Historical Romance 101: What Makes A Amazing Hero and Personal Favorites

For today we will be offering something special where we talk about Amazing heroes and what our favorites are and why!! Come and check out what we have for ya. Also make sure you check out these other sweet ladies choices as well. Feminist Fairy Tales; Quinns Book Nook; On A Book Bender

Book Review- A Kindled Flame

A Kindled Flame
Kirkland Chronicles (4)
Ana Leigh
Leisure Book s
E Digitized Paperback
Published March 1991
480 Pages
Colonial Historical Romance
ISBN:  9780843931266
Author’s Website

Synopsis
1776

Headstrong and hauntingly beautiful, Patricia Fairchild had played for high stakes before, but never had she agreed to such an outlandish wager: Passage on Stephen Kirkland’s ship if she won; a night in his bed if she lost. Yet one look in the captain’s arrogant blue eyes made her accept his audacious challenge, and one touch of his searing lips made her long for the exquisite conclusion of their explosively sensual game

A KINDLED FLAME fouth in the lavishly romantic Kirkland Chronicles.

My Review
Summary 
Patricia Fairchild, after her husband was murdered two years previous, builds up a gambling hall, and surprisingly it has become very profitable. Patricia takes great pride is what her business has become. When Stephen Kirkland comes into her gambling hall, she sees nothing but him. As a captain of a ship, he is the answer since she needs passage up north to deliver a important document for a friend. So instead of politely asking Stephen for his help, they enter into a wicked wager, where if she wins the game he will take her wherever she needs to go, but if she loses she spends the night in his bed. Even the stakes are high Patricia is more than willing to be daring and bold and take his bet. Only she never thought that Stephen would take her on a adventure of a lifetime. Stephen has come to Boston to look for the woman spy that killed his friend, and he suspects Patricia of being a spy, but has yet to prove it. Even though he has doubts about her real identity, a flaming passion rises and he can’t resist her body but when they are constantly thrown together, he can’t deny that his passion for her runs deeper than just her body, he wants her heart and to be by her side for the rest of his life; but will his fears of the unpredictable future cause more harm than good and he just might lose her forever.

My Thoughts 
I have always been a huge fan of Ana Leigh, her books are charming and fun and full of adventure and steamy passion. Although its been quite some time since I have read anything from her, I was really excited to read this one. Now I was able to obtain a digital copy from Open Library. Now first off this copy was such fun to read. Because its basically a digital scanned copy of the paperback book, so its almost like having the real book with the color of real paper in my NOOK (which is kinda neat) and I just love older romances and its been a little while since I have read one that was such a stimulating read and reminded me why I miss the style of the older romances.

This story is set in the late 1770’s, right before the revolutionary war begins. We see the stirrings of rebellion against the British, and as a avid history lover, this totally had me full on fascinated. It is very apparent that the author did some detailed research before writing this book. Personally I just love reading romances from the Colonial period, but it is happening less frequently (which is sad to me) since its one of my favorite sub genres in historical romance. It starts out with Stephen and Patricia first meeting and kissing right off the bat because the chemistry between them is sizzling hot! Even though in the beginning they really don’t like each other all that much. Then we see them dare each other into this bet, which leads Patricia to be by Stephens side for quite some time. I don’t want to spoil too much so I won’t reveal too much information, however this read took me on one helluva ride. One adventure after another, and I enjoyed seeing another short romance that develops into two sub characters who totally won my heart. We have Thomas and Barbara. Thomas is Stephens second in command on his ship. And Barbara is a distant cousin, but more like a sister. Barbara is always getting into one scrape and taking Patricia along with her, and of course Patricia gets in trouble with Stephen right? Now those parts were so entertaining and scandalous and irresistibly fun to see. I definitely had no hardship delving into this story. There was quite a few conflicts to the story that only added more to it, a bit more deeper plot and drags you along (whether you like it or not LOL). From Boston, to Virginia, to the seas, and all the way down to Jamaica.

Stephen is very ALPHA, very controlling at times, but there was also a vulnerability to him, and I enjoyed seeing the tender side of him as well as you progress into their relationship further. He can be very brooding at times, and beyond stubborn (it was almost a bit frustrating) He liked everything his way, and let nothing stand in his way. Patricia is the spitfire type, very strong willed, and independent and aches for adventure. She is always getting into trouble here and there, and Stephen always ends up rescuing her from her follies, and even though furious with her, doesn’t stay mad for long.  

Overall a sensual and powerfully written story that takes you on a adventure of a lifetime. Sizzling chemistry, enticing characters, and a plot filled with conflict, adventure, danger, and above all an intense love story that will endear you forever. Well done Ana Leigh!!!SENSATIONAL!!!!!!!!

First Line 
It was a dark night, lit only by a thin glow of moonlight that cast mysterious shadows on the many streets and alleys of the town. 

