Paths of Desire [Kindle Edition]

Shannon Donnelly (Author)

Book Description

"A very emotional, consuming novel with well-rounded characters and an intricate plot...a dash of adventure and hot love scenes characterize this bittersweet tale of love. Readers will be glad they picked it up." -- Romantic Times

"Donnelly (Cat's Cradle, 2011, etc.) spins a sizzling regency-era romance about an actress seeking security and a married adventurer who can give her anything but." -- Kirkus Reviews

"...A story where in an actress meets an adventurer wouldn't normally be at the top of my TBR pile; but I've read and enjoyed other books by this author and so I thought I'd give this one a go. I'm glad I did....Highly recommended." -- Caz, Romantic Historical Lovers

NO MAN'S MISTRESS...
She wants a rich lord for a husband--she won't end like her mother, abandoned and broken.

NO WOMAN'S FOOL...
He wants to prove to his friend she's the wrong woman--he knows too well the pain of a bad marriage.

WHEN AN ACTRESS CROSSES PATHS WITH AN ADVENTURER IN 1813 LONDON...
With too many secrets in her past, and too little future as an actress, Theodosia Newell wants one thing more than all else--security. She's seen her mother abandoned, her younger brother die, and she's vowed never to be poor. But then her path crosses that of a man who tempts her to abandon caution and all thought for the future for a passionate affair. Can she find the courage to break from her deepest fears? And will her love prove enough to save them both?

Born with a soul for adventure, David Llewellyn cannot resist a challenge--and his enthusiasm for life is as magnetic as his personality. But two women share his life, and only one can be his. Will his stubborn refusal to make a choice between them lead him to lose everything? Or will he find, in the journey to the lost city he dreams of discovering, a path to a deeper love than he thought possible?

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Book of the heart -- you hear that phrase and wonder if that means self-indulgent nonsense, or is this person crazy. It's probably a bit of both, but I like to think of it as book with heart. This is one of those books, written for the sake of bringing these characters to life, written because you had to write it, written because you hoped it would find readers but you had no guarantees.

This book is not for everyone--it's more historical novel than historical romance, but it's more romance than historical novel. The hero is unhappily married, and it's gotten rejections from editors who didn't want to touch adultery in a novel, but I felt that subject needed to be tackled. People end up in unhappy situations, and how do you deal with that and find your path through it is something we struggle with. The heroine is also searching outside herself for a security which she learns is an illusion--as are many of our desires.

I love writing this book--and I'm delighted at last that it can come out as a Kindle ebook and not wait for a publishing house to be brave enough to take a risk on the book. I hope it finds readers. I hope it finds its own path. Now it's up to the readers to make those choices for this book.

From the Inside Flap

            Leaning forward, he cupped her face and kissed her, hard and deep. She held still under his touch, but her lips parted, her tongue met his. Her hand stole up to clutch at his coat collar. He moved his hand from her face to her breast. Kissed her until he had no breath. He pulled away while he still could and leaned his forehead against hers, breath mingling in matching ragged gasps.
            "I don't know what you do to me--I've not looked at any woman in months. Not had one for longer. I'd convinced myself I'd had no need for this."
            "I'm not doing anything!"
            "You are--just by existing. I'd forgotten the joy of bringing a woman pleasure. I'd forgotten too much."
            She turned away and pulled her cloak tight. "I'm not looking for pleasure--I'm looking for a husband." He gave a laugh, and she turned to him. "You wouldn't laugh at a lady who said as much--and you wouldn't handle a lady as you have me!"
            "No--thank merciful heaven for that. But I want more than to touch you."
            "Go away--and stay away! You...you're a distraction! An arrogant, conceited distraction. And--"
            He caught her wrist. "Don't lie to me. Don't lie to yourself. This doesn't end here between us."
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 894 KB
• Print Length: 248 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Cielito Lindo Press (January 12, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006ZN2I10
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,627 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read! February 13, 2012

By M. G. Welborn

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just finished Paths of Desire today, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While some readers may be off-put by the idea of adultery, which the author mentions in her author's note on the product page, I would point out that divorce was nearly impossible in that day and time. The love developing between the two characters is powerful, and the issue of adultery is handled very well in this book. While I would be offended by love outside of marriage in a contemporary romance, it didn't bother me in this one.

