R.F. Long - The Wolf's Sister

The Wolf's Sister (Novella)
R.F.Long
Fantasy - Samhain
November 2008

A love transcending race and culture…
a secret that could cost everything.

A Tale of the Holtlands, Book 1

Elite Fey’na warrior Shan is driven only by hatred for Gilliad, the Lord of River Holt, the human responsible for the brutal slaying of his innocent sister. Vengeance will be his as soon as he can find a way to confront his enemy. His mind is set; his path chosen. Then he meets Jeren…Jeren of River Holt flees for her life, desperate to escape the clutches of her brother, Gilliad, before his misuse of magic consumes what remains of his sanity. She finds safety and protection with Shan…but only so long as she hides her kinship with the Lord of River Holt. As they are pursued across the northern snow plains, their deepening trust turns to love. A love that could shatter when he learns who, and what, she is.

I think the blurb pretty much sums up the book. What I will say is that this has a fascinating world, with a great plot, strong characters, intense scenes, and harsh moments. This little book had me on the edge through every page. You'll not find any of the sex that generally goes with a romance, but you will find one fantastic story. The characters and their actions drove this book, and drove it well. Definitely quenched my thirst for a time for some good fantasy.

My only beef...it could have been much longer. She's one of those authors that I can get lost in her writing. I will indeed be on the look-out for more of R.F Long's books.

I'd recommend this book to any fantasy lover who's looking for a quick, fulfilling read!

Robin Schone - The Lover

The Lover by Robin Schone
Historical - April 2000

I chose The Lover by Robin Schone for my February reread. I remember the first time I read this book, it was one of my first erotic romances, as well as the first book that ever made me cry. I often wondered if it would have the same impact as it did then.
Two years ago I thought I was going to meet her when me and my mom attended Lora leigh's RAW in 2007. I was so excited. But she was unable to attend. Then I thought I would get to meet her when we went to the RT signing in Pittsburgh, and again, she wasn't there. Someday...

Thirty-six year old virgin spinster Anne Aimes is afraid her life will end without the pleasures of a man. Watching her parents age and die within a loveless marriage, Anne fears she'll wind up with the same fate. Using the money that would have been her dowry, Anne sets up a business arrangement with a man that for one month he is to pleasure her at the cost of ten thousand pounds.

Michael, a forty year old whore by trade, is infamous for his ability to bring a woman to orgasm. Having suffered burns on his hands and the side of his face five years ago women stopped paying him for his renowned services. He now pays them for his pleasure, but still there is repulsion by those women. They cringe away from his burns, as if they are disgusting.

Until Anne Aimes. She is neither frightened nor repulsed by his scars.

There is danger Michael feels Anne is now in due to her association with him. His past forever haunts him. So Michael ups the ante. Rather than him simply pleasuring Anne for one month in the dark of night in secrecy, as a whore would, he proposes they share their lives as lovers, friends, for one month, thinking he can protect her if she is close to him, living in his home. Anne is reluctant to accept this new proposition, but eventually agrees.

A whore by trade, a spinster by marital status, Michael and Anne need each other in ways neither of them can even begin to comprehend. Both of them having pasts devoid of love, they unknowingly begin to seek that which both of them desire, need, yearn for. To be touched. To be needed. To be loved. And within each others arms they find what they seek. If there are two people that truly need each other, it is Anne and Michael.

One of the things I loved about The Lover is that the hero and heroine are neither beautiful nor young. Michael once was physically beautiful, but his scarring gives him that necessary flaw that makes your heart go out to him. Here is a short section that I loved and made me blurry-eyed. It's during their first intimate encounter in chapter two.

"I'm not young."

He forced her head up. Darkness shadowed his face. Only his eyes were alive. "Neither am I."

Tears pricked her eyelids. "I'm not beautiful."

His fingers tightened in her hair. "Neither am I."
Page 31.

Michael's perspective lends a grave undertone to this story. The danger that is mentioned throughout culminates horrifically in the end with Anne on the receiving end. It is nightmare worthy. It gives the story that Gothic pitch, making it not your typical historical. And Anne's lack of vibrancy, her serious personality combined with Michael's personality created a very dark story. The end, what Michael does to Anne after her horrifying ordeal with the man from Michael's past, I cried the first time I read it. I wondered if that part would have the same impact if I should ever reread this book and it was more the morbidity of it rather than the emotions due to the relationship. Pretty disturbing shit at the end of that book!

