Tempted by Your Touch (Brides of the Bloodstone) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jen Holling (Author)

Book Description

Series: Brides of the Bloodstone | Publication Date: January 2, 2002

To end a fierce border war, a marriage is decreed between Robert Maxwell, the bold new leader of a Scottish clan, and Caroline Graham, a proud member of the English family that has clashed with Maxwell's kin for generations. But while an uneasy peace takes hold, a furious passion flares between husband and wife -- a battle of wills sparked by heated kisses and tempting caresses....

Editorial Reviews

Review

...an entertaining adventure filled with suspense, sizzling desire and likable characters. ...had me turning pages late into the night. -- The Word on Romance

...excellent! ...the characters are strong, well drawn, and interesting....a magnificent lead-in to The Blood Stone Brides trilogy. -- Reader to Reader Reviews

Ms. Holling is a masterful storyteller. ...a suspenseful journey...Can't wait to read number two in the trilogy. -- Myshelf.com

About the Author

Jen Holling's previous romance novels include My Shadow Warrior,

My Devilish Scotsman, My Wicked Highlander, Forever My Lady,

A Time for Dreams, and the critically acclaimed and RITA Award-nominated

Brides of the Bloodstone trilogy: Tempted by Your Touch, Tamed by Your

Desire, and Captured by Your Kiss. She lives in Texas and is currently

at work on her next novel. Visit her on the web at www.jenholling.com or email

[e-mail].

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (January 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743438027
• ISBN-13: 978-0743438025
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,321,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful Scottish love story, October 3, 2002

By 

Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tempted by Your Touch (Brides of the Bloodstone) (Mass Market Paperback)

Courtesy of The Best Reviews

Robert Maxwell, Laird of Clan Maxwell, longs for peace and the end to a bloody feud with the English Grahams. In order to achieve this, he decides to wed the oldest sister of the Graham family head. Robert enters into this agreement, much to the dismay of his entire clan, swearing to do whatever is necessary to make the alliance a happy one.

Caroline Graham is furious with her brother for signing her life away to the hated Maxwells. She has been convinced all her life no man would ever want her, the ugly sister, and she had planned to give herself to the Church as a nun. So she enters into this marriage determined to keep her icy demeanor (and her maidenhead) intact and show Robert just how unsuitable she was for a wife.

Robert is pleased when he meets Caroline and sets a course of seduction to convince her she is neither the ugly duckling she believes herself to be, nor the nun she desires to be. Caroline's walls are gradually beaten down by a very determined Robert, and she finds herself falling for him, all the while convinced he couldn't possibly love her.

An ancient legend stands in their way, however. There is a magical stone, taken from the scabbard of the legendary Excalibur, said to protect the possessor from harm. This stone is the basis for the nasty feud, and the cause of a deadly massacre 60 years previous. Problems escalate again upon the marriage of Robert and Caroline, as her greedy brother wants the stone for his own.

Can Caroline and Robert overcome their fears and plaguing doubts? Will their binding relationship put an end to the feud forever as legend proclaims?

Ms. Holling has woven an intricate tale of passion, greed, and vengeance. This book runs the gamut of emotions and desire. The characters are engaging, though it took this reviewer a while to warm up to Caroline. The plot is seamless and the legend of Excalibur is worked in effortlessly. The story is slow going for the first few chapters, but once it picks up, the reader will not be disappointed.

One will be eagerly waiting to see how the rest of the story pans out in successive books. This is a delightful read and comes highly recommended.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Story and First In A Series!!!, August 17, 2005

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tempted by Your Touch (Brides of the Bloodstone) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Holling has created a very nice read with the first of her "Brides of the Bloodstone" series. With a mystery surrounding a mythical stone two families are bound to the other looking for a way to hold the stone.

Robert Maxwell is looking for peace for his family and clan. This bold Scottish leader decides that the easiest way to do this is to marry Caroline Graham. Marrying this lass will solve two problems. One, it will insure peace between the feuding families, and two, hopefully Carolines' brother will honor the agreement by freeing his brother that is being held hostage. Robert wants this thing to work so he is willing to be patient with his new bride, but will he be able to thaw the ice that seems to surround her on all sides?

Caroline Graham wants to be a nun. A bride of Christ, not a bride of Robert Maxwell. She knows though that her wishes are the least to be considered. Men, after all think of them only as pawns in their quest for peace. Despite Caroline's stubborn nature, she can't help but wonder if her husband is truly sincere when it comes to her. Can he really find her pretty, and desirable? Only time will tell but can she trust her heart to such a man? Is it her heart he wants to hold, or the mythical stone?

This was a nice well written read. Robert and Caroline were interesting characters although Caroline after a time became a bit too much. Thankfully she had a hero with patience which balanced out the read. Ms. Holling is a talented author and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A continuing work of excellence, January 9, 2009

By 

Joseph Chavez "Joseph P. Chavez" (Richmond, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tempted by Your Touch (Brides of the Bloodstone) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am somewhat new to Jen Holling's works but I have found this book to be a continuing work of her excellence in writing. I had never before been much interested in European background based novels, but Jen has a way of keeping you going with each page and drawing you right into the story itself. I have enjoyed this novel and will keep on reading her works. She has obviously done her homework and has done it well!