Fever Dreams [Mass Market Paperback]

Guardian of the Sword Alex Ryder has loved Lady Eve before he received knighthood and she married Lord Seymour. He failed to act on his feelings so he lost her. When her abusive spouse died, Alex decides to court his beloved, but quickly realizes that Eve mistrusts males having had a bad experience with her late husband.

Eve's sister Claire Montlow wants only happiness for her special sibling and believes Alex is the person who can provide that to her. She concocts a devious scheme in which she asks her sister to serve as a matchmaker between her and Alex. Claire assumes this will awaken Eve's heart to the love that Alex offers. As Eve rejects Alex's pleas of love, someone tries to kill her. He will risk his life to keep his beloved safe even though she rejects his song of love.

The latest Guardian romance is a fun tale that series fans will enjoy. The story line is at its best when the hero is a swashbuckling hero rescuing his woman, but at times slows down with Eve's constant lament that she's not in love until she becomes a woman in peril. Regency readers will appreciate the machinations of Claire as she sees what her sister cannot accept. Overall this is a fine entertaining historical romance that adds to the legends of the Guardians of the sword (see WICKED FANTASY).

Harriet Klausner

Alex Ryder dreams of her nightly. For the last seven years, the object of his nocturnal obsession, Lady Eve, has been otherwise engaged as the wife of the Earl of Hayden. Before becoming a countess, Eve was the woman that Alex loved and wanted to be his wife. Fate and unspoken rules of society got in their way, however, and in order to save her family from financial ruin, Eve agreed to an arranged marriage. Alex and Eve exchanged one passionate kiss before she was swept away to London and the man she married. Now, the Earl is dead and Alex knows that there is only one thing to do. Alex and Eve's twin siblings hatch an elaborate plan in order to convince Eve that Alex should be her next, and last, husband.

Lady Eve Montlow has vowed with the death of her husband not to marry ever again. Eve enjoys her widowed status and does not want to have to give over her life to another man. Eve is surprised to find out that the boy she once knew as Alex is now Sir Alex, extremely wealthy, and residing across the street from her. Lost in thought, Eve doesn't realize that she is being observed by the one man she is thinking about. The one man that was her friend years ago. The one man whom she hurt with her marriage.

Eve's brother and sister happily invite Alex to spend time with them all the while knowing that Eve and Alex belong together. The twin schemers and Alex come up with a plan for Eve to put her matchmaking skills to good use and find Alex a wife. Knowing that Eve will be unable to stand Alex marrying another, Eve's sister sets her cap for Alex, much to the dismay of Eve. Eve is unable to stand the thought of her sister marrying Alex, or rather; she is unable to stand the thought of Alex marrying her sister. Eve goes to Alex to ask that he refrain from pursuing her sister. Alex, in turn, has one more trick up his sleeve. He and Eve come up with a solution to Eve's request.

Alex and Eve are unable to stop their attraction to each other. It seems, though that fate may be trying its hand once again by interfering in their lives. Eve has had several attempts on her life and now it is up to Alex, a member of the secret Society of Guardians, to find the culprit before it is too late.

FEVER DREAMS, the fourth book in Nicole Jordan's Paradise series, is a poignant tale of hopes and dreams and a man's innermost desire to be with the one woman he has loved for years. In FEVER DREAMS, Nicole Jordan has woven a tale of intrigue, sensuality, and sexual tension throughout the novel that kept me guessing and enthralled from beginning to end. As with all of Ms. Jordan's novels I have read, I was thoroughly satisfied with a story well told and I know other readers will enjoy FEVER DREAMS as well. I can't say enough about this author other than she has done it again!

I'll be honest -- I buy Nicole Jordan books irregardless because she is one of the best authors in romance today. However, while I've enjoyed her previous books including those in the "Paradise" series, I found this particular installment somewhat lacking. I felt more empathy with the hero than the heroine whom I found rather obtuse in the extreme. However, more disappointing was the "mystery" at the center of the story. It had no suspense and there was no sense of immmediate danger nor life and death urgency. The supporting characters didn't incite any feelings of compassion or empathy and I found I cared very little for them overall.

I hope the next installment will see the return of Ms. Jordan's usually tight, well-written verse and well-rounded characters.