A Well Favored Gentleman: Well Pleasured #2

The moment he stepped into Fionnaway Manor, he knew destiny had brought him home. Ian Fairchild, intelligent, darkly handsome, and full of secrets, longs for the home he's never had. Ian's evil father, Leslie, issued a dying request for him to come to the seaside estate. At the same time, he led Ian to believe he would inherit Fionnaway. After Ian's arrival, and a visit from the village witch, Leslie's condition improves. Ian soon discovers he cannot inherit the Scottish estate, because it will belong to Lady Alanna McLeod. She disappeared several years ago, but will soon shed her disguise, and claim the right as mistress of her beloved Fionnaway. Ian is determined to have the estate, which means marriage to Lady Alanna. But she is distrusting of Ian, and his motives. Ian will do whatever it takes to fulfill his dream. But what will Alanna think when she discovers his dark heritage, and the magical powers he possesses? I am still in awe of this story. In some ways, this book is a departure from everything else I've read by Ms. Dodd. It is unique, sensual, and absolute poetic storytelling perfection. It weaved its magic web around my heart, and I may never recover. The story heavily concerns the myth of the Selkies, who were seals that could assume human form at will. You may be thinking this sounds ludicrous, but it's not. The story is very believable, even though it's full of magic and myth. Ian and Alanna were both wonderful characters, but Ian was my favorite. I love that he was strong, but still had insecurities. He possessed magic powers, but all he really wanted was to belong, have a home, and be loved. The cast of secondary characters is strong as well, and adds a great deal to the story. This is the sequel to "A Well Pleasured Lady", which was also excellent, and more typical of Ms. Dodd's usual style. I recommend reading both, but this book is special, and one of my all-time favorites.

For those of you who like a little fantasy and magic thrown in with some VERY hot and sensually stimulating love scenes - then look no further - this has to be the one.He is Ian Fairchild, darkly handsome and tortured with secrets he does not want revealed. Ian is summoned home to Fionnaway by his dying father that despises him. He is led to believe that once his father dies Fionnaway would be his - just one of the many lies his father Leslie Fairchild (truly a despicable waste of human flesh)tells him. She is Lady Alanna - the beautiful and mysterious mistriss of Fionnaway who disappeared 4 years prior and waits to come back to reclaim her heritage. Ian desperately wants Fionnaway as well and will use whatever tricks he has to to gain the home that he has never had his entire life. There is a lot of intrigue, magic, and legends that the story evolves around - it is simply wonderful and you will no doubt not be able put it down once you have started it. I absolutely sobbed BIG tears at the end... Loved it and will definitely read it over again. This had some of the most exquisitely beautiful love scenes - with WORDS - that I have not seen in some time. A rare treat for the hopeless romantic - I was well and truly touched!

This book by Christina Dodd was the first I've read of her, and I have to say I totally loved it. It blends magic, love, delicious sex, and deceit into one. Ian, in this book, had to try to convince Alanna to marry him in order to inherit Fionnaway. He was one character I truly and deeply admired. He was completely honest with Alanna about everything -his motives and feelings. He didn't lie to her in the middle when she was talking about the matter of love. Most of all I admire for surviving the miserable years living with the abuse from his father. Usually I never cry when reading a book, but during some emotional parts of this, tears were just gushing out of my eyes. I'm impressed with the author for moving me that deeply! I felt like I was part of the book and felt the pain they felt. In addition I was captivated by the idea of selkies and their magical soothing powers. After finishing it, I immediately put it in my drawer of books not to trade. That was several months ago and since then I have read it over a couple of time. Especially when I feel like reading something meaningful. I recommend this book for anyone who like fantasy romance books. This book made me go out and comb bookstores for all the Christina Dodd books I could find.

This book gives me the chills, I love it! Ian Fairchild, lost and lonely, has magical abilities to look into a person's true emotions and personality. His mother is a selkie. Alanna is the long-lost heir to Fionnaway, back to regain her inheritance. Thus began a cat-and-mouse game to gain control of the land. The sexual tension between these two is absolutely scorching, and believe me, the pages burn. Ian is lovingly detailed by Ms Dodd - he is a lonely man finally finding a place where he belongs, if only he can get Alanna to be his. Alanna is less vividly-drawn, but she is a woman of strong will, if afraid of Ian's searing passion. Add to this mix a lovely young woman who is Ian's half-sister Wilda and her touching quest for "goodness", a truly evil man, and the magic of the selkies, you get a truly special book. And the climax is truly breathtaking when Ian finally proves his love for Alanna... I shed a few tears and hugged everyone in my house, even the dog, after reading it. Closing the book, I shut my eyes and could almost hear the crash of waves...