Desire by Nicole Jordan

Synopsis: Lucian, Earl of Wycliff is determined to marry and when he spots the siren emerge from the waves he knew he must have her. By coincidence she is the sister of the man he came to Cornwall to investigate for dealings with treason. He coerced her into marriage by promising to provide for her youngest brother. She is concerned about her ancestral curse which dictates that men would desire her but any she cared for would die. He did not believe in curses but concedes that theirs would be a marriage of convenience and after she begets his heir she is free to live her life.

Brynn was attracted to Lucian which rang alarm bells in itself but when her overbearing husband becomes more solicitous it is difficult to hold herself away from him. For his own safety she must continue being stern with him, it is only between the sheets that she cannot help but melt. She knows he is a spymaster but never suspected he had his eyes on her brother, even worse that her brother was truly involved in treason.

Rating: 3/5

Comments: It was good…only reason not a 4 cause it was a bit drawn out with evidence of her curse. Nice parts throughout the book like the one where he left her on his wedding night and she had to face her debut in society practically alone…the part where she lied to him and he caught her in the lie…when he found out he was going to be a daddy and he froze…the ending was the best part. The shared dreams thing was really cool, especially the last one in the end. Concerning my weakness for spy books, he didn’t do any actual spying unless you count keeping a calm face when he knew she was lying so it doesn’t count.

Loved by a Warrior by Donna Fletcher

Synopsis: Reeve MacAlpin was returning from a mission for the ‘true king’ of Scotland when he encountered a lady in distress. She offers payment to him not only for saving her but for the home he promises her at his village. He only accepted the money because it would aid his cause for the king. He felt a great bond with her even though they just met and cannot keep away despite her warnings that she is a ‘death bride’ and is a danger to all men.

Tara had been on her way to marry her parent’s choice in husband when her entourage was set upon. She had already decided she wasn’t going through with the wedding but the fracas was the perfect excuse for her to escape her father’s plans. As no one in her new home knew of her past transgressions she began to make friends within the community and especially among Reeve’s family. Her position was too exalted for her family or her expected husband to forget her though and it is only through marriage to Reeve that she is safe. Unfortunately she cared too much about him to let him sacrifice himself to her curse.

Rating: 3/5

Comments: Part of a series. Original content to date. Her intended was surprising and very relevant to Reeve’s cause. Her father was a true boor and wasn’t Reeve wonderful to stand up to him. Funny how Reeve’s mother didn’t know how to cook and Tara had to teach her. Poor Tara was so isolated before Reeve and she still felt her burden of a curse every day, interpreting danger as her fault.