the housework got done, 14 Oct 2008
The main way that I rate a book is the levels of neglect in my home, sad to say my pots got washed and kids fed. So a reluctant 3 stars given, as ever Ms Carlyle writing is of a good standard and the story moves on at fair pace, the interactions between the H/H were reasonably effective altogether a pretty good book, BUT, if you're used to reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting I would say read this but don't be dissappointed when you fail to get the buzz that usually comes with this authors work if you have'nt read anything by this author before I would recomend that you start with some of her earlier stories as they have more bite to them, my favourite being Devil to Pay

Kieran, Baron Rothwell is a hardened gamster and a dissolute rake, past experiences mean that he doesn't feel that he's entitled to happiness not that he paticulary cares either way (thus we have our Tortured Hero). Camille Marchand is encoumbered by a 'ner-do-well father who wagers her in a card game, she is determined to be tough and unfeeling and make the best of the situation as it means that if she produces a child she stands to come into her inheritance of £ioo,ooo. The H/H get married and the basic tale is the courtship that takes place after the wedding, he wants to stay aloof from his bride, she doesn't want to care, but finds that she does. In his mind he knows that he is dying, and, she thinks that there is something wrong and that he's dying and given up. Well I nearly gave up too! I just wanted to shout get on with it, I won't be keeping this book but by the same token just because this one does'nt appeal to me doesn't make it a poor story and is is still worth a read it's just not a keeper.

Troubled bad boy...., 29 Jul 2008
Kieran is surely a bad boy! He is also Xanthia Neville's brother. She was in NEVER LIE TO A LADY. He thinks he is dying and keeps it a secret. Despite all his wickedness he cannot help but be drawn to Camille who is Comte de Valigny's daughter. Comte de Valigny wagers her in card game. Kieran wins her and from there starts a very interesting story/courtship. The H/H are well suited with each other. She finds his honesty refreshing for someone who has a reputation of being difficult and a rake. She is independent and has a back bone, she is not afraid of him. A few suprises some not quite believable but it's a book that will keep you engrossed as you would want to know if they will have their happy ending.

the housework got done, 14 Oct 2008
The main way that I rate a book is the levels of neglect in my home, sad to say my pots got washed and kids fed. So a reluctant 3 stars given, as ever Ms Carlyle writing is of a good standard and the story moves on at fair pace, the interactions between the H/H were reasonably effective altogether a pretty good book, BUT, if you're used to reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting I would say read this but don't be dissappointed when you fail to get the buzz that usually comes with this authors work if you have'nt read anything by this author before I would recomend that you start with some of her earlier stories as they have more bite to them, my favourite being Devil to Pay

Kieran, Baron Rothwell is a hardened gamster and a dissolute rake, past experiences mean that he doesn't feel that he's entitled to happiness not that he paticulary cares either way (thus we have our Tortured Hero). Camille Marchand is encoumbered by a 'ner-do-well father who wagers her in a card game, she is determined to be tough and unfeeling and make the best of the situation as it means that if she produces a child she stands to come into her inheritance of £ioo,ooo. The H/H get married and the basic tale is the courtship that takes place after the wedding, he wants to stay aloof from his bride, she doesn't want to care, but finds that she does. In his mind he knows that he is dying, and, she thinks that there is something wrong and that he's dying and given up. Well I nearly gave up too! I just wanted to shout get on with it, I won't be keeping this book but by the same token just because this one does'nt appeal to me doesn't make it a poor story and is is still worth a read it's just not a keeper.

Troubled bad boy...., 29 Jul 2008
Kieran is surely a bad boy! He is also Xanthia Neville's brother. She was in NEVER LIE TO A LADY. He thinks he is dying and keeps it a secret. Despite all his wickedness he cannot help but be drawn to Camille who is Comte de Valigny's daughter. Comte de Valigny wagers her in card game. Kieran wins her and from there starts a very interesting story/courtship. The H/H are well suited with each other. She finds his honesty refreshing for someone who has a reputation of being difficult and a rake. She is independent and has a back bone, she is not afraid of him. A few suprises some not quite believable but it's a book that will keep you engrossed as you would want to know if they will have their happy ending.

Irritating yet titillating, 15 Nov 2008
I was really irritated by the psuedo scottish accent I've never heard any scot speak like that especially one with strong English links -I liked the heroine and her lover, who seem able to travel to and from Spain and Britain so easily and qickly in 1845. If you suspend belief you will enjoy the interaction between the two lovers even if the caricature of the scottish male is irritating it is fiction after all.


IF YOU DARE, 27 Jul 2008
Ive been an avid romance reader for many years now and to find a new author that captures the passion ,fire, and sexual tention between two people is just breathtaking. It took less than aweek to read, i couldint put it down,this is in the early style of johanna lindsey. ive since bought the rest of kresley coles books and im not disappointed!!.If you want a real escape with a true fiesty woman,and mouth watering hero, that is so believable then i highly reccomend this book and her others!.Beaten, to with in an inch of his life "court" the youngest of three scot warrior brothers is thought to be dead, orders from his enemy General Reynaldo Pascal, surviving, he swears revenge, kidnapping his fiancee "Annalia", little knowing what hes got him self into! Knowing her brother is held captive by Reynaldo and with the threat that if she doesnt marry him her brother will be killed. Annalia will try any which way to get back to the general just to insure her brothers saftey. With a family curse that has hung over the macCarrick family, court fights the attraction he feels to wards Annalia , as much as she is prim and proper he is a rough mercenarie, hardened by the battled life hes lead, it will take a strong woman to break down the walls hes built up. Hateing that her attraction for court is growing daily she defies him at every turn. Only when misunderstandings and secrets are shared do emotions take over,sexual tention builds, and ignites! Will court be able to defy the curse that has stopped him from truely loveing a women, swearing to protect Annalia with his life against his enermys, so the battle begins. This is a page turner, that will have you blerry eyed from wanting to find out what happens! i hope you enjoy this book as much as i have, (to be read many more times yet)ENJOY AND ESCAPE WITH PLEASURE.

Captured my interest but did not hold it., 09 Mar 2008
I like reading romance books but I find my attention wandering with this one. Can't seem to hold my interest for very long. In the end I have to force myself to finish it just because I don't like not reading a book through. I keep expecting it to get better, probably towards the end you know... but it was hardgoing instead. The story has all the elements, feisty leading lady, alpha hero, nice setting... but somehow the way the story was told did not keep my interest... Not one of those loose-yourself-in-the-story kind of books.

I was hooked!, 22 Jun 2007
The tension in this book is mind blowing! It hooks you from cover to cover. One of the best books I have ever read by far, i could read it all over again! You are taken into this world of passion and lust with court wanting anna more than he can bear. AMAZING!

a pure romance tale, 11 Nov 2006
I love all Cole's work but when i picked up "If you dare" the first book of the MacCarrick Bothers series, i was hooked from cover to cover.
Cole took us through Anna's battle with head and heart with the right amount of sensitivty and humour. i loved how at the beginning Anna didn't want Court and tried every trick she had to get away from him, and how he always brought her back, over his shoulder, with her pawing at him.

I also loved Courts "payment" idea. his help and protection for the freedom to kiss Anna whenever he likes. That idea got them into tricky situations!

i could sympathise with Court and how his need for Anna was always bubbling below the surface. Cole created the tension so well, and as a reader, i was almost shouting at Anna to be submissive for once.

The nearer the end of the book, there was a turn of the tables. Court holding back on his need and lust for Anna, and it turned out she took Courts place, begging him "tae touch her".

For those who love romance, but also like the heroine to fight a little, for the relationship to have complications and for the sex scenes and tension to be sky rocket, this book is for you!

A def 5 stars- i would have given more if i was able to!

the housework got done, 14 Oct 2008
The main way that I rate a book is the levels of neglect in my home, sad to say my pots got washed and kids fed. So a reluctant 3 stars given, as ever Ms Carlyle writing is of a good standard and the story moves on at fair pace, the interactions between the H/H were reasonably effective altogether a pretty good book, BUT, if you're used to reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting I would say read this but don't be dissappointed when you fail to get the buzz that usually comes with this authors work if you have'nt read anything by this author before I would recomend that you start with some of her earlier stories as they have more bite to them, my favourite being Devil to Pay

Kieran, Baron Rothwell is a hardened gamster and a dissolute rake, past experiences mean that he doesn't feel that he's entitled to happiness not that he paticulary cares either way (thus we have our Tortured Hero). Camille Marchand is encoumbered by a 'ner-do-well father who wagers her in a card game, she is determined to be tough and unfeeling and make the best of the situation as it means that if she produces a child she stands to come into her inheritance of £ioo,ooo. The H/H get married and the basic tale is the courtship that takes place after the wedding, he wants to stay aloof from his bride, she doesn't want to care, but finds that she does. In his mind he knows that he is dying, and, she thinks that there is something wrong and that he's dying and given up. Well I nearly gave up too! I just wanted to shout get on with it, I won't be keeping this book but by the same token just because this one does'nt appeal to me doesn't make it a poor story and is is still worth a read it's just not a keeper.

Troubled bad boy...., 29 Jul 2008
Kieran is surely a bad boy! He is also Xanthia Neville's brother. She was in NEVER LIE TO A LADY. He thinks he is dying and keeps it a secret. Despite all his wickedness he cannot help but be drawn to Camille who is Comte de Valigny's daughter. Comte de Valigny wagers her in card game. Kieran wins her and from there starts a very interesting story/courtship. The H/H are well suited with each other. She finds his honesty refreshing for someone who has a reputation of being difficult and a rake. She is independent and has a back bone, she is not afraid of him. A few suprises some not quite believable but it's a book that will keep you engrossed as you would want to know if they will have their happy ending.

