Reviewette: Winter Awakening by Amanda McIntyre

WINTER'S DESIRE
First book in the Celtic Spice anthologies-
Amanda McIntyre, Charlotte Featherstone, Kristi Astor
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-60535-4
Harlequin Spice-Books
www.Spice-Books.com
November 2009

Winter Desire-Harlequin Spice November 2009

I can remember your strength and your gentleness. A strange combination, to be sure, but a potent and intoxicating one . Your pale blue eyes will haunt me for the rest of my days…for ours is a passion indulged only in darkness and ends now with the first shaft of daylight on the dawn of midwinter.

On Solstice eve long ago, a Druid priestess and Norse warrior succumb to forbidden, erotic desire. Their passion is one that neither death, decree—nor time—can tear asunder.

Now three women of later centuries, Sabeline, Sinead, and Aisling begin their own sensual journeys, awakened by the ancient power of the priestess’s words—

“Burn bright of winter’s desire.”

*Winter Awakening (Dark Ages)

Sabeline experiences surprisingly unbridled nights with her betrothed’s best friend in a lusty medieval tale...

It was the celebration of the betrothal that would align Wales and England, but Sabeline was aware of her intended's promiscuous ways and so turns to his friend, not looking for more than companionship, but with a stolen kiss beneath a full moon, finding a passion that both deny until they meet years later at the appointed time of her marriage to the Norman Lord. One touch, and a spark ignites between the ill-fated pair. Torn between duty and desire, they succumb to their passions in secret, until fate turns a blind eye and they must seek the powers greater than themselves to quell the evil that threatens their very lives.

This is all obtained from Ms. Amanda McIntyre site.

This book is mine. Just like this review. This is done for my own purpose and all personal thoughts are my own. Now on to what you came here for...

My Review:

This is one story out of three in this sweet, hot, sexy anthology. Since this is a short story, my review will be short and sweet. I do not like to give to much a way.

Wales, 1119

In this time period, I always have to remind myself of the standards back then. A woman of virtue was a virgin when she got married. A man could have any number of mistresses and that was deemed okay. Women were not allowed to speak up either. So, when I begin a story, I always have to remind myself of these few things.

Now with these things in mind, we meet Sabeline - she is in her early twenties. By an agreement between her father and the king of England, she is to marry a Marcher Lord; that would create an alliance to form a barrier against the warring tribes of the north. Lord Benedict is the man for the job. "...his brazen courage and his skills on the field of battle had won him the king's favor. And so the arrangement was made." This was to be a union for political reasons, not romantic reasoning. So, are we to believe that these two will fall in love and live happily ever after or will the course of a winter's desire intervene...

This is an awesome love story. A story of hidden desire, a love that knows no boundaries. What things we would do for the love of a lifetime?

Sabeline is a strong woman. After the lost of her mother and her brother, that left just her and her father. She knows that the town people kind of look down on her, because what was intended to be passed down to her brother - the son, the man of the house - is now passed down to her, a mere woman. So, the arranged married between her and Benedict is thought to be a good power move. Knowing her duty to marry is not for love, but for country is very noble; but by the Winter's God she is willing to see it through because it is the right thing to do. Knowing that her intended, Benedict has a roaming eye does not sit well with her either. She tries all she can to win his affection. She even learns ways of pleasing a man from her cousin Margaret. Sabeline even goes to Benedict's friend, Lord Ranulf for help. But what do you do when your intended has the eye for everyone else but you? Just because their marriage is for political gain, does that mean that love can not be in the mix... right?

There was one part of the story that did kinda bother me a bit. Sabeline confused me a bit; in a passage that is taking place in the present, she is very unsure of the ways of pleasing a man and very bashful to be observing what unfolds in front of her; but we see her three years previous and she is a very bold young lady with a very blunt tongue. I am not sure what turn of events happened in between those three years to put the bashfulness in her manner, but it was noted.

Lord Benedict is a man that adds the drama to this story. He is a playboy, never quiet able to satisfy his sexual hunger. He takes his pleasure as often as he pleases and with whom ever he pleases. Knowing that he is going to be married soon does not change his ways. I am not a fan of Benedict's character. There is no love in his heart, except for himself and his appetite of women. His motives are thought to be his devotion for his king and country; however as the story unfolds we learn some very devious motives behind a very devious man.

Lord Ranulf's duty is to serves as the kings witness to the union of the marriage. Ranulf is a man of honor, code and devotion. He was chosen by the king to oversee this marriage. Ranulf gained his own title of knight through his reputation in tournament play. It was not handed down to him like Lord Benedict. Ranulf is seventeen years Benedict senior. He was ordered to train Benedict in the way of battle and knighthood. Although, Ranulf sometimes felt like he was playing nursemaid to Benedict and for that - his blooded boiled. This man intrigued me more than I would like to say. I saw his core emotions and it made me want to reach out and take him in my arms. His heart and soul were in the right place... but was it at the right time?

Now that you have met the three main characters... The story is told... An arranged married for the political reasons, no love of any kind between Sabeline and Benedict. The couple were set to marry in three years, after the men finished their crusade of securing military presence along the border region. During the three years, Benedict would write letters to Sabeline how ever often he could... or at least Sabeline thinks that the words are from Benedict. The three years pass.. and the men return home.

A woman of virtue, a man of honor and a playboy with his own agenda... What would become of these three on the night of the Winter Solstice?

This story is written in first person through Sabeline and Ranulf. I am a first person POV kinda girl. It allows me in the mind of the characters; for some, they find this a bit distracting, but I absolutely love it. I love both, the emotional and power struggle in this story. Ms. Amanda made me feel Sabeline's heart and soul. I felt her emotions as they would have been my own. Then she turned me around to see what was in Ranulf's mind. This is again, another great story by Ms. Amanda! The sex scenes were steamy enough to heat up any cold night you might have. There is even one in there that may rock your boat...!!! So, if you are looking for something to warm up your night and get your blood pressure up a couple of numbers... Get this book!!!!

Because you never know what can come of a wish upon a Winter's Solstice....


**I do not have the reviews ready for the other two stories, but as soon as I do, I will have them up**

Please take pleasure in reading the excerpt that lures us into the world of Sabeline at Ms. A's sitere --->> here.

This is what we can expect next from Ms. Amanda... You gotta love this cover... Alone it is hussy worthy!!! If you want a private lesson on what this book is about, please go --->> here.

Hope you enjoyed the review... Now, what are you waiting for... Don't walk, run to the nearest book store and get this book!!!!