Book Description
In Wisconsin's Northwoods, fishing is a way of life-and when the muskies are biting, life couldn't be better. But when Doc Osborne catches more than he bargained for, he winds up in the middle of a murder mystery-and only Chief of Police Lew Ferris can get him out of it.
"What a great story! A book fishermen of all ages are sure to enjoy."-Tony Rizzo, author of Secrets of a Muskie Guide• 2nd in the all-new series.
Customer Reviews:
Stretch your imagination.......2006-08-25
Doc Osborne, retired dentis, is out scouting for the big muskie he has been after for the last few seasons. He wants to take Chief of Police Lew Ferris out with him, see if she's as good with a lure as she is at fly-fishing. What he finds is not nearly as much fun: four frozen corpses in a metal cage. They aren't locals, but Doc recognizes his own dental work, which helps ID at least one of the bodies.
Lew is out of town, which leaves any preliminary investigation in the not-so-capable hands of John Sloan. Ray Pradt, local character, has had his run-ins with Sloan; this makes the whole situation a little more complicated, because Ray knows the backwoods like nobody else, and is good friends with Doc Osborne. An uneasy truce is maintained until Chief Ferris gets back into town.
The investigation takes an unexpected turn when the dental work Doc recognizes belongs to a guy from way out of town, and that guy's corpse, at first glance, looks to be that of a woman. Which brings in some odd connections with some environmental research that's been going on near Dead Creek, where the paper mill used to dump all their waste. Seems the flora and fauna have been mutating - hyperfeminine aspects in males, the reverse in females of the species.
Houston is very good at taking what, at first glance, seems to be a highly improbably set-up and making it work. She's adept at taking that "what if?" question just about as far as it can go, and then making it all seem reasonable. I'm not sure if what she writes about in DEAD CREEK is technically possible, but it is a reasonable extrapolation from the environmental issues being looked at by the scholarly types in the book. Scary, but not out of the realm of possibility.
She is also very good at characterization. This is the second book in her LOON LAKE series (the first is DEAD ANGLER), and we find out more of the back story of Doc's life, and Ray Pradt's life. Not so much about Chief Ferris, but there are several more books after these two in the series, so perhaps that information comes later. Ray Pradt is a wonderful secondary character; the neighbor with the junky trailor who ruins the property values and dresses funny but is just the kind of guy one wants if ever there is any kind of problem . . . he can kill it, fix it, find it, track it, and knows way more than he lets on about any number of things.
Houston's sense of place is also a pleasure to read. It is probably not that difficult to write about the pleasures of living in a small town in northern Wisconsin; she makes the not-so-wonderful aspects of that same life believable without taking the edge off the bood parts. You know that Doc loves it, with all its flaws, and that he truly doesn't understand how anyone can possible feel any other way.
DEAD CREEK is a very good second novel by a writer who knows her territory and can share that knowledge without bogging down in deadly details. I recommend DEAD CREEK and Victoria Houston to anyone who likes Steve Hamilton or Kent Kreuger for character and place, anyone who likes an amateur sleuth with a police connection, and anyone who wants to stretch their "cozy" reading habits just a little bit.
Shockingly Complex Mystery.......2006-08-13
In the 2nd book in the Loon Lake Fishing mystery series, Doc Osborne is happily fishing for Muskie one day when he stumbles onto the gruesomely preserved bodies of 4 adults that had been killed and dumped in the icy water. Originally, it appeared that he had found three men and one woman, but with closer examination, it is disovered that the one that they assumed was a female is actually a malformed male. The men were frozen and dumped in the lake, apparently with the hopes that no one would find their murdered bodies in the hidden area that Doc used as his private fishing hole. And with police chief Lew Ferris out of town, Doc quickly becomes deputized again, and starts working the murder along with long-time friend and neighbor, Ray Pradt. Ray uses his contacts with an environmental investigation into the effects of the now defunct Cantrell paper mill to investigate the possible cause of the malformed body. It seems that there are some toxins in and around Dead Creek that have been causing problems with the reproductive systems of the wildlife, and Ray has been hired to assist in the study. When he is found injured after a trip out to the area of Dead Creek, a sinister plot of theft, murder, and revenge starts to unfold. Doc, Lew (having returned early from her trip), and Ray must work quickly to uncover the murderer, and save themselves from an untimely death at the hands of this sinister killer.