Irritating yet titillating, 15 Nov 2008
I was really irritated by the psuedo scottish accent I've never heard any scot speak like that especially one with strong English links -I liked the heroine and her lover, who seem able to travel to and from Spain and Britain so easily and qickly in 1845. If you suspend belief you will enjoy the interaction between the two lovers even if the caricature of the scottish male is irritating it is fiction after all.


IF YOU DARE, 27 Jul 2008
Ive been an avid romance reader for many years now and to find a new author that captures the passion ,fire, and sexual tention between two people is just breathtaking. It took less than aweek to read, i couldint put it down,this is in the early style of johanna lindsey. ive since bought the rest of kresley coles books and im not disappointed!!.If you want a real escape with a true fiesty woman,and mouth watering hero, that is so believable then i highly reccomend this book and her others!.Beaten, to with in an inch of his life "court" the youngest of three scot warrior brothers is thought to be dead, orders from his enemy General Reynaldo Pascal, surviving, he swears revenge, kidnapping his fiancee "Annalia", little knowing what hes got him self into! Knowing her brother is held captive by Reynaldo and with the threat that if she doesnt marry him her brother will be killed. Annalia will try any which way to get back to the general just to insure her brothers saftey. With a family curse that has hung over the macCarrick family, court fights the attraction he feels to wards Annalia , as much as she is prim and proper he is a rough mercenarie, hardened by the battled life hes lead, it will take a strong woman to break down the walls hes built up. Hateing that her attraction for court is growing daily she defies him at every turn. Only when misunderstandings and secrets are shared do emotions take over,sexual tention builds, and ignites! Will court be able to defy the curse that has stopped him from truely loveing a women, swearing to protect Annalia with his life against his enermys, so the battle begins. This is a page turner, that will have you blerry eyed from wanting to find out what happens! i hope you enjoy this book as much as i have, (to be read many more times yet)ENJOY AND ESCAPE WITH PLEASURE.

Captured my interest but did not hold it., 09 Mar 2008
I like reading romance books but I find my attention wandering with this one. Can't seem to hold my interest for very long. In the end I have to force myself to finish it just because I don't like not reading a book through. I keep expecting it to get better, probably towards the end you know... but it was hardgoing instead. The story has all the elements, feisty leading lady, alpha hero, nice setting... but somehow the way the story was told did not keep my interest... Not one of those loose-yourself-in-the-story kind of books.

I was hooked!, 22 Jun 2007
The tension in this book is mind blowing! It hooks you from cover to cover. One of the best books I have ever read by far, i could read it all over again! You are taken into this world of passion and lust with court wanting anna more than he can bear. AMAZING!

a pure romance tale, 11 Nov 2006
I love all Cole's work but when i picked up "If you dare" the first book of the MacCarrick Bothers series, i was hooked from cover to cover.
Cole took us through Anna's battle with head and heart with the right amount of sensitivty and humour. i loved how at the beginning Anna didn't want Court and tried every trick she had to get away from him, and how he always brought her back, over his shoulder, with her pawing at him.

I also loved Courts "payment" idea. his help and protection for the freedom to kiss Anna whenever he likes. That idea got them into tricky situations!

i could sympathise with Court and how his need for Anna was always bubbling below the surface. Cole created the tension so well, and as a reader, i was almost shouting at Anna to be submissive for once.

The nearer the end of the book, there was a turn of the tables. Court holding back on his need and lust for Anna, and it turned out she took Courts place, begging him "tae touch her".

For those who love romance, but also like the heroine to fight a little, for the relationship to have complications and for the sex scenes and tension to be sky rocket, this book is for you!

A def 5 stars- i would have given more if i was able to!

The Grand Final!, What a way to go!!, 08 Aug 2008
In this, the final of the three brothers, i think this is my favorite. We at last get to the eldest brother "ETHAN", we learn hes been wrongly accused of a "crime", that he did not commit, scarred so badly that hes reminded every day, swearing revenge on the people that did it, the die is cast, years of hate and bitternes have built up, when finally he finds the one last person to avenge on "MADDIE" the daughter of his enemy. Not prepared for the impact she will have on his life, the feelings that she stires, the passion and longing that he has kept hidden for ten years, he plans to seduce, gain her trust and then throw her into the gutter! If only that were so easy to do. Maddie is a strong woman, life has treated her harshley but with a fighting spirit she never gives up and will not be down trodden, with many secrets hidden, ETHAN will slowly find out the truth of maddies life and the struggle she has injured. Can she tame this scot warrior, hardened by the life hes led, the secrets that he holds,if found out could destroy her and any chance they might have together!!. Only when all is nearly lost, faith, love and life, does he realise what a fool he is, he must now fight for the love of maddie, and for her "life",.ETHANs hard shell slowly desolves, feelings that he thought had gone, smack him hard, but is it to late. Passion is never but a heart beat away from these two, sexual tention is rife,.I defie anyone not to enjoy the final. A great page turner to the last, and what a great ending!I hope you enjoy this as much as i have. full circle of the three brothers have now come to an end.ENJOY.

Man! those McCarrick Bros. Series are/is absolutely fabulous., 17 Jan 2008
I loved each and every book. I read all three this week and they were great from the first to this one. Ethan and Maddy's book was worth the wait and a great ending to an excellent series. Ethan is a big, s3xy, surly, Scottish Lord and Assasin and Maddy is a once rich, now destitute firebrand. Together they make magic. They go through he11 an end up in heaven, and the erotic love scenes along the way are to di3 for. Loved it! I wish the McCarrick's had a long lost Brother so the series could be extended!! Until then, I'd recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you missed it!!

fantastic, 07 Aug 2007
i have just finished this book having never read any of the authors books before. it was absolutely brilliant with a compelling love story and plenty of hot and steamy moments.
I will definately buy another of these authors books !

How hot?!!!!!!!, 30 Jun 2007
This book was fabulous - I loved it!! Was so pleased to be able to be able to read the third in the series so quickly, and it was well worth the wait.

Ethan touched my heart in the previous books because it was obvious he had been through so much pain. And to watch him grow and learn and accept how he felt for Madeleine was amazing.

The love scenes were steamy in the extreme - hot, hot, hot!!!!!! And yes, this is one I will re-read over and over again because it was amazing!!

Nice one Kresley - can't wait for your next book!

I wish there were more MacCarrick Brothers!!, 26 Jun 2007
The first reviewer says it all so all I can do is reiterate every word. This book is MAGIC!! I love every one of this series and will read and re-read them. Kresley Cole is a real find. I also think her "Immortals after Dark" series is excellent. She is one of my favourite authors of the moment.

the housework got done, 14 Oct 2008
The main way that I rate a book is the levels of neglect in my home, sad to say my pots got washed and kids fed. So a reluctant 3 stars given, as ever Ms Carlyle writing is of a good standard and the story moves on at fair pace, the interactions between the H/H were reasonably effective altogether a pretty good book, BUT, if you're used to reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting I would say read this but don't be dissappointed when you fail to get the buzz that usually comes with this authors work if you have'nt read anything by this author before I would recomend that you start with some of her earlier stories as they have more bite to them, my favourite being Devil to Pay

Kieran, Baron Rothwell is a hardened gamster and a dissolute rake, past experiences mean that he doesn't feel that he's entitled to happiness not that he paticulary cares either way (thus we have our Tortured Hero). Camille Marchand is encoumbered by a 'ner-do-well father who wagers her in a card game, she is determined to be tough and unfeeling and make the best of the situation as it means that if she produces a child she stands to come into her inheritance of £ioo,ooo. The H/H get married and the basic tale is the courtship that takes place after the wedding, he wants to stay aloof from his bride, she doesn't want to care, but finds that she does. In his mind he knows that he is dying, and, she thinks that there is something wrong and that he's dying and given up. Well I nearly gave up too! I just wanted to shout get on with it, I won't be keeping this book but by the same token just because this one does'nt appeal to me doesn't make it a poor story and is is still worth a read it's just not a keeper.

Troubled bad boy...., 29 Jul 2008
Kieran is surely a bad boy! He is also Xanthia Neville's brother. She was in NEVER LIE TO A LADY. He thinks he is dying and keeps it a secret. Despite all his wickedness he cannot help but be drawn to Camille who is Comte de Valigny's daughter. Comte de Valigny wagers her in card game. Kieran wins her and from there starts a very interesting story/courtship. The H/H are well suited with each other. She finds his honesty refreshing for someone who has a reputation of being difficult and a rake. She is independent and has a back bone, she is not afraid of him. A few suprises some not quite believable but it's a book that will keep you engrossed as you would want to know if they will have their happy ending.

Irritating yet titillating, 15 Nov 2008
I was really irritated by the psuedo scottish accent I've never heard any scot speak like that especially one with strong English links -I liked the heroine and her lover, who seem able to travel to and from Spain and Britain so easily and qickly in 1845. If you suspend belief you will enjoy the interaction between the two lovers even if the caricature of the scottish male is irritating it is fiction after all.


IF YOU DARE, 27 Jul 2008
Ive been an avid romance reader for many years now and to find a new author that captures the passion ,fire, and sexual tention between two people is just breathtaking. It took less than aweek to read, i couldint put it down,this is in the early style of johanna lindsey. ive since bought the rest of kresley coles books and im not disappointed!!.If you want a real escape with a true fiesty woman,and mouth watering hero, that is so believable then i highly reccomend this book and her others!.Beaten, to with in an inch of his life "court" the youngest of three scot warrior brothers is thought to be dead, orders from his enemy General Reynaldo Pascal, surviving, he swears revenge, kidnapping his fiancee "Annalia", little knowing what hes got him self into! Knowing her brother is held captive by Reynaldo and with the threat that if she doesnt marry him her brother will be killed. Annalia will try any which way to get back to the general just to insure her brothers saftey. With a family curse that has hung over the macCarrick family, court fights the attraction he feels to wards Annalia , as much as she is prim and proper he is a rough mercenarie, hardened by the battled life hes lead, it will take a strong woman to break down the walls hes built up. Hateing that her attraction for court is growing daily she defies him at every turn. Only when misunderstandings and secrets are shared do emotions take over,sexual tention builds, and ignites! Will court be able to defy the curse that has stopped him from truely loveing a women, swearing to protect Annalia with his life against his enermys, so the battle begins. This is a page turner, that will have you blerry eyed from wanting to find out what happens! i hope you enjoy this book as much as i have, (to be read many more times yet)ENJOY AND ESCAPE WITH PLEASURE.

