Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast-Paced Historical Romance......Loved it!!!!, May 6, 2006
This review is from: Dance of Desire (Mass Market Paperback)
This book held me from beginning to end. Usually I find myself skipping ahead because I get a little bored, but not with this one. It starts off in England in 1192. Lady Rexanna is desperate to clear her brother's name. There is a missive with her brother's signature which offers proof that he is traitor to the crown; of course Rexanna believes his signature is forged. In order to get her hands on the missive she and a trusted friend plan to sneak in the High Sheriff's keep where it is being held. She learns that there is a party at his keep where an exoctic eastern dancer plans to perform in front of him. Lady Rexanna pays the dancer to stay away and she goes in the costume in her stead. She dances with so much emotion and intrigue that Fane Linford, the High Sheriff is immediately taken with her. He decides he must have her. Terrified that she will lose her virginity to him, she sneaks off without finding the missive. Fane figures out her identity and is determined to have her, to make her his wife.
The King grants Fane any wife of his choice for his great deeds and heroism in the Holy Lands. So when he goes to Lady Rexanna and tells her she will be his wife by word of the King, she can not refuse. The rumors say he is a barbarian, and she is not happy about the marriage. He also holds her brother's life in his hands, and she decides maybe marrying him can have some benefits. After marrying him she quickly realizes that he is not a barbarian, but a gentle and loving husband, eager to please her. This makes it hard for her when she starts loving him because she feels she is being traitor to her brother, she feels torn.
Fane is such an extraordinary hero. He is strong and confident, tall and handsome. He is also patient and loving. He is so good to Rexanna, even when she deceives him. I just loved his love that he had for her. Rexanna was a strong heroine. She was very determined and loyal. She was also very sensual, hence the dance of desire. This read had many twists and turns. It was full of rich historical details, and showed how a strong warrior can also be capable of great love. The ending was great, had me wondering till the end. This book is a must read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kean writes with passion!, May 24, 2005
This review is from: Dance of Desire (Mass Market Paperback)
Set in England, 1192. After doing his duty in the crusade, Fane Linford is the High Sheriff of Warringham. He has been granted a bride of his own choosing, by King Richard himself. Fane has only to choose. However, Fane is kept busy. There is a rebellion forming against the crown. Rumor says Fane has a list of traitors that he will be turning over to the king.
Lady Rexana Villeaux learns that her brother's name is on that list and that he resides in the High Sheriff's dungeon! She is determined to see Rudd's named cleared. He would never turn traitor! Rexana dresses in the gauzy disguise of a desert courtesan and performs for the new High Sheriff, distracting him so her servant could steal the list.
The passion in her dance does indeed catch Fane's eye. Too much so. Fane is determined to claim Lady Rexana as his bride. To save her brother she will agree. Then he may take his time to win her trust, followed by her heart.
However, the area's unrest seems to be against the new couple. Not only that, but Lord Darwell's son, Garmonn, has always believed that he would be Lady Rexana's husband some day. And if he must kill the barbaric new High Sheriff, then so be it!
**** Author Catherine Kean writes with such passion that you can feel the hurt and joy that her characters' experience. I could easily imagine myself in the heroine's place and understand all her actions. No stupid little fits or tantrums for this brave heroine! Wonderful tale that I proudly recommend! ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Debut Novel, May 13, 2005
This review is from: Dance of Desire (Mass Market Paperback)
In her debut novel Dance of Desire, Catherine Kean provides readers with a gripping, sensual and powerful tale of one woman's dance to clear her brother's name and one man's desire to see a traitor hung. Lady Rexanna Villeaux knows her brother Rudd is innocent of treason towards the crown. Even though there is a signed and sealed document with her brother's signature on it, she has vowed to see his name cleared. Her daring and bold plans involve dancing for the High Sheriff and seducing him enough that his mind is distracted while someone else retrieves the document. But things go awry for Rexanna, not only does she dance for the High Sheriff, she also feels the chemistry and pull of attraction and desire. Now caught between two men she love deeply, her challenge and the desire to see her brother free is even stronger. But can she do it without losing the love of the man she has come to call husband? Fane Linford, High Sheriff, is honour bound to catch the traitors and see them hanged in his area. He knows there is a plot underfoot; he has the documents in his hand that labels all who are involved. After capturing the traitors and imprisoning them he has a feast where a beautiful dancer catches his attention. Her sways and steps entice him, making him want her, but when she out wits him during this dance it is he who provides the last step by confronting her on the issue and marrying her. Married to Rexanna a woman who fills his soul, he is torn from wounds of the past, and the right thing to do. His wife is adamant that her brother is no traitor and he is adamant he is by signed documents. Will he be able to hang her brother and still keep her for his wife when it is all said and done? When Rexanna realised that she was falling in love with her husband Fane, she became very torn in her loyalties to the crown, her brother and to her husband. She loved all three equally and did not want to see either her brother or her husband in harms way. She fought a good battle, disobeyed orders all the time but it was overlooked by her husband Fane who knew she was following her heart and truly believed in her brothers innocence. She grew close to Fane in this novel, he told her secrets that he's never told anyone. Through those secrets she discovered that he was not the person people were making him out to be. She was truly torn when it came down to betraying her husband or betraying her brother. Fane greatly desired Rexanna and was patient throughout this book, teasing her along the way, trying to seduce her and finally claiming her as his own. It proved to be a steamy and erotic moment when desire finally won over while making it one of the most carnal and fulfilling love scenes I have ever read. Intriguing, gripping, fast paced, sensual and beautiful. Are all words that I can use to sum up this novel, Dance of Desire. Catherine Kean's debut novel is a pure treat to read if you are a medieval reader and lover of that era in romance. Her characters are multi-layered and carry secrets of the past that hinder and harbour resentment...until finally they are able to move forward. The story itself was beautiful and flowed from page to page with grace and ease. Catherine Kean kept true to the characters she created allowing them the freedom of love, second-guesses and chances. To let it sneak up on them and capture them in the beauty of it and the challenge of loving someone you were forced to marry. It moved the story along, kept it interesting and made the reader want to read more. The final pages of this story was like watching a movie, the descriptions, the moves, the plays all reminded me of watching a movie set in this time where it all comes down to a climactic scene of good vs. evil and the damsel caught in the middle. Catherine Kean's novel Dance of Desire is an excellent debut novel making it a must read for 2005. It will capture you, it will put you under its spell, and it will make you want more by this author. Now to only wait until 2006 when her second novel A Knight's Vengeance is released. I hate waiting...
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
