The Lord and The Scorpion
Shiree M. CarverHistorical romance
Available from New Concepts Publishing
ISBN: 1-58608-858-0
March 2006
| Feeling threatened by a group of men who are calling themselves, The Knights of Darkness, Queen Elizabeth has assigned Francis Walsingham to find the leaders of the group. While at court for Elizabeth's birthday celebration and to meet Walsingham, Lord Ethan Clare meets an intriguing woman. Sauda is in charge of Walsingham's daughter, eleven- year- old Lady Frances. Ethan is enthralled with the exotic looking Moorish woman. He makes a point to get to know her better. When Sauda saves the Queen from an attempted assassination she is wounded. Ethan volunteers to stay with her until she is well. As time goes on and they travel together they realize they have more in common than they first realized. They both work for Walsingham in searching for the Knights of Darkness. Sauda is known as the 'Scorpion,' for her use of poisons and knives. She is trained in the martial arts and use of weapons. Working together they cannot deny their attraction. Society does not accept Sauda for her skin color and she is looked down upon and treated badly. Ethan must find a way to complete his mission and convince Sauda that they can survive the scandal of their relationship.
The Lord and the Scorpion by Shiree M. Carver is a brilliantly written adventure that contains suspense and intrigue as well as a romance that is fraught with difficulties. It is filled with colorful characters that are each rich in their own history. Ethan has been severely wounded and traumatized by his experience in a Turkish prison. He has experienced losing a wife to childbirth. He also works for Walsingham in his intrigues. All of these things factor into making him the man he is. He is honorable and brave, but he deserves to find some happiness in his life. He quickly gains the sympathy of the reader. Sauda has also experienced a traumatic past. Having been sold into slavery as a child and surviving numerous tortuous experiences, she feels unable to be loved or love anyone. She finds herself desiring Ethan, who looks like a golden angel. She is a strong woman willing to sacrifice her happiness for what she thinks is best for Ethan. The romance was passionate and the chemistry electrifying. The intimacy is described in explicit details. This story is emotionally involving for the reader. The intrigues and secrets abound throughout the story. The conclusion is truly unexpected and takes the reader by surprise. The dialogue flows smoothly and conveys successfully the thoughts and emotions of the characters. Again, I will say this was a brilliant story that felt like really two books in one. First you have the intrigue behind the Knights of Darkness then you have an interracial romance between two emotionally and physically scarred individuals. Shiree M. Carver has taken these two main concepts and combined then to give a wonderful story that is sure to please all readers. I look forward to future books by this author. One of which I hope is the story of Lucien, a supporting character that has a very interesting history.
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Reviewer: Anita |
