I've only been reading fantasy for a short time, so I was excited to what was between the pages of Tempted by the Storm.
I found gnomes, elves, wizardry, dragons, barbarians, paladins, and more.
Some of the happenings in the story had me shaking my head and wondering, What the heck? NEVER in a million years would I have expected a fantasy novel to include characters utilizing a blow-up doll named Miss Bunny as a make-shift sled to get get out of a dangerous situation. (And for it to actually work.)
I chuckled when I was introduced to Leeky Shortz, Tug McGroin, Ms. Bea Hayven, and Sherman Bobert Limburger the Ninth (who says he was "thrown over for a Gouda . . . and destined to go down in history as the man who stank at love."
While I couldn't believe some of what I was reading, I couldn't put the book down and finished it in one sitting. The story line is captivating, the naughty parts are ooh la la, and the characters are so well-developed that I felt almost like I knew them personally.
Prior to reading this book, I hadn't read anything by Ms. Mansfield, but I am certainly going to get my hands on a copy of book one of this series, Touched by Magic, as soon as I possibly can and I'll be snapping up books three and four when they're available.
I rate Tempted by the Storm four out of five stars.
Tempted by the Storm can be purchased from Wild Rose Press or Amazon.
By Maxine Mansfield
Genre: Erotic
Fantasy
Heat level: 4,
Scarlet Rose
Publisher: The
Wild Rose Press
Release date: November
9, 2012
Blurb:
Larksong Hammerstrike has always been just the younger sister of
Princess Aryanna. Never quite as pretty or as smart, always lacking, a mere
empath whose power gets her into trouble more often than not. But at Carnalval,
the festival of all things sexual, she unleashes her sensual side for a night
in the arms of a masked stranger. When morning dawns, Lark can't resist a peek
beneath the mask of her lover and is once again crushed by fate. The man of her
lusty adventure is none other than the future Lord of the High Elves and
destined to marry her sister. As heir to the kingdom of Landis and current
instructor of wizardry at the Academy of Magical Arts, Sarco Sunwalker is honor
bound to rise above the temptation of the beautiful empathic student who
invades his mind, body, and soul. But when sparks fly, lightning strikes, and
thunder rolls, Sarco finds himself more than tempted by the storm of Lark's
passion and vows to find a solution that will prevent a war between races, fulfill
an infamous quest, and win Lark's hand.
~~~
Excerpt
“Did you say something?” the woman whispered.
He shook his head. “Nothing, I just can’t
believe my luck. You really are real and here with me.”
She smiled, but her smile didn’t extend to
her eyes.
Before another heartbeat passed or another
breath taken, he stood at her side. With tenderness, he gazed into her gentle,
masked face and took both of her hands in his. He was humbled as her fingers
trembled even more than his own did. “We don’t have to do this if you’d rather
not.”
She smiled wider, and her eyes gleamed with
mischief. “I suppose we might as well. After all, we’re already here, and
you’re at least halfway undressed.”
Sliding his hands up her arms and around her
shoulders to her back, Sarco felt for and found the clasps holding her gown
together. With the flick of a wrist, they gave way, and with a swish, the silky
fabric fell to her hips exposing lush, rose-tipped breasts. Just the right size
to hold in both hands, to fondle, to caress, to taste.
“Hmm, it seems you’re halfway undressed
yourself.”
~~~
About the Author
She has one very special man, his three equally special children, and
their six delightful grandchildren in her life. Not to mention a very bossy
African Grey parrot named Gabriel. Oh, and Gnomes! Many, many Gnomes.
Maxine can be found online at the following places:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LeekyShortz
Other Books: Touched by the Magic (1st book in the Academy Series)
