Highland Heat by Mary Wine (Terra's Review)

In 2010's Highland Hellcat, Deirdre Chattan took a lover, who used her and cast her aside. This dramatic and vivid sequel, set in 1439, opens with Deirdre in a convent, atoning for her sin. When Joan Beaufort, widow of King James I, seeks sanctuary in the convent, Deirdre disguises herself as the queen and sets out to draw away her pursuers. Quinton Cameron, earl of Liddell and a friend of Deirdre's father, captures her, discovers the subterfuge, and decides to keep her in custody so he can seduce her. Determined never to trust a man or her own passionate nature, Deirdre tries to resist her attraction to gruff yet gentle Quinton. Scorching love scenes threaten to set the sheets aflame as Deirdre's sparring with Quinton creates the perfect romantic tension for their lusty affair.

(Terra's Thoughts) This story was richly delicious and one that I could read again and again. Our characters are perfectly pitted for each other and the heat they throw off is volcanic in proportions. Is it no wonder that Highlander's are a tough breed!

Deidre Chattan is headstrong, willful, quick to temper and distrustful. Having been betrayed once leaving a stain of shame on her family she is off the the nunnery in no time at all. Just her luck the Scottish Queen shows up as she is in flight from the men who mean to rule her or keep her prisoner until her son reaches the proper age where he can take over as the King of Scotland. Deidre and the Queen share very similar looks so it off to an adventure that Deidre will go and get caught up in a political web that may just cost her her life if she's not careful.

Quinton Cameron is laird of his clan and a handsome devil of a Highlander to boot. He is fair, honest and headstrong. If he sees something he wants then it's his place to make sure he acquires it at almost any cost. The safety of his clan is the only thing that will get in his way. He's a man with passion and an unquenchable lusty thirst especially for a pretty face.

Our two characters come together as Deidre strides along on her adventure. Everyone thinks that she is the Queen and thus this becomes the ball and chain around her neck especially when caught by Quinton's men.

The author leads us a merry chase in this story along with some sizzling sex that will leave you itching for more. It's a well balanced story with wonderful characters and an ending that I found to be utterly perfect. You really don't find out who the bad guy is til just about the end and it's short and sweet. The story left me satisfied and not wondering if it was finished and it didn't drag the climax half way through the book. This is a new author for me and I will most certainly be looking into more of her work.

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402237391
ISBN-13: 978-1402237393

I am The Chosen King by Helen Hollick (Terra's Review)

England, 1044. Harold Godwineson, a young, respected Earl, falls in love with an ordinary but beautiful woman. He marries Edyth despite her lack of pedigree, pitting him against his turbulent family and his selfish King, Edward. In France, William, the bastard son of a duke, falls in love with power. Brutal and dangerously smart, William sets his sights on England, finding ambition a difficult lust to conquer.

In 1066, with the old King Edward dying, England falls vulnerable to the winds of fate-and the stubborn will of these two powerful men. In this beautifully crafted tale, Helen Hollick sets aside the propaganda of the Norman Conquest and brings to life the English version of the story of the last Saxon King, revealing his tender love, determination, and proud loyalty, all shattered by the unforgiving needs of a Kingdom. Forced to give up his wife and risk his life for England, the chosen King led his army into the great Battle of Hastings in October 1066 with all the honor and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes.

(Terra's Thoughts) As I am writing this I must admit that I have not finished the book as of yet. This is not because I don't care for it because I do. This is a book of meaty substance that cannot and should not be rushed. A book to be savored for the incredibly artistic literary work that it is. A book that no matter if you have read it once or ten times, you will always find something you might have missed and enjoy each and every moment and word within.

Harold Godwineson is such a richly portreyed character that you can't help but love him right from page one. Second son of Earl Godwineson, Earl of Wessex, Harold has found favor with the King of England. Given a duchey of his own he works hard and learns quickly all that will be important to him if he is to succeed and stay in favor. We all know that nothing is perfect and there are many bumps in the long road of life but Harold takes each bump in stride and comes out that much stronger for it.

Helen Hollick has done a supberb job with the cast of characters that filter through this story. You can't help but love some while love hating others. The story is rife with uncountable emotions, vivid descriptions to actually make you want to reach out and touch someone. Smells and sights that color the painters palete in your mind with a richness that is as rare as the Hope Diamond. You will cry, laugh, find yourself cursing as you slowly and delicately devour page after page.

This book is an extension of Helen's book called "The Forever Queen" and should be read as such so that you won't get lost with some of the back referencing. I can't wait to finish this book but will do so with patience and reverence so I can enjoy it for the wonderful work that it is.

Paperback: 592 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140224066X
ISBN-13: 978-1402240669

staying at daisy's by Jill Mansell (Terra's Review)

Daisy MacLean is the manager of Colworth Manor, a beautiful county hotel. In the year since her cheating husband was killed in a car accident, she's been purposefully single. She doesn't trust handsome and charming men, so former rugby star Dev Tyzack clearly doesn't stand a chance with her, and the two initially grate on each other—but they can't deny their increasing attraction. Unfortunately, Daisy's past is getting in the way of her future, in more ways than one. With a madcap crew of characters, including unlucky-in-love chambermaid Tara and Daisy's gregarious father, this screwball romantic comedy piles on the humor and humanity for a clever, absorbing, and very enjoyable read.

(Terra's Thoughts) Let me just say that if you need a good chuckle then this is the author for you. Jill Mansell delivers a comic parody of what life is like in the wacky world of soap opera chicklit. It is so nice to have a break from heavier reading with adorable fiction like this.

