Only in Your Arms (Zebra Splendor Historical Romances) [Mass Market Paperback]

Therefore, I was VERY VERY pleasantly surprised when I got an entertaining love story after all! I am now in awe of Ms. Cozzens. Her ability to draw such fascinating and endearing characters is amazing and everyone who enjoys love stories will feel the same after reading this romance.

I could care less if a girl in the 1600's wouldn't be allowed some of the freedoms that Judith was allowed. (again, historical accuracy and blah, blah) What I care about is reading an outstanding and captivating love story and that is exactly what I got. As I was reading about Judith and Marcus, Judith did everything that I wanted her to do. There was nothing that would stand in her way of seeing Marcus if that is what she had to do. How did Ms. Cozzens do that? More to the point, how did she draw her characters so that I would not be disappointed in any of them?(even her father!) Whereas I've read other romances where the characters would fall short of my expectations and disappoint. The characters in ONLY IN YOUR ARMS were not all good and all bad. Ms. Cozzens really excelled at making her characters three-dimensional and not one character was less than interesting. Be ready for an emotional roller coaster ride. I cried like a baby at the end so be warned. (Nothing too ugly or sinister in this book to make me cry, they were the welcoming kind of tears that come from having gotten caught up in and enjoying a wonderful fantasy)

The hero is Marcus and he's a low-born actor. Judith's father doesn't trust him but he's the most pure of them all. (and he's sexy to boot!) And spunky and beautiful LADY Judith has eyes for noone else as soon as their eyes meet. And she doesn't try to hide her dreamy eyes from her diapproving father or either of her titled fiances! Had this story been told by a romance author from the 80's, there could have been so many misunderstandings, one after another BUT THERE WAS NOT! Instead of taking that well traveled easier road, she paved her own way. She took the high road and she had the talent to go that route. Because of that, we get to delight in a unique tale of courageous and self-sacraficing love.

Into that mix is another wonderful couple that Ms. Cozzens describes just as well. But this is not your ordinary secondary couple. They shined just as well as Judith and Marcus. I relished both couples and the wonderful tapestry that is ONLY IN YOUR ARMS.

p.s. did I mention the very sensual love scenes? This book deserves another star for letting us enjoy the passion these two couples can generate.

An engaging secondary plot revolves around a romance between Judith's maid and Marcus' best friend. Their hilarious story adds a dose of Shakespearean-style wit to this well-crafted novel. Five stars! Ms. Cozzens' story is not to be missed.