Eddington, Scotland 1815
"You can’t plan to wed me to
that--that man down there!" Allura McClellan’s heart thundered and lodged
in her throat. Balled into fists her hands trembled. "You promised I could
marry for love. I thought when the last man failed to discover this imaginary
secret you think I have, you would stop this craziness. I thought you would
take the ad out of the Times and the other papers."
From the boxing ring below, fist met
flesh, the sound echoing throughout. Hunter Gray whirled and ducked. He guarded
his face to block the stinging blows his opponent rained down upon him. He spun
and ducked again. The man he fought countered the attack, but he did not move
fast enough. Hunter’s next jab was so fast and so hard the other man didn’t
block the punch. The man staggered backwards, blood running from his eye. Men
yelled and cheered for the two combatants. Hunter paused and spoke to the man
he practiced with before the match continued once more.
Allura saw her life as she had planned it
slip away as if it was grains of sand in an hour glass. She stopped pacing and
watched the men below. She turned on her father. "The ad in the
Times--giving me away to any man--you have gone too far. A marriage of
convenience is barbaric. You promised." For a moment, she closed her eyes.
She did not want to acknowledge anything that went on here. It was not her
fault she could not find a man she loved. What horrific bit of bad luck had
found her?
The laird cleared his throat.
"Perhaps I have not gone far enough or soon enough. And the ad did not
promise you to just any man. He must be strong enough and smart enough to win
your hand."
It was not Allura’s nature to allow
others to rule her fate. “These men,” she waved her hand in the air,
frustration sweeping recklessly within. "They don’t want me. They come for
one reason only. They are greedy and hungry for power. You have taught me
everything I need to know. I can run your estate and all of your holdings. I’ve
studied endless hours. I know the men who work for you. I swear I’ll defy your
wishes. At the altar I will say no."
The McClellan’s grin faded as quickly as
it had appeared and without further thought, he said, "Perhaps not, you
are beautiful lass--one with rare promise. And," he stroked his chin,
"no matter how much book learning a woman has she cannot dictate her own
life. It is up to the men in her life to make sure she is happy and provided
for."
A strained silence followed. She sagged against the stone wall. As if sensing her vulnerable position, she
stiffened. Outraged and furious she looked upon her father. "They are
money grubbers and want your land--our land. They have no right to any of your
estate."
The McClellan held back for a moment,
seemingly aware there was more than just a little truth in what Allura said.
"How indeed?" he questioned her. Yet his smile was tight, forced.
"I grow old. I only want this land secured and my daughters happy before I
die. You are twenty-two. I have given you ample opportunity to fall in love. I
thought it time to bring new blood to this land, a new man. I thought perhaps
one would take your fancy."
"That man," she began. Her hand
shook when she pointed at the man who danced and whirled avoiding each blow as
if he dallied in child's play. She trembled so violently she could not speak.
“Is an Englishman.”
REVIEW:
    |
ALLURA
CHRISTINE YOUNG
ISBN # 978-1-58749-722-3
April 10, 2009
Rogue Phoenix Press
Ebook
$4.99 US
239 Pages
Historical 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
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.
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…
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