are isolated and do their sessions in the studio one at a time, but for "The Maxx," we were all there together, so we could play off of one another and create genuine chemistry.


Martha: Thank you Ms. Morgan for sharing with us.

Review and Giveaway - Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze

This is an engaging “other world” romance and adventure with dragons, unique races and a differnt plot.

Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Old Line Publishing, LLC (May 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984476881
• ISBN-13: 978-0984476886

Author's Website

Rating 4:0 of 5.0

Product Description
Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties... They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan. These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan... If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crisilin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.

Review:
The author has done a great job of creating a world of beauty, magical creatures and meanness too.  The world of Sulaimon has four kingdoms ruled by dragons. Years ago the dragons made a special pact to protect the humans and placed musical Aria’s as guards of the fragile balance between the species. Unfortunately, in Tynan the dragons no longer protect the people but instead they require a blood sacrifice. Young (teenage) Crisilin has been chosen as the new Quelda who must mate a man selected for her, preform special tasks designated by the dragons and ultimately sacrifice herself and her new husband.  Crisilin is lucky that her chosen mate turns out to be her best friend, Chalom. Now there is even more at risk for them as they will lose their lives and their love if they don't try to stop the sacrifice rituals.

Rather than submit to the tradition of tyranny, they manage to escape their captivity. Then, with unexpected help from unusual sources, they move forward on their quest to change the order in their own country.  They must collect the three Aria and a friend from each of the other regions who is willing to join their mission. Only when they bring the other three Aria back to Tynan, will they have a chance to change the Tynan dragons.

The dragon clans they meet in the other regions have their own quirks. Some are friendlier than others but they each include stubborn and spiteful representatives who present a different challenge to overcome to get to that region’s Aria.  I especially liked the riddling clan and tried to figure out each riddle.  I also enjoyed the sense of awe and beauty created with the description of haunting music upon collecting each Aria. The friends Crisilin and Chalom gather along the way are also magical and unique. The secondary relationships of their friends are fun to follow, especially a surprising and bittersweet reunion of an estranged family who has been separated due to the tragedy of the Quelda sacrifice.

The writing manages to convey a sense of innocence turned into sad knowledge of pain and terror. The world and challenges are interesting. The romance and friendships are sweet. There are some moments of tension when it is not clear how they will resolve the next problem. Overall there is an atmosphere of magic making this an easy and enjoyable fantasy read suitable for all ages.

xxx

Thank you to the author and Old Line Publishing for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE BOOK:
1. Comment on the review or tell me your favorite fantasy creature.
Alternative comment: visit the author's website or facebook page and tell me something you learned there. Please leave your e-mail!
You may want to check out the trailer for Ms. Schulze's November release Tears of a Vampire Prince - The First Krystine. There is a chance to win that book there!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Three total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open Worldwide.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on September 3, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Review - Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis

This book has lots of action, underlying secrets, betrayal and sexy romance.

Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever (August 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446542024
• ISBN-13: 978-0446542029

Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
As the demolitions expert for A-Tac, a black-ops CIA unit masquerading as Ivy League faculty, Tyler Hanson has two great loves: literature and explosives. She lives by the motto "Duty First" and doesn't have time for personal attachments . . . until a steamy one-night stand turns into a professional partnership.

BURNED BY BETRAYAL
When Tyler meets Owen Wakefield, a handsome British operative, she seduces him with no intention of ever seeing him again. But then the sexy Brit is brought into A-Tac, and despite Tyler's efforts to keep her distance, she finds herself falling for him. Trusting him.

Owen seems too good to be true - and he is. He's hiding his true motives and identity, and no matter how he feels about Tyler, he can't keep her secrets. One of A-Tac's members has turned traitor and helped terrorists to hijack a shipment of nuclear weapons. As witnesses start dying and evidence starts disappearing, Owen and Tyler must race to find the mole - and prevent a final, cataclysmic act of destruction.

Review:
This is book 3 of the A-Tac series. I had not read book 1 but I read and reviewed book 2, Dangerous Desires. A common thread to each story  is the threat of a traitor on the team.

This story starts out with Tyler in depression over a failed mission where two young soldiers were killed but she survived. The circumstances put her involvement as suspect especially with the recent string of sabotaged missions involving the A-Tac team.

Tyler decides to assuage her misery with the handsome Brit who was supposed to receive the stolen detonators. Tyler is pretty much a loner. She concentrates on her bombs and missions with A-Tac.  She was once in love but she was abandoned.  Now she doesn’t waste time and energy on romance, but a one night stand seems like a good idea ... at the time.

Owen is sexy and suave, like James Bond. He has a few hidden secrets though.  The biggest secret is that he has been recruited to spy on the A-Tac team, particularly on Tyler who is the primary suspect for the thefts.  The more he is around her the less he suspects her but the clues still point to her involvement and his superior, who has it in for A-Tac, is set on exposing the team.

Tyler and Owen follow a trail of dead people as each time they go to interview a witness or a lead they find another person murdered. Along the way they are dodging bullets as there are several attempts made on Tyler’s life. There are a few red herring suspects which keeps the reader’s interest in wanting to learn who the traitor is.

The hardest part of this plot for me was the hunt and the “down to the wire” attempts to prevent detonation of the nuclear weapon. This book reminded me of one of the not so believable episodes of the TV series 24; a series I really like. Even though you might wonder if  all of that could really happen in 24 hours (and you wonder why Jack is a one man hero), there is a lot of enjoyable excitement in the action.

The romance is sexy and sweet in its own way as the characters grow from lust to love.  Isn’t that what we love about romance? Watching the characters overcome the obstacles as they journey from aloneness, to reluctance, to “maybe this is it” and finally arriving at “lets stick together till our dotage.” Of course, that assumes that Tyler will get over feeling betrayed when she learns that Owen’s real role in helping the team has been as a spy.

I always enjoy Dee Davis’ characters and their interaction as well as the intriguing plots. This is  a solid, entertaining read.

xxx

Thank you to Hachette and Anna for providing the book to read and review. Be sure to check out the author interview and the giveaway!

Giveaway - Five Copies Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis

Enter to win a book with intrigue, suspense, danger, and romance!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. For your main entry make a comment on one of these four items. Make sure you leave your e-mail address!
a) Answer the Question the Author posed at Q11 of the Interview.
b) Check out the Five Fun Facts and tell me something you found interesting. OR
c) You can visit the author's website and tell me something you found there.
d) Tell me what other Dee Davis book you have read.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. For TWO extra entries comment on the review post.

5. For another TWO extra entries comment on the author interview.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Seven total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! Five winners!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 10, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.