Monday, March 24, 2014

Medieval Romances to take your breath away - Book Spotlights


The Lily and the Falcon
Jannine Corti Petska

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Bianca degli Albizzi is outraged when sworn enemy Cristiano de'Medici asks for her hand in marriage. With her father's blessing, she weds the handsome warrior to end the war between Florence's two powerful families. But headstrong Bianca vows to teach her husband that loyalty cannot be bought...not even by seduction.

Cristiano, a well-known warrior with the wealth of a king, could have any woman he desires. But for the sake of peace he ends up with a defiant bride who awakens his deepest passion. Her vengeful scheming puts them both in peril, but is he prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the woman who has stolen his heart?


Excerpt:

“May I see your hand?” When he hesitated, she took it anyway and turned it palm up.

“What fetish is this?” he demanded, uncertain of the puzzling grooves that suddenly invaded her features.

“I am reading your lines.” He tried to take his hand away, but she held fast. “You are mischievous by nature, a knave and a thief.”

“I am not a thief,” he objected.

She gave him a coy look. “Mayhap not of property or belongings, but of hearts, I propose.”

He scowled. “Are we back to my lovers again?”

“No, my sensitive lord.” She brushed the underside of his fingers, causing a shiver to race recklessly up and down his spine. “Your long fingers and broad palm reveal much of your character.”

“Explain this witchery,” he commanded, taking back his hand.

“Reading the palm is a science,” she told him with a slight frown. “Many Florentines seek the advice of seers and palm readers, though none would readily admit to it. Know this, my lord. Were I a witch, I would cast a spell on you.”

Then witch she was. What other explanation had he for his obsession with Bianca degli Albizzi?

Cherish the Knight
Diane O'Key

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 Ambushed as he approaches an English estate, Lord Cort Dornogard trusts no one...least of all spirited Gaelic healer Alexis Fallon, who fascinates even as she defies him.
The magnificent Norse warrior is a threat to both Alexis’ heart and her cherished autonomy, for she harbors a secret about the ambush she cannot reveal. Honesty will cost her her freedom. But silence may cost her far more.
Cort harbors a damning secret of his own—one guaranteed to foment rebellion among his new subjects. The escalating attacks and accidents confirm that fear. His foes, both English and Norman, will exploit what he hides to destroy him, his dreams, and the woman he’s grown to love.
Snared in a web of castle intrigue, passion, and betrayal, Cort and Lexi are each far more than either suspects. Will they discover too late that truth is a two-edged sword?

Excerpt:

Lexi cast him a perplexed look. “Did you want something?”

My poor, provocative innocent, you have no idea.

“Come here,” Cort growled, forgetting for the moment all else but this woman.

She glided toward him, though her eyes reflected bewilderment at his tone. “Have I done someth—”

“No, but I hope you will.” Cort swept her close, uncaring that she could not help but be aware of his arousal.

Lexi gazed up at him, golden eyes startled. Then, a slow smile curved her full lower lip. “And what do you hope that I will do?”

“This.” He took her mouth in a blatantly sexual kiss. Hungry, hot, his lips flowed over Lexi’s, demanding a response. No need to demand. She yielded with exquisite sweetness, melding her generous mouth to his.

Her slender hands feathered up his neck, thrust into his hair, stripping away the leather thong that confined it. Loose strands drifted free and held at the edges of their heated mouths.

Did she sense, he wondered, all that he offered, all that he was? Power. Control. Tenderness. Danger.


A Knight's Kiss
Hanna Rhys-Barnes

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His mission could destroy his family...

In service to King Henry II, SIR JAMES DE BARNARD must discover if his mother's new husband is a traitor, but when Jamie rescues a beautiful woman en route, she holds secrets that will change his life forever and could circumvent his mission if he isn't careful. With that thought in mind, he must decide if loving Sela is worth losing his knighthood.

A dangerous plot...

SELA DE CRECY's loyalty belongs to Lady Amye, the woman who rescued her from a brothel. Yet, she finds herself falling in love with Jamie, the lady's son--a sensual and handsome knight who rescues her from danger. When she finds herself embroiled in intrigue and the stakes are life and death, she wonders if she and Jamie will find the traitor before he finds them.

Excerpt:

The sound of the wind swirled around the merlon, but she could not feel it. His warm body pressed against her, shielding her from the cold. Though the touch of his lips was gentle, he kissed her like a man savoring a feast. Tasting first her lips, then the line along her jaw, and the skin at the curve of her neck. She shivered as his breath tickled the sensitive place behind her ear.

"You are cold, my sweet." He took her hand and started toward the stairs. "Come, let us--"

"No!" Sela yanked her hand from his and backed away. "I cannot, Jamie." She had not called him Jamie since that day on the rooftop. Since the day she had dammed away her love for him.

"Why, Sela? We used to share something special. Do you no longer like me?"

No. She did not like him--she loved him. Tears breached the rims of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. No longer able to stand the pain, she sobbed, pushed past him, and ran down the stairs.

Jamie looked down the dark staircase until he could no longer hear her footsteps.

She was crying. The tears on her cheeks sparkled in the moonlight, and her sobs still rang in his ears.

He cursed and pounded his fist against the stone wall. She must despise him now. Yet, he had felt the passion in their kiss.

What stood between them? His thoughts turned back to the past that no one would speak of. He had to find out what had happened to her. He would not need to worry about convincing his mother or the King if he could not break through her wall and claim her as his own.


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2 comments:

Leah Weller (leahluvsmedieval) said...

OOOOooooooo, they all sound good! :)

Leah Weller (leahluvsmedieval) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.