Dance of Desire by Catherine Kean

A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

DANCE OF DESIRE

Author: Catherine Kean ISBN: 193281535X 3/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: MEDALLION PRESS, INC.
Time Period: Medieval 1192

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Dressed in the gauzy costume of a desert courtesan, dancing with all the passion and sensuality in her soul, Lady Rexana Villeaux performs in disguise for the new High Sheriff of Warringham. Her goal is to distract him while her servant steals a missive which offers proof her brother Rudd is a traitor to the Crown. She succeeds. Too well.

Fane Linford, the High Sheriff, has been granted a bride by a grateful king. Yet he desires only one woman . . . the exotic dancer who tempted him. When Fane discovers the dancer's identity, and learns her brother is in his dungeon, it is more temptation than Fane can resist.

The last thing Rexana wants is marriage to the dark and brooding sheriff. But her brother is his prisoner and there may be only one way to save him.

Taking the greatest chance of her life, Rexana becomes the sheriff's bride. And learns that the Dance of Desire was only a beginning . . . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Wow! Talk about an impressive debut. DANCE OF DESIRE has everything readers look for in a medieval romance.

And then some.

The plot begins when Lady Rexana tries to seduce through dance the High Sheriff of Warringham (Fane), who holds her teen-aged brother, Rudd, a suspected traitor of the crown, captive in the castle's dungeon. Her ploy is to confiscate an incriminating document the sheriff holds that she thinks contains her brother's forged signature, and could ultimately lead to his conviction and execution for treason.

Fane, a reputed dark figure and barbarian of the crusades, is above all else, loyal to his king. After discovering Rexana's identity, not even his lust or want of her will sway him from his paramount duties: devotion to Richard and determination to flush out and crush this band of disloyals, which includes Rexana's only remaining family member, Rudd. Determined to have Rexana and save her from herself, he does what any conflicted hero would do—he weds her.

From the first, Ms. Kean grabs hold of the reader and never lets go. The sexual attraction between Fane and Rexana is immediate, and the relationship that develops between the two pits Rexana against her duty and love for Fane, and that she holds for her brother. And believe me, Rexana is no TSTL character: with courage and determination, she plots, she plans, she seduces, her loyalty and love for her brother evident and admirable as she tries to gain his release. Though Fane wants nothing more than to tame his lady and serve his king, he does manage to stay one step ahead of Rexana most of the time, showing both admirable restraint and a dogged devotion to a woman he himself has come to admire.

Anyone who enjoys a fast moving, intriguing and well written historical romance, no doubt will dance to the same tune, as Catherine Kean leads the way. With good writing, fast pacing, interesting characters and a sensible plot, Catherine Kean has announced herself not through the steps of a slow moving waltz, but with the heated sensuality and rhythmic sways of a sultry belly dance. With its dark and brooding hero, courageous and loyal heroine, populated with memorable secondary characters and filled with all the sights, sounds and medieval life a fan of this genre could want, DANCE OF DESIRE is one medieval romance debut readers won't want to miss.

Nancy Davis

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