Lady Tanon Risande and Prince Gareth ap Owain met briefly once at court as children. Tanon lived at court and was being tutored in all the qualities necessary for a lady of nobility. Gareth was with his father and brothers as they visited the king in an effort to keep peace between their countries. Tanon's memory of that meeting is simple; Gareth was the only one of his family who smiled and showed any kindness at all toward her, and later even saved her from a bullying playmate. Tanon once warmed at that memory. But Gareth is not the boy she remembers.

Ever submissive to the king's wishes, Tanon has agreed to marry Gareth, but she is distrustful of him and hesitant to leave her family and home. Gareth is now the leader of a barbaric and pagan country, a man whose battlefield skills are ruthless, as well as legendary. And he is her enemy.

Gareth, too, remembers their first meeting all those years ago. Although he knows nothing except what he sees of the beautiful and graceful woman Tanon has become, he is willing to marry her in the hope that there will be an end to the fighting and border hostilities. He knows he will never be able to give her the kind of life she's had thus far at court, but he will do all he can to protect her and make her happy. Above all else, Gareth wants peace for his people. He also looks forward to easing Tanon's mistrust and reluctance to make a life with him. But there are those who will do anything to keep this alliance from working, and all at the cost of what Tanon and Gareth have slowly begun to hold nearest and dearest to their hearts.

The third in the series, this bold and passionate love story is set in 1072 England and will be a sure bet for those who love medieval romance. The heroine seems a bit delicate, a gentle young woman, yet she possesses a strong sense of duty to country and an even stronger will to overcome whatever trials come her way. And the hero is truly heroic, even as a child, endearing him to the reader from the very start. As in the author's earlier work, there is attention to detail, perfect pacing and a great rhythmic writing style to make this a story definitely worth your time.

Book Summary

RELUCTANT BRIDE

By the king's order, Lady Tanon Risande is to be wed to a fierce Welsh prince. Headstrong Tanon has other ideas, and none of them involve submitting to Prince Gareth ap Owain. Yet she can't help but notice how the ladies of the court sigh at his mere glance. And when this rough warrior sets his penetrating gaze on her, Tanon, too, wonders what it would be like to bed a barbarian…

LADY OF DESIRE

Gareth is determined to prove to his delectable new wife that he saves his savagery for the battlefield, not the bedchamber. He will use far more persuasive methods to lure this lady willingly into his arms-and he looks forward to trying them all. But though Gareth is a prince, he cannot offer Tanon the finery she is used to, nor can he be sure she will be safe in his untamed land. What he can guarantee her is a love unlike any she has ever known…