Daisy is just so full of bad luck that she wonders what it would be like just to be normal. She's married to the man she loves. Whoops......hold that thought for a minute as we see that there has been an accident with dear hubby and OMG, who's that with him? Eek!

Well, life does go on and other characters more quirky come into play to make this such a delightful treat.

You have Daisy's bestest friend Tara who just can't help being in love with a married man. Tara's aunt is giving favors to a man who wants a discreet liaison and almost gets caught numerous times by Tara. Whew.......these are really close calls.

Next is a man that shows up in Daisy's life to thank her for giving him a rare gift that saves his life. Well it doesn't take him long to find love at first sight with a young lady he chances upon as she's trying to get her baby and its carriage out of a doorway. Little does he know that this young woman and child have a tie to Daisy that will really shock the pants off of her.

We have a man from Daisy's past that shows up just in time to save her from making a fool of herself with a handsome rake who could charm grandma out of her false teeth with a dazzling grin.

Oh and this dazzling rake, I'd love to get a go at him. He doesn't give up easy and I think there is love in the air. LOL!

I think you get the picture now so I won't say much more than our author has keep pace with her other books in giving us such great quality writing that I know I can't wait for her next book and I just finished this one. Ugg, too long to wait!!!

Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Reprint edition (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402243847
ISBN-13: 978-1402243844

It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare (Terra's Review)

Blaire Lindsay has been warned that her ancestral home is haunted. But it will take more than tales of fictional ghosts to frighten Blaire, a battle-born witch with supernatural strength and the ability to make sparks fly from her fingertips. Hearing spectral wails, she decides to search for their source, and is surprised to find a handsome English baron chained to the dungeon wall. As soon as Blaire frees James, Lord Kettering, from his bonds, she quickly finds herself in the arms of the vampyre lord, whose perfect manners are more dangerous than anything Blaire has ever faced... Soon her family's castle is overrun with vengeful vampyres from James' past, which threaten both of their futures. Blaire and James join together in the fight of their lives to save everything they hold dear from the forces of evil...

(Terra's Thoughts) This book was most certainly cute and I did enjoy the extension of the witches that we have come to love in the were wolf series but I must say that I think I liked the were's better. What can I say, I prefer a warm fuzzy body to a stone cold one. LOL!

Blair Lindsay is most certainly a colorful character. Strong willed with a mind of her own she can give any male a run for the money. Easy on the eyes is probably one of the only things about Blair that is easy to deal with. Not that she's a harpy or anything but she sure knows how to make herself seen and heard if not felt. Hmm.........a witch with a bit of a temper can be a dangerous thing especially if a certain creature of the male persuasion thinks he can pull the wool over her eyes.

Blair follows her brother to a castle deep in the Highlands of Scotland only to find out that this was where her mother had grown up and by rights this is her ancestral seat. Blair can't understand why her mother never confided the were abouts of this place before her death considering it's importance. It doesn't take long before a reason presents itself but it does take some time for the small Linday clan to realize that maybe their mother was trying to keep them safe in death as she did in life.

The story brings about the beginning of the vampires to involve themselves in the lives of the witches whereas we've only dealt with the werewolves of England to this point. I found it interesting and comical and not lacking a dangerous element that starts out as a smolder but quickly ignites into flames as more characters are introduced to the story.

I do enjoy the talents of the writing team of Lydia Dare and can't wait to see what comes next from two very talented writers.

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402245076
ISBN-13: 978-1402245077

To Defy A King by Elizabeth Chadwick (Terra's Review)

The adored and spirited daughter of England's greatest knight, Mahelt Marshal lives a privileged life. But when her beloved father falls foul of the volatile and dangerous King John, her world is shattered. The king takes her brothers hostage and Mahelt's planned marriage to Hugh Bigod, son of the Earl of Norfolk, takes place sooner than she expected. Mahelt and Hugh come to care for each other deeply, but Hugh's strict father clashes with the rebellious Mahelt. When more harsh demands from King John threaten to tear the couple's lives apart, Mahelt finds herself facing her worst fears alone, not knowing if she-or her marriage-will survive.

(Terra's Thoughts) Elizabeth Chadwick has done it again with another outstanding piece of literature that will be a must have keeper for anyone who loves the artful writing of a true historical novelist.

This book is an extension of the William Marshall fame but that of his eldest daughter who was the apple of his eye and the seed that didn't fall far from the tree so to speak. A dutiful daughter who is not only beautiful, elegant and refined but also spirited and headstrong.

Mahelt Marshall is a rare character for the time.  Bethrowed at a young age to Hugh Bigod, married a few years later and sent to her marriage family for protection when her own blood family must seek refuge in Ireland as they haven fallen out of favor with King John.  Mahelt has been taught well her role in life and knows that this is as it must be as life is ever so unpredictable.

Hugh Bigod is his father's son. A man of honor who stands up for his beliefs steadfastly. He knows his place as heir and tries his hardest to make things go smooth when his new wife joins the family. Will he be able to bridle Mahelt is the magic question. Will he make the right decisions when chaos evolves from a whisper to full outright danger. The story will show Hugh's growth and where his true dedication stands as it evolves.

This is a vivid action packed story of trust, family, honor, evil, unforeseen dangers as well as those in open sight and so much more that it will have you on the end of your seat throughout the book. I lived the action scenes, smelled the scents of the country life, felt the stares of those in court jealous of this family's station in life. It is all so real that you can't help but use all of your senses to try and melt into the pages of the story.

It really is astounding how a good author can bring to life so vividly words on a page to seem as if they are actual clips of a time so long ago and insert them into the here and now. Elizabeth Chadwick has this particular rare talent. An author I will endear for quite some time to come.

Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402250894
ISBN-13: 978-1402250897