The Mistress Bride - Michelle Reid
Sheikh Raschid Al Kadah and Evie Delahaye's affair had lasted for two years. But Raschid was expected to marry an Arabian princess, and Evie's mother was pushing her towards a member of the English aristocracy. Then Evie discovered she was carrying Raschid's baby.
Review:I've read hundreds of romance novels over many years, and this one stands out. Raschid is the heir to an Arabic country, and Evie, a member of the British aristocracy. The book begins after this couple have been together for two years and are struggling to remain together, with pressures from both families to marry within their cultures. This is unusual, as most romance books begin with couples who meet for the first time or have been separated for years. Events happen in both Evie's and Raschid's lives which force them to a decision point. Although Raschid and Evie have intense pressures to deal with, neither of them fly off the handle and take erratic actions, even though their emotions push them in these directions. Michelle Reid did such a good job of describing the conflict that prevented these two from marrying that I could not predict a resolution. The romantic feelings between the couple, the way they knew and understood each other, dealt with each other's foibles, was far above the maturity of most characters in romance novels. At the same time, Michelle was able to create a dominant man who was not domineering, and a woman who loved him deeply, enough to put her own needs aside, if doing otherwise would destroy the basis of their love for each other. This is a keeper and perhaps the best of Michelle Reid's books to date.
Lady of the Uper Kingdom - Merlin Lovelace - HISTORICAL
REVIEW: I've always had a fascination with ancient Egypt, though I've been unable to find many historical romances set in that time period. I was pleasantly surprised to come across _Lady Of The Upper Kingdom_.
Lady Farahapsut, a priestess of Bast, is as spirited and regal as her goddess. Pledged since birth to sing praises to Bast and care for Bast's earth form -- a beautiful caracal cat -- Farahapsut is devoted to her faith above all else.
Captain Philip Tauron is a Macedonian soldier traveling with Alexander, the conqueror of Egypt. Arrogant to a fault, he believes in taking what he wants, regardless of the consequences.
Thrown together in a farce of a marriage to unite their two cultures, these two powerful and determined people do their best to honor their vows. Philip must learn to accept a high-spirited, opinionated Egyptian woman, while Farah must learn to trust and respect one of the men who've come to claim her beloved country. Slowly, a mutual affection forms between them, but when faced with the wrath of the Lord of Deneba, who had once been the betrothed of Farahapsut, it takes love to help them overcome tragedy.
Ms. Lovelace has a true talent for making the time period come alive. The reader is left with the feeling of walking the streets of Egypt on the cusp of the founding of Alexandria. You can almost smell the lotus flowers and hear the rush of the Nile in each page you turn.
Though this was my first book by Ms. Lovelace, I will certainly look up more of her work.
Nice 2nd hand copy, tightly bound, edge scuff and spinal creasing from handling, storage/age yellowed pages
