eyes.2c Reviews

Good Earls Don't Lie  (Earls Next Door #1   by  Michelle Willingham The opening scenes with Lady Rose Thornton discovering a wild, strangely attired Irishman in her garden, claiming to be of all things, an Earl, is quite delicious, setting up for all sorts of interpretations and actions that follow. It seems the supposed Earl has been set upon and robbed. Unfortunately the Earl of Ashton, Iain Donovan is not only looking disreputable, he has no evidence of who he is.  Iain's servants have deserted him, apparently to find work. (And given the state of Ireland and the potato famine--who wouldn't take any opportunity offered).  At this time England is feeling the pressure of waves of Irish either coming across with their families or by themselves, looking to earn money to send home to their starving kin. The plot is further complicated by Rose being unable to walk due to an illness. Rose's servants don't take kindly to Iain. I like the disap...

Warrior of Ice (Warriors of Ireland #1) by Michelle Willingham   Wonderfully written! Ireland in 1172. I was held spellbound by the developing relationship between landless Killian McDubhand, illegitimate son of the Rory O'Connor, the Irish High King and Taryn Connelly, a King's daughter, who has terrible facial scars. She has no memory of how she came to have the scars. The memories she does have centre around her brother being killed when thrown from his horse. Her father King Devlin has been imprisoned by the High King for treason and will be put to death. Taryn will risk all to rescue him. When Killian looks at Taryn he sees a courageous striking woman, not a disfigured one, blemished beyond redemption. Taryn sees in Killian a fierce warrior with a tender heart, not a slave that sleeps amongst the dogs and horses. Killian is part of an escort conveying his beloved adopted sister, Carice Faoilin to marriage with the High King. Something Carice is determined to avoid...

To Tempt a Viking (Forbidden Vikings) by Michelle Willingham   Following on from To Sin with a Viking , author Michelle Willingham continues to explore the idea of arranged marriages that don't work despite the willingness of the couple to make it succeed, and what happens when they meet their soul mate.  We are also given richer insights into the Viking culture and history during this time period, into infertility, into customs including fostering and adoption, divorce proceedings, and thraldom. Ireland 875 AD. Having been captured by the Irish enroute to Dubh Lihn and taken away in Styr's ship by Caragh's brother, Elena Karlsdotter, Styr's wife, is again threatened when Danes attack the ship. Not wanting to be taken captive and sold into slavery or worse, Elena jumps overboard making for the shore. Ragnar Olafsson, Styr's best friend, follows. He has sworn to protect her.  This is their story, Elena's and Ragnar's, their past and now their present,...

To Sin with a Viking ( Forbidden Viking) by Michelle Willingham The tragic life of the Irish during drought and famine is brought to life in this historical romance set in 875 AD. The relations between Vikings and Irish is based on historical fact and interestingly portrayed Viking Styr is seeking to inject new life into his relationship with wife Elena. He and his men sail to Ireland. After a long and tiring voyage they land at a cove removed from Dub Lihn. The  reality of the drought conditions in this embattled part of Eire is not what they'd envisaged. Styr is captured by a young woman, Eleanor and his men are taken by the Caragh's brother and the story follows the finding of Elena and Stry's men, and the doomed love that grows between Styr and Caragh. Willingham says that in this historical romance she is exploring the idea of arranged marriages that don't work despite the willingness of the couple to make it succeed. And then what happens if th...