"Tender is the Knight showcases Jackie Ivie's skill at writing stories to warm the heart"
Tender is the Knight showcases Jackie Ivie's skill at
writing stories to warm the heart. Elise, Duchess of Wynd, has seen much unpleasantness in
her young life. Experience has molded her into a seemingly
cold woman who hides her emotions behind an icy veneer. A
sharp wit and a rapier tongue keep people at a distance
and reinforce their opinions of her as an ice princess.
None of them know that behind the cool exterior is a woman
full of love to give and secrets to keep. Colin, Duke of MacGowan, has come to London to take care
of some business resulting from his new title. He desires
to return to his home in Scotland, but meeting an icy
beauty intrigues him for the time he is in London. As much
as Elise infuriates him, she captivates him as no woman
ever has before and he finds himself unable to resist.
Unfortunately, Elise holds a dark secret that will affect
both of them. The longer she puts off telling him, the
harder it is to reveal. It doesn't help matters that he
makes her feel things she thought never to experience. Can
their newfound love overcome all the obstacles between
them? And what of her secret? What will he do when he
discovers the truth? The adventures of Elise and Colin bound across England and
Scotland. Ms. Ivie does an incredible job describing the
landscape and events of the times. Readers will feel like
they are there, participating in the events in the
expensive London homes, and traveling across the rolling
hills and mountains as they journey on to Scotland. The
author is brilliant in the dialogue, from the witty
repartee Elise exchanges with the English nobles to the
conversations Colin shares with his men. Readers will hear
in their minds the thick Scottish brogue as well as the
perfectly proper English language used. Elise is a wounded woman, having lived through dark events
no gently bred lady should ever have to experience. It is
no wonder she has built up her cold exterior to hold pain
at bay. One will understand how she has come to be the
person she is and will rejoice in her blooming into a
radiant young woman. Though others see her as unfeeling,
those closest to her know the truth about who she really
is. Colin is all Scottish alpha male - strong, demanding, and
allowing no opposition. Yet when surrounded by people he
cares deeply about, he is a completely different man.
However, for most of the book, this reviewer had a very
difficult time accepting that while he can be so stubborn
and merciless when crossed, he is so gentle to the ones he
loves. It was very hard to believe he cared deeply for
Elise considering some of his treatment of her until the
very end of the book when he learns why she has disguised
her love behind her frosty surface. Though it took a long while for this reviewer to warm up
to Colin, she thoroughly enjoyed her adventures in England
and Scotland, and looks forward to future works by Jackie
Ivie. © Kelley A. Hartsell, October 2005. All rights reserved.
Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted November 22, 2005
SummaryA LADY OF ICE. Beautiful and elegant, Elise, the Duchess
of Wynd, has survived among the nobility by carefully
cultivating a facade of cutting wit and heartlessness.
Nothing ruffles her. And no man can break through her
defenses. A MAN OF FIRE. A fierce Scottish warrior, Colin
is the new Duke of MacGowan and - in polite circles -
looked upon as no better than a barbarian. Nevertheless,
he is a lord who brooks no defiance...and holds no rein on
his pleasures.... A PROMISE OF PASSION. Colin's very
presence ties Elise's sharp-edged tongue: She is all too
aware that he could be the answer to her prayers - or her
worst nightmare. For Elise harbors secrets that could
change the course of both their lives. But before she can
reveal them, she must make the wild knight her own....
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