Lord of Fire, Lady of Ice

Lord of Fire, Lady of Ice

Written by: Michelle M. Pillow

Narrated by: Mason Lloyd

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:11-14-13

Publisher: The Raven Books

My Review

I really enjoyed this story I thought it had a great plot with wonderful characters. As the story unfolds we find Lady Della has a horrible past which makes her dislike all Viking. She has her own plans of marriage but her father feels he is wiser than she. He picked the man he wanted her to marry and would not take no for answer. It seems the father has been hiding a secret and must have her wed at once. When she is told she isn’t very happy about it as she turns the tables on her soon to be husband.  It does seem Lord Blackwell has met his match as Lady Della gives him a run for his money. Lord Blackwell will not be out done as he turns the tables back on her. I found this to be a highly entertaining read at times very funny. Other times I had my mouth in an O as the things they said or did to each other. Nothing good can come out of baiting each other and it normal backfires.

Mason Lloyd did an outstanding job with narration his male voices were as wonderful as his female ones. There are not any background noises or any high low levels, his voice is strong and smooth with no breaks in the audio that I could tell. You always know who is talking and just what emotion they are feeling. He gives a wonderful power listen with his strong male tones and his very smooth female ones. He has a voice you could listen to all day that really brings the story to life. He really puts his self into the characters when they are angry you know it. Lady Della is up one minute down the next so unsure of herself at times and others she is very much in power. Mr. Lloyd has not trouble playing her character as he shows you how emotional and unforgiving she can be. His Lord Blackwell is very touching as he gives compassion to his voice giving Lady Della time to adjust and find a common ground. This is the first time I have listen to this narrator and really look forward to listening to more from him.

I really liked these characters I understood where both Della and Brant were coming from and how they kept misunderstanding each other. There are many hurt feelings, must anger, misunderstandings, a whole lot of passion. Because of her past she has much to be afraid of in and out of the marriage bed and who can blame her. She doesn’t take to her upcoming marriage easy and make things very tough for those around her. When she finally gives in and marries she sticks to her word this is going to be a rocky marriage she won’t be taken in by his charm. I thought I would die laughing when she called Brant the Thorn in my Arse. I totally enjoyed this wonderful strong women who gives as good as she gets and doesn’t back down as she stands her ground.

Brant has got to be the most patient man alive as he gives her the time she needs. Oh he isn’t giving in all the way as she finds out when he puts her to shame at his request. It is driving him crazy as he sees the passion in her only have her turn cold. It doesn’t help when his friend bait him giving him a hard time. He will have her one way or the other. Just as she seems to becoming around her cousin shows up putting everything in a tail spin.  Brant decides to turn the tables on her again only to fall into his own trap. I really liked this man who can be caring, protective, loving, giving but isn’t going to take too much as he stands proud only bending a little to get his way.

I totally love the baiting between these two and found them to be very humorous at times. When they tried to outdo each other on the name calling I just about laughed myself silly.  The author gives you a very well written story along with the narrator giving you a very entertaining listen. For me I thought this was an outstanding book all the way around. I loved the plot, the characters along with the supporting characters who will keep you chuckling. You will find many twists and turns you will not see coming even a few that will shock you all the way to your soul. This is the first time I have picked up anything by this author but it will not be the last. I give this a big fat 5 stars all the way.

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Overview

Medieval Historical Romance
127,000 Words

"She found herself unimpressed with him, having expected more of the legendary man--Brant. Lord Blackwell. Brant the Gladiator. Brant the Vigorous. Brant the Flame. Brant the Viking Hero. Della snorted in unladylike disgust. More like, Brant the Thorn in my Arse!"

Lady Della the Cold-Hearted
Lady Della despises all things Viking. They may rule the land, but they will never rule her. Unfortunately, her father doesn't seem to agree. To prove his continued allegiance to the Viking king, the Ealdorman of Strathfeld betroths his only daughter to a respected Viking Lord--a warrior who's legendary prowess isn't reserved for the battlefield. Fighting the newfound craving in her body and the unwelcome fire in her heart, Della must choose between everything she knows to be true and the one thing she never expected...

Lord Brant of Blackwell, the Fiery One
Lord Blackwell is as fiery on the battlefield as he is in his passions. He has fought valiantly for King Guthrum and has earned the respect of the nobles. When his overlord offers the hand of his beautiful daughter and the right to inherit his lands, Blackwell can hardly refuse. However, he soon discovers that his noble bride is anything but the meek and mild woman he envisioned for his wife. One minute she's kissing him back, the next she's swearing to do whatever it takes to dissuaded him from their marriage. Can his lust for life and his new bride melt the ice that surrounds her heart? Or will Lady Della the Cold be this warrior's undoing?

Length: Long Novel
Heat Level: Very Sensual
This novel contains adult content. Must
be 18 years or older to read.

