Stranger (The Blades of the Rose) [Mass Market Paperback]

I wrote in my review of Rebel, book three in the Blades of the Rose series, that Nathan Lesperance was one of my all-time favorite romance heroes. Catullus Graves, the hero of this fourth book, is another.

Catullus is an original and intriguing character throughout the series. He's black Englishman, a genius inventor, and adventurer who has reached his forties without finding his soul mate...but then he happens to see red-haired, freckled Gemma Murphy at a trading post in the Northwest Territory, at the end of book three.

Gemma is a high-spirited and determined journalist who follows Catullus and his Blade companions to England, drawn to both an incredible story and a fascinating man. She's soon enmeshed in the Blade's mission to defeat the Heirs of Albion. A brilliant, sartorially gifted, and not inexperienced man, Catullus is still adorably awkward and tongue-tied when it comes to expressing his interest in Gemma. In the heat of passion, however, he's more than sure of himself. (Can I just say I'm familiar with the type? I'm a big fan.) I especially enjoyed Catullus getting advice from his buddy, the reformed ladies' man Bennett Day.

Gemma, for her part, is much more playful and flirtatious, the perfect balance for Catullus. They share a keen intellectual curiosity, and although Catullus's old friend Astrid is wary of Gemma at first, it's eventually obvious to all the Blades that Catullus and Gemma are a perfect match. Gemma is my favorite heroine of the series. I love these two together, and their relationship develops with nuance and realistic quirkiness.

Oh, and the love scenes are smoking hot. (At one point I just put the book down and dragged my husband into the bedroom.)

Catullus's and Gemma's romance develops amid a showdown between the Blades and the Heirs, and the adventure takes some really imaginative turns. Characters from the other three books all come together for the final fight, bringing together elements of humor and breakneck danger. It's a slam-bang conclusion to an awesome series that I'm going to revisit again and again.

Gemma Murphy has been following Catullus Graves and his friends for some time now. After first seeing him in the Northwest Territory of Canada, she now finds herself on a boat, to England. A reporter, she loves to investigate, and she knows Catullus and his crew have many secrets.

Catullus is a member of The Blades of the Rose, a secret organization that protects Sources, those items that hold magical power throughout the world from the evil Heirs of Albion. The Heirs now have the primal source, and have plans to use it for world domination. The Blades are hot on their trail, and are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to stop them.

The first time Catullus set eyes on the red haired, freckled beauty in Canada, it stirs him. A genius inventor, Catullus has a very scientific approach when it comes to romance, which means he isn't quite the ladies man. Soon Catullus becomes aware that Gemma is following them, and when the Heirs spot her with the Blades, her life becomes endangered. She wants to prove to the Blades she is a competent fighter, and she wants to break down Catullus's serious ways, and show him just how wicked romance can be.

Stranger is the fourth book in Zoe Archer's The Blades of the Rose series and held much anticipation for me to discover Catullus whom we meet in great detail in book three, Rebel. Catullus is reserved, a bit shy and awkward when it comes to women. He loves fine waistcoats and is extremely smart. His match, Gemma is just the kind of woman who can break him out of his mold. She has spunk and spirit, yet she is very kind and from the start understands who this man is. Although Catullus is black, she never once sees his skin color as a deterrent. I absolutely adored their romance. The uncertainty Catullus has in the bedroom is very endearing, and once he gains confidence - watch out.

The adventure in this one weaves in the King Arthur legend, as the Blades rush to prevent the Heirs from using the primal source. I didn't love the adventure as much as the previous books. Besides an evil form of King Arthur being resurrected, for some time Catullus and Gemma find themselves in Otherworld, an alternate fairy world. It just didn't grab me like the other books did. I did thoroughly enjoy the banter between Catullus and other blade members Bennet Day and Nathan Lesperance and their spouses. The pages where all of them are working together are some of my favorite. And of course the pages with the hot smex in a tree house.

After finishing this series, four books in four months, I can say they have been a joy to read. With the mixture of historical, paranormal and adventure, Zoe Archer brings something different to these books. I really hope we get more Blades in the future, and Catullus has just made his way onto my boyfriend list.

In 1875 Chicago newspaper reporter Gemma Murphy overhears three people discuss saving the world from some affluent British Heirs. Fascinated with what she heard, Gemma makes inquiries into the trio especially the mysterious inventor Catullius Graves. She asks him for an interview.

Catullius knows his first loyalty must be to the Blades of the Rose, but he also feels a kinship to Gemma as he is an intense outsider who knows no one understands him; while he senses she must prove her worth every day to the good old boys' network at her paper where she is an outsider there. They are attracted to one another but in spite of his efforts to keep her out of his undercover work, Gemma joins her loved one and his Blades to prevent the Heirs from obtaining and using the Primal Source to reanimate King Arthur as the first step in making England the depository for all of the magic in the world.

The Blades of the Rose (see Rebel, Warrior and Scoundrel) is another super thriller as the suspense never slows down while the romance simmers in order to first save the world. Loaded with action as Camelot appears coming to Reconstruction Era Chicago, Zoe Archer scores four consecutive bulls-eyes with this great finish to this terrific saga.

Harriet Klausner