I think Robin Schone has a fabulous writing voice, even if she is rather blunt at times with her sexual dialogue. It's different and I loved it the first time and again the second time around. It will still remain a favorite among my keeper shelves. You feel the need and the yearning that boils between them, the loneliness that each of them feel. The dialogue, the scenes, the characters, the plot, the suspense, all of it was fabulously done.

Another great choice that I am pleased I picked for my challenge.

On a side note, Michael's friend Gabriel, who owns the whore house (where Michael first meets Anne) has his own book, Gabriel's Woman. I loved that one too.

Gerri Russell - The Warrior Trainer

Publication - Jan. 2007
Leisure Historical Romance
Medieval Scotland
Browsing new releases last month, I discovered Gerri Russell's newest release Warrior's Lady. It sounded really good and the reviews were wonderful. I ordered her two previous books The Warrior Trainer and Warrior's Bride, so I could read them in order.

Gerri Russell won the American Title Contest for The Warrior Trainer. and it was most deserving of it.

~BLURB~
Scotia’s duty is to protect the Stone of Destiny--the key to Scotland’s salvation, and the reason she and the women who guarded the Stone before her had become the best warriors in the world. Yet those women had never met a man like Ian MacKinnon. He’s journeyed to her castle to learn her legendary skills so he can exact vengeance against the English. His viciousness on the battlefield stands in stark contrast to his tenderness in the bedroom. But he will soon move on, leaving Scotia to face a conflict for which she has no training: her duty to the Stone versus her desire to follow her heart.

Not only is Scotia's duty to protect the Stone, but she also must produce an heir to continue the line of Warrior Women. A task she is not too keen on.

Once Ian MacKinnon seeks Scotia for training, in order to best the legendary Four Horsemen, he is quickly put in his place with her extraordinary fighting skills. After a simple dance, Scotia feels as if Ian could rip down the walls around her hardened heart, making her feel joy and happiness. Emotions she should not experience due to her duties. Yet no matter how hard she fights it, an undeniable attraction forms between them.

"Who am I to battle next? Or will I be subject to more of your abuse instead?" he teased.

"The abuse would be against me, I fear...you and your barbaric thrusts."

The Look in his eyes shifted from playful to something more intense. "I can be gentle when needed, Scotia. I promise you that."

The intensity of his gaze mixed with the subtlety of his words brought a slight tremble to her hands. She fumbled for the hilt of her sword, not intending to use it, merely needing the security of the smooth cold metal beneath her palms. Her sword steadied her. "We are done here."

"With which battle, Scotia? he asked, his brow rising in question. "The one with swords, or the one with words? pg. 54

Ian may lose against Scotia when it comes to the sword battle training, but with the battle of words, Ian clearly leaves Scotia stumbling, unsure and afraid of the way his words make her feel, loosening the ties around her femininity. Soon she will have no choice but to concede defeat. His clever tongue, innocently sensual touches, and the heated looks he gives her, leaves her with no other option but to follow the wants and needs of her body...as well as her heart.

His fingers unbuckled her gauntlet, then let it fall to the ground. Calloused flesh covered her palms and scars of abuse lined the back of her hand from all her years of training. THey were the hands of a warrior, proving she was no real Queen of the May. She tensed at the thought. "So strong, yet so feminine," Ian said with with a touch of awe, as if not seeing what was truly there. pg. 60

But the threat of the Four Horsemen loom between them, men who want only to claim the elusive Stone of Destiny for the English crown. They will do anything within their power to find it...killing and terrorizing the land of Scotland. Both Scotia and Ian must continually remind themselves of their duties. Ian must remain focused on his training to defeat the Horsemen. And Scotia must not forget that there is no room within her to be a woman--only the warrior she was trained to be.

I only had one beef with the story line. Her mother, the warrior trainer who trained her, died when Scotia was only 13. My concern is, how much could she possibly have learned from her mother to make her a great warrior, besting well seasoned and experienced warriors, if for the last 12 years she trained alone? Would she gain any more experience than any other? Or maybe it was the Stone of Destiny! The magic of the Stone allowed her to become the the great Warrior she is. Anything is possible when there's magic :).