Varying between a police procedural and a cozy, this wonderful mystery had quite a bite, and kept me wondering what might happen up until the very end. I loved the twists and turns in the book...even though I could see early on how several items tied together. I was kept awake long after I had finished this book, and was haunted by the images of the graphic standoff with the killer. I also enjoyed the budding romance between Lew and Doc, and am eager to read the next book in the series, and to visit Loon Lake again very soon.
The first book in the series is called "Dead Angler". Enjoy!
Great Regional Book - Based in upper WI!.......2005-08-15
Great murder mystery based in Loon Lake, WI. It is based around a retired dentist Dr. Osbourne, his friend Ray Pradt and Lew, the local law enforcement. If you enjoy muder mysteries, the outdoors, and eclectic people, then this is a read to enjoy!
Dead Creek.......2003-03-06
Grabs you from the first page. I was unable to put this one down. Many twists and turns that will keep you guessing. If you read any of the "Dead" series read this one.
A Definite Catch.......2002-05-28
This is not your typical small-town mystery featuring a cozy fishing village. Retired dentist Paul Osborne has a habit of coming accross dead bodies, and this time it's a doozy. Four dead bodies are left frozen in a cage, with one displaying rather disturbing gender parts. Paul would rather not have much to do with this, but when asked by the lovely Police Chief Lew Ferris to help out, he cannot refuse. Paul is aided by his trusty young friend Ray, who comes from a family of lawyers and doctors yet chooses to live off the land poaching and tracking.
Long lost family secrets, the effects of pollution, a strip bar, and a loon-calling contest all come into play as the three try to track down just what happened in Loon Lake...P>This is a great series with wonderful characters. I look forward to following them in the forthcoming novels.
Average customer rating:
- Dead Man in Indian Creek
- Dead Man in Indian Creek
- Great Book
- Dead Man in Indian Creek
- Nice Book, but...
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The Dead Man in Indian Creek
Mary Downing Hahn
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
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Similar Items:
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Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story (Avon Camelot Books)
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The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story
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The Old Willis Place
ASIN: 0380713624 |
Book Description
When Parker Pettengill and Matt Armentrout find a dead man at the edge of Indian Creek, their camping trip comes to a close -- and a detective hunt begins. Evans, the creepy new boyfriend of Parker's mom, Pam, was seen at -- the place of the crime -- but there's no solid evidence that he committed the murder. Parker is convinced that Pam's boyfriend is to blame, and he will not rest until he has proof. And when Parker and Armentrout hide out in Pam's antique store and spy on Pam and Evans, they find out more than they bargained for....
Customer Reviews:
Dead Man in Indian Creek.......2005-10-05
The book Dead Man in Indian Creek by Mary Downing Hawn talks a lot about trust and believing in someone. Two boys in the book go on a camping trip at Indian Creek. Their names are Matt and Parker. Parker's mom is divorced and he hates it! He wishes his mom could still be with his dad but he knows it's never going to happen know matter how much he wants them too. Later in the book Parker's mom is going to have to find a way to believe in her son and figure out who's the liar.
Right now Parkers mom is dating a guy named Evan. He is mean, always has a creepy grin on his face, and he buys his mom things at weird times, mostly after a fight they would have the day before. Parker does not like this guy and knows he is bad for his mom.
When the boys get back from their trip they tell parker's mom they saw a dead body in the creek. They said Otis was barking at the water when they ran to see what is was they saw Evan run away into the woods. When they looked in the water there was a dead body just lying their.
Parker's mom has to figure out whom to believe, parker with his story about the dead man in the creek, or Evan saying her son is crazy and needs to go see a doctor.
Dead Man in Indian Creek.......2005-10-05
The book Dead Man in Indian Creek by Mary Downing Hawn talks a lot about trust and believing in someone. Two boys in the book go on a camping trip at Indian Creek. Their names are Matt and Parker. Parker's mom is divorced and he hates it! He wishes his mom could still be with his dad but he knows it's never going to happen know matter how much he wants them too. Later in the book Parker's mom is going to have to find a way to believe in her son and figure out who's the liar.