Captured my interest but did not hold it., 09 Mar 2008
I like reading romance books but I find my attention wandering with this one. Can't seem to hold my interest for very long. In the end I have to force myself to finish it just because I don't like not reading a book through. I keep expecting it to get better, probably towards the end you know... but it was hardgoing instead. The story has all the elements, feisty leading lady, alpha hero, nice setting... but somehow the way the story was told did not keep my interest... Not one of those loose-yourself-in-the-story kind of books.

I was hooked!, 22 Jun 2007
The tension in this book is mind blowing! It hooks you from cover to cover. One of the best books I have ever read by far, i could read it all over again! You are taken into this world of passion and lust with court wanting anna more than he can bear. AMAZING!

a pure romance tale, 11 Nov 2006
I love all Cole's work but when i picked up "If you dare" the first book of the MacCarrick Bothers series, i was hooked from cover to cover.
Cole took us through Anna's battle with head and heart with the right amount of sensitivty and humour. i loved how at the beginning Anna didn't want Court and tried every trick she had to get away from him, and how he always brought her back, over his shoulder, with her pawing at him.

I also loved Courts "payment" idea. his help and protection for the freedom to kiss Anna whenever he likes. That idea got them into tricky situations!

i could sympathise with Court and how his need for Anna was always bubbling below the surface. Cole created the tension so well, and as a reader, i was almost shouting at Anna to be submissive for once.

The nearer the end of the book, there was a turn of the tables. Court holding back on his need and lust for Anna, and it turned out she took Courts place, begging him "tae touch her".

For those who love romance, but also like the heroine to fight a little, for the relationship to have complications and for the sex scenes and tension to be sky rocket, this book is for you!

A def 5 stars- i would have given more if i was able to!

The Grand Final!, What a way to go!!, 08 Aug 2008
In this, the final of the three brothers, i think this is my favorite. We at last get to the eldest brother "ETHAN", we learn hes been wrongly accused of a "crime", that he did not commit, scarred so badly that hes reminded every day, swearing revenge on the people that did it, the die is cast, years of hate and bitternes have built up, when finally he finds the one last person to avenge on "MADDIE" the daughter of his enemy. Not prepared for the impact she will have on his life, the feelings that she stires, the passion and longing that he has kept hidden for ten years, he plans to seduce, gain her trust and then throw her into the gutter! If only that were so easy to do. Maddie is a strong woman, life has treated her harshley but with a fighting spirit she never gives up and will not be down trodden, with many secrets hidden, ETHAN will slowly find out the truth of maddies life and the struggle she has injured. Can she tame this scot warrior, hardened by the life hes led, the secrets that he holds,if found out could destroy her and any chance they might have together!!. Only when all is nearly lost, faith, love and life, does he realise what a fool he is, he must now fight for the love of maddie, and for her "life",.ETHANs hard shell slowly desolves, feelings that he thought had gone, smack him hard, but is it to late. Passion is never but a heart beat away from these two, sexual tention is rife,.I defie anyone not to enjoy the final. A great page turner to the last, and what a great ending!I hope you enjoy this as much as i have. full circle of the three brothers have now come to an end.ENJOY.

Man! those McCarrick Bros. Series are/is absolutely fabulous., 17 Jan 2008
I loved each and every book. I read all three this week and they were great from the first to this one. Ethan and Maddy's book was worth the wait and a great ending to an excellent series. Ethan is a big, s3xy, surly, Scottish Lord and Assasin and Maddy is a once rich, now destitute firebrand. Together they make magic. They go through he11 an end up in heaven, and the erotic love scenes along the way are to di3 for. Loved it! I wish the McCarrick's had a long lost Brother so the series could be extended!! Until then, I'd recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you missed it!!

fantastic, 07 Aug 2007
i have just finished this book having never read any of the authors books before. it was absolutely brilliant with a compelling love story and plenty of hot and steamy moments.
I will definately buy another of these authors books !

How hot?!!!!!!!, 30 Jun 2007
This book was fabulous - I loved it!! Was so pleased to be able to be able to read the third in the series so quickly, and it was well worth the wait.

Ethan touched my heart in the previous books because it was obvious he had been through so much pain. And to watch him grow and learn and accept how he felt for Madeleine was amazing.

The love scenes were steamy in the extreme - hot, hot, hot!!!!!! And yes, this is one I will re-read over and over again because it was amazing!!

Nice one Kresley - can't wait for your next book!

I wish there were more MacCarrick Brothers!!, 26 Jun 2007
The first reviewer says it all so all I can do is reiterate every word. This book is MAGIC!! I love every one of this series and will read and re-read them. Kresley Cole is a real find. I also think her "Immortals after Dark" series is excellent. She is one of my favourite authors of the moment.

Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!, 13 Oct 2008
In part one: Lord of the Fading Lands, a woodcarver's daughter called Rain Tairen Soul from the sky and a courtship begun.

In part two: Lady Of Light And Shadow, the courtship continues as a fierce battle knocks on Celierian doors and secrets reveal themselves.

Now in part three, King Of Sword And Sky, Rain takes his Shei'tani to his homeland where new challenges lie for Ellysetta. Enter a new world where Fey gather to meet the Shei'tani of a Tairen Soul, a Tairen pride that roars their welcome and the battle that becomes more violent and more grim with each passing day.

Like a bard of old times C.L. Wilson has once again raised her voice to tell another story in her Tairen Soul series and one thing's for sure, many will gather to hear it! As I started to read the first page of KING OF SWORD AND SKY I was walking back into the vibrant world of the Fading Lands and met the characters that I came to treasure in Lord Of The Fading Lands and Lady Of Light And Shadow.

It didn't take much for me to be completely absorbed in this tale as it takes off right where Lady Of Light And Shadow had left me. On a fivefold weave and on Tairen back I was led deeper into a world that took my breath away. The almost lyric prose of C.L. Wilson combined with a highly imaginative writing skill made me wander in a deserted Elven town, visit the Fey' Bahren and was in awe of the Hall of Scrolls. Though the author takes time to make the reader see all the splendor of her world it is the plot and a plethora of memorable characters that never lets your attention falter and only makes you wish for more. Four hundred and sixty-seven pages and they go by in the blink of an eye.

Of course Rain vel 'En Daris and Ellysetta Baristani are the main couple and their true mate bond that needs to gain in strength. Doubts and concerns are their ever present companions but they also get to feel beauty, share each other's joy and wonder. Their bond and feelings just echoed in my heart as I read the pages, hoping for all the good things but knowing a bond is not just forged in good times. It is in the troubled times that the trials will test the bond's strength. It also makes the love shine stronger and the magic of the true bond brighter. I don't know if I can capture the words to describe this soaring romance that makes my heart response with all my emotions. There are moments that gave me goose bumps from what I "saw" in my mind's eye, filled my eyes with tears and made my heart leap in joy. The author has a gift to evoke it all with the reader and she will make you care for each Fey and Tairen.

The Fey warriors are a sight to behold and the Tairen pride is impressive in their loyalty and playfulness. Belliard, Gaelen, Kiel and Kieran are all present but I also got to meet new Fey and Tajik vel Sibboreh is one that will demand your attention with his gruff but loyal attitude. The diversity in their natures and magic is what made me want to get to know all of them and makes me understand Elly all the more in her decisions. But if there is one character that had me from the first moment I met her it is Steli. She is Tairen and considers herself to be the first blade, the fiercest defender of the pride. She is loyal, knows no shame and will bleed for you in protection. Her very nature just brings a bright smile to my face and this tale became that much richer with her in it!

KING OF SWORD AND SKY enters the next stage of the story and it will affect many characters, will become more dire and sacrifices must be made! The good versus evil element is superbly executed by C.L. Wilson and drives me to keep turning the pages, no matter what hour, what needs to be done or who's calling. With every book in her Tairen Soul series she delivers a tale of otherworldly proportions and is a symphony of exquisite writing. It combines a rich and dazzling cast of characters, who are led by a dynamic pair that scorches the pages with their profound love and is framed by a plot that keeps you firmly set is this world. Submerged in this tale, in this world, the sum of its parts leads to awe inspiring romance, a page devouring battle and the image of Fey warriors that shout: `Mei'felani. Bei'santi. Nehtah, bas desrali. Live well, love deep. Tomorrow, we die.' burned in the mind's eye!

I cannot praise this series high enough for it is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance! In the end C.L. Wilson masterfully leads the reader to yet another action driven ending that makes you feel sad to leave the Fading Lands and count the day's until Queen Of Song And Soul is released.

Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!

reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves

Stunning, 13 Oct 2008
KING OF SOUL AND SKY is the third installment of C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series, with the final installment due out in June 2009. If you haven't yet started this series, you really must go back to LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and start there...I promise it won't disappoint!

First of all, if anyone out there is unsure as to if they should continue or even start this series, all I'm going to say is visit C. L. Wilson's website, read the extracts and let the beautiful writing and exquisite storyline speak for itself...

KING picks up where LADY left off; with Ellie and Rain making their way to the Fading Lands, where Ellie will have to try and figure out what is killing the Tairen kitlings, discover the true extent to her own powers and where they come from, and last but not least complete her soul bond with Rain, who will succumb to madness if she does not. Needless to say, there is a lot happening in this book, and is the longest one yet of the series-I for one am not complaining! Wilson really has a way with words, making her characters seem very realistic, so much so that you will fall in love not just with the self-doubting Hero that is Rain, but the minor characters as well! This series has been a joy to read, and in KING we get a look at the Fading Lands and the Fey, and an even closer look at the horrific schemes and clever plotting of the 'baddies', who will actually send a shiver down your spine...just as the characters, landscape, relationship stories and love scenes are described with wonderful skill and detail, so it is also true for the darker aspects to the book. You learn more about Ellie's parents and the full extent of the horrors and tortures they have been put through for 1000 years...I can only hope there is some sort of happy ending for them!

