Aislinn of Bairbhe dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother. To her mother's horror, King Patrick grants Aislinn's wish and she begins her long years of training.
Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparing classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love.
The threat of war with the Speicans is a constant threat, and one that grows more frightening as she and Caelan train toward their eventual knighthood. Aislinn has committed herself to serving Arnhem, and has promised herself as King's Champion when Caelan claims the throne. She is willing to give up everything... her childhood, her life, even her heart for Arnhem. No matter the pain it brings.
In equal parts funny and serious, Web of Tyranny by Laurel-Rain Snow is a proud, if poignant tale of Margaret Elaine Graham, a woman entangled in the trenches that epitomized her abusive childhood home only to flee into a stultifying marriage with Bob Williams. Seduced by the hope of achieving her goal of a college education and a life free from domination, she is blinded to Bob’s true qualities and in a very real sense jumps from the pan into the fire. Oppression begets oppression and as Meg walks a thin line of human betrayal, she learns to stake her own claim to happiness-no matter how high the cost. Her fight leads to politicking during the radical antiwar movement of the 60s and 70s, which manifests as a near-compulsion, which will turn her world on end. Enticed by the possibilities open to her and chafing at the strictures of the marital ties, Meg bolts from the marriage with her toddler son in tow where a whole myriad of troubles await her.
When Jenny Hinsons' abusive father deserts the family, the responsibility of the family's Tennessee farm falls to Jenny and her mother. Four years later, in 1938, boll weevils infest the cotton crop, plunging the Hinsons into dire financial straits. Jenny takes the train north to find work.
Electricity has yet to reach rural Chicory Valley. But, not only is the young woman introduced to it in its tapped form in Chicago, but also encounters a few jolts along the way when she challenges the infuriating Austin Grant over luggage mishap. Sparks fly outside the Kankakee train station when Jenny discovers the missing vanity case under Austin's arm. She immediately labels him a thief. And after Austin coaxes money from her aunt's congregation, Jenny determines to find enough evidence to expose him and his nefarious deeds.
Why did Austin pull money from the mission strong box and stuff a sizeable roll into his pocket? Wasn't this just the proof Jenny needed? Then why was she reluctant to report the theft? And why did her heart race at every encounter with the notorious Austin? Jenny's personal convictions would never allow a relationship where trust was blatantly missing.
Can Jenny muster enough courage to ask Austin the tough questions that will ultimately make or break their relationship? And can she forgive her father's brutality? Find out as you follow Jenny's struggles in JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS.
Book Review/s to share: The Romance Room Reviewer: Dee Dailey July 21, 2009 **** Jenny Hinson, her mother and two younger siblings have been trying to keep their farm in southwestern Tennessee going since her father and older brother left. Failure of their cotton crop has put them in dire straits so Jenny travels to Chicago to earn money to help support them. Life would be good if not for Austin Grant. She thinks the man is a thief. So why is she attracted to him?
Laurean Brooks writes and excellent tale about forgiveness and learning to love. Jenny's life has been hard but it's the only one she knows. Austin had some bad years when he left the comfort of his loving family. The two make this book fun as well as serious. Austin's sense of humor verses Jenny's hot temper make for some priceless dialogue and scenarios where we can't help but feel she's got to respond. Her life hasn't held many good times but the secondary characters and Austin help her come out of a shell she's surrounded herself with.
The journey she has to take toward being the person she wants to be isn't easy. A victim of abuse by an alcoholic father isn't a subject to be taken lightly. The author seems to handle it well. She takes her time developing the story and the characters so that it's believable. The fact that Go works in mysterious ways to right wrongs is one many Christian readers know but many of us struggle with it. As Jenny learns to control her temper and open her heart we're drawn into the story more and more. Ms. Brooks crafts this tale well. I can only hope to read more soon. So many people in this tale deserve a book of their own. Overall rating: **** Sensuality rating: Sweet
The year is 1092 Ireland. A time when magic and myths should only be legends of the ancestors, yet down in the angry mists of the dark forest of Muir, Rowan of Locks Glen stumbles into a trap. He is the last of his kind. A fierce and mighty Dragon Lord that time has seemed to have forgotten. As Rowan is fighting for his very life, thoughts of his life flash before him, making him even more aware that he should have taken a wife to ensure the lineage of his blood. As a throng of arrows whip through his body, he is unable to forgive himself that error as all goes black.
Kira, a healer from an ancient clan of elves stumbles across Rowan’s prone body. She is shocked to recognize him as the protector of her people. She finds him barely alive, hides him, starts to heal him and takes him to her cottage where, she hoped, he would be safe. While there, Rowan thinks she would make him a good wife and asks her to be his life mate. She at first refuses for she feels unworthy, but, she was born to protect this mighty Dragon Lord. What better way to protect him than to be constantly by his side.