Right now Parkers mom is dating a guy named Evan. He is mean, always has a creepy grin on his face, and he buys his mom things at weird times, mostly after a fight they would have the day before. Parker does not like this guy and knows he is bad for his mom.
When the boys get back from their trip they tell parker's mom they saw a dead body in the creek. They said Otis was barking at the water when they ran to see what is was they saw Evan run away into the woods. When they looked in the water there was a dead body just lying their.
Parker's mom has to figure out whom to believe, parker with his story about the dead man in the creek, or Evan saying her son is crazy and needs to go see a doctor.
Great Book.......2005-03-24
I absolutely love Mary Downing Hahn books, starting in the fifth grade when I first read Wait till Helen Comes. That seriously is one of the BEST books I have ever read. So then after that book, I read A Doll in the Garden. Those two books were so good, but then at the time there were barely any of her books there at my school, so I didn't really get to read much more of her work. But then when I went to middle school I went under her name and found this book. I read it and it was awesome. In the story, Parker and Matt, first started out bored and decided to go camping.... while they were there, Otis, Parker's dog, pulled on something, and it turned out to be a leg. After one more tug, they found out its a body.
I would recommend this book to a teen, despite the reading leve, because it deals with alot of that kind of stuff.
Dead Man in Indian Creek.......2004-02-21
Dead Man in Indian Creek is a short mysterious mysery that will keep you reading! I just read this book and enjoyed the characters and the entertainment! I reccomed this book to big fans of myserys! I hope you take my advice and reed this book.
Nice Book, but..........2003-09-08
This is an excellent book. It may be considered a kids' book, but it deals with many adult themes such as drug use, child abuse, murder, etc. The book is thrilling and should be made into a movie (if it hasn't already). I would recommend this book for people ages 11-14.
Book Description
It seems like a plum assignment to Morgan O'Brien. A government investigator specializing in science fraud, O'Brien snatches the opportunity to travel to her former home in Vancouver for what appears to be a simple case: the investigation of a fisheries researcher suspected of siphoning funds for his own use. But once in Vancouver things get complicated, and it becomes clear that more than money is involved. O'Brien uncovers a ruthless offshore fishing conglomerate with a plan to gain unrestricted access to one of the world's most lucrative fisheries: the Fraser River sockeye. But who is the linchpin? As the investigation heats up, Morgan is distracted by ghosts from the past that force her to question a powerful friendship and confront her own ambiguous sexuality.
Customer Reviews:
Dead Water Creek.......2005-05-23
Do you like fish stories? Morgan O'Brien must, because she found herself up to her neck in fish and murder, an unpalatable mix that smelled up the laboratory of her best friend Elaine. A complaint about funding from a scientist brought Morgan to Vancouver to investigate the financial aspects of research on salmon without annoying the researchers. But the combination of a missing research assistant, missing funds, a fraudulent resume, broken love affairs, all added up to a case of missing fish, secret formulas and murder. Complex relationships and tender egos add to the chaos as Morgan enlists the help of Dinah, another assistant, to unravel the puzzle's many loose ends. Talented author Alex Brett takes the reader behind the scenes of research and its complexities and variations. A look into academic deceit that has far reaching consequences in the world of fisheries. A recommended read for the mystery buff who enjoys a bit of science while following the trail of a killer. Enjoy.
Great, intelligent mystery writing with a unique context.......2003-10-05
An excellent first mystery...can't wait for the next books in the series. Anyone who enjoys good, crisp writing -- particularly anyone in science or research or academia -- will enjoy this book. The strong protagonist is a science-savvy, female Travis McGee, wise about the world. A fast read, but with a lot of good science explained along the way. A must-read for anyone in fisheries research!
Average customer rating:
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Dead Horse Creek
Matt Cole
Manufacturer: Whiskey Creek Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Genre Fiction
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ASIN: 1593745583 |
Customer Reviews:
Dead Horse Creek.......2007-08-27
If you've ever wanted to ride beside a western hero, now is your chance. Grab up your stetson and be ready to ride.
With all the flavor of the westerns of yesteryear blended into a story from our country's youth, talented author Matt Cole brings to life the events of bygone days. Join Chet Hargraves as he learns he can't escape his past, that he carries it with him no matter where he goes.