KING sees Ellie grow and develop even more as a character, and as a consequence so does her relationship with Rain deepen and mature. Her life is not all fun and games once she is behind the Mists however, and we see her cope with more trials in the Fey lands.
KING definitely cannot stand alone, and I would really recommend that you catch up on LORD and LADY before you start off, because Wilson starts off with a page-turning pace and maintains it throughout. There is a certain amount of closure at the end of the novel however, so do no fear that you will be left completely hanging! I for one cannot wait for the release of QUEEN :)

I would recommend this series for fantasy, romance, and paranormal fans. Truly worth a go, and would be a good series to start with if you are new to fantasy scene!

C.L. Wilson does it again!!!!, 09 Oct 2008
King of Sword and Sky continues straight after the previous book and what an engaging read it is. If you liked the previous two books in the series this story will not disappoint.

Ellie is still learning the arts of magic and trying to come to grips with the vast power that she has inherited. The shock of losing her mother and leaving her father and sisters in Telon are weighing heavily on her shoulders. After travelling from Celieria city to the outskirts of the Fading Lands Ellie and Rain's first trial is to go through the faering mists. Which proves to be just as hard as they both thought it would be. There she'tanista bond is still not complete and the Eld, in secret are mustering there troups for an invasion. The Tairen cubs are dying in there eggs and it is up to Ellie to find the answer. The High Mage of Eld is a vile person and the lengths he goes to to achieve victory are shocking and extreme. I found the introduction of the Tarien to be wonderous.

If you like paranormal romance and romantic sagas and have not read this wonderful series by C.L. Wilson I would suggest you buy it.

Patience is rewarded!!!, 07 Oct 2008
As noted, I had to be particularly patient whilst waiting for book no. 3 to reach me. I kept nos. 1 and 2 handy to refresh my memory, and no. 3 is well worth the wait. As the previous reviewer notes, Ellie does sometimes leap before she looks, but with the very best of intentions. The "baddie" is a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but I found myself morbidly fascinated by all his (quite repulsive in parts)deeds of wickedness. However, I'm sure Rain and Ellie and assorted supporting players will overcome his horribleness. Got to go - few more chapters to read - I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, ghoulishness, and acts of derring-do. FABULOUS!!!!!

Third in Tairen Soul series, 01 Oct 2008
C L Wilson's first two books in this series, 'Lord of the Fading Lands' and 'Lady of Light and Shadow' were an astonishing debut pair of novels that introduced us to the world of Rain Tairen Soul, a shapechanging powerful fey King and his truemate, apparently ordinary Ellysetta Baristani. But there was far more to Ellysetta than met the eye and the first two novels showed how her powers were gradually revealed and how she began to understand her position as truemate to Rain.

The third book, 'King of Sword and Sky', continues the story directly after the end of the previous book. After the shock of Elly's mother's death, she and Rain, their bodyguards and the remaining members of her family set off for the Fading Lands. However this isn't going to be happy ever after, there are many problems within the lands of the Fey as their lands become barren, their women no longer have children and the Tairen, the great cat-like flying beasts, also seem to be sickening. Can Elly's arrival change things, or will the dark forces that are buried deep inside her cause problems? Can Rain continue to be king or will his association with Elly mean that he is placed under suspicion? Can Elly come to terms with her powers and will she understand from where they spring?

I read this book almost a year after reading the previous two and it took me some time to get up to speed with the story, events, characters and - particularly - terminology. This would be a very difficult book to understand if you hadn't read the previous books and it makes few concessions to a reader with a rusty memory. The author piles on more and more terminology and phrases in Feyan, a foreign language that appears to be liberally sprinkled with apostrophes. I found the first half of the book particularly heavy going and it seemed to take a long time to get round to any action. Elly is still a rather difficult character, one who leaps before she looks and who tends to do her own thing, albeit with usually the best of motivations. There were some slightly disturbing scenes in which the evil High Mage played a part and there was more focus on sex than in the previous book.

Despite some of these criticisms this was still a very good book. C L Wilson's imagination is impressive, her list of characters interesting and varied and her worldbuilding congruent. Those who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy the continuation of the story - as long as they can remember the people, events and Feyan phrases from the previous two books!

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

the housework got done, 14 Oct 2008
The main way that I rate a book is the levels of neglect in my home, sad to say my pots got washed and kids fed. So a reluctant 3 stars given, as ever Ms Carlyle writing is of a good standard and the story moves on at fair pace, the interactions between the H/H were reasonably effective altogether a pretty good book, BUT, if you're used to reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting I would say read this but don't be dissappointed when you fail to get the buzz that usually comes with this authors work if you have'nt read anything by this author before I would recomend that you start with some of her earlier stories as they have more bite to them, my favourite being Devil to Pay

Kieran, Baron Rothwell is a hardened gamster and a dissolute rake, past experiences mean that he doesn't feel that he's entitled to happiness not that he paticulary cares either way (thus we have our Tortured Hero). Camille Marchand is encoumbered by a 'ner-do-well father who wagers her in a card game, she is determined to be tough and unfeeling and make the best of the situation as it means that if she produces a child she stands to come into her inheritance of £ioo,ooo. The H/H get married and the basic tale is the courtship that takes place after the wedding, he wants to stay aloof from his bride, she doesn't want to care, but finds that she does. In his mind he knows that he is dying, and, she thinks that there is something wrong and that he's dying and given up. Well I nearly gave up too! I just wanted to shout get on with it, I won't be keeping this book but by the same token just because this one does'nt appeal to me doesn't make it a poor story and is is still worth a read it's just not a keeper.

Troubled bad boy...., 29 Jul 2008
Kieran is surely a bad boy! He is also Xanthia Neville's brother. She was in NEVER LIE TO A LADY. He thinks he is dying and keeps it a secret. Despite all his wickedness he cannot help but be drawn to Camille who is Comte de Valigny's daughter. Comte de Valigny wagers her in card game. Kieran wins her and from there starts a very interesting story/courtship. The H/H are well suited with each other. She finds his honesty refreshing for someone who has a reputation of being difficult and a rake. She is independent and has a back bone, she is not afraid of him. A few suprises some not quite believable but it's a book that will keep you engrossed as you would want to know if they will have their happy ending.

Irritating yet titillating, 15 Nov 2008
I was really irritated by the psuedo scottish accent I've never heard any scot speak like that especially one with strong English links -I liked the heroine and her lover, who seem able to travel to and from Spain and Britain so easily and qickly in 1845. If you suspend belief you will enjoy the interaction between the two lovers even if the caricature of the scottish male is irritating it is fiction after all.


IF YOU DARE, 27 Jul 2008
Ive been an avid romance reader for many years now and to find a new author that captures the passion ,fire, and sexual tention between two people is just breathtaking. It took less than aweek to read, i couldint put it down,this is in the early style of johanna lindsey. ive since bought the rest of kresley coles books and im not disappointed!!.If you want a real escape with a true fiesty woman,and mouth watering hero, that is so believable then i highly reccomend this book and her others!.Beaten, to with in an inch of his life "court" the youngest of three scot warrior brothers is thought to be dead, orders from his enemy General Reynaldo Pascal, surviving, he swears revenge, kidnapping his fiancee "Annalia", little knowing what hes got him self into! Knowing her brother is held captive by Reynaldo and with the threat that if she doesnt marry him her brother will be killed. Annalia will try any which way to get back to the general just to insure her brothers saftey. With a family curse that has hung over the macCarrick family, court fights the attraction he feels to wards Annalia , as much as she is prim and proper he is a rough mercenarie, hardened by the battled life hes lead, it will take a strong woman to break down the walls hes built up. Hateing that her attraction for court is growing daily she defies him at every turn. Only when misunderstandings and secrets are shared do emotions take over,sexual tention builds, and ignites! Will court be able to defy the curse that has stopped him from truely loveing a women, swearing to protect Annalia with his life against his enermys, so the battle begins. This is a page turner, that will have you blerry eyed from wanting to find out what happens! i hope you enjoy this book as much as i have, (to be read many more times yet)ENJOY AND ESCAPE WITH PLEASURE.

Captured my interest but did not hold it., 09 Mar 2008
I like reading romance books but I find my attention wandering with this one. Can't seem to hold my interest for very long. In the end I have to force myself to finish it just because I don't like not reading a book through. I keep expecting it to get better, probably towards the end you know... but it was hardgoing instead. The story has all the elements, feisty leading lady, alpha hero, nice setting... but somehow the way the story was told did not keep my interest... Not one of those loose-yourself-in-the-story kind of books.

I was hooked!, 22 Jun 2007
The tension in this book is mind blowing! It hooks you from cover to cover. One of the best books I have ever read by far, i could read it all over again! You are taken into this world of passion and lust with court wanting anna more than he can bear. AMAZING!

a pure romance tale, 11 Nov 2006
I love all Cole's work but when i picked up "If you dare" the first book of the MacCarrick Bothers series, i was hooked from cover to cover.
Cole took us through Anna's battle with head and heart with the right amount of sensitivty and humour. i loved how at the beginning Anna didn't want Court and tried every trick she had to get away from him, and how he always brought her back, over his shoulder, with her pawing at him.

I also loved Courts "payment" idea. his help and protection for the freedom to kiss Anna whenever he likes. That idea got them into tricky situations!

i could sympathise with Court and how his need for Anna was always bubbling below the surface. Cole created the tension so well, and as a reader, i was almost shouting at Anna to be submissive for once.

