Lord Of Seduction [Mass Market Paperback]

Lady Tanon Risande is not exactly happy and she isn't exactly sad. She is happy that she doesn't have to wed her hateful betrothed but she is sad when she is told by her godfather, King William, that she is to wed Prince Gareth ap Owain. This has her in an uproar and she dreads leaving her family for the wilds of Wales. When she sees Gareth for the first time after meeting him as a young child, Tanon is not sure she understands why her heart is pounding and her lips yearn to feel his skin. When Gareth beats her betrothed in a fight fair and square for her hand, Tanon feels relief but is still anxious; especially since she can almost feel his arms around her and his touch sending her soaring into the stars.

Gareth has been enamored of Tanon since being her champion against her bully of an ex-betrothed when she was a young child. Fully anticipating his nuptials and wedding night, Gareth is unprepared for the feelings Tanon evokes in him. First he must prove to Tanon that he is not the bloodthirsty warrior she envisions, but a knight that can be loving and gentle. Gareth hopes against hope that though he can't provide for Tanon in ways of trappings and finery, he can convince her that she is the love of his life, forever.

Gareth ap Owain was a warrior first and foremost. Fully aware of Tanon's feelings, I found myself sighing at his quest to make Tanon realize that he could be a loving man as well. Tanon was the epitome of womanhood but for all of her ladylike qualities, I found her stubborn and brave and extremely well suited to be the mate of Gareth.

Paula Quinn has once again written a historical novel worthy of any reader. Lord of Seduction is the third book of this series and I found myself enjoying it just as much as the first two. The period of time in which this novel takes place happens to be my favorite historical time period to read about, but that withstanding, Lord of Seduction is an exquisite read. Full of nobles, princes, assassins, and just a great plot, I found myself immersed in this book and nothing was going to stand in my way with finishing it. Nothing. I look forward to her next book with bated breath!

Talia

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Head strong, but ever obedient, Lady Tanon Risande has just had the shock of her life. Not only is her beloved childhood (for one summer) playmate not dead, but he's become a fierce Welsh prince. Gareth has returned to England to claim Tanon (as signed by a peace treaty agreement by his uncle years ago) as his betrothed. Once he wins her hand against her current betrothed in a tournament, he takes her back to his war-torn, as well as divided, homeland Cymry and its people. Their they battle the outside forces trying to pull them apart and push England & Wales into war, while discovering that their friendship and love has never really faded and begins to grow. It all comes to a head when Gareth must decide between peace for his people and the love & life of his wife.

I really liked this book. While there isn't as much romance (and it takes a while for the love scenes to come) in this one as in Quinn's previous books, this didn't distract me at all because the writing was that good. I'm not a history buff, but I think that Quinn did a great job in helping to convey to the reader the policital & historical atmosphere of the times without going overboard. The romance was more subtle (maybe too subtle for some -were not talking pages of detailed body slapping love-making here) and more of a gentle variety with more kissing, hugging etc, which helped add to the sexual tension. And by the end of the book you can feel the deep love that these two have for each other.

There is some very good action too, which involved battle scenes and dancing! -you'll just have to read to figure that one out! And I must say that I really do enjoy the physical scenes where the hero gets to show off his warrior skills and defend his lady. I loved the secondary charcters, especially the gruff and emotionally remote warrior Madoc and his younger brother Cian (who happened to have a serious case of puppy-love for Tanon).

So if your looking for a sensual/sexy read, you might want to check out Quinn's previous two books instead (there the hero's have a more rake-ish quality to them and the romance is spicier). But if you like a a well written (dare I say reminds me of Garwood) historical story that just happens to have a very good romance at its center then you should check this one out.

The Risande family is loyal and true to King William and reluctantly agrees to give their beautiful daughter Lady Tanon to the Welsh in marriage in order to try and keep peace. Lady Tanon and Prince Gareth first meet as children one summer when he arrives with his uncle and eldest brother Cedric, who is supposed to her betrothed. Gareth finds Tannon to be a delight and they become good friends. As the years go by she grows into a beautiful young woman, and word arrives that the Welshmen have been killed in one of the numerous border and Welsh battles. As another marriage is arranged for Lady Tannon to the despicable Lord Roger deCourtenay, who only wants her for her dowry, she wonders about what might have been. But it is Gareth she has always wondered about, not Cedric. On the day her betrothal is to be announced to Roger, Gareth shows up reminding King William of the Welsh agreement, as he is now Prince Gareth ap Owain. A tournament to fight for the Lady's hand is arranged, which Gareth easily wins. Tanon cannot keep her eyes off the handsome Gareth wondering about his male beauty, but she believes he is marrying her only to have peace between the two countries, when she longs for the kind of love her parents have enjoyed. She does not recognize that what she is feeling is desire and passion because she is a true innocent and the scene where she is asking her dear godfather King William about female wiles and the wedding night is sweet and well-written. Gareth is handsome and sexy, but also a strong leader, warrior and hero. His men and people love and admire him, and are concerned when they see that their prince really married for love, not just as a peace agreement. Gareth realizes marrying Tannon will bring peace. He also realizes he is not only lusting for Tannon, but has been in love with her since his youth and is concerned the little girl he remembered, turned refined young beauty, will find it difficult to live in his wild Welsh land. Tanon is afraid to go into a strange land with people who are at war with the Normans, but she is not only beautiful, but strong and independent and her character as heroine does not suffer, as she never once whines about the completely different conditions in which she now lives. Gareth is so taken with her beauty, inner and out, and the desire and passion that builds between them is sexy, with a touch of sweetness. Gareth's people come to respect her and this makes Gareth love her even more. Tannon learns the secret behind why Gareth is such a good warrior - he dances well - and the scenes where he teaches his people are fun and with Tannon, sexy! With so much intrigue, deception, and some surprises at the end; blended with the developing seduction and passion between Tannon and Gareth, Lord of Seduction seduces the reader who will find it difficult to put the book down. Paula Quinn's writing style flows and her character and story development is near perfection. A good, solid, sexy romance that should not be overlooked by medieval romance fans.