The Snow White Bride: The Jewels of Kinfairlie Book 3

    Written by: Claire Delacroix
    Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
    Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
        Series: The Jewels of Kinfairlie, Book 3
    Unabridged Audiobook
    Release Date:06-08-15
    Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke 

My Review
 5 Stars
I really enjoyed listening to this story I thought it was a interesting read with humor, drama and passion. I doubt many people have worse luck than Lady Eleanor it does seem at every turn someone is one step ahead of her make it hard to believe anything she said. She is holding all her cards close to her chest not giving out much information. She has so much to give the right man and all she asks for return is to be respect, cared for and honored. She isn't interested in love just want a man that will not abuse her and trust her. Is that to much to much to ask for? It does seem so when you live in a world where man rule and show no respect to women they are for one thing only and can do with their women as they see fit. They are mean as they use, abuse and beat the women they marry all wanting one thing at this time she has been unable to give. You might say her heart you would be wrong for they have no desire for that they want something much bigger and are willing to fight to take her and keep her. That is until one night when she walks in the snow and finds 3 sisters who want her help to get back at their lord brother. Pranks lead to danger as one man is taken in and weds a lady he does not know why another come to take her away any way he can.

Lady Eleanor I thought was sweet but it does seem the whole world as turned against her. She has been abused and will not take give of herself easy until Alexander shows her how a man should treat a women. She still does not take things as face value for she has seen how sweet and kind men can be when they want something. She knows they will turn on you on a dime when things do not go their way. She is scared that he will turn on her if she gives him the truth he seeks. This causing trouble for them and makes her look guilty at every turn. Can she learn to trust and give what he needs before time runs out and all is lost?

Alexander is a man of honor who lives for his family. Times are hard and he does the best he can without giving away just how poor they truly are. When he meets Eleanor he is taken in he see that she is not trusting and has been abused. He wants to make her smile give her a little happiness. His sisters have a plan for him which he knows nothing about until the deed is done and he has little choice but to go along with it. On the day of their wedding he learns so much about her and her lies. He cannot abide by lies and goes to annul their marriage. Eleanor sees things differently as she puts a plan into action to keep the marriage intact. Alexander works towards finding the truth but it might be to late for there is evil all around who is willing to die for the hand of Lady Eleanor.

 Saskia Maarleveld does a wonderful job of narration her many voices are clear and strong. You have no trouble knowing who is talking as she takes you on a wonderful tale the author has wrote. There are no background noises nor any breaks it is all even tone each character is easy to understand and each voice is different. Ms. Maarleveld brings so much to this audio her tones and voice you have no trouble knowing what each characters are feeling. You can hear the sadness and laughter as she uses her voice to bring this story alive. Her tones are even, smooth and her voice is a joy to listen to. This is the first time I have listen to this narrator and I look forward to listening to more from her. I love her accent it brings more to the audio as she takes you back in time to a world you know little about. Outstanding listen.

This is the first time I have read/listen to anything by Ms. Delacroix. I found this story to be a delight. She has wonderful characters that you will fall in love with as she gives you a wonderfully captivating listen. There is drama as one women tries to find a safe haven. She gives you sadness that will break your heart and laughter that you will find delightful. The author gives you a compelling store which has adventure, a few thrills and even a chill that you will say OH NO please let this turn out right. She does give you a wonderful HEA but first these characters must fight to stay alive. Here characters you will love as they work their way through trying times. The supporting characters will keep you laughing as each woman are strong and will have their due. The author writes in a style that pulls you in as you feel each emotion of these characters and all they go through. I really enjoyed this book and feel most that like this time in history will enjoy it.

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Book Description
The Laird of Kinfairlie has helped his sisters, each a gem in her own right, to find husbands. Now the laird himself seeks to wed, and pins his hopes on The Snow White Bride.

Lady Eleanor knows better than to dream of romance and love. Married twice to secure her father’s alliances, she has learned that she is desirable only for her fortune. When the Laird of Kinfairlie’s sisters ask her to wed their brother, Alexander, Eleanor agrees, expecting only to save herself from danger.

But Alexander is like no man she’s known before, a man more interested in courting her smile than her obedience, a man who values her counsel as much as her newly awakened passion…and a man unaware that Eleanor is the key to a fortune that could ensure the future of everything he holds dear.

Now, ruthless enemies will stop at nothing to secure Eleanor’s capture. Will she dare to trust her new husband before it’s too late for her, for Alexander, and for Kinfairlie?

Meet the Author
NYT bestselling author Claire Delacroix always loved stories, both telling them and hearing them. She sold her first romance novel - THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE - in 1992 and has published over fifty romance novels since. She writes in a variety of subgenres, including time travel romance, historical romance, medieval romance, fantasy romance and fantasy with romantic elements. She has also written under the names Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. She makes her home with her family, a number of incomplete knitting projects and a lot of overgrown houseplants. Claire loves to travel, to cook, to ride her bike and to read.

Claire is currently writing The Champions of Saint Euphemia series of medieval romances. She also writes paranormal and contemporary romance as Deborah Cooke.

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http://deborahcooke.com