The nearer the end of the book, there was a turn of the tables. Court holding back on his need and lust for Anna, and it turned out she took Courts place, begging him "tae touch her".

For those who love romance, but also like the heroine to fight a little, for the relationship to have complications and for the sex scenes and tension to be sky rocket, this book is for you!

A def 5 stars- i would have given more if i was able to!

The Grand Final!, What a way to go!!, 08 Aug 2008
In this, the final of the three brothers, i think this is my favorite. We at last get to the eldest brother "ETHAN", we learn hes been wrongly accused of a "crime", that he did not commit, scarred so badly that hes reminded every day, swearing revenge on the people that did it, the die is cast, years of hate and bitternes have built up, when finally he finds the one last person to avenge on "MADDIE" the daughter of his enemy. Not prepared for the impact she will have on his life, the feelings that she stires, the passion and longing that he has kept hidden for ten years, he plans to seduce, gain her trust and then throw her into the gutter! If only that were so easy to do. Maddie is a strong woman, life has treated her harshley but with a fighting spirit she never gives up and will not be down trodden, with many secrets hidden, ETHAN will slowly find out the truth of maddies life and the struggle she has injured. Can she tame this scot warrior, hardened by the life hes led, the secrets that he holds,if found out could destroy her and any chance they might have together!!. Only when all is nearly lost, faith, love and life, does he realise what a fool he is, he must now fight for the love of maddie, and for her "life",.ETHANs hard shell slowly desolves, feelings that he thought had gone, smack him hard, but is it to late. Passion is never but a heart beat away from these two, sexual tention is rife,.I defie anyone not to enjoy the final. A great page turner to the last, and what a great ending!I hope you enjoy this as much as i have. full circle of the three brothers have now come to an end.ENJOY.

Man! those McCarrick Bros. Series are/is absolutely fabulous., 17 Jan 2008
I loved each and every book. I read all three this week and they were great from the first to this one. Ethan and Maddy's book was worth the wait and a great ending to an excellent series. Ethan is a big, s3xy, surly, Scottish Lord and Assasin and Maddy is a once rich, now destitute firebrand. Together they make magic. They go through he11 an end up in heaven, and the erotic love scenes along the way are to di3 for. Loved it! I wish the McCarrick's had a long lost Brother so the series could be extended!! Until then, I'd recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you missed it!!

fantastic, 07 Aug 2007
i have just finished this book having never read any of the authors books before. it was absolutely brilliant with a compelling love story and plenty of hot and steamy moments.
I will definately buy another of these authors books !

How hot?!!!!!!!, 30 Jun 2007
This book was fabulous - I loved it!! Was so pleased to be able to be able to read the third in the series so quickly, and it was well worth the wait.

Ethan touched my heart in the previous books because it was obvious he had been through so much pain. And to watch him grow and learn and accept how he felt for Madeleine was amazing.

The love scenes were steamy in the extreme - hot, hot, hot!!!!!! And yes, this is one I will re-read over and over again because it was amazing!!

Nice one Kresley - can't wait for your next book!

I wish there were more MacCarrick Brothers!!, 26 Jun 2007
The first reviewer says it all so all I can do is reiterate every word. This book is MAGIC!! I love every one of this series and will read and re-read them. Kresley Cole is a real find. I also think her "Immortals after Dark" series is excellent. She is one of my favourite authors of the moment.

Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!, 13 Oct 2008
In part one: Lord of the Fading Lands, a woodcarver's daughter called Rain Tairen Soul from the sky and a courtship begun.

In part two: Lady Of Light And Shadow, the courtship continues as a fierce battle knocks on Celierian doors and secrets reveal themselves.

Now in part three, King Of Sword And Sky, Rain takes his Shei'tani to his homeland where new challenges lie for Ellysetta. Enter a new world where Fey gather to meet the Shei'tani of a Tairen Soul, a Tairen pride that roars their welcome and the battle that becomes more violent and more grim with each passing day.

Like a bard of old times C.L. Wilson has once again raised her voice to tell another story in her Tairen Soul series and one thing's for sure, many will gather to hear it! As I started to read the first page of KING OF SWORD AND SKY I was walking back into the vibrant world of the Fading Lands and met the characters that I came to treasure in Lord Of The Fading Lands and Lady Of Light And Shadow.

It didn't take much for me to be completely absorbed in this tale as it takes off right where Lady Of Light And Shadow had left me. On a fivefold weave and on Tairen back I was led deeper into a world that took my breath away. The almost lyric prose of C.L. Wilson combined with a highly imaginative writing skill made me wander in a deserted Elven town, visit the Fey' Bahren and was in awe of the Hall of Scrolls. Though the author takes time to make the reader see all the splendor of her world it is the plot and a plethora of memorable characters that never lets your attention falter and only makes you wish for more. Four hundred and sixty-seven pages and they go by in the blink of an eye.

Of course Rain vel 'En Daris and Ellysetta Baristani are the main couple and their true mate bond that needs to gain in strength. Doubts and concerns are their ever present companions but they also get to feel beauty, share each other's joy and wonder. Their bond and feelings just echoed in my heart as I read the pages, hoping for all the good things but knowing a bond is not just forged in good times. It is in the troubled times that the trials will test the bond's strength. It also makes the love shine stronger and the magic of the true bond brighter. I don't know if I can capture the words to describe this soaring romance that makes my heart response with all my emotions. There are moments that gave me goose bumps from what I "saw" in my mind's eye, filled my eyes with tears and made my heart leap in joy. The author has a gift to evoke it all with the reader and she will make you care for each Fey and Tairen.

The Fey warriors are a sight to behold and the Tairen pride is impressive in their loyalty and playfulness. Belliard, Gaelen, Kiel and Kieran are all present but I also got to meet new Fey and Tajik vel Sibboreh is one that will demand your attention with his gruff but loyal attitude. The diversity in their natures and magic is what made me want to get to know all of them and makes me understand Elly all the more in her decisions. But if there is one character that had me from the first moment I met her it is Steli. She is Tairen and considers herself to be the first blade, the fiercest defender of the pride. She is loyal, knows no shame and will bleed for you in protection. Her very nature just brings a bright smile to my face and this tale became that much richer with her in it!

KING OF SWORD AND SKY enters the next stage of the story and it will affect many characters, will become more dire and sacrifices must be made! The good versus evil element is superbly executed by C.L. Wilson and drives me to keep turning the pages, no matter what hour, what needs to be done or who's calling. With every book in her Tairen Soul series she delivers a tale of otherworldly proportions and is a symphony of exquisite writing. It combines a rich and dazzling cast of characters, who are led by a dynamic pair that scorches the pages with their profound love and is framed by a plot that keeps you firmly set is this world. Submerged in this tale, in this world, the sum of its parts leads to awe inspiring romance, a page devouring battle and the image of Fey warriors that shout: `Mei'felani. Bei'santi. Nehtah, bas desrali. Live well, love deep. Tomorrow, we die.' burned in the mind's eye!

I cannot praise this series high enough for it is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance! In the end C.L. Wilson masterfully leads the reader to yet another action driven ending that makes you feel sad to leave the Fading Lands and count the day's until Queen Of Song And Soul is released.

Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!

reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves

Stunning, 13 Oct 2008
KING OF SOUL AND SKY is the third installment of C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series, with the final installment due out in June 2009. If you haven't yet started this series, you really must go back to LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and start there...I promise it won't disappoint!

First of all, if anyone out there is unsure as to if they should continue or even start this series, all I'm going to say is visit C. L. Wilson's website, read the extracts and let the beautiful writing and exquisite storyline speak for itself...

KING picks up where LADY left off; with Ellie and Rain making their way to the Fading Lands, where Ellie will have to try and figure out what is killing the Tairen kitlings, discover the true extent to her own powers and where they come from, and last but not least complete her soul bond with Rain, who will succumb to madness if she does not. Needless to say, there is a lot happening in this book, and is the longest one yet of the series-I for one am not complaining! Wilson really has a way with words, making her characters seem very realistic, so much so that you will fall in love not just with the self-doubting Hero that is Rain, but the minor characters as well! This series has been a joy to read, and in KING we get a look at the Fading Lands and the Fey, and an even closer look at the horrific schemes and clever plotting of the 'baddies', who will actually send a shiver down your spine...just as the characters, landscape, relationship stories and love scenes are described with wonderful skill and detail, so it is also true for the darker aspects to the book. You learn more about Ellie's parents and the full extent of the horrors and tortures they have been put through for 1000 years...I can only hope there is some sort of happy ending for them!

KING sees Ellie grow and develop even more as a character, and as a consequence so does her relationship with Rain deepen and mature. Her life is not all fun and games once she is behind the Mists however, and we see her cope with more trials in the Fey lands.
KING definitely cannot stand alone, and I would really recommend that you catch up on LORD and LADY before you start off, because Wilson starts off with a page-turning pace and maintains it throughout. There is a certain amount of closure at the end of the novel however, so do no fear that you will be left completely hanging! I for one cannot wait for the release of QUEEN :)

I would recommend this series for fantasy, romance, and paranormal fans. Truly worth a go, and would be a good series to start with if you are new to fantasy scene!

C.L. Wilson does it again!!!!, 09 Oct 2008
King of Sword and Sky continues straight after the previous book and what an engaging read it is. If you liked the previous two books in the series this story will not disappoint.

Ellie is still learning the arts of magic and trying to come to grips with the vast power that she has inherited. The shock of losing her mother and leaving her father and sisters in Telon are weighing heavily on her shoulders. After travelling from Celieria city to the outskirts of the Fading Lands Ellie and Rain's first trial is to go through the faering mists. Which proves to be just as hard as they both thought it would be. There she'tanista bond is still not complete and the Eld, in secret are mustering there troups for an invasion. The Tairen cubs are dying in there eggs and it is up to Ellie to find the answer. The High Mage of Eld is a vile person and the lengths he goes to to achieve victory are shocking and extreme. I found the introduction of the Tarien to be wonderous.

