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Years ago, when Isabelle Mears was still a young miss too infatuated to know better, she surrendered her innocence to a dishonorable man. Though ruined and cast out from society, she has worked hard to shelter her illegitimate son, Jack. Having sworn off men in her quiet but dignified life, Isabelle is unprepared for the deep longing that rips through her when a handsome stranger rescues her rambunctious six-year-old from the pounding ocean surf. George Upperton is a man in trouble with debts, women, and a meddling family. He is, by all accounts, the last gentleman on earth Isabelle should be drawn to. But loneliness is a hard mistress, and caution gives way to desire . . . even though Isabelle is convinced that happiness can’t be found in the arms of such a devilish rogue. Only when Jack is kidnapped does Isabelle discover the true depth of George’s devotion—and how far a good man will go to fight for the woman whose love is all that matters.
Happy-Almost-Friday everyone! Today I have Ashlyn Macnamara over to talk about how characters take over and tell the story - and I don't doubt it!!
Title: The Lure of Shapinsay Author: Krista Holle Published: December 2011 Format: Ebook provided by author for review
Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant. Unexpectedly, Kait is awoken by a beautiful, selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure. Kait obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?
Before I started this book, I thought about it quite a bit. Historical books can be quite a challenge for me, I struggle without the modern conveniences (although I have had a few fantastic experiences with historicals). Also, this book was about Selkies – something else I’ve not had great experiences with. Now, throw all of that out the door because this book was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!
In a time when legend rules, faeries are real, and people are superstitious we find Kait who is a bit outside of the norm, herself. She lives on the island of Shapinsay. We start this book when her best friend, Astrid, is giving birth. Rumors fly instantly, people claim the baby is part animal. Selkie to be exact.
Quick note, for those who are not yet familiar with Selkies… they aren’t shifters, exactly. They are like beings who can shed their seal skin and look human, but their seal skin is a part of them. It molds to their body, it recognizes them, and when they put it on they resume their true form of a seal. Perhaps this definition will help: Selkies on Wiki
Back to Kait. A Selkie in the sea sees Kait looking in the water for the infant, and he thinks it is she who is at fault for what has happened. (am I vague much?) And he decides he is going to get justice, vigilante style. He begins to wreak havoc, as Selkies are rumored to do. And then one night as he watches her as she sleeps, she wakes up to see him. Legend has it that Selkies are magical, and even a look will drive a woman crazy with thoughts of love. But Kait is convinced it is real love, and not the after effects of magic.
It was so very gripping to watch Kait’s journey. Personally I couldn’t tell whether she was going mad or was truly madly in love. Maybe it was both. But watching these together was certainly a treat indeed. I do believe they both went a little mad together. Eamon, the Selkie, is so gruff at time, I didn’t know if I felt bad for him or for Kait.
Ultimately, this story of love was a treat.The characters were vivid.The story was heartbreaking at times.The emotions were beautifully conveyed.I wish I had read this book sooner, it was so good and so unexpected.There are so many twists and turns, questions and drama… everything played out perfectly and I felt like I was right there with everyone.I definitely recommend this book!
Title: The Lure of Shapinsay Author: Krista Holle Published: December 2011 Format: Ebook provided by author for review
Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant. Unexpectedly, Kait is awoken by a beautiful, selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure. Kait obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?
Before I
started this book, I thought about it quite a bit. Historical books can be quite a challenge for
me, I struggle without the modern conveniences (although I have had a few
fantastic experiences with historicals).
Also, this book was about Selkies – something else I’ve not had great
experiences with. Now, throw all of that
out the door because this book was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!
In a time
when legend rules, faeries are real, and people are superstitious we find Kait
who is a bit outside of the norm, herself.
She lives on the island of Shapinsay.
We start this book when her best friend, Astrid, is giving birth. Rumors fly instantly, people claim the baby
is part animal. Selkie to be exact.
Quick note,
for those who are not yet familiar with Selkies… they aren’t shifters,
exactly. They are like beings who can
shed their seal skin and look human, but their seal skin is a part of
them. It molds to their body, it
recognizes them, and when they put it on they resume their true form of a
seal. Perhaps this definition will
help: Selkies on Wiki
Back to
Kait. A Selkie in the sea sees Kait
looking in the water for the infant, and he thinks it is she who is at fault
for what has happened. (am I vague
much?) And he decides he is going to get justice, vigilante style. He begins to wreak havoc, as Selkies are
rumored to do. And then one night as he
watches her as she sleeps, she wakes up to see him. Legend has it that Selkies are magical, and
even a look will drive a woman crazy with thoughts of love. But Kait is
convinced it is real love, and not the after effects of magic.
