Gwen’s review of Anchor and Storm by Kate Poole
Historical erotic romance eBook released by Ellora’s Cave 4 Apr 07

A&S takes place in the Scottish lowlands four years after the Jacobites were routed at Culloden, roughly 30-years before our own Revolution.  The main characters are an Earl, his wife, and their stablehand.  This book is more love story than historical – which suits me just fine – and has elements of family intrigue as well as a glimpse into what life must have been like for Highlanders after the Rising.

I have spent some electronic ink poking a bit of fun at this cover.  It’s blatantly sexual and so hot it would need a plain paper wrapper to be sold on a store shelf.  Don’t get me wrong – I LIKE IT.  It’s just a bit “in your face,” so to speak.  Now I realize that it represents very little about the actual story between the covers (unintended pun).  Moreover, it may have the unfortunate effect of turning away some readers – don’t let it.  You do not want to miss this book.

Anchor and Storm rekindled my good opinion of ebook writing.  Ms Poole’s style is very tight and she doesn’t take us on unnecessary side trips down useless plot paths giving us details about which we couldn’t care less.  Nor did she skimp on details.  Ms Poole somehow found balance in her storytelling and managed to bring us a very lovely story.  An overabundance of ink is NOT spent on the erotic scenes, but there are definitely erotic scenes (very nicely hot, by the way).  Just not so much erotica that you’re distracted from the story and I would even hesitate to call this an “erotic romance” it was so well balanced with the storytelling.

I have read other reviewer’s opinions that there were “too many ‘lasses’ and ‘ochs'” and I completely disagree.  There are some colloquialisms and verbal inflections but they’re all used in a natural and necessary manner.  I was not distracted a bit and found it to be a very interesting story element.

The distrust shown by the Highlander characters gave me insight into how life must have been for them in the years after the Jacobite Rising.  I found it fascinating and insightful.  It put a very human face on what must have been a horrible experience.  That and the emotional elements in the story are all very absorbing and kept me reading page after page, faster and faster. 

The love story(ies) in this book are among the best I’ve read in a long time.  Angus’s grief at his lost life, lost land, and lost love of Emily, is heart wrenching.  His distress over their Proposition is completely engrossing.  Angus is a very human character – flawed and lovable – and is my favorite character in this short book.  Yes – I want him.  But I also lust after the Flash.

I laughed, cried, and panted a bit while reading this book – all in record time.  If I had to criticize anything, it would be there was not enough “story” after Angus becomes Edgar’s factor.  I wanted more story after that, but that may have slowed the “real” story too much.  I still wanted it though – I’m greedy that way.

Grade: A- (it was too short)

Here’s the book blurb:

Edgar Armstrong, Earl of Callander, had not given much thought to marrying and producing an heir…until he meets Emily Sinclair. When their easy companionship grows into love, they learn that Edgar’s progressively debilitating disease could be passed on to his children. As their joy turns to despair Edgar finds a solution. If he can’t get her with child he knows just the man who can. But will Emily agree to his plan?

Angus MacNeill, Lord Callander’s groom, thinks Emily married Edgar for his title, his money and the security he can give her. And when Edgar approaches him with a very unusual request Angus questions his master’s motives. Still, it doesn’t stop him from accepting Callander’s terms — it’s the only way he can be with Emily, even if only until she conceives.

Deeply in love with Edgar, Emily will do anything he asks of her. But she never suspected he’d ask something like this! Despite Edgar’s reassurances she worries that his plan could destroy their marriage rather than strengthen it. And when she makes her choice, Emily wonders if there’s room enough for two men in her heart — and in her bed.

Read an excerpt.