If you like paranormal romance and romantic sagas and have not read this wonderful series by C.L. Wilson I would suggest you buy it.

Patience is rewarded!!!, 07 Oct 2008
As noted, I had to be particularly patient whilst waiting for book no. 3 to reach me. I kept nos. 1 and 2 handy to refresh my memory, and no. 3 is well worth the wait. As the previous reviewer notes, Ellie does sometimes leap before she looks, but with the very best of intentions. The "baddie" is a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but I found myself morbidly fascinated by all his (quite repulsive in parts)deeds of wickedness. However, I'm sure Rain and Ellie and assorted supporting players will overcome his horribleness. Got to go - few more chapters to read - I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, ghoulishness, and acts of derring-do. FABULOUS!!!!!

Third in Tairen Soul series, 01 Oct 2008
C L Wilson's first two books in this series, 'Lord of the Fading Lands' and 'Lady of Light and Shadow' were an astonishing debut pair of novels that introduced us to the world of Rain Tairen Soul, a shapechanging powerful fey King and his truemate, apparently ordinary Ellysetta Baristani. But there was far more to Ellysetta than met the eye and the first two novels showed how her powers were gradually revealed and how she began to understand her position as truemate to Rain.

The third book, 'King of Sword and Sky', continues the story directly after the end of the previous book. After the shock of Elly's mother's death, she and Rain, their bodyguards and the remaining members of her family set off for the Fading Lands. However this isn't going to be happy ever after, there are many problems within the lands of the Fey as their lands become barren, their women no longer have children and the Tairen, the great cat-like flying beasts, also seem to be sickening. Can Elly's arrival change things, or will the dark forces that are buried deep inside her cause problems? Can Rain continue to be king or will his association with Elly mean that he is placed under suspicion? Can Elly come to terms with her powers and will she understand from where they spring?

I read this book almost a year after reading the previous two and it took me some time to get up to speed with the story, events, characters and - particularly - terminology. This would be a very difficult book to understand if you hadn't read the previous books and it makes few concessions to a reader with a rusty memory. The author piles on more and more terminology and phrases in Feyan, a foreign language that appears to be liberally sprinkled with apostrophes. I found the first half of the book particularly heavy going and it seemed to take a long time to get round to any action. Elly is still a rather difficult character, one who leaps before she looks and who tends to do her own thing, albeit with usually the best of motivations. There were some slightly disturbing scenes in which the evil High Mage played a part and there was more focus on sex than in the previous book.

Despite some of these criticisms this was still a very good book. C L Wilson's imagination is impressive, her list of characters interesting and varied and her worldbuilding congruent. Those who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy the continuation of the story - as long as they can remember the people, events and Feyan phrases from the previous two books!

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Wilting Flower, 26 Jan 2008
Having obtain some information about the lives of Byron, Shelley, Goether, and the like I lived happily convinced that the Romantic poets usually lived up to their name. Penelope Fitzgerald sadly proved me wrong. Their life was mundane, boring, without flair, and they were rather lucky to die young. Fortunately, she needs only mere two hundred pages to bring this truth home. She does so in a charming style and some of her descriptions and information is quite amusing (the washing - one per year) but otherwise the book is flimsy and fluffy. Don't expect to learn much or understand much. According to the blurps on the back cover "the unspoken speaks through this book" - I must be part deaf then.

She doesnýt hand this one to you, 28 Nov 2002
"I have remained true to my deepest convictions, I mean to the courage of those who are born to be defeated, the weaknesses of the strong, and the tragedy of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, which I have done my best to treat as comedy, for otherwise how can we manage to bear it?"

The quote above appeared in a story about Penelope Fitzgerald written just after her death. The quote and the ideas it states appear to be very appropriate to "The Blue Flower". I have read two other works of hers "The Bookshop" and "The Golden Child". All three books share her wonderful style of writing, which she can modify to produce three very different books, all the while maintaining the quality of her writing, while demonstrating incredible range.

Of the three I have read this work is the one she makes you work the hardest for. The two previous books laid out their stories in comfortable, familiar settings, both in place and time. The books were constructed so the reader was able to follow a distinct story line. In the case of "The Blue Flower" the story and her method of telling it leaves the reader to fill in the details necessary to make the story flow in a more conventional manner, to read more easily, more comfortably. For those who want all the details, all the motivation of the characters detailed and laid out with a beginning, middle, and end, this work may not rate as one of their favorite works.

This book was comparatively lengthy set side by side with the other books I have mentioned. The briefer works are very straightforward, and I commented when I wrote about "The Bookshop" that I was curious with what she would do with the added length. True to her having been not only a brilliant and highly original Authoress, as the length of her work expanded, it became more complex, less apparent, but yet another phenomenal read.

A surprisingly enjoyable, thought-provoking read, 26 Jan 2001
Not the type of book I would normally read, I picked up Penelope Fitzgerald's The Blue Flower rather reluctantly, since it was recommended by my local book club. The cover blurb mentioned the book's central theme, the relationship between the late 18th century German poet and philosopher Hardenburg and 12 year old Sophie von Kuhn, his 'true philosophy' who captured his heart and became his fiancee. So I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. However, Fitzgerald's flowing prose and excellent portrayal of the mood and social mores of the times when the book is set soon had me entranced and involved in the story. I was fascinated by the way the suprememly intelligent but very naive Hardenburg falls completely under the spell of the adolescent and not-very-bright Sophie. But as the story unfolded and Sophie's illness touched other people, I too found myself falling under the spell of this young girl. This tale, of course, is based on real lives, and Fitzgerald's afterword rounds the book off nicely. Having read The Blue Flower, I am now keen to read more of Fitzgerald's work, as she has the knack of bringing history to life.

the housework got done, 14 Oct 2008
The main way that I rate a book is the levels of neglect in my home, sad to say my pots got washed and kids fed. So a reluctant 3 stars given, as ever Ms Carlyle writing is of a good standard and the story moves on at fair pace, the interactions between the H/H were reasonably effective altogether a pretty good book, BUT, if you're used to reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting I would say read this but don't be dissappointed when you fail to get the buzz that usually comes with this authors work if you have'nt read anything by this author before I would recomend that you start with some of her earlier stories as they have more bite to them, my favourite being Devil to Pay

Kieran, Baron Rothwell is a hardened gamster and a dissolute rake, past experiences mean that he doesn't feel that he's entitled to happiness not that he paticulary cares either way (thus we have our Tortured Hero). Camille Marchand is encoumbered by a 'ner-do-well father who wagers her in a card game, she is determined to be tough and unfeeling and make the best of the situation as it means that if she produces a child she stands to come into her inheritance of £ioo,ooo. The H/H get married and the basic tale is the courtship that takes place after the wedding, he wants to stay aloof from his bride, she doesn't want to care, but finds that she does. In his mind he knows that he is dying, and, she thinks that there is something wrong and that he's dying and given up. Well I nearly gave up too! I just wanted to shout get on with it, I won't be keeping this book but by the same token just because this one does'nt appeal to me doesn't make it a poor story and is is still worth a read it's just not a keeper.

Troubled bad boy...., 29 Jul 2008
Kieran is surely a bad boy! He is also Xanthia Neville's brother. She was in NEVER LIE TO A LADY. He thinks he is dying and keeps it a secret. Despite all his wickedness he cannot help but be drawn to Camille who is Comte de Valigny's daughter. Comte de Valigny wagers her in card game. Kieran wins her and from there starts a very interesting story/courtship. The H/H are well suited with each other. She finds his honesty refreshing for someone who has a reputation of being difficult and a rake. She is independent and has a back bone, she is not afraid of him. A few suprises some not quite believable but it's a book that will keep you engrossed as you would want to know if they will have their happy ending.

Irritating yet titillating, 15 Nov 2008
I was really irritated by the psuedo scottish accent I've never heard any scot speak like that especially one with strong English links -I liked the heroine and her lover, who seem able to travel to and from Spain and Britain so easily and qickly in 1845. If you suspend belief you will enjoy the interaction between the two lovers even if the caricature of the scottish male is irritating it is fiction after all.


IF YOU DARE, 27 Jul 2008
Ive been an avid romance reader for many years now and to find a new author that captures the passion ,fire, and sexual tention between two people is just breathtaking. It took less than aweek to read, i couldint put it down,this is in the early style of johanna lindsey. ive since bought the rest of kresley coles books and im not disappointed!!.If you want a real escape with a true fiesty woman,and mouth watering hero, that is so believable then i highly reccomend this book and her others!.Beaten, to with in an inch of his life "court" the youngest of three scot warrior brothers is thought to be dead, orders from his enemy General Reynaldo Pascal, surviving, he swears revenge, kidnapping his fiancee "Annalia", little knowing what hes got him self into! Knowing her brother is held captive by Reynaldo and with the threat that if she doesnt marry him her brother will be killed. Annalia will try any which way to get back to the general just to insure her brothers saftey. With a family curse that has hung over the macCarrick family, court fights the attraction he feels to wards Annalia , as much as she is prim and proper he is a rough mercenarie, hardened by the battled life hes lead, it will take a strong woman to break down the walls hes built up. Hateing that her attraction for court is growing daily she defies him at every turn. Only when misunderstandings and secrets are shared do emotions take over,sexual tention builds, and ignites! Will court be able to defy the curse that has stopped him from truely loveing a women, swearing to protect Annalia with his life against his enermys, so the battle begins. This is a page turner, that will have you blerry eyed from wanting to find out what happens! i hope you enjoy this book as much as i have, (to be read many more times yet)ENJOY AND ESCAPE WITH PLEASURE.

