The Perfect Seduction

I've been eager for this book ever since I read Maguire's THE BRIDE HUNT - the first story in which the heroine, Isabel, is abducted by marauding Scots when her family castle is invaded. For a year I've wondered what happened to Isabel's younger sister, Kathryn, who was also abducted in the raid. For an ENTIRE year I have wondered! Well, I finally know. THE PERFECT SEDUCTION is Kathryn's story, and the tale of her abduction and, ultimately, her rescue (by one toe-curling, yummy hero) is fantastic! The wait was worth it. THE PERFECT SEDUCTION did not disappoint -- in fact, I think it's even better than THE BRIDE HUNT -- a great book and hard to beat in its own right. I love a good medieval romance and, sadly, good ones are few and far between lately. Sexy-hot, action-packed, tightly paced -- I devoured this book. Margo Maguire has made it to my auto-buy list.

Margo Maguire does keep getting better! The book has been summarized so I'll get to the good stuff. From the moment Edric sees Kathryn he is consumed with lust for her. The sexual tension was exquisite. Edric fights.....and fights his temptation for his Norman enemy, but she is driving him mad. He's been celibate for a year after all! The tension is perfectly drawn out so the h/h aren't in bed immediately, but when they are it's an explosion. Ms. Maguire doesn't sugar coat her love scenes with purple prose. They are raw and spicy just like our warrior-hero, Edric. The story was told from both Kate and Edric's perspective so I could feel the torment each was in by falling in love with their enemies. I read it in a matter of hours and was sad to see it end. I highly recommend this book. A definite keeper for fans of Saxon/Norman romance.

In 1072 Castle Kettwyck, Kathryn de St. Marie hopes to marry for love until Scots led by Lord Ferguson raid the keep and kidnap her. At Braxton Kell on the Borders, Saxon Lord Edric and his soldiers attack Ferguson and his men for cutting through his land. Ferguson's men have already destroyed much of the keep with their raids. At the same time, Edric's Norman wife Cecily is about to give birth though she does not want the child, hates her spouse and his people, and wants to go home. Edric rescues Kathryn from Ferguson, killing him just before he tried to rape the Norman. Edric takes Kate to his keep. Though he is wary of Norman women, he also finds he wants her. Kate thinks Edric is what she wants in a husband, but he loathes Normans and is married that is until he learns his wife died giving birth to his son Aidan who has no wet-nurse to care for him. Kate ends up with the role as Aidan takes to her holding him and her using an artificial device. Kate says she will stay until he finds a wet nurse then will continue to nearby Evesham Bridge Abbey as she cannot go home. She hides form him the knowledge that her dad is lord of Kettwyck. As they fall in love treachery threatens both their lives. The lead couple and most of the support cast are nice likable individuals who bring to life the first decade after the Norman Conquest. The story line is action-packed, but emphasizes the distrust between the Normans, Saxons, and Scots. Though the villain is obvious and his demise too easy, Conqueror romance fans will immensely appreciate Margo Maguire fine historical. Harriet Klausner

Margo Maguire is one of the few stars at Avon these days. She stands out from the rest of their authors because she writes exciting, intelligent stories. Avon tends to edit their authors to a drastic degree turning many of the historical romances they publish into simplistic, boring storylines with elementary dialogue. Maguire, on the other hand, has been allowed to write a fun, fast read, with dialogue that keeps to the period and doesn't jar the reader out of the historical time in which the characters live. Maguire doesn't spend a lot of time on intricate historical background, but she does give a good rendering of the problems that the Saxons had in conforming to William's Norman rule. The plot is fast-paced, and the romance between the hero and heroine is really satisfying, growing from distrust to respect and then love. This is a thorougly enjoyable read. The only negative is the ending. It feels pretty abrupt. But, I sense those dastardly Avon editors at work again, so I won't blame Maguire.