Heat of the Knight

*semi spoiler* First, I would like to point out that although the Langston (the hero) uses slave trade as an explanation for his wealth, we learn that it is just posturing and that he doesn't engage in trafficking slaves. Overall, this story was very very intriguing. I loved how the author didn't reveal the mystery surrounding the Monteith castle and Langston to the reader. We learned everything along with Lisle which kept me very interested and almost made the reader a part of Lisle's discovery and investigation. The story was intense to say the least but in a good way and I thought that the author kept the setting and the interactions between the H/H realistic to the time and place without compromising the romance. Ivie's descriptions were detailed, some might find them overly so. But for me it just brought to life the castle, the land and the life of the highlanders. I loved the heroine, she was spirited but not in an obnoxious manner. I could understand her reactions to things, she was practical and just at times when i, if in her place, would maybe not have been, but there was so much else going on that to make stupid and irrational misunderstandings between H/H a point of contention in the novel would have ruined it for me. Luckily that did not happen, they moved past initial misunderstandings and the story became about discovery, emotional and physical. The hero was also a great package to unwrap. Mysterious, a bit tormented, afraid to open up but doesn't resist when love comes knocking, and not to mention a glorious body. I would recommend getting it from the library, it may not be everyone's cup of tea but i certainly enjoyed it. It read a bit slow but ultimately the author did a good job of building the anticipation and drawing the reader in. I wanted to figure out the whole of the mystery and get to the end...but without skipping over a moment of everything else :).

I will start off by saying that anyone who has read, and supposedly loved, any previous Jackie Ivie book would know that she never conforms to the stereotypical mold of what a historical hero "should" be. Therefore, no one should ever be disappointed by anything underhanded or depraved said hero might do in the name of what he thinks is right. To begin my review. I love the true historical aspect of this book. I think it was very deep in that respect, which may have taken away from the romantic aspect of it, but in no way was it so disappointing to me that I would stop reading her wonderful books. I am a TRUE Ivie fan and will be as long as she decides to grace the shelves with her literature.

After the disaster of the Battle of Culloden, Scotland writhes under the English boot. Weapons, the plaid, and even bagpipes are banned. Many clans are destitute, and some have been sold into slavery or transported to the new world. Yet a few Scots seem immune to the disaster. One of these men, Langston Monteith, is busy purchasing land, hiring servants, and buying crafts from Scots so impoverished they have no choice but to sell their ancient family estates. When Langston's eyes fall on Lisle MacHugh, he decides he'll buy her as well. Lisle holds Langston, and anyone like him, as an enemy of the true Scot. Yet when Langston outflanks her, going directly to the MacHugh family with his offer, they quickly agree and Lisle has no choice but to become Langston's wife. She will not, she vows, so quickly join him in his bed--even if he is as sexy as sin. For one thing, he wastes gold, which makes him a laughing stock of the Highlands. For another, the man has only a distant acquaintance with the truth. In Langston's castle, Lisle discovers that Langston isn't just a liar, he holds fast secrets--secrets that change how she sees him, but also that put him at horrible risk. Langston carries weapons, wears the plaid, and listens to pipes--and in occupied Scotland, any of these can be viewed as treason and punished by death. With no allies among the Scots, Langston seems to have picked a path that can only lead to his ruin--and to the ruin of his new wife. Author Jackie Ivie spins a sexy and funny story set in a dark and dangerous time. Lisle (rhymes with weasel) is a wonderfully spunky character who quickly learns to negotiate--using every weapon at a woman's disposal. Langston is dark, sexy, and dangerous. His lies, though, keep him in trouble and form the source of the romantic conflict between the two. Unfortunately, Langston has no choice but to lie--or give up his dreams forever. Even if those lies put at risk his relationship with his wife. I found HEAT OF THE KNIGHT to be pure fun. Lisle kept me cracking up, the sex was steamy, and Langston is a fascinating and complex hero. I think Ivie cheated a bit on the ultimate resolution, but this is a romance, after all and political realism is not an absolute requirement.

Lord Langston Monteith was a man despised by all. When the majority of honest hard working Scotsmen had fought and died honorably at Culloden. Lord Monteith had been a world away pirating and getting rich. Then, after the battle, he returned to buy up as much land as possible and indenture the remaining widows and old men. Culloden had been cruel to Lisle MacHugh. It left her a widow, the sole guardian of her step-daughters, and provider to what remained of the MacHugh clan. It was a battle that she couldn't possibly win. The evil Lord Monteith had her right where he wanted her. Unfortunately, the despicable man didn't want the MacHugh land, he wanted a wife. What's more, Lisle finds that the MacHugh clan more than willing to turn on her and sell her out for whatever gold they can get. What choice does she have? Heat of the Knight is a classic story set in the Highlands of Scotland in the mid 1700's. Wonderfully written. Passionate and fiery. Touching and inspiring.