It was so
very gripping to watch Kait’s journey.
Personally I couldn’t tell whether she was going mad or was truly madly
in love. Maybe it was both. But watching these together was certainly a
treat indeed. I do believe they both
went a little mad together. Eamon, the
Selkie, is so gruff at time, I didn’t know if I felt bad for him or for Kait.
Ultimately,
this story of love was a treat.The
characters were vivid.The story was
heartbreaking at times.The emotions
were beautifully conveyed.I wish I had
read this book sooner, it was so good and so unexpected.There are so many twists and turns, questions
and drama… everything played out perfectly and I felt like I was right there
with everyone.I definitely recommend
this book!
Title: Shadow Curssed Author: Naomi Clark Published: 2012 Evernight Publishing Format: ebook provided by author for review
Released from Ottevar Asylum after eight hard years, Lady Emmeline returns to Nachtholm Manor to reclaim her birthright. But she has a battle on her hands—Rainart Eckhard refuses to give up his position as lord of manor, and whilst his cold attitude enrages Emmeline, his smouldering kisses leave her weak at the knees.
Who is this dangerous, enticing stranger, and what secrets does he hide? Caught in a web of desire, curses, and self-doubt, Emmeline is not only fighting Rainart for Nachtholm Manor, but for her own heart as well.
Lady Emmeline of Nachtholm left home as a young girl - certainly not of her own volition. Her parents put her in Ottevar Asylum so they
could “cure” her of what they viewed as an affliction. The story begins with her on her way home
after her parents’ death after 8 years being away.
When she returns home she finds a man, Rainart Eckhard, who claims he
has been running the manor in the interim.
However he is quite adamant that he is not leaving, and that he is the lord of the manor, and she is
not.
Emmeline has an instant heated attraction to Rainart, though
she tries to deny it. He also does, but
this story is completely from Emmeline’s point of view. There’s some stolen kisses that leave them
both wanting more. But this is as much a story about Emmeline realizing her true inner
strength and sense of self as anything else.
“She’d
never been so close to a man before and she’d never even seen a man like
Rainart, a man brimming with a power and authority that made her want to fall
to her knees again.”
Emmeline becomes obsessed with Rainart, and I can see
why. The man is a mystery. Sure, he’s handsome as can be and the
attraction is undeniable, but where in the heck did he come from? She seeks out answers from the local gypsies,
thinking maybe they know. Then she
finds a book in the manor’s library that gives her a clue about previous
owners, and perhaps Rainart’s lineage….but it couldn’t be. Could it? The final answer to his arrival is quite intriguing!
All in all, I really enjoyed the mystery of this story. There was a touch of paranormal, although it
was something of the past. Rainart is a
character shrouded in mystery. You just
want to know more and more about him.
Emmeline is quite young and naïve, although she claims to be anything
but that. I think that in her future she
is going to be quite the force to be reckoned with. She does have that inner strength that I do
enjoy seeing in female characters. And
her time in the asylum is certainly something I would like to see more of. Being quite familiar with Naomi Clark’s
writing, I think this is definitely a storyline she should explore more! I’m betting she can flesh that story out and
make it something horrifyingly creepy and wonderful!
As for the romance and erotic parts of this story… they were
good.I love the instant connection part
to these two characters.This author
really has a talent for creating that troubled attraction, the one you shouldn’t
have but do anyway because the heart wants what it wants, regardless of what
the brain says.The erotic portions
weren’t quite as heated as I normally see, but I think there is definite future
potential.In any effect, the moment
that Rainart and Emmeline put their battle of wills aside to see how much they
want each other is fantastic. If you are
looking for high heat, I don’t think this is the story for you.But if you are looking for a terrific mystery
with a touch of paranormal, and hey there’s some romance too, then I think you
will love this story.As usual, I am a
huge fan of Naomi Clark’s, and this story is just another hit to add to the
arsenal.
Naomi Clark lives in Cambridge and is a mild-mannered office worker by day, but a slightly crazed writer by night. She has a perfectly healthy obsession with giant sea creatures and a preference for vodka-based cocktails. When she's not writing, Naomi is probably either reading or watching 80s cartoon shows, and sometimes she manages to do all three at once.