Will this marriage of convenience find a way to bring two lonely hearts together as one? Or will the evil of man and wizard alike, pull them apart forever.
"White lilac love" is a collection of 73 poems. Within these pages, this truly gifted writer and poet waves a beautiful and tender tale of true love. The reader will progress through all of emotions: love, hate, soaring happiness and crushing despair, culminating in the happiest union of two who indeed find true love. True love never grows old. Frankly, I was captivated by it and could not put it down. The emotions I experienced while reading through her poems were so intense as to arouse a younger person to romance.
Bible scholars will compare this fine work favorably with Song of Solomon, which he wrote to express his love story with the Queen of Sheba.
Long ago Tamarith fell in love with a man she can never have, and is convinced she will never love another. However, she cannot help but be intrigued by a handsome stranger whose psychic powers exceed even her own.
Vidarh seeks only to find his true purpose in life and to win the regard of his father, who eschews his son’s psychic abilities. Thrown together by a common threat to their planet, then torn apart by an evil greater than any they could have imagined, can Vidarh save the lovely Nifl woman who has captivated him, before it is too late?
Will Tamarith and Vidarh overcome the deadly enemy who threatens to destroy all they know and love? Will they find the happiness they both seek? Or are they fated to live their lives alone?
Book Review/s to share: "This is a lovely and flowing read! It has wonderful characters, a unique futuristic planet, lots of action and a touching romance.
Tamarith is lovely and strong but shy since she has withdrawn into herself after losing the man she loved. Vidarh is a wonderful, kind, strong and loyal young man. He has developed and improved his psychic skills on his own as his family doesn’t encourage him and he is confused about where he fits in his community. As Tamarith and Vidarh fight several threats to their planet, they are drawn together by their strengths and vulnerabilities!"
Darlene Moore's reason for shunning Parker Shane has nothing to do with his reputation of being a playboy. She even dates him before the death of her mother forces her to move away. After a two-year absence from Dalesville, she returns home to find Parker exchanging wedding vows with her sister. Two months later, her sister dies.
Then Richard Ryan, head of Dalesville's wealthy, prominent family, and Parker's employer, goes missing. Could there be a connection to his disappearance and Parker's unexpected promotion?
Danger and questions a plenty barrage Darlene with the deadly speed of a six-shooter. Who called down a representative from a Washington agency? Who later assaulted him? Who attacked Darlene at her friend's apartment? And will Parker's scandalous brand of playboy be changed to one of murderous culprit? Or, in the moment of Darlene's greatest need, might he become her rescuing knight?
Venture into the world of make-believe where dreams come true. Nicky has a chore to do. It is his responsibility to take care of the fish in the aquarium. He loves them all because they are all so beautiful and unique. There is one that is very special and something happens because of Nicky's Love. The book is written in rhyme and contains educational facts about the octopus.
When Susan Barnes accepted the position at the law firm and moved to Kansas City, leaving her best friend and small hometown behind, she never dreamed she would fall in love and get married. A beautiful handcrafted memory box given to them as a wedding gift becomes her most treasured possession. She's eagerly looking forward to filling the box with years of sentimental mementos, marking their journey through life together.
Tom Watson is a strikingly handsome young attorney with a very promising future. But it isn't long before Susan discovers Tom is not the man she thought she had married. Behind those sparkling gray-blue eyes, lies a secretive side to her new husband and beginning with the birth of little Tommy, she suddenly finds herself on an emotional roller coaster ride, which ultimately costs her an extremely hefty price.
Once a strong Christian woman, now driven to the lowest level possible at the hands of her beloved, Susan summons up the strength to surrender her life into the loving hands of God, once again, for He is their only hope. But will they be able to escape from danger in time?
Don't miss what happens next when all of your favorite characters in Chasing Memories, return in Shades of Blue -- Second in the Memory Box Trilogy!
"We live by faith, not by sight." ~~ II Corinthians 5:7 - NIV
On a blazing July day in Central County, California, snitch Johnny Blue is murdered by a lethal heroin injection. Undercover narcotic detective James Wolfe, the operative who handled Blue, goes to the Sheriff's Department substation seeking ex-girlfriend Christy Bristol. In the past he ridiculed her hobby of casting horoscopes. Now he needs her expertise to catch the man he suspects is behind Blue's murder, a drug dealer named Lloyd Parr.
Stuck on the lowest rung of law enforcement, Christy becomes first a victim, then a hero in the high-stakes game of narcotic trafficking. Through her eyes, the drug world is reduced to individual players, lost values and discarded dreams. The reality of what goes on in the fertile land of the San Joaquin Valley is far more disturbing than the Hollywood version of drug lords and a wealthy lifestyle fueled by drug money.
In the drug world of the Valley, there are no winners. Only losers.
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