I loved these characters!!! You really felt their pain, from Thea's fear of poverty to David's need for adventure. We even get the "wronged wife's" perspective, and that was also well-done. This book took me back in time much more than some Regencies, where everyone in the book is landed gentry. Take a chance on this one -- you won't regret it.

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read- Review by Team Member JoAnn August 29, 2012

By Christina L. Milway

Format:Kindle Edition

Blurb:
NO MAN'S MISTRESS...
She wants a rich lord for a husband--she won't end like her mother, abandoned and broken.

NO WOMAN'S FOOL...
He wants to prove to his friend she's the wrong woman--he knows too well the pain of a bad marriage.

WHEN AN ACTRESS CROSSES PATHS WITH AN ADVENTURER IN 1813 LONDON...
With too many secrets in her past, and too little future as an actress, Theodosia Newell wants one thing more than all else--security. She's seen her mother abandoned, her younger brother die, and she's vowed never to be poor. But then her path crosses that of a man who tempts her to abandon caution and all thought for the future for a passionate affair. Can she find the courage to break from her deepest fears? And will her love prove enough to save them both?

Born with a soul for adventure, David Llewellyn cannot resist a challenge--and his enthusiasm for life is as magnetic as his personality. But two women share his life, and only one can be his. Will his stubborn refusal to make a choice between them lead him to lose everything? Or will he find, in the journey to the lost city he dreams of discovering, a path to a deeper love than he thought possible?

Review:
This was an historical romance set mainly in England but also in Italy and the Mid East. The book had romance - steamy in parts, laughter, tears, sorrow, heartache, family and friends, and even love. There was a happily ever after that was unexpected in its twists and turns. The characters had a wealth of depth and showed us different facets of it at various times throughout the story. The storyline was totally unexpected in many parts and in others went with the norm.
This book was an enjoyable read except when the author brought us back and forth in time. The first time she did it I thought my Nook had a problem and I didn't have the entire book but after continuing to read found we were years ahead with not knowing what went on in between those years. Little did I know but the next part continued where we had left off. The story would have flowed better if it was told chronologically. There were also a few problems with incorrect word usage, words out of order or words not belonging in the sentence.
I did like the epilogue that tied up some of the loose ends but left me wanting more. I also liked the author's notes where she gave us historical information regarding some of what took place in the book.
I have not read books by this author before but will definitely give her other books a try.

Rating: 3 crowns

The RomCon Review Team received a free copy of this book from the author.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good story April 7, 2012

By Fran FW

Format:Kindle Edition

It is ludicrous that anyone would give this book ONE star because they didn't like a sex scene. The book is called Paths of DESIRE... consider that before reading. This, like many of Shannon Donnelly's books, was a wonderful read. It is sexy and fun, and she evokes the Regency period well. I thought the heroine was truly unique, and Llewellyn was hardly a one-dimensional hero. I really cared about the characters by the end of it.

More About the Author

Shannon Donnelly's writing has won numerous awards, including a RITA nomination for Best Regency, the Grand Prize in the "Minute Maid Sensational Romance Writer" contest, judged by Nora Roberts, RWA's Golden Heart, and others. Her writing has repeatedly earned 4½ Star Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times magazine, as well as praise from Booklist and other reviewers, who note: "simply superb"..."wonderfully uplifting"....and "beautifully written."

Her books include the Demon & Warders Urban Fantasy series, Burn Baby Burn and Riding in on a Burning Tire, and the Urban Fantasy, Edge Walkers. She also recently brought out four Regency Noveallas, which are now available as ebooks. Her work has been on the top seller list of Amazon.com, and include Paths of Desire, a Historical Regency romance. Her other Regency romances can be found as ebooks with on all formats, and with Cool Gus Publishing.

She has also published young adult horror stories and is the author of several computer games. She lives in New Mexico with two horses, two donkeys, two dogs, and only one love of her life. Shannon can be found online at sd-writer.com, facebook.com/sdwriter, and twitter/sdwriter.