Title: Hawk's Gift
Author: Mary M. Forbes
Genre: Historical Romance
Review Rating: Four Stars
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
     Roberta (Bobbie) Taylor is caught in a very precarious position. She is being auctioned off as a virgin at a house of ill repute. She seems too naive for words. She doesn't know how this could happen when she went to this place to interview the Madame about her brothel. She's forced onstage and everyone seems drunk.
     Damien Larocque is a Métis Indian enjoying his liqueur when he sees the beautiful girl with long blonde hair being auctioned on stage. He decides in his inebriated state that he will bid for her even though he has no money. He will simply fight his way out of the place with the little thing under his arm.
     Needless to say he carries her away and gets carried away .she is a high born rich lady and he is a wild heathen. He remains carried away and savage throughout this lovely romance.
    The characters have myriad flaws to overcome and obstacles to overcome in their war torn world. In a world where the beautiful wilderness of Canada is described and the battles between whites and Aborigines are waging a miracle happens.
Boy meets girl and love blossoms.
    I was amazed at the History and circumstances of the across the border happenings with the US and Canada too. I love finding out new perspectives and information in my romance novels.
    Mary Forbes delights me in all aspects except for some typographical errors and the ending. I wanted more. I wanted to know what happened between the fighting forces. I wanted to know about their friends, Marie and Pierre, her father and brother, and I wanted to see the couple's future a little more. It ended too abruptly for me. It is just such a great novel and not really short but with so much happening...maybe there is a sequel. I do hope so. I did thoroughly enjoy the writing, characters, plot and problems.
I thank the author for a wonderful exciting erotic engaging read.
Linda Hays-Gibbs

The Call to Help the Christians
     I lived in Saudi Arabia for five years. I'm an American and went with my American husband to have a better future, more money, better schools, etc. Although, none of that happened I will say at least I gained a new perspective of things I hardly knew existed. This was in the 80s and 9/11 not even a thought. My eyes however; were opened to the facts: that Americans were not loved; no matter how much money you give it's never enough; and they are insulted by our gifts; they hate Israel as well as US; Palestine and Israel are obsessions; it's a highly restrictive environment of egotistical men who think they and their beliefs are superior and use any means to achieve their agenda. Reminds me of Hitler.  
  Women are cattle that sit in the back of the truck with goats wherever they come from (America, Italy, Germany etc.) Four wives are common. They have riches that we poured into them with which; they can buy the world; a presidency would not be hard. They are of one mind and that is the destruction of any freedom unless it is their own male elite freedom; Annihilation of Israel and their rule is their dream.
   If you think this is harsh, you don't know the half of it. The poor Christians left in ISIS or Muslim Brotherhood  or any silly name they want to call their murdering selves path by our troop withdrawals will be killed with relish and pride! We as a Christian Nation should be yelling our heads off at a President so deaf to the cries of his (Fellow) Christians dying (or is he Muslim as he acts; actually bowing on TV to King of Saudi when he met him).
We must protest! Scream, yell, write emails, tweet, Facebook, (whoever, whatever) with our protests but no we allow a show like "Leftovers" on the air when a man crapped on the figurine of Jesus from a Nativity set. It's not funny and highly offensive but if it was a Quran, Koran it would have been death threats to all. If it was against a black person or a gay it would be terrible consequences but not for Christians who try to help everyone. They might not agree with you but they will fight to the death your right and mine to agree or disagree.
    We must stand up and shout our protest! If you want your way of life of political correctness or acceptance of all to continue with no Christians left you will find no acceptance for all different people are not tolerated in their world.
I saw more heads cut off than I can count. Every Friday mosque. Their own relatives holding them. If you were gay, commit adultery, of a different mind, you won't last long; thieve's hands cut off and other horrible deaths. No rights, no constitution or lawyers none!  Christians will be there with the Jews marked for death. They hate us!
     I didn't know why back then but I knew it was a deep bone chilling hate of enormous proportions so you should be afraid, very afraid. I don't know if our kids or grand kids have a chance if we don't stop them now. This is an extinction of Christians I am talking about. While our President raises alarms about Ukraine and Gaza he gives not even a word of sympathy for them. These sane Christians and Jews are the only reasonably sane people in ME. The rest don't know how to make a true statement to save their own lives. They had rather lay down and tell a lie than stand up and tell the truth. It's a different way of thinking. If they can fool you then they are smarter than you. It is taught they can and should lie to infidels and we are infidels to them.
     I did find a kind of innocence to most over there; a dependence on the group mentality to do what others expect them to do. They are ruled by pride of rule. You can't lose face type deal. You rule your wives, your family, your city and you are Male don't forget; women are cattle. Their rule is absolute!
Help the Christians! Don't wait like the World did in WW2! Do it now! Before you have a death count you can't live with!

Title: Lord of Temptation
Author: Lorraine Heath
Genre: Historical Romance
Review Rating: Five Stars
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
    This is the second in the Lords of Pembrook Series. I read them out of order but still enjoyed them.

    Lord Tristan Easton is an emotionally flawed Lord but living a life on the sea. He has his own ship; calls himself Crimson Jack and commands his men. A man not to be trifled with as he takes nothing from anyone. Into a bar he is enjoying walks a vision. He can't believe his eyes; a Lady in a dockside bar. He immediately wants her
     Lady Anne Hayworth is desperate for someone to take her to her betrothed, Walter in Scutari. She will pay handsomely and was told she could trust Crimson Jack. She tries to offer him 200 pounds but he will not bargain with her for money. He wants her in his bed.
     Lady Anne is furious. How dare he insult her? She will hire another.
    Crimson Jack pays all Captains twice what she offers to refuse her. Soon she returns to him and confronts him.
    She stalks back to him but she is furious. He decides not to push it and says he will settle for a kiss when he wants it. His own timing.
     Finally she agrees and they are off into a grand and glorious adventure.
    I must tell you I loved this. I read Rafe's story, another brother before this one and knew the boys were scared emotionally as well as physically.
    It was a wonderful romance with Tristan and Anne's problems; they really needed each other. I was rooting for them from the first but it would take a lot to melt Tristan's hard heart.
    I won't give away too much of the story but all the characters are full bodied and the author makes you feel for them till the end. I thought the story was headed in one direction but it was different and exciting. It had erotic moments and the beautiful story of romance was all as it should be.
Linda Hays-Gibbs

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

My Native Land by Sir Walter Scott

My Native Land by Sir Walter Scott

My Native Land

Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd,
As home his footsteps he hath turn'd
From wandering on a foreign strand!
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no Minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonour'd, and unsung.
--Sir Walter Scott

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