McClairen's Isle: The Passionate One: McClairen's Isle: The Passionate One: A Novel

I haven't been able to get this book out of my mind since I finished it. Ash is one of the most memorable, most desirable heroes I have ever encountered in a novel; and The Passionate One is such a dark, lush book. Jo Beverley seems tame in comparison with Brockway - and the second I finished The Passionate One, I went and bought the rest of the trilogy. Frankly, if the others are even half as good I will be delighted. I think that when it comes down to it, there are two things that distinguish Brockway's writing: 1. She *will* go there. There are thousands of books about tortured heroes, about rogues that reform, about the bad boys you can't help but love. But most of them are really about nice guys who just seem bad; ordinary men with a thin veneer of wickedness. Ash has a heart of gold, but the rest of him is pretty well corrupted. He isn't a sheep wearing wolf's clothes; through the novel he is manipulative, ruthless, strategic and terrifyingly self-controlled. He's a real wolf. Ash's self-control, his charisma, and the honesty and intensity of his emotions made him one of the most delicious characters I have ever encountered. 2. Brockway writes beautifully. I think at times her writing is overly contrived, and there are moments where characters say things that are piercing or intense but I don't really get it. She's in danger of becoming too precious, or too stylized. But, at least in this novel, she does a really marvelous job of writing evocatively, creating atmosphere and fleshing out every scene with just the right words. Her writing is always in service of the plot - the people and places come to life, rather than being crushed by her florid pen. I didn't find Rhiannon quite as compelling as Ash, but she was a remarkable heroine. The book is excellently put together; it's a real page turner, and the characters are well developed and their actions seem natural, believable. Especially with the secondary characters, the sister, brother, and father, this is really important: it's a human drama instead of a thriller.

Ash Merrick is one of the best tortured heroes ever created! He's lived his entire life under the power of his cruel, murderous father, Lord Carr. He witnessed his mother's death at Carr's hand, was forced to take part in a bloody vendetta that was not his own, and then languished in prison for two years while his father lived a life of luxury off of his dead wife's riches. Ash leaves prison a scarred man, outwardly and inwardly. There, the basest, ugliest part of him was unleashed, and he began to truly loathe what he had become. What drives him now is his desire, at any cost, to free his younger brother from his own cell. Far from the typical "rake," Ash denies himself any pleasure or vanity, not only because of his singleminded quest to save his brother, but also one senses that he finds himself utterly unworthy and incapable of happiness. It simply doesn't enter his mind.Ash is sent to England to fetch his father's ward whom he has never met. He knows not why Carr has shown a sudden interest in the girl, nor does he care...until he meets the lovely, innocent and spirited Rhiannon. Ash, cynical, world-weary, and jaded, is bemused by Rhiannon's determination to believe him a charming gentleman as she draws out the soft, hidden part of him and binds him to her with a love he'd thought himself incapable of, and one so powerful that he feels he must protect her from it. The attraction becomes undeniable, but Rhiannon is about to marry another. Ash, as her ward's representative, has been invited to stay in the charming community of Fair Badden until the happy nuptials. Unable to resist, he accepts, and flames ignite between he and Rhiannon. Ash comes to the determination that he must leave...until he realizes Rhiannon's life is in danger. Wonderful, rich storytelling with a very sexy, well-drawn hero, a likable, charming heroine, and an intriguing plot. The romantic scenes are exceptional - equal parts tender and erotic. Ms. Brockway is a true talent.

I was browsing the romance aisle at the bookstore and read the back of the book. To be honest I bought it because the name Ashton Merrick (Merrick being my maiden name), caught my attention. I am a die hard romance fan and to find a book where the hero had my last name was extremely intriguing. From the first page I was hooked and read the book completely in one sitting.I've also read Ms. Brockway's The Reckless One and enjoyed that immensely. I haven't gotten Fia's story yet, but I'm dying to get my hands on it. I know that Ms. Brockway's characters are fictional but it's fun to imagine I might have such a wonderfully dashing, handsome and exciting man, as Ashton Merrick, in my family history. Most of my clan came from Wales, but there is also some English as well as Scottish ancestory in my family.Thank you Connie for both of these delightful books and I'll look forward to reading more of your wonderful stories.

Do you love intense, tormented, yet honorable heroes? Do you enjoy stories full of passionate motives, plots, daring actions, deceptions, and self-sacrifice? Do you like your heroine complex?This is the romance for you!Ash is irresistibly tough, vulnerably loving. His father--a spawn of hell--is a force to be reckoned with (and do I want to see him get his comeuppance!). He can't always do what he feels is the moral thing to do, or the kind thing, but he tries to do what is right, despite the odds.Rhiannon is suppressing a horrid past. Haunted by nightmares, trying to be a woman she thinks she should be to attain "a safe life", she is nevertheless drawn to this dangerous, passionate, similarly haunted man--Ash Merrick.The sexual tension is combustible. The prose is impeccable and lyrical. The plot is smart and fast.A rivetting read. It's going to take three books to work out the complexities of the machinations in this romantic suspense trilogy, but what a ride! As eager as I am to see the culmination, I know I'll regret reading that last page.Wonderful work, Ms. Brockway. Do I see another RITA in the future?*Mir*

Ash Merrick is a strong and tormented hero. Rhiannon is a heroine who fights for herself. When the two meet, it's instant combustion! This book went on my keeper shelf; with it's outstanding leads, wonderful locales, one can only look forward to the next two books. Definitely for the reader that likes a deep and thoughtful read.