The first inkling Chet has that the past has reached into his present is when Johnny Annette shows up, intent on retrieving a runaway ranch hand who Chet knows he would kill. From that meeting comes a warning from a marshal, then a forced visit with his employer's enemy, a land-grabbing rancher, and a chance meeting with a woman he once knew.
Will Chet ever find peace of mind and soul as he finds his reputation has gone before him? Recommended for any western fan with lots of action, villany and history in a setting so well described you'll feel the saddle beneath you and the dust in your nostrils.
Enjoy. I did.
Product Description
August 1964. Special Scientific Report-Fisheries No. 485, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 23 pages.
Average customer rating:
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Tales and Fables
Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce
Manufacturer: Adamant Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
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ASIN: 0543895106
Release Date: 2000-02-24 |
Average customer rating:
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Two dead men in Rock Creek Park
darby bannard
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
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ASIN: 0595414087 |
Book Description
This murder mystery and psychological novel tells of the tangled lives and loves of powerful figures in 1970s post-Watergate Washington.
Catherine Lafitte has made peace with her past and with her husband, Hamilton "Hap" Lafitte, the philandering, hard-drinking US Senator from Lake City, Florida. She has a big house in the country and a lover in town, and has pushed herself to the top level of Washington society.
Arthur Bernardi, Catherine's lover and famous sculptor, lives in an old house that overlooks Rock Creek Park with his alcoholic musician friend Cal Canoun. At a raucous party featuring the music of 91-year-old jazz musician Benny King, we meet Harold Smith-Green, Catherine's former lover, known in the media as "The Shadow Tycoon", Niki, the beautiful spoiled brat from horse country, Chloe the scheming left-wing columnist, Abilene Dooley, Washington's favorite courtesan, and Buck Reston, psychiatrist to the rich and famous.
Two days later their world is blown apart by the by the early morning discovery of two dead men in Rock Creek Park.
Agents Richard Kuprovic and Joe Geraghty, the "Mutt & Jeff" of the FBI, conduct a frustrating murder investigation lightened by Kuprovic's bantering relationship with girlfriend Cass Alexander, society girl turned fashion photographer. Two mysterious poisoning deaths occur, a delightful May afternoon drive to Maryland's Eastern Shore ends tragically and streetwalker Willa Hodges tells a frightening story.
The solution of the mystery, inadvertently given away but unnoticed in the middle of the book, is bizarre and completely unexpected.
Book Description
With the success of Kinley MacGregor's latest New York Times Expanded and USA Today bestseller A Dark Champion, we are in the perfect position to republish her backlist gem Master of Desire.
A Dream of Desire Awakened...
Beautiful Lady Emily dreams of the rapture of love and the joys of marriage. The youngest daughter of an English lord at war, she is shaken by the arrival of a mysterious stranger to her father's castle. Could this breathtaking man be Emily's yearned–for lover? Indeed, Draven de Montague, Earl of Ravenswood, has come for Emily...but romance has nothing to do with it.
In the Tender Embrace of an Enemy...
Draven would never have entered the home of his most hated adversary had not the King himself ordered him to take in his foe's daughter for a year to forge bonds of peace between their two feuding houses. Worse still, here is a lass whose exquisite loveliness could tempt Draven to betray his sworn vow never to let anther close to his heart. Emily knows the searing heat of her passion could burn down the defenses of this proud warrior. But will the surrender of the sweet nectar of his lips and his bold, sensuous caress ignite a blaze so hot it consumes them both?
Download Description
Draven de Montague, Earl of Ravenswood, would never have entered the home of his most hated adversary had not the King himself ordered Draven to take in his foe's daughter for a year, to forge bonds of peace between their two feuding houses. Yet here is a lass whose spirit and loveliness could tempt Draven to betray his sworn vow never to let another close to his heart. Emily knows the searing heat of her passion could burn down stubborn Draven's defenses -- but will his surrender ignite a blaze so hot it consumes them both?
Customer Reviews:
First Timer.......2007-10-11
I thought it was a great book, very fast reading. At some points in the story the story line itself becomes a little over dramatic, but it really didn't take away from the overall quality of the book. This was my first read of her books, and Im looking forward to reading more.
4 1/2 Stars.......2007-08-15
This was Emily and Draven's story.
