LORD OF DESIRE

Author: Paula Quinn ISBN: 0446615943 8/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: WARNER FOREVER
Time Period: Medieval - 1064

He is every woman's fantasy... Darkly handsome and sensual, Lord Brand Risande--known as "The Passionate"--is temptation incarnate. But his prowess on the battlefield and in the bedchamber hides a bitter secret: the betrayal that has sealed his heart. Now as this most feared warrior rides out to possess the lands he has won in war, he engages his most formidable enemy ever. And one woman's destiny... Lady Brynnafar Dumont is prepared to do anything to protect her people--even seduce the savage Norman knight who defeated her father. Prepared to face down a cold-blooded beast, she instead confronts a wickedly attractive scoundrel who wants nothing to do with her. It's enough to sting a lady's pride...and strengthen her resolve. Innocent as she is, now she must use all her charms to defeat Lord Brand in the only battle worth fighting--the one for his love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Paula Quinn has done a masterful job of recreating historical time and setting in this romance which begins two years before the Battle of Hastings. Highlighting the political mechanizations of the time and the growing distrust between the Normans and Celts, LORD OF DESIRE captures the heart and soul of this turbulent period in medieval history.

The story begins with a bit of voyeurism, as Lady Brynnafar Dumont stumbles upon a "merman" playfully swimming in a nearby pond. Unable to tear her gaze from the breathtaking sight, she watches as a woman arrives and joins her beautiful merman in some heated and sexy water play. It's evident the man loves his playmate, and Brynna determines to some day love, be loved by, and marry a merman just like him.

A year later, Norman Lord Brand Risande is a warrior to be reckoned with. Hardened by betrayal and scorned in love, Brand is forced to marry against his wishes the daughter of his defeated enemy, Lord Richard Dumont. He does so only because he's commanded to by William of Normandy, but Brand refuses to yield what's left of his heart to his beautiful Celt bride. Brynna, who is just as opposed to the marriage as Brand is, forced into it by her father and King Edward, is shocked when her unwanted husband-to-be turns out to be the beautiful and playful merman she had covertly watched in the pond. Already half in love, this Brand seems far removed from the carefree fantasy love of her dreams. Yet Brynna sees a glimmer of that exuberant, zestful man he'd been called "The Passionate" for, so she sets out to teach him lessons in love, forgiveness, and that there's resilience in even the most protesting of broken hearts.

I loved the way this story began. It was a bit like an enchanted fairy tale, albeit the "mer" was a man instead of a maid. I also love the attributes of Brand's character, not just his underlying passion for life, but his sincerity, sense of honor and fairness to Brynna's people. Lord Richard is a loving father and dignified foe, who plies both Brand and his daughter with wise council. As in character, Brand is smart enough to realize that while he might be the superior warrior, sometimes it's wiser to listen to your elders, even if that elder was once your own foe. Brynna is a spitfire, full of sparks, passion and courage, which ends up endearing her not just to her people and Brand, but to William the Conqueror as well.

Paula Quinn can pat herself on the back for coming out with such a marvelous debut romance. Rich in detail, filled with wonderful characters and a good plot, LORD OF DESIRE is a delectable medieval treat.

Nancy Davis