Favorite Quote 
“A truce it will be. Shall we shake on it?”
At the sight of her outstretched hand his brow quirked with amusement. 
“Surely you jest, Tory. There is just one way to seal this bargain.”
She stepped back to meet his eyes; his look was laden with desire. He drew her slowly into his arms and lowered his head to her, claiming her mouth with leisured sensuality. The kiss was long and lingering–and exquisitely gentle. 
When they parted, their eyes met in a message that was clear to both of them; this desire for each other was growing with a ferocity that neither of them would be able to resist for long. Causes be damned!

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
These Hallowed Hills
A Question of Honor
Oh, Promised Destiny

Book Review-The Mackenzies: Cole

The Mackenzies: Cole
The Mackenzies Series

Ana Leigh
Avon Romance,
375 Pages,
Published December 2002
ISBN: 0-380-82009-9
Western Historical Romance

Synopsis:
The last time Cole MacKenzie saw Maggie O’Shea, the daughter of his gold-hunting partner, Pop, she was a scruffy kid with dirt on her cheeks. Now the tomboy is all grown up — and how! — and she’s Cole’s sworn responsibility, since the suspicious passing of his dear old friend. But being Maggie’s new legal guardian may be more than the footloose loner can handle — especially since he’s been aching of late to hold her close and tight.

How dare Cole MacKenzie think he can run her life! True, she’s had a crush on him since forever, but Maggie won’t be treated like a child — especially not by a powerfully good-looking wanderer who makes her flush with wanting him. Cole says he’s not ready to stay put, yet he’s not going anywhere until he’s satisfied Pop’s death was a natural one. But will that leave Maggie enough time to prove to the man how much of a woman she’s become?

My Review:
I was walking down the shelves in my library when I came upon Ana Leighs books, and since I haven’t read anything of hers in some time, I decided to read Cole once more. I knew I loved her books, but it had been some time since I had. First off I would like to say that the cover is what convinced me to pick this one up and start reading it first. I mean anyone who looks at this cover, can hardly resist reading it, it draws you in, like a bee to honey.
The story begins in San Francisco, in 1898, where Cole MacKenzie is bored with life, and is looking for a change. He then gets a urgent message from his old gold hunting partner, Pop O’Shea. Who sends him a telegram telling him that he needs help immediately, so Cole heads for Lawford, New Mexico. Once he arrives, he is told that Pop has died from breaking his neck in a mine. Cole is then is notified by Pop’s lawyer, that he needs to talk to him about something urgent the next day. So Cole heads to his office the next day, and comes face to face with Maggie O Shea, Pop’s daughter. Cole remembers her as a young girl, when he went gold digging years ago. Maggie has been in love with Cole ever since she was fifteen years old. Cole has never noticed her except for being a child, and once she see’s him again she vows to prove to him that she is a full grown woman. However once she hears that Cole is in charge of her assets, even who she can marry, she is horrified. Maggie wants to be able to control her own future and make her own decisions. So she goes about her way proving to Cole that she is a woman that can make her own choices. But as tempers ensue, so does their passions, and that start fighting both each other and their feelings that grow between them. Cole is starting to realize what a woman Maggie really is, and how much he aches for her touch. Maggie has mixed feelings about Cole, not knowing whether or not she can trust the wanderer with her heart…again.

I found Cole to be a sensual and enticing read, with humor and endearing characters,  Maggie is one of those heroines, that despite her loss from grieving her father, she also has to decide what she truly wants in life. Cole enters her life, and she becomes even more confused day by day. Maggie has been in love with Cole ever since she has known him, when she first met him was in Alaska where they went on adventure after adventure. Now her father is gone, and all she and Cole seems to do is end up doing is fighting or kissing. Maggie doesn’t know if Cole will be wanting to stop his wandering lust or end up staying with her. She has just a hope that he will fall in love with her. Cole is also just as confused, he finds himself wanting to stay in New Mexico with Maggie, he never knew such contentment and passion in his life. At first he just aches for her body, but he ends up aching for so much more. He finds himself falling in love with her, and having no clue what to do. Its a pretty amusing yet sensual story, I found myself either getting a breath of fresh air from the heated room, or laughing my head off from the way this couple interacts. It is a very stimulating story in every way, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again. There were a couple of minor thing that I had a hard time with while reading. Some of the arguments between Maggie and Cole seemed more like fights between six year old’s instead of two adults. That was probably my biggest concern for this book, but other than that I definitely though it was a genuinely well written story.   Even though its been a couple of years since I have read Cole and Maggie’s story, I definitely was satisfied at the end and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

My Grade For This Book
4 Blossoms

Other Books in the Series:
Luke
Flint
Cleve
David
Peter
Jake
Josh
Zach
Jared
Lily