Draven ordered to take his foe's daughter for 1 year in an effort to gain peace between the two fighting clans.
Draven was cold and mean (at first), they lived in a pig sty as the castle was a filthy mess. There were no women around (regular women) to see that order was kept.
Emily (such a nice girl/character) hires workers to clean up the mess. Really transforms the castle, lands and the men.
Great Read!
Great read!.......2007-08-09
This was my first book to read from this author under any name and I am hooked. Touching characters and a great story line enabled me to read this in one night. I was sorry it ended!
Romance is alive & well.......2007-03-02
I have come to love this author, in both her names. I have never been disappointed and this book is no exception to the rule. I read this book in 2 days and immediately went searching for another of her books. The characters are so alive and real. I found myself, in Emily's place, cursing the stubborness of Draven! I loved this book. Take yourself away for a day and get lost in the world of Emily and Draven!
I want to take Draven home with me!.......2007-01-24
Just so you know the person who said this book read like a teenager, would you let your teenager read this book? I don't think so. I loved this book every step of the way! I recommend it if you like historical romances, and if you like Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor! :)
Book Description
Fans of Antonia Fraser and Margaret George will love this witty, intelligent page-turner from Judith Merkle Riley. The year is 1556 and the setting is Paris--capital city to a country on the brink of civil war. Catherine de Medici is queen, and her astrologer, the prophet Nostradamus, has divined the secret evil of the Undying Head of Menander, the Master of All Desires. The Queen wants to use Menander to get rid of the king's mistress, and a spirited young poet named Sibille Artaud de la Roque is tempted by Menander to obtain all her desires. But only Nostradamus knows that evil befalls all who wish upon this accursed object. Can he stop these determined women before they unwittingly destroy the entire kingdom of France?
• Voted one of the Best Books of the Year by Library Journal
Customer Reviews:
Lovely, lovely, lovely!.......2006-05-07
Judith Merkle Riley is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her stories and characters are just offbeat enough to keep me smiling with enjoyment from beginning to end.
In this novel, Sibille Artaud, the daughter of minor nobility and an aspiring, if bad, poet, has unwittingly acquired the "Master Of All Desires": an ornate box containing the undying head of Menander, an ancient evil magician who will grant any wish to anyone, exactly as it is wished. These wishes often result in tragedy and death, and Menander likes it like that. Sibille's accidental possession of this horrific relic brings her to the attention of the French queen Catherine de Medici and the legendary seer Nostradamus, each of whom has an overweening interest in the box and its contents, albeit for differing reasons. How Sibille negotiates the treacherous ground she's encountered and achieves her ultimate destiny makes for a marvelous story. Compelling reading. Highly recommended.
Such a wonderful book!.......2004-12-13
I've been a fan of Riley ever since I read "The Oracle Glass." Lately I've been reading all of her books all at once in a fit of passion for historical fiction. So I've had the distinct pleasure of watching her progress as a writer, getting steadily better and better. This, being her latest, is probably her most well-written book. Maybe not my favorite, but it showcases really suberb writing skills.
One of the great things about it is the humor. Riley's books have always been marketed as humorous, but except for a few sniggers, I always thought they were more dramatic romances. This is the first book of hers that's made me laugh out loud, and often (which is rare in books -- for some reason I'm rather humorless when reading, unless it's done REALLY well). It's a wonderfully frothy book, with a cast that redefines the word 'colorful.' A pair of high-strung lovers, a ball-busting aunt with a house full of ghosts, a malevolent queen, a truculent prophet, and a talking head. (You heard me.) This book is really an ensemble piece, something I don't remember ever seeing pulled off so flawlessly. No one really takes center stage -- despite the ingenue, Sibille, being the plot's focus, she inevitably fighting for your attentions with the hilariously crochety Nostradamus and the charasmatic Catherine de Medici. It's... well, it's just fun.
Or it would be, except for the undeniably dark overtones throughout. "Master of All Desires" contains a lot of fascinating historical and political information of the time, and alludes heavily to an event not portrayed in the book: the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. So I'd reccomend one of my favorite movies, "Queen Margot," in addition to this book. It will give you a future glimpse of many of the (historical) characters, as well as portray the massacre in horrifying detail. It's the only French history I knew of before reading the book, and I think I did okay. So, watch it before, or watch it after. Whatever floats your boat.