Even with that concern I still think Gerri Russell is a beautiful storyteller. This is one of those books I am so glad I stumbled across. It's rich with Scottish lore, something different than I've read before. The events she placed before her characters and how they handled them were exceptionally well written. The slow build up of their relationship could not have progressed faster. Any other way and it would have been rushed, leaving out the intense emotions when all finally comes together and they accept that fate has meant for them to be together. And together they can have the happiness and love neither of them felt before in their lives. The Warrior Trainer is a wonderful story with it's heavy emphasis on Duty and Honor, love and trust no longer being a weakness but something powerful, enhancing the duty and honor Scotia and Ian have lived their lives by.

This book is a 4.75 out of 5 for me. I very much enjoyed it and am glad I don't have to wait for the next two books, since I have them already on my bookshelf!

Judith James - Broken Wing

Broken Wing is not a mere romance, but a grand story of love, acceptance and forgiveness, which spans over five years.

This wonderfully poignant story both warmed and ripped at my heart. I was left breathless and bleary-eyed several times throughout the budding friendship/romance between Gabriel and Sarah. My heart ached for Gabriel due to the horrid, unspeakable acts dealt him during his years as a whore in France, before being rescued by Sarah and her brother for keeping their young brother, James, safe.

The innocent air between them was so remarkably written, I could do nothing but fall helplessly into their world and believe with my whole heart of their true and honest love for one another.

The strong characterization of Gabriel packed a powerful punch to the gut. Watching him grow over the year, his emotions and feelings toward both himself and his Sarah, was beautiful and raw. The respect and kindness, regardless of his past, given to him by Sarah and her older brother, Ross, allowed for that inner-growth and his self-worth.

Broken Wing is a beautiful love story, centered around Gabriel and the peace he finds within the relationship formed with Sarah. He flourishes due to her compassionate and understanding nature. Yet, he finds himself, a year later, setting out for a grand adventure at sea, to build a fortune so that he may support his Lady Sarah properly. It's also very critical for him as a man who has never been allowed to make decisions or explore opportunities of his own choosing. Little does he know of the dire circumstances that await him. During the four years of his ill-fated adventure, Judith James built tension, creating a deep longing to see Gabriel find his way back to his Sarah. And what sweet bliss it was. (have tissue handy)

I hope Ms. James gets all the recognition due her for writing one of the best romance books of 2008 I have read, and quite possible one of the best love stories I've ever read.

I loved this book and it will sit proudly amongst my shelves.

Here are a few scenes that I thought were extremely memorable and loaded with emotion. Of course, it's only a snippet, so I doubt it will have the same effect than if you read up to these points.

They turned to look at each other, still holding hands, grinning in awe and excitement. It was the most beautiful moment of his life. It was something that he'd never done, never even imagined possible, sitting under the stars with a young lady, hand in hand. It was something that lovers, sweethearts, people who cared for each other did...He gave her hand a soft squeeze, and she turned, smiling, and gently squeezed him back. Page 81

That was their first truly real encounter, sparking Gabriel's need to return to her night after night, finding solace from the nightmares that haunt his sleep. It's quite a significant scene.

Now here he was, lying comfortably in the bed of a lovely woman, holding hands like lovers, talking and chatting like old friends, and falling asleep together like a happy and contented old couple.

It's scenes like that one that allowed me to fall into the wonder of the relationship being built.

"I am fluent when it comes to sex, my dear, believe me." Looking away he continued, "But kissing, well, it's something that lovers do, sweethearts, husbands and wives, not whores and their clients. It's far too intimate and personal...You are, in fact, mignonne, the only woman I have ever kissed. I trust it was memorable at least. My apologies, mademoiselle," he sketched a mocking bow, "for botching the job.

Sarah's reaction to that was wonderfully done. The scene was so full of warmth and love, an encounter that didn't demand from him for her own pleasure, all simply for him.

About the cover...until reading, I didn't realize the significance of his arms. Amazing that a cover can hold so much emotion.

I hope any who read this has either read, bought, or plan on buying Broken Wing. It truly is a fabulous love story between two superbly written characters.

Visit Judith James's Website here.