Tender Is The Knight

Elise is as lovely as an ice goddess, and appears to be just as heartless. This, however, is her strategy for surviving amidst the scandal-seeking aristocracy and she has hidden depths. A rough-cut Scottish Duke at first clashes with, and then pursues the icy beauty-- who is keeping secrets she does not want to see the light of day. It was delightful. The characterization and dialogue was great. It moved along quickly, and didn't let me get bored! I enjoyed it very much! One third to one half the books I buy...I end up not finishing. Honestly, it's become really bad-- I start reading and go "This is c***" and toss it aside. The characterization of many books is unrealistic, the heroine needs a brain implant, the action is stupid-- something throws me off. I am awfully hard to please, honestly. Since I spend about $100 a month (or more sometimes) on books, it is a sad thing to buy them and not read them. This book, however, kept me spellbound and I almost read through it in one night, even though I needed to get up early the next day. I was sorry to see the story of Elise and Colin end. I would love to visit them and see how they are doing; it's that kind of book. Thanks so much for such a pleasurable read!

All London knows her as the Ice Goddess. She's Elise, Dowager Duchess of Wynd, granted an allowance by the Wynd family that means never having to wear the same dress twice, and she intends to protect herself, never be dependant on a man for anything again. Being sold once was bad enough--coming into a man's control again is unacceptable. Still, she owes her nephew, illegitimate though he may be, an introduction to his family. Just because the former Duke of Gowan led her sister on, refused to marry her even after getting her pregnant doesn't mean that the current Duke should be denied knowing his nephew. Except the current Duke is a barbarian. Just back from serving in the army, in India, Colin MacGowan is a mountain of a man. The first time he sees Elise, he complains she hasn't enough meat on her body. Then he accuses her of chasing him down--as if she would stoop to anything like that. But when a so-called friend tries to rape Elise, she has nowhere to turn but to Colin. Unfortunately for her, Colin's price is high indeed--he claims her as his wife. When he sees Elise with Rory, Colin jumps to the conclusion that Elise has a [...]. Given the reputation Elise has intentionally created, it's an understandable mistake. But with both Elise and Colin holding onto their pride more than to their sense, the conflict between the two of them escalates--even as they travel into Victorian-era Scotland. Can even the desire that links these two prove strong enough to overcome the prejudice and pride that keeps them apart? Author Jackie Ivie creates a concoction of clever banter, Scotish adventure, Victorian sensibilities, and a bit of insight into the fate of women forced into marriages not of their chosing in this entertaining romance. Elise makes a fascinating character--intent on using all of the weapons which nature and skill can bring in order to preserve her independence. Her loyalty to her late sister, and her guilt over not treating her sister better, make her more sympathetic. Colin is the classic alpha hero--all force, determination, pride, and readiness to believe the worst, even as his instincts point him toward the truth. After years of seeing only Regency Era historicals, it was an added pleasure to see a story that steps out of that milieu and into the later Victorian period.

Jackie Ivie delighted us with her debut book "Lady of the Knight," and once again writes another great historical romance of desire and seduction. This book is definitely for the more mature romance reader as Ms. Ivie shows that life and love are not perfect. She has a wonderful talent for creating deep characters who need to overcome one of the most difficult and deadliest of the seven sins: Pride. You cannot put this book down. As the beautiful English seductress Elise Wyndam and the brawn and handsome Laird Colin McGowan battle to overcome their pride and need to control, the reader aches through each trial. You become so involved with this story and characters, as Ms. Ivie has the talent to keep the sexual tension and desire throughout. This story reminded me of many great romances from the 1970's and early 1980's. If you like Rosemary Rogers and Bertrice Small, you will like Jackie Ivie. Her sensual characters weave through an imperfect life and circumstances to arrive at a fairy tale ending. From the ballrooms of England to the vast, beautiful and barbaric Scottish countryside this book captivates. You will laugh and be happy, cry and be sad, and yes, at times be thoroughly aggravated with these characters. Jackie Ivie masterfully shows that through life's imperfections, love can conquer all. Great book! Look forward to many more by Jackie Ivie.