My only complaint was the book didn't really stick to the classical stucture of climax, denoument, etc, so I felt like it dragged in places, but that's a purely personal thing. Go out and read this book!
Wonder blend of fact and fantasy.......2003-06-09
What a delightful blending of historical fact to fictional fancy. The story follows a well know historical triangle between Queen Catherine de Medici , her husband, King Henri II, and his lover, Diane de Poitiers. Then through in an elderly and cranky Nostradamus and you've got a funny and entertaining novel.
It would appear that both Queen Catherine and Diane de Poitiers want to get their hands on The Master of All Desires, aka Menander the Undying. Menander is a disembodied head that can grant any wish. The problem is he has a nasty habit of granting your wish, but always with the classic saying "Be careful what you wish for." Meanander is in the hands of a young Sibille Artaud de La Roque who refuses to make a wish and is trying to free herself of Menander so that she can marry her love Nicolas and have a normal life.
The result is a true delight that feels like a modern day Shakespeare comedy. I can't wait to read more of Ms. Riley's work.
My star ratings:
One star - couldn't finish the book
Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author
Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.
Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.
Five start - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.
Quircky entertainment - fun read.......2002-08-10
I enjoy all of JMR's novels of this genre (Oracle Glass & Serpent Garden) - I love the strong willed "underdog" female lead characters, their feminist attitudes in a society that treats them as property, and the sarcastic humor of their other-world friends. I laughed out loud at "the master of all desires" throughout this book. An enjoyable read, lots of fun, set among rich detail.
An extremely enjoyable book!.......2002-01-22
This is my favorite book by Judith M. Riley. I didn't think much of her first book, but I have found that this author has improved with every book. I loved all the characters; they were interesting as well as entertaining. It some aspects, the book had a little "sillyness" thrown about, but this only increased the fun of this book. The way people act in ordinary life is strange- it is fitting that they be just as strange in books! And the little bits of sillyness (I love when the Banker Montavert addresses menander as "monsieur evil head") are perfect bits of surrealism. This book is excellent, truly excellent
Book Description
Blackmailed into exposing the naughty secrets of the nobility, she became The Spy of the Night in a desperate bid to secure her son's future.
When the king's bounty hunter captures her, all honor and duty fall aside in a night of forbidden desire. But sins of her past thwart their future when she escapes and he is imprisoned for her crimes.
Now he will stop at nothing to own her, body and soul.
Customer Reviews:
Highly Enjoyable Romance for the Keeper Shelf.......2006-07-24
Like any good mother, Lady Ariana of Rosebriar did whatever it took to protect her deaf son, even if it meant killing an abusive husband. The good news was she had a powerful ally that helped her cover up the deed; the bad news was he was now blackmailing her into spying amongst the nobles and revealing all their dirty little secrets.
Gabriel of Whitestone, aka The Hunter, was the king's bounty hunter and sole provider for his seven half-siblings. When one of his brothers was imprisoned and falsely accused as the infamous "Spy of the Night" he was determined to capture the true spy, whom he discovered was Lady Ariana. Not only would he have the means to save his sibling, but by turning over the true spy - who was also the woman once married to his half-brother - he could claim her property. Little did he know that the beautiful and infamous `Spy of the Night' would lay claim and capture his heart.
*** I found this to be a positively enchanting tale. Lady Ariana was a marvelous heroine. A ward of the King she'd been married three times to old and/or abusive husbands. She'd done her duty but finally had become a somewhat independent woman (if not for her blackmailer). Although by trade as an assassin for the king, Gabriel showed another side of being a gentle and caring brother for his siblings. He had no use for the nobility, but Ariana proved she was unlike any of the nobility he'd ever come in contact with for Ariana possessed a kind and caring heart. The pace was kept up with several escape attempts on her part and infinite patience on his part, before Gabriel would tame and win her trust. Filled with a fair amount of endearing secondary characters in the form of Gabriel's siblings, the reader will feel gifted with a story they won't want to see end.
Additionally, I found the level of sensuality as Ariana is taught by Gabriel the lessons of passion and desire extremely satisfying and should compel most readers to put this one on their `keeper' shelf to revisit again and again. I highly recommend this very entertaining and lovely romance!
