Temptress (Onyx) by Lisa Jackson starts things off this time. Morwenna is the lady of her keep, determined to manage on her own. But the injured man brought to her for tending looks very much like Carrick of Wybren, the man who broke her heart. And someone within her castle is intent on vengeance. I have a very hard time calling this one a romance, with the little time this pair spends togther. And that's before the very unsatisfying, very unromantic ending. Sadly, I cannot recommend this book at all.
One Little Sin (Pocket Star) by Liz Carlyle is next. Esmee Hamilton's midnight arrival at the home of Sir Alasdair MacLachlan is shocking enough before her revelation that her baby sister is his child, a child he has no memory of conceiving. This one is cute more than emotionally gripping, sweet more than steamy, a pleasant enough way to spend a dreary fall afternoon, but it wasn't a keeper for me. Alasdair's friend Quin has the next story in this series, and it may prove hotter, based on the preview at the end of this tome, which has earned three of Cupid's five arrows.
The Last Heiress (NAL) by Bertrice Small is the last of this week's trio, with Elizabeth Meredith, the last of Rosamund Bolton's daughters to be married off, and Elizabeth proves difficult. If you're looking for a lot of history well-mixed with a masterfully-told story, you're in luck. If you're looking for a sexy, hotter-than-hot romance like many of Ms. Small's older books, you're not as lucky. Still, this one goes on the keeper shelf, for Elizabeth is a great romance heroine, strong and determined, and her hero, Baen MacColl, is a lot of fun. I'm giving this one three and a half arrows.
Until next time, happy reading!
