EXCERPT:
Hunter’s heart stopped, his gaze poised on the young lady
who stood next to The Laird. Beside Hunter his trusted friend choked then
whistled softly.
"This cannot be the girl," Hunter said, his voice
rasping, anger and disbelief sweeping through him. His features heated as he
strove to stamp down the rising tide of emotion. In the short time he’d been at
the castle, he’d followed her, dodged her footsteps, but he’d never been close
enough to her to clearly see her features. He studied her hard then grinned.
"What did I tell you?" Blade asked, the question
knifing through Hunter.
Hunter paused mid-stride then inhaled a deep, ragged breath
before wondering what his next move in this game should be. Then he knew. "I
don’t care what she pretends to be or what charades she tries to dance before
my eyes," he told Blade. No, he had come to McClellan lands with one
purpose, and he meant to continue in the same manner. He understood his motives
and what he wanted. The homely appearance of his bride-to-be could never change
the course of events he’d set in motion. He could see clearly through her ploy.
"Hells bells, I’m glad I don’t have to crawl into bed
with her every night." Blade slapped Hunter on the back. "At least
she has all her teeth." His low, deep chuckle unnerved Hunter, but he
resigned himself to this fate and the length she was willing to go to in order
to forgo a marriage to him. The winnings sure to come his way were worth
whatever game she meant to play.
The coveted prize he sought was not the lady, he reminded
himself. Once again he watched her and began an ardent perusal of Lady
McClellan.
Allura McClellan, the woman he sought to marry, stood before
her father with her hands clasped white knuckled in front of her and chin
tilted slightly sideways. Her lips were pursed and her eyes so squinty he could
not discern the color. With her hair raked tightly back from her face and
formed into stiff coils, Hunter wondered if she could even think. He paused
then stared at Blade.
Hunter wanted to say something courtly. Unable to think of
anything flattering to say, he grimaced instead, telling himself he should be
able to say something that would not sound absolutely stupid in this strange
circumstance.
"I hope the power and the land are enough." Blade
spoke to Hunter before Hunter turned and strode forward, his hand outstretched
to greet the laird. He ignored Allura for a moment, and then he turned and
bowed, his smile mocking.
Hunter wondered who he was mocking, Allura or himself.
Allura turned to him, her pose regal despite her pinched
features. She glared at Hunter and said stiffly, "I am Allura McClellan."
She paused before she walked forward to stand only a few feet in front of him. Her
chin rose another notch as she spoke. "Just who do you think you are?"
"Bloody eyes," Blade whispered, his smug smile
disappearing. “She’s as rude as she is perverse.”
Quick wits kept Hunter’s mouth from falling open in
astonishment. Not only had her appearance surprised him, but her hostile and
belligerent manner caught him off guard. He stared at her stupefied. This unfashionable,
tall and scrawny creature in a deplorable and ill-fitting gown squinting so
fiercely at him was Allura McClellan of the McClellan castle. But it was her
attitude that caused his polite smile to fade from his lips and his dark green
eyes to harden with speculation.
REVIEW:
ALLURA
CHRISTINE YOUNG
ISBN # 978-1-58749-722-3
April 10, 2009
Rogue Phoenix Press
Ebook , Kindle, Nook
$4.99 US
239 Pages
Historical/Regency Romance
Rating: 4 Cups
Allura McClellan's father wants to see his daughters married
before he passes on and has decided to run a contest to see who can reveal
Allura's secret and, if correct, the prize is her hand in marriage as well as
her land and titles. She fights her father every step of the way, clinging to
the reasoning that she does not want to submit to a man and give up who she is
because she takes pride in all she has learned and who she has become without a
husband.
All Hunter Gray's life, he has been treated horribly for
being an English earl's bastard son and as an adult, fought for his country and
became a mighty warrior. Now, he sees a chance to get everything he feels he
deserves, money and land, and all he has to do is seduce Allura into marrying
him.
Even though a crackling fire rears itself every time Hunter
and Allura are together, they truly try to fight the attraction, but for
different reasons. As time goes by, feelings start to change and as they are in
danger of losing themselves and more, can Allura and Hunter both get what they
want?
I really enjoyed this book by Christine Young. It has
mystery, humor and, whew, steamy love scenes! An awesome group of characters
make this read very entertaining, from the tough as nails Allura to her
meddlesome younger sister, Aiden. There is never a dull moment throughout this
book and you will surely not be disappointed. I can only hope that some of my
favorites get a story of their own. Well done Ms. Young.
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
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