FIVE BLUE RIBBONS!!!!!
Romance Junkies
Reviewed by Natasha Smith
Readers yearning for the sequel to Julia Templeton's THE BARGAIN need not wait any longer. THE CONQUEST is Adelstan Cawdor's story and it is truly a historical worthy of any keeper shelf!
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Adelstan Cawdor has been hired by Lord Malgor to escort the Norman baron's betrothed to him. He figured that this job would be simple - arrive at the Laird MacKay's home, escort the Laird's daughter to Lord Malgor, job complete. Upon first glance at Rhiannon, Adelstan, much to his dismay, is completely bewitched. Adelstan refuses to act upon his attraction; his honor demands that, much to his heart's disappointment. When Rhiannon expresses her desire for Adelstan, he refuses to betray her fiancé, no matter that his heart aches for what cannot be.
Rhiannon MacKay has always known that she would have to marry a man of her father's choosing. Being the offspring of the Laird of Clan MacKay isn't without certain sacrifices and Rhiannon has always done her duty. But the arranged marriage to an old baron is more than she can accept, especially since the man she truly wants is the man hired to escort her to her marriage and betrothed husband.
Adelstan fights his feelings for Rhiannon. However, when the woman he secretly loves is threatened, he can deny himself no longer. With one touch Adelstan and Rhiannon's lives are irreversibly changed forever. Now all Adelstan has to do is figure out how he is going to be able to let Rhiannon marry someone else.
Adelstan Cawdor was first introduced to readers in Ms. Templeton's release, THE BARGAIN. In the years since THE BARGAIN took place time wise, Adelstan has grown and matured into a loyal vassal and warrior. He knows his duty and is prepared to carry it through. For these reasons, I fell in love with Adelstan and my feelings never wavered - they were just as strong for Rhiannon. All of her life she knew and had done her duty to her family and her clan. Her forbidden love for Adelstan was her one true act of rebellion after a lifetime of obligation. Her spirit I loved most of all. Never would I have had enough guts to thwart my destiny as she was able to do.
Filled with sensual passion and gripping action, THE CONQUEST holds its own as single handedly being one of the best historical romances I have read in a very long time. Of course, it WAS written by Julia Templeton which means she could write the same word over and over and it would be wonderful. THE CONQUEST is definitely a worthy sequel to THE BARGAIN and a much loved addition to my ever expanding keeper shelf!
Julia Templeton’s The Conquest has two main characters that would make anyone’s heart rate rise! The ideal masculine personality – if in real life- would truly be “eye candy”, watchable, lickable, dependable, and irresistible. The female character is also portrayed as the ideal female. She is to wed a man she hasn’t met that is older than her own father. He sends Adelstan to bring Rhiannon to England for the nuptials. Lord Malgor has paid a high price to her father for Rhiannon. It appears to be love at first sight when Adelstan and Rhiannon make eye contact. The story unfolds as they both battle the fight of honor bound versus love.
The Conquest has so much of what we historical romance erotica readers love to see: wonderful personable spirited characters; easy to follow plot; and explicit love scenes. The addition of the lady’s maid and her exploits increases the sexing heat tenfold. That means she gets it on – here and there- him and her and him. Yes, there’s a ménage in the mix too. The Conquest is an enticing erotic romance that any romance lover would love to warm up to
