Flower Under Ice

Dominic Wyndham, to all intents and purposes a dissolute aristocrat and younger brother of an earl, with little purpose in life beyond drinking, gambling and indulging in seemingly-pointless wagers, is shocked to be told, without warning, that his estranged wife is dead. Shocked enough to hide his real grief and pain behind a mask of cold, sardonic humour - which, in turn, shocks the young woman who has travelled from Scotland to deliver the news.Catriona, the bearer of the news of Harriet's death, is not surprised at Wyndham's reaction; after all, Harriet, whom she'd known for some time, had made clear to her that Wyndham was a wastrel and a harsh, unkind man. Harriet herself had left Dominic after their wedding night, claiming that he'd done depraved and humiliating things to her. As such, Catriona is fully prepared to believe the worst of Dominic - an impression which isn't changed one bit after their encounter later that night. She sneaks into his room to talk to him, to plead with him to come to Edinburgh with her because Harriet left a child, a son, whose care Wyndham must assume. However, Catriona is well aware that the boy isn't Wyndham's son - and she is surprised when he states that he could not possibly be the boy's father. All the same, he tells her, he will travel to Edinburgh to see to the child's future - on certain conditions.Those conditions are that Catriona must travel with him to all intents and purposes as his mistress. On the way, he says, they will indulge in sin - one deadly sin for each day on the road. "Every day you will be besieged by a man who has a great deal more experience in the game than you do. I shall seduce you," he promises. "You will fall in love and I shall break your heart. I guarantee it."Yet he also promises that he will do nothing without her consent - so to an earlier reviewer, I point out that Wyndham fully understands that `no' means `no'. Nothing is done with Catriona without her express consent - in fact, at times, her pleading. For reasons of her own, Catriona desperately needs Wyndham to come, and so she agrees to his terms - showing no fear, but also desperately trying not to show him how truly tempted she is by him. By his seductive voice, by his beautiful hands, his handsome body and face, his touch... and his kisses. For she cannot afford to lose her heart, and never to an Englishman. Besides, Wyndham is a scoundrel and a rake... isn't he?Wyndham is, in fact, far from being either, as any reader who hasn't already read Illusion will find out gradually as the book advances. Nothing he does is without a cause: to help a friend, to try to win back the wife he has persuades himself he loves, for the sake of his country. As for Catriona, he is tempted by her and intrigued by the mystery she presents, for he knows very well that there is something else behind her thin story about a fatherless, motherless boy. And so they embark on an intimate journey together, facing danger, facing trials... and fa

I am sad that Jean Ross Ewing does not have more books in print, but I hope she writes many new ones in the future. This book was beautiful and better written than most. I loved the detailed ending.

This is a wonderful book. I've haven't seen a writer bring Scotland to life like this since Gabaldon. Ewing's descriptions of the country and people brought them to life. And let's not forget the romance. Dominic is my favorite kind of hero, the embittered veteran of the Napoleonic wars who comes home to deviltry and drink because he's unwilling to face his past. He's not ready to allow himself to become attached to anyone, until a Highlander woman drags him to Scotland to save a child. The journey there is one filled with mystery, passion, and self-discovery for both the hero and heroine. Don't miss this one!

Flowers Under Ice brings to life some of the great elements of romance... vivid characters, an intriguing plot with action and adventure that are never boring, a beautiful setting and, oh yes, ever growing romance and passion. Jean Ross Ewing has a flair for language and knows how to strike sparks between a determined heroine and a witty, wicked rake hero. Don't miss a great read!

I have to say Ms. Ewing has created a magnificent hero in the person of Dominic Wyndham, a man classed as a notorious rake in London in the summer of l8l6, and a seker of thrills to rival those he experienced when a spy during the Napoleonic Wars. Underneath the rake's facade is quite a different man. I first met him in Ms. Ewing's first historical, ILLUSION, last year when the hero, Nigel Arundham, a master spy, befriended him along with his ladylove Frances. I was intrigued by Dominic then, and when I finaly had the pleasure of reading his tale of traveling to Scotland with the beautiful Highland lass, Catriona Sinclair to see about claiming a baby she said was his deceased wife's, I knew I had to read this the minute it hit the bookstores. Dominic declares the only way he will travel with Catriona is if she goes as his mistress and they explore the seven deadly sins along the way on the seven-day journey.There is more to Dominic than you would believe when the book first opens. In fact, there are many, many layers to both Dominic and Catriona, and as they are peeled back you will be astonished at what is uncovered. Catriona is strong of spirit, independent, and full of pride for her people. Of course, I was up late at night discovering all sorts of intiguing and fascinating things that involved family secrets, revenge, lost love, bonding with friends and strangers, and finally an exquisite love that defies everything in its path.Ms. Ewing's talent as a writer is showcased by her masterstroke of characterization, excellent plotting, and her words are like jewels sparkling and shimmering in their beauty as her story begins in England and unfolds in the heather on the hills of bonnie Scotland.This is a powerful book you don't want to miss! When you finish it I know you will be racing out to get the first book, ILLUSION, and believe me you won't be sorry you have done so - even though you don't need to read ILLUSION first to love FLOWERS UNDER ICE. I was never so glad in my life to be able to sit back and enjoy a story that is so entertaining, well researched and well written. It is also breathtaking to behold a hero who never gives up for a minute, whether it be fighting or loving. Now that's my kind of man!"Jean Ross Ewing deserves a solid gold coronet studded in diamonds for writing FLOWERS UNDER ICE." Suzanne Coleburn