But Christel pushed away from him and pointing, "There, do
you see her. She is sitting on the wall."
Ryder strained to see the apparition Christel pointed toward but
he saw nothing. "No, but I think I hear her."
"Yes, she is crying, not weeping as usual. Do you know
anything about her story?" Christel turned to him, hope shining in her
soft blue eyes.
"I've heard her lover died. But that was a long time
ago."
"How?"
Ryder pulled her back into his embrace, not ever wanting her to
leave. He would hold fast to her for as long as she would allow him. "At
war... I don't recall which one. The clans seem to have always been at war with
someone, especially the English."
He felt the nod of her head against his chest. "Does anyone
know the legend? I would seek them out."
Her breathing was slow and she seemed relaxed. But Ryder feared
for her. If she started asking questions, would this ghost come to harm her? He
didn't know anything about apparitions. But he also knew he would have to give
her a chance to discover the truth. "Only if you let me go with you. I
would be honored. There is a woman, older than time. She wanders the castle
grounds. Most see her in the late evening and early morning."
"Old as time, no older?"
A shimmering silver light hung over the castle and floated above
the turrets. Ryder pointed toward the light. "Is that her?"
"She's a bit reclusive." Christel turned in Ryder's
arms. "Yes, that's her."
"One might say that about her." His hands rested at the
small of Christel's back. He wanted to kiss her but didn't want to frighten her
again. Maybe a lazy gentle kiss would be accepted. The thought made him grin.
He traced her neck with the tip of his finger, hoping she would
find his attentions acceptable then bent close to her. "I want to kiss
you. Will you let me?" She shivered in his arms but turned her face up to
him.
"Yes." She breathed softly. Her words gentle yet
hesitant.
Her reticence bothered him. What had happened in her past? His
thoughts shot to Lord Rathen and her hasty departure from London. Every part of
him tightened with disgust. He would discover the truth and make the despicable
rake pay for any injustice committed against Christel.
Watching her eyes for signs of fear, Ryder lowered his mouth to
hers. He touched her gently, molded his lips against her, thrilled to hear the
sigh of pleasure emanate from her. He ran one hand up her back, pulling her
closer, reveling in the feel of her softness against his hard planes. Her
breasts pushed against him. The need to feel every inch of her pulsed through
him but he didn't dare.
He moved back and once again looking into her eyes. She lowered
her lashes then returned his gaze.
"Don't think, little one, just feel and know that I would
never hurt you. I want more but I won't rush you."
She touched his cheek with one slender fingertip. "Kiss me
again."
REVIEW:
Highland Sunrise by Christine Young
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (174 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dandelion
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (174 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dandelion
I loved the rapport between the two
main characters. Although at times they both struggled to find the right words
to explain their feelings for each other, somehow they managed. They both loved
the other and so over time it became easier. Both were also very independent
and that caused a little friction between them. However, Ryder would typically
just shake his head and go with the flow. There were a huge number of sex
scenes, and I think this story would have stood alone quite well without so
many (there were times they did nothing to forward the plot, but seemed added
just to have a sex scene), but they didn’t detract from the plot either.
There were so many other fascinating
and fun characters in the story: her sister, her cousins, their husbands, her
aunt, the Duchess. Reading about all the things they attempted and succeeded in
doing was really fun. They were not the typical regency “tonnish” people of the
days. This made this story much more fun.
And of course, although there was a
lot of fighting, terror, murder and mayhem, the story has a very satisfying
ending.
A REGAL BEAUTY
When the duchess decides to
wed her to a wastrel and a fop, Ravyn Grahm takes matters into her own hands
and declares her engagement to another man. Instead of fessing up and telling
her great aunt what she has done, she goes through with the pretense. Aric
Lakeland is the bastard son of an earl and has a dangerous reputation. But
Ravyn is willing to do most anything to keep the duchess from discovering the
lie.
A DEVIL-MAY-CARE SMUGGLER
He'd bought land in America,
looking to put down roots and end his life of adventure, but Aric Lakeland got
more than he bargained for when he encountered a beautiful heiress who made a
promise she didn't want to keep. But the promise could not be undone and
standing between them were more obstacles than either ever dreamed. Aric had
made plans to spend the rest of his life in America and that was at odds with
Ravyn's plan of living in England and running her father's estate. Now, he'll
have to choose between his dreams and the woman he loves more than life.
BLURB:
Amorica Hepburn was sent to London to find a husband. However, finding
a man was the last item on her agenda. With her two cousins, Amorica wagers she
can dissuade her suitor before the others. Despite her efforts she discovers a
chemistry that cannot be denied. Suddenly she is the arrogant man's wife,
pledged to a marriage neither desire. But swept off to his ancestral home above
the Dover cliffs and into his strong embrace, Amorica is soon possessed by a
raging passion for the husband she had vowed to despise…
Damian Andrews couldn't afford to trust the emerald-eyed spitfire who
happened upon his secret. Amorica's hatred of all men of his kind only inflames
the war that rages between them. Still, he can not control the intense desire
his stubborn bride inspires, or make her surrender to his will until he has
conquered the headstrong beauty on the battlefield of love…
No comments:
Post a Comment