Captured my interest but did not hold it., 09 Mar 2008
I like reading romance books but I find my attention wandering with this one. Can't seem to hold my interest for very long. In the end I have to force myself to finish it just because I don't like not reading a book through. I keep expecting it to get better, probably towards the end you know... but it was hardgoing instead. The story has all the elements, feisty leading lady, alpha hero, nice setting... but somehow the way the story was told did not keep my interest... Not one of those loose-yourself-in-the-story kind of books.

I was hooked!, 22 Jun 2007
The tension in this book is mind blowing! It hooks you from cover to cover. One of the best books I have ever read by far, i could read it all over again! You are taken into this world of passion and lust with court wanting anna more than he can bear. AMAZING!

a pure romance tale, 11 Nov 2006
I love all Cole's work but when i picked up "If you dare" the first book of the MacCarrick Bothers series, i was hooked from cover to cover.
Cole took us through Anna's battle with head and heart with the right amount of sensitivty and humour. i loved how at the beginning Anna didn't want Court and tried every trick she had to get away from him, and how he always brought her back, over his shoulder, with her pawing at him.

I also loved Courts "payment" idea. his help and protection for the freedom to kiss Anna whenever he likes. That idea got them into tricky situations!

i could sympathise with Court and how his need for Anna was always bubbling below the surface. Cole created the tension so well, and as a reader, i was almost shouting at Anna to be submissive for once.

The nearer the end of the book, there was a turn of the tables. Court holding back on his need and lust for Anna, and it turned out she took Courts place, begging him "tae touch her".

For those who love romance, but also like the heroine to fight a little, for the relationship to have complications and for the sex scenes and tension to be sky rocket, this book is for you!

A def 5 stars- i would have given more if i was able to!

The Grand Final!, What a way to go!!, 08 Aug 2008
In this, the final of the three brothers, i think this is my favorite. We at last get to the eldest brother "ETHAN", we learn hes been wrongly accused of a "crime", that he did not commit, scarred so badly that hes reminded every day, swearing revenge on the people that did it, the die is cast, years of hate and bitternes have built up, when finally he finds the one last person to avenge on "MADDIE" the daughter of his enemy. Not prepared for the impact she will have on his life, the feelings that she stires, the passion and longing that he has kept hidden for ten years, he plans to seduce, gain her trust and then throw her into the gutter! If only that were so easy to do. Maddie is a strong woman, life has treated her harshley but with a fighting spirit she never gives up and will not be down trodden, with many secrets hidden, ETHAN will slowly find out the truth of maddies life and the struggle she has injured. Can she tame this scot warrior, hardened by the life hes led, the secrets that he holds,if found out could destroy her and any chance they might have together!!. Only when all is nearly lost, faith, love and life, does he realise what a fool he is, he must now fight for the love of maddie, and for her "life",.ETHANs hard shell slowly desolves, feelings that he thought had gone, smack him hard, but is it to late. Passion is never but a heart beat away from these two, sexual tention is rife,.I defie anyone not to enjoy the final. A great page turner to the last, and what a great ending!I hope you enjoy this as much as i have. full circle of the three brothers have now come to an end.ENJOY.

Man! those McCarrick Bros. Series are/is absolutely fabulous., 17 Jan 2008
I loved each and every book. I read all three this week and they were great from the first to this one. Ethan and Maddy's book was worth the wait and a great ending to an excellent series. Ethan is a big, s3xy, surly, Scottish Lord and Assasin and Maddy is a once rich, now destitute firebrand. Together they make magic. They go through he11 an end up in heaven, and the erotic love scenes along the way are to di3 for. Loved it! I wish the McCarrick's had a long lost Brother so the series could be extended!! Until then, I'd recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you missed it!!

fantastic, 07 Aug 2007
i have just finished this book having never read any of the authors books before. it was absolutely brilliant with a compelling love story and plenty of hot and steamy moments.
I will definately buy another of these authors books !

How hot?!!!!!!!, 30 Jun 2007
This book was fabulous - I loved it!! Was so pleased to be able to be able to read the third in the series so quickly, and it was well worth the wait.

Ethan touched my heart in the previous books because it was obvious he had been through so much pain. And to watch him grow and learn and accept how he felt for Madeleine was amazing.

The love scenes were steamy in the extreme - hot, hot, hot!!!!!! And yes, this is one I will re-read over and over again because it was amazing!!

Nice one Kresley - can't wait for your next book!

I wish there were more MacCarrick Brothers!!, 26 Jun 2007
The first reviewer says it all so all I can do is reiterate every word. This book is MAGIC!! I love every one of this series and will read and re-read them. Kresley Cole is a real find. I also think her "Immortals after Dark" series is excellent. She is one of my favourite authors of the moment.

Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!, 13 Oct 2008
In part one: Lord of the Fading Lands, a woodcarver's daughter called Rain Tairen Soul from the sky and a courtship begun.

In part two: Lady Of Light And Shadow, the courtship continues as a fierce battle knocks on Celierian doors and secrets reveal themselves.

Now in part three, King Of Sword And Sky, Rain takes his Shei'tani to his homeland where new challenges lie for Ellysetta. Enter a new world where Fey gather to meet the Shei'tani of a Tairen Soul, a Tairen pride that roars their welcome and the battle that becomes more violent and more grim with each passing day.

Like a bard of old times C.L. Wilson has once again raised her voice to tell another story in her Tairen Soul series and one thing's for sure, many will gather to hear it! As I started to read the first page of KING OF SWORD AND SKY I was walking back into the vibrant world of the Fading Lands and met the characters that I came to treasure in Lord Of The Fading Lands and Lady Of Light And Shadow.

It didn't take much for me to be completely absorbed in this tale as it takes off right where Lady Of Light And Shadow had left me. On a fivefold weave and on Tairen back I was led deeper into a world that took my breath away. The almost lyric prose of C.L. Wilson combined with a highly imaginative writing skill made me wander in a deserted Elven town, visit the Fey' Bahren and was in awe of the Hall of Scrolls. Though the author takes time to make the reader see all the splendor of her world it is the plot and a plethora of memorable characters that never lets your attention falter and only makes you wish for more. Four hundred and sixty-seven pages and they go by in the blink of an eye.

Of course Rain vel 'En Daris and Ellysetta Baristani are the main couple and their true mate bond that needs to gain in strength. Doubts and concerns are their ever present companions but they also get to feel beauty, share each other's joy and wonder. Their bond and feelings just echoed in my heart as I read the pages, hoping for all the good things but knowing a bond is not just forged in good times. It is in the troubled times that the trials will test the bond's strength. It also makes the love shine stronger and the magic of the true bond brighter. I don't know if I can capture the words to describe this soaring romance that makes my heart response with all my emotions. There are moments that gave me goose bumps from what I "saw" in my mind's eye, filled my eyes with tears and made my heart leap in joy. The author has a gift to evoke it all with the reader and she will make you care for each Fey and Tairen.

The Fey warriors are a sight to behold and the Tairen pride is impressive in their loyalty and playfulness. Belliard, Gaelen, Kiel and Kieran are all present but I also got to meet new Fey and Tajik vel Sibboreh is one that will demand your attention with his gruff but loyal attitude. The diversity in their natures and magic is what made me want to get to know all of them and makes me understand Elly all the more in her decisions. But if there is one character that had me from the first moment I met her it is Steli. She is Tairen and considers herself to be the first blade, the fiercest defender of the pride. She is loyal, knows no shame and will bleed for you in protection. Her very nature just brings a bright smile to my face and this tale became that much richer with her in it!

KING OF SWORD AND SKY enters the next stage of the story and it will affect many characters, will become more dire and sacrifices must be made! The good versus evil element is superbly executed by C.L. Wilson and drives me to keep turning the pages, no matter what hour, what needs to be done or who's calling. With every book in her Tairen Soul series she delivers a tale of otherworldly proportions and is a symphony of exquisite writing. It combines a rich and dazzling cast of characters, who are led by a dynamic pair that scorches the pages with their profound love and is framed by a plot that keeps you firmly set is this world. Submerged in this tale, in this world, the sum of its parts leads to awe inspiring romance, a page devouring battle and the image of Fey warriors that shout: `Mei'felani. Bei'santi. Nehtah, bas desrali. Live well, love deep. Tomorrow, we die.' burned in the mind's eye!

I cannot praise this series high enough for it is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance! In the end C.L. Wilson masterfully leads the reader to yet another action driven ending that makes you feel sad to leave the Fading Lands and count the day's until Queen Of Song And Soul is released.

Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!

reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves

Stunning, 13 Oct 2008
KING OF SOUL AND SKY is the third installment of C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series, with the final installment due out in June 2009. If you haven't yet started this series, you really must go back to LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and start there...I promise it won't disappoint!

First of all, if anyone out there is unsure as to if they should continue or even start this series, all I'm going to say is visit C. L. Wilson's website, read the extracts and let the beautiful writing and exquisite storyline speak for itself...

KING picks up where LADY left off; with Ellie and Rain making their way to the Fading Lands, where Ellie will have to try and figure out what is killing the Tairen kitlings, discover the true extent to her own powers and where they come from, and last but not least complete her soul bond with Rain, who will succumb to madness if she does not. Needless to say, there is a lot happening in this book, and is the longest one yet of the series-I for one am not complaining! Wilson really has a way with words, making her characters seem very realistic, so much so that you will fall in love not just with the self-doubting Hero that is Rain, but the minor characters as well! This series has been a joy to read, and in KING we get a look at the Fading Lands and the Fey, and an even closer look at the horrific schemes and clever plotting of the 'baddies', who will actually send a shiver down your spine...just as the characters, landscape, relationship stories and love scenes are described with wonderful skill and detail, so it is also true for the darker aspects to the book. You learn more about Ellie's parents and the full extent of the horrors and tortures they have been put through for 1000 years...I can only hope there is some sort of happy ending for them!