Billie Jo from Romance Junkies, Elise Wyndham, Dowager Duchess of Wynd, is beautiful, sassy, rich and has a long list of men she has dallied with. She is known as the Ice Goddess for her cold heart and a tongue sharp enough to stop the most charming man in his tracks. Since the death of her husband, she vows to never let a man control her again. When she seeks out Colin to let him in on a secret she possesses about his family, she finds him to be infuriating, arrogant and the only man who can melt the fortress around her heart. But Elise cannot open her heart to Colin because of what happened to her sister and his brother. She is too afraid that all Scotsmen are barbarians and untrustworthy. When she finds herself in a compromising predicament, she reluctantly follows Colin back to Scotland and discovers the passion between them is becoming increasingly hard to resist. Will Elise tell Colin she loves him before it is too late? Or will her secrets destroy any chance she has with him? Colin, Duke of MacGowan, is a handsome man who is determined to find an English wife. When he encounters the lovely Elise, he knows he has found the one woman who can make him happy. He must convince her that she belongs with him, but he finds her to be extremely stubborn, standoffish and sassy. He devises an under-handed plan to trap her into marriage. What he did not count on was the intense passion between them and the secrets that keep tearing him apart. Even though Elise tries to tell him the truth, he keeps using his barbaric tactics to keep her in line. Will Colin ignore Elise and lose her love completely? Or will he listen and gain a love more powerful than anything he could have imagined? TENDER IS THE KNIGHT is a delicious romp that screams to be read in one sitting. Jackie Ivie does a beautiful job keeping the reader glued to their seat while she weaves a tale with vivid imagery, complex characters, gripping plot and a passion electrifying enough to scorch you. I loved Elise for her razor-sharp tongue, her naïveté and the huge heart she tries to hide from everyone. At first I wanted to slap Colin for his arrogance, but in the end he captivated my heart for becoming a man any woman would love to have. I laughed out loud at all the antics and bantering and cried when two compelling characters find their happily ever after. TENDER IS THE KNIGHT is a must read and will be going on my keeper shelf. Ms. Ivie is now at the top of my auto-buy list and I anxiously await her next enchanting tale.

Lady Elise, the young Dowager Duchess of Wynd, is known by all as "The Ice Goddess". She has survived living among the nobility by making all believe she has no heart or kindness. Nothing and no one can break through her calm, icy façade. No one recalls ever seeing her smile warmly, laugh gaily, or making friends. She needs no one. She depends only upon herself and her maid, Daisy. She refuses to ever marry again. Elise also has secrets. She's extremely good at keeping them. However, she promised her late sister that she would see to the care of Rory. Elise is to let Rory know his Scottish kin. Problem is that the father, Evan, is dead too. The only thing to do is meet Evan's brother, Colin, and inform the man of his illegitimate nephew. But Elise does not know that Colin is "a big, bullheaded, boorish brute bred in the barbaric boundaries of a backwater country." Colin, the new Duke of Gowan and Laird of MacGowan, is the very image of a fierce Scottish warrior. London's elite circle consider him a barbarian, though a rich one. Upon first sight of Elise their wills clash. Both are warriors among their own peers. Both have met their match! ***** Author Jackie Ivie succeeded in capturing my interest right at the beginning of the story and never letting me go. I understand now that Jackie Ivie enjoys pitting strong heroes and heroines against each other. The heroine, Elise, is no fainting violet who needs to be constantly rescued. Nor does she do things so incredibly stupid that I just want to slap her. As for the hero, Colin ... well, let's just say the author wrote his character perfectly: from the haughty Laird to the confused and caring man. An exceptional tale filled with honor, love, and witty banter that I am thrilled to highly endorse! OUTSTANDING! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.