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
In protecting her son, Lady Ariana comes face to face with her destiny........2006-07-14
Lady Ariana of Rosebriar is a woman on a mission. Blackmailed by an unknown enemy into finding out secrets of the nobility and turning them over to the King, she has no choice but to ferret out any information she can find. Ariana goes into a chapel and proceeds to watch the unknown priest light candles. Ariana knows that she has to place the information she has under the altar. What she doesn't know is that the priest isn't really a priest, but a bounty hunter for the King. The priest tries to stall Ariana in the chapel but she escapes, or so she thinks. The priest grabs Ariana and proceeds to kidnap her. Fighting ruthlessly, Ariana escapes her kidnapper only to have to rely on him to save her from men intent on assaulting her. Ariana realizes that the only way she can escape her kidnapper is to be cooperative. After a day in his company Ariana soon forgets that he is holding her prisoner and gives in to desire.
Gabriel is on the hunt of his life. His brother is in prison with orders to hang in days for being the Spy of the Night. No one will believe that his brother is innocent so Gabriel sets out to find the real spy, capture him, and bring him to justice. There is just one catch; Gabriel's quest to capture the spy of the night leads him to Ariana of Rosebriar, his dead brother's wife. Gabriel struggles with his conscience but is unable to stop his desire for Ariana and soon acts upon his attraction. Before he knows it, he has proposed to his prisoner. Now, Gabriel is torn between his brother condemned to hang and Ariana. Gabriel is unaware of how the wind is blowing because a force greater than he is threatening murder and could even overthrow the King.
MASTER OF DESIRE by Jessica Trapp was a pleasant, well-written read that I enjoyed very much. I found the suspense and intrigue invigorating and could not wait until I found out who the real bad guy was. As for the romantic aspect, MASTER OF DESIRE delivers a touching, poignant love story that warmed the heart.
MASTER OF DESIRE by Jessica Trapp is the sequel to MASTER OF PLEASURE, released earlier in the year. That said, MASTER OF DESIRE could be read alone without reading the prequel. I look forward to reading more from Jessica Trapp in the future and I am sure other readers will feel the same.
****Natasha Smith for Romance Junkies
Gripping Medieval Romance.......2006-05-31
If you've assumed that you wouldn't like a medieval romance without ever having read one, read Master of Desire and see what you've been missing. Jessica Trapp has created characters we really care about and tells a compelling story of powerful emotion and sensuality.
Lady Ariana is a widow who has turned her estate into a thriving enterprise, but she is being blackmailed. The price she must pay to prevent exposure is to spy on other nobles and give their secrets to her blackmailer. If her own secret is exposed, she risks imprisonment, execution and harm to her deaf son. To put an end to the spying, the king engages, a commoner, Gabriel. He must succeed in his mission so that he will be rewarded and thus be able to support his many siblings.
Gabriel captures Ariana and there is a palpable attraction between them. She cannot allow him to take her to the king, though, to be imprisoned and she manages to escape him for a while. He claims he can protect her by marrying her and putting an end to her spying. She resists for a number of reasons, including the loss of her hard won independence. Both the passion and the power struggle between Lady Ariana and Gabriel are intense.
Ms. Trapp is a talented author. Once you read this book, you'll want to go back and read her amazing debut novel, Master of Pleasure.
Masterful Medieval.......2006-05-27
Review for Master of Desire
Master of Desire
Zebra Historical
ISBN: 0-8217-7862-5
Gabriel of Whitestone burns to capture the infamous Spy of the Night.
After seizing her, Gabriel isn't sure he has the right woman.
Lady Ariana is a proud and resourceful noblewoman.
Her passion and honor touches Gabriel as he fights with his resolve to send her to the king.
Lady Ariana risks all to protect her son and is caught in a deadly game with a madman. Time is running out, for both of them.
Gabriel, the kings bounty hunter, proves he's just as dangerous as the murderous fiend out to destroy her. Their attraction is immediate and intense. His tender ways ignite her body, but can she trust him with her heart?
Jessica Trapp delivers another delicious can't-stop-reading Medieval romance. The characters will take your breath away as their passion sizzles hotter with each encounter.