KING sees Ellie grow and develop even more as a character, and as a consequence so does her relationship with Rain deepen and mature. Her life is not all fun and games once she is behind the Mists however, and we see her cope with more trials in the Fey lands.
KING definitely cannot stand alone, and I would really recommend that you catch up on LORD and LADY before you start off, because Wilson starts off with a page-turning pace and maintains it throughout. There is a certain amount of closure at the end of the novel however, so do no fear that you will be left completely hanging! I for one cannot wait for the release of QUEEN :)

I would recommend this series for fantasy, romance, and paranormal fans. Truly worth a go, and would be a good series to start with if you are new to fantasy scene!

C.L. Wilson does it again!!!!, 09 Oct 2008
King of Sword and Sky continues straight after the previous book and what an engaging read it is. If you liked the previous two books in the series this story will not disappoint.

Ellie is still learning the arts of magic and trying to come to grips with the vast power that she has inherited. The shock of losing her mother and leaving her father and sisters in Telon are weighing heavily on her shoulders. After travelling from Celieria city to the outskirts of the Fading Lands Ellie and Rain's first trial is to go through the faering mists. Which proves to be just as hard as they both thought it would be. There she'tanista bond is still not complete and the Eld, in secret are mustering there troups for an invasion. The Tairen cubs are dying in there eggs and it is up to Ellie to find the answer. The High Mage of Eld is a vile person and the lengths he goes to to achieve victory are shocking and extreme. I found the introduction of the Tarien to be wonderous.

If you like paranormal romance and romantic sagas and have not read this wonderful series by C.L. Wilson I would suggest you buy it.

Patience is rewarded!!!, 07 Oct 2008
As noted, I had to be particularly patient whilst waiting for book no. 3 to reach me. I kept nos. 1 and 2 handy to refresh my memory, and no. 3 is well worth the wait. As the previous reviewer notes, Ellie does sometimes leap before she looks, but with the very best of intentions. The "baddie" is a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but I found myself morbidly fascinated by all his (quite repulsive in parts)deeds of wickedness. However, I'm sure Rain and Ellie and assorted supporting players will overcome his horribleness. Got to go - few more chapters to read - I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, ghoulishness, and acts of derring-do. FABULOUS!!!!!

Third in Tairen Soul series, 01 Oct 2008
C L Wilson's first two books in this series, 'Lord of the Fading Lands' and 'Lady of Light and Shadow' were an astonishing debut pair of novels that introduced us to the world of Rain Tairen Soul, a shapechanging powerful fey King and his truemate, apparently ordinary Ellysetta Baristani. But there was far more to Ellysetta than met the eye and the first two novels showed how her powers were gradually revealed and how she began to understand her position as truemate to Rain.

The third book, 'King of Sword and Sky', continues the story directly after the end of the previous book. After the shock of Elly's mother's death, she and Rain, their bodyguards and the remaining members of her family set off for the Fading Lands. However this isn't going to be happy ever after, there are many problems within the lands of the Fey as their lands become barren, their women no longer have children and the Tairen, the great cat-like flying beasts, also seem to be sickening. Can Elly's arrival change things, or will the dark forces that are buried deep inside her cause problems? Can Rain continue to be king or will his association with Elly mean that he is placed under suspicion? Can Elly come to terms with her powers and will she understand from where they spring?

I read this book almost a year after reading the previous two and it took me some time to get up to speed with the story, events, characters and - particularly - terminology. This would be a very difficult book to understand if you hadn't read the previous books and it makes few concessions to a reader with a rusty memory. The author piles on more and more terminology and phrases in Feyan, a foreign language that appears to be liberally sprinkled with apostrophes. I found the first half of the book particularly heavy going and it seemed to take a long time to get round to any action. Elly is still a rather difficult character, one who leaps before she looks and who tends to do her own thing, albeit with usually the best of motivations. There were some slightly disturbing scenes in which the evil High Mage played a part and there was more focus on sex than in the previous book.

Despite some of these criticisms this was still a very good book. C L Wilson's imagination is impressive, her list of characters interesting and varied and her worldbuilding congruent. Those who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy the continuation of the story - as long as they can remember the people, events and Feyan phrases from the previous two books!

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Wilting Flower, 26 Jan 2008
Having obtain some information about the lives of Byron, Shelley, Goether, and the like I lived happily convinced that the Romantic poets usually lived up to their name. Penelope Fitzgerald sadly proved me wrong. Their life was mundane, boring, without flair, and they were rather lucky to die young. Fortunately, she needs only mere two hundred pages to bring this truth home. She does so in a charming style and some of her descriptions and information is quite amusing (the washing - one per year) but otherwise the book is flimsy and fluffy. Don't expect to learn much or understand much. According to the blurps on the back cover "the unspoken speaks through this book" - I must be part deaf then.

She doesnýt hand this one to you, 28 Nov 2002
"I have remained true to my deepest convictions, I mean to the courage of those who are born to be defeated, the weaknesses of the strong, and the tragedy of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, which I have done my best to treat as comedy, for otherwise how can we manage to bear it?"

The quote above appeared in a story about Penelope Fitzgerald written just after her death. The quote and the ideas it states appear to be very appropriate to "The Blue Flower". I have read two other works of hers "The Bookshop" and "The Golden Child". All three books share her wonderful style of writing, which she can modify to produce three very different books, all the while maintaining the quality of her writing, while demonstrating incredible range.

Of the three I have read this work is the one she makes you work the hardest for. The two previous books laid out their stories in comfortable, familiar settings, both in place and time. The books were constructed so the reader was able to follow a distinct story line. In the case of "The Blue Flower" the story and her method of telling it leaves the reader to fill in the details necessary to make the story flow in a more conventional manner, to read more easily, more comfortably. For those who want all the details, all the motivation of the characters detailed and laid out with a beginning, middle, and end, this work may not rate as one of their favorite works.

This book was comparatively lengthy set side by side with the other books I have mentioned. The briefer works are very straightforward, and I commented when I wrote about "The Bookshop" that I was curious with what she would do with the added length. True to her having been not only a brilliant and highly original Authoress, as the length of her work expanded, it became more complex, less apparent, but yet another phenomenal read.

A surprisingly enjoyable, thought-provoking read, 26 Jan 2001
Not the type of book I would normally read, I picked up Penelope Fitzgerald's The Blue Flower rather reluctantly, since it was recommended by my local book club. The cover blurb mentioned the book's central theme, the relationship between the late 18th century German poet and philosopher Hardenburg and 12 year old Sophie von Kuhn, his 'true philosophy' who captured his heart and became his fiancee. So I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. However, Fitzgerald's flowing prose and excellent portrayal of the mood and social mores of the times when the book is set soon had me entranced and involved in the story. I was fascinated by the way the suprememly intelligent but very naive Hardenburg falls completely under the spell of the adolescent and not-very-bright Sophie. But as the story unfolded and Sophie's illness touched other people, I too found myself falling under the spell of this young girl. This tale, of course, is based on real lives, and Fitzgerald's afterword rounds the book off nicely. Having read The Blue Flower, I am now keen to read more of Fitzgerald's work, as she has the knack of bringing history to life.

"if you desire" then read this!, 02 Aug 2008
Having read the first instalment of the mac carrick brothers and absolutly loved it i wondered if "if you desire" would be as good as the first, well i need not have worried it was fab. The story tells of Hugh,and jane, she being the love that must not be, but for the last ten years has been in every thought and memory, she was a tease,but secretly loved hugh. He was obsessed,but new he couldnt have her because of a "curse" that had passed down the family line to himself and his brothers!Passion builds between them again and ignites after years apart, knowing that its wrong to have jane, but being so right, Hugh promises to protect jane against an old enemy "grey" twisted by drugs and battered by war he swears to kill the one thing that is most precious and dear to hugh, "JANE". Can he keep her safe, can he keep his hands off her body, that has been haunting him for ten years?. sexual tention between the two builds to bursting point, can they ever fulfill their desire for one another and survive. A great page turner, and having read this book in under a week i recomend it to any die hard romance reader who believes in heros, sit back and lose your self in yet another great read. enjoy. i did.

Go Jane!, 17 Dec 2007
I have loved almost all of Kresley Coles books, she's a great story teller and really knows how to make it steamy! Jane and Hugh after being apart for 10 years are thrown back together under interesting circumstances. Keeping all those hormones in check for 10 years proves to be entertaining once they around eachother again 24/7. I love Jane, she is a great and strong heroin which Kresley Cole is excellent at creating!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's best-seller--The Fates--if you haven't yet.

Phew, it's getting steamy in here!!, 01 Jul 2007
Hugh is gorgeous - no two ways about it - but it is so fabulous to see how he handles his 'Jane' now that she is a woman!! This was a steamy raunchy ride, with a dangerous sideplot that made sure you realised Jane was no normal 'damsel in distress'. There's something about these McCarrick brothers!!

All I could Desire!!!, 19 Jun 2007
Ms Cole has done it again, with the second instalment of her triology about three warrior like brothers (the MacCarrick's). Brillant stuff, passion filled excitement from one page to the next. I just couldn't put this book down.

This tale tells of Hugh, the second eldest brother (and I think the most sensitive and nicest character of the three) of his struggle to overcome his feelings of love and desire for Jane Weyland (the heroine of the piece). For Hugh his feelings for Jane can never be fulfilled due to the fact that his forefathers, father, himself and his brothers have all been cursed by "The Book of Fates": It foretells that the three brothers will never know love or have children and if they try and marry it will end in death to the one they love.

Hugh has been in-love with Jane for many, many, many a year and has fought a very tough and heroic battle trying to keep his hands to himself and by doing so not let Jane's fate end in death. Finally the two are thrown together as Hugh tries to keep Jane safe and out of the reach of a opium taking, delirious, mad man, Grey, who is out for revenage against her father for trying to have him killed.

Hugh and Jane are very deeply attracted to one another and Cole has one passionate and steamy scene after another as Hugh is tempted beyond endurance by the sexy and deliberately provocative Ms Weyland, who doesn't give a toss about his family curse!

A great read, as are all Ms Cole's tales. Highly recommended!