Title: Lord of Wicked Intentions
Author: Lorraine Heath
Genre: Historical Romance/Sexy
Review Rating: Five Stars
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
     In Yorkshire, England, Lord Rafe Easton waited on his brothers. They fled for their lives ten years earlier; splitting up to survive. He was the youngest only 10 years old. He felt abandoned and now ten years later he felt the same. His life was riddled with pain and suffering.
    Four years later they show up. Tristan and Sebastian were sorry but he wasn't buying their excuses. He was left alone while they had each other and he had suffered unspeakable things.
    Evelyn Chambers lost her father, the Earl of Wortham. He spoiled her terribly before he died and sheltered her from the world. She was the daughter of his mistress and he never wanted her hurt because she was illegitimate. He had made his son, Geoffrey promised to take care of her on his deathbed.
     When he died Geoffrey locked her in her room not even letting her go to the funeral.
   After the funeral he tells her to get dressed and meet some gentlemen friends of his. She thinks it is to meet a prospective husband. In actuality it is to sell her to the highest bidder.
The men are talking of sampling her when Rafe jumps up and declares he will take her and no one will argue. Rafe is terrifying to all of them. He has her brother bring her to him the next day.
     This story is so very interesting because Rafe has so many problems. He is dangerous in so many different ways. I fell for him myself. He is just scrumptious even with all his hangups. Evelyn has some problems too but nothing like Rafe. I was rooting for this hero villain the whole time.
I think he was so very deep and interesting. I enjoyed this sexy tale and recommend it to one and all with Five Stars. It was a very deep mesmerizing sexy tale.
Linda Hays-Gibbs

Title: Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
Author: Lorraine Heath
Genre: Historical a Romance
Review Rating: Five Stars
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
   Stephen Lyons is a notorious man with the ladies but he promises them nothing except pleasure; which he delivers in spades. He swears he will never marry. He has two brothers that both have titles and money. Stephen has no money but he swears to be the best lover in all of London. His brothers are not amused and want to make him grow up. They buy him a commission and put him in the middle of a war with Russia in the Crimea. He is reported dead.
    Mercy Dawson, a nurse from the Crimea arrives at Stephen's brother's, estate and presents him and Stephen's mother with a three month old baby. She swears it is Stephen's son. She only wants to be his nanny but her father insists money should be paid. Duke Ainsley, the brother listens to her story. His mother says the boy does look like Stephen. Ainsley says let's ask Stephen and calls for his brother.
     Mercy almost feints from the news he is alive. She is afraid. Afraid her lies will be uncovered but Stephen doesn't expose her. She is confused about his behavior. She finds she still loves him more than ever and will do anything for him.
     Stephen has a secret though a very big secret.
     I will tell no more about this wonderful story except to say it is well worth the reading. It is an excellent and steamy escape. I gave it Five Stars. I highly recommend it. The characters had very real problems to overcome and sometimes you are sure all is lost!
   It leads you around some difficult problems and I love the ending. It's a wonderful steamy romantic escape. I couldn't put it down

Linda Hays-Gibbs

Title: Uncommon Vows
Author: Mary Jo Putney
Review:Genre Dark Ages /Historical Romance
Review Rating: Five Stars
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
    What an outstanding romance from the dark ages. I couldn't stop till I devoured the whole thing. I love Mrs. Putney's work and she did not disappoint.
     It's hard to write romantically about the dark ages. Most of the men had to be brutes to survive and women were not treated well. This story does the impossible. It takes two people in a savage age and land and makes them real people with genuine problems filled with exciting emotions.
This romance opens in 1137 with a girl about to take vows to be a nun and a boy ready to be a monk. There world is war torn and savage but their religious beliefs have protected them.
    Tragedy strikes the boy, Adrian de Lancey. His whole family is slaughtered except his base born half brother Richard Fitzhugh.  Richard goes to the Abbey and tells his brother he is now the heir and cannot take his final vows. Adrian leaves to take up his responsibilities at fifteen.
   Later years, after a battle Adrian sees a beautiful little nun that stirs his heart as he and his men stop for rest after a battle. He feels very guilty about it too,  since she is a nun. She is so beautiful to him and he doesn't forget her even after years of warfare.
     Ten years later, Mariel de Vere is out flying her falcon when her horse is almost gored by a wild boar. She is thrown from her horse and left alone.
     Adrian finds her and won't let her go. He takes her back to his castle. Meriel loves her freedom. She couldn't become a nun because it was so confining. She can't stand being held against her will.
   Things come to a head and Meriel fights with Adrian with horrible results.
There is enough guilt to choke a horse in this tale from both of them. There is also a lot of lustful tension as well as adventure.  I think it all keeps the action engrossing.
     I loved the characters. They lived before my eyes. It was like I could see it all happening like a movie.
    I won this book in a contest and was thrilled to read it. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this book I heartily recommend you do. I gave it Five Stars for excellent plot and characters. I loved it. Thank you Mary Joe Putney for a wonderful, exciting, and engrossing read.
Linda Hays-Gibbs