This author continues to enchant the reader with this sexy, seductive tale.
A must read for the summer!
Review by Keelia Greer
Another Winner from Jessica Trapp.......2006-05-11
Lady Ariana of Rosebriar is the Spy of the Night, a woman blackmailed into gathering secrets about the nobles. A woman who will do anything to protect her deaf son - and her secrets -- even if it means murder. But on her latest mission to deliver tawdry tidbits in a secret place in the church, she encounters a false priest, a man bent on exposing her. Though she initially escapes, Gabriel of Whitestone's resolve leads to her capture. He must deliver her to the King in order to earn the land that will provide safety and sustenance to his seven siblings.
Jessica's second novel grips the reader immediately. From the very first page, we experience Ariana's anxiety as she debates her options. She knows the man in clerical robes is no priest. Yet she must take care because her son's welfare is at stake. Equally intriguing is Gabriel. Although he despises spoiled nobles, he realizes Ariana is different. Despite her rich clothing that proclaims her wealth, she is a puzzle to him, a very desirable one.
Trapp's follow-up to her debut, Master of Pleasure, is every bit as sensual and fast-paced as the first one. Gabriel and Ariel are wonderful characters you'll not soon forget.
Customer Reviews:
The Mind Is the Most Erogenous Zone.......2007-03-15
It's a pity that people often seem to equate "erotic" with "explicit." These psychologically and emotionally perceptive tales about balances of power in human relationships are deftly-written and closely-observed. They do the reader the great favor of allowing you to use your imagination; by leaving some things unsaid and unwitnessed, so that you can co-create. These stories may or may not ultimately be about sex, but they are undeniably stimulating, on many levels.
What is it to really WANT?.......1999-08-30
THis book is one of the very few writings where the inner feelings of desire for submission are explored - what exactly is this desire? Wald doesn't offer an exact answer, rather she describes many different characters who want to submit, who desire this so strongly, and who, jut like in real life, are often unaware of what they really want.
Interesting subject matter; ham-fisted approach.......1999-03-12
Although the author finds a seemingly inexhaustible supply of dominance/submission situations in which to put her characters, the stories never quite rise to the level of literature. The prose is leaden and unimaginative, the dialogue and descriptions trite and cliched. For anyone interested in literate erotica, this is not your book.
D/S or S/M fans this is not your typical fare so be forewarned!!.......1998-11-18
This collection of stories was, for the most part, not erotic at all. I have no idea why the synopsis and the other reviewer would imply that they were. I gave the book two stars because it is about Masters. People realizing that someone other than themselves was in control. But.... and this is a big but.... if you are looking for your traditional 'me slave, you master' stories then forget it. Most of the stories left me feeling flat. Many had unsatsifactory endings and strangely detached beginnings. Eroticism is not sex and I know the difference between the two but most of these stories were not even close. The book would be more accurate to be advertised as a collection of short stories of self discovery by people at crucial points in their life. So if you like pretty vanilla reading with a twist then go for it.... otherwise for all you guys that want the unabashed d/s eroticism the title illicits then you'd better not get this one.
More than just skin deep!.......1998-04-28
Let's face it, most erotica is written for one purpose and one purpose only - and S/M erotica in particular is as subtle about this as...well...a bull whip! Although Meeting the Master is classed as erotica, this book is different. It isn't graphic, and it isn't written simply to titillate those who indulge in S/M fantasies. Because ultimately this book is not about S/M or dominant and submissive relationships; ultimately its about desire - and who among us doesn't relate to that? Desire drives the characters of Meeting the Master. In a series of short stories we meet people who lie and manipulate and sometimes give up everything to make their desires come true. Whether its a college student whose dreams lead him cross-country and into the home of a man he's only met once, or a woman who tries to recapture the secret desires of her childhood, all of Ms. Wald's characters are drawn with bold, decisive strokes and none apologize for what they are. So, if you're looking for typical erotica or a how-to guide to S/M - there are other books that are more effective. However, if you're looking for a book that doesn't just give you a peek into a person's desires, but throws open the door and invites you inside, check out Meeting the Master. It is a wonderful voyeuristic journey into the darker parts of the heart, and Ms. Wald a skillful and knowledgeable guide.
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