Devon’s review of What a Scoundrel Wants by Carrie Lofty
Historical romance released by Zebra 2 Dec 08

This is Carrie Lofty’s Zebra debut, and it is an interesting and unusual one. What a Scoundrel Wants builds upon the Robin Hood legend, focusing on Robin’s wayward nephew Will Scarlet. Will has always butted heads with Robin Hood, and in an effort to distance himself from his legendary uncle, he has gone to work for the Sheriff of Nottingham. In the course of carrying out his henchman duties, Will finds more trouble than he bargained form of the blind, headstrong Meg of Keyworth. What follows is a fast paced story that I didn’t always like, but always kept my interest. 

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story. I found the beginning to be slow, and I didn’t find Will or Meg to be sympathetic characters. Will is rough and very mercenary, and Meg is quite cold and calculating, never hesitating to screw Will over. I warmed up to Will sooner, as he found himself falling for the strange and difficult Meg. It took me a while longer to like Meg. She is a bitch, but glimpses of vulnerability do show through, and I found myself firmly in her camp.

Part of the reason I was able to like Will and Meg, despite not always being sympathetic, was that I felt both were products of their time and circumstance. I shy away from Medieval romances, because I never think they’ll actually capture the setting. What a Scoundrel Wants shows Medieval England in all of its dirty glory: a hardscrabble place, full of violence, corruption, superstition, and a huge disparity between the nobility and the rest. Will and Meg are the way they are because of survival. They’ve built the kind of defenses needed to survive in a harsh world. Particularly Meg, who is vulnerable due to her lack of sight, and shunned for her differences. She has adapted admirably, but it has made her a bit hard. Ultimately, I found it very satisfying to see these two come together.

After a slow start, the plot gets going and doesn’t let up. There is a lot of action, violence, blood and dirt. Meg and Will spend most of the book beat up and filthy (again this felt authentically Medieval to me). Sometimes I found myself hoping they would bathe soon, if a love scene was a possibility. The bad guys are really bad, and I was intrigued by some of the secondary characters (I would like to see Meg’s friend Jacob get a book eventually). Those who enjoy Robin Hood lore will enjoy seeing Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck and Little John.

This is not an easy read. It takes awhile to get used to the rhythm of the speech, as well as the harsh setting and characters. But the effort is worth it. The hero and heroine have quite a bit of chemistry, which deepens into a lovely romance. The characters truly grew and changed. It is very fast paced. And the setting, the forests, are very vivid. The reason I’m not giving it a higher grade is the slow beginning, and that I don’t think I’ll be revisiting it. But I’m curious to see what’s next for Ms. Lofty, because this was an intriguing debut.

Grade: B

The Summary:

In this dazzling, original tale, Carrie Lofty imagines a new chapter in the well-loved Robin Hood fable. Meet Robin’s rakish nephew, Will Scarlet, a man whose talents with the sword and the ladies are legendary–until his desire for one woman changes everything.

A Passionate Lover…

A swordsman for the Sheriff of Nottingham, Will Scarlet has finally emerged from his famous uncle’s shadow. But when he’s unwittingly drawn into a bloody battle between the Sheriff and a nobleman, it’s impossible to tell friend from foe. A woman’s screams lead Will straight into the carnage to save her–but the ravishing young lady is not the helpless maid she appears to be…

An Amorous Lady…

Meg of Keyworth lost her sight to illness years ago, but that hasn’t stopped her mission to save her imprisoned sister, who’s been arrested by none other than Will Scarlet. Meg wants to hate Will for betraying her family, but he sparks heated desire in her heart–a desire that only he can satisfy. Meg is lovely and loving, and bedding her is sensual bliss. To please her in every way is what he wants most, for Will knows he will cherish her forever….

Read an excerpt.

Next we have another excerpt, steamier excerpt from What a Scoundrel Wants, the Zebra debut from Carrie’s Lofty. Don’t forget to read the first excerpt, and check out this Duck Flash for contest info!
In this dazzling, original tale, Carrie Lofty imagines a new chapter in the well-loved Robin Hood fable. Meet Robin’s rakish nephew, Will Scarlet, a man whose talents with the sword and the ladies are legendary–until his desire for one woman changes everything.

A Passionate Lover…

A swordsman for the Sheriff of Nottingham, Will Scarlet has finally emerged from his famous uncle’s shadow. But when he’s unwittingly drawn into a bloody battle between the Sheriff and a nobleman, it’s impossible to tell friend from foe. A woman’s screams lead Will straight into the carnage to save her–but the ravishing young lady is not the helpless maid she appears to be…

An Amorous Lady…

Meg of Keyworth lost her sight to illness years ago, but that hasn’t stopped her mission to save her imprisoned sister, who’s been arrested by none other than Will Scarlet. Meg wants to hate Will for betraying her family, but he sparks heated desire in her heart–a desire that only he can satisfy. Meg is lovely and loving, and bedding her is sensual bliss. To please her in every way is what he wants most, for Will knows he will cherish her forever….

Excerpt

“I should examine your shoulder when you finish chopping wood,” Meg said.

“Why?”

Because I enjoy torturing myself. Because I want to touch you.

She swallowed heavily. “To check for signs of infection.”

“If you want me out of my tunic, you only have to ask.”

“I should let it fester until your arm rots,” she said, her cheeks on fire.

“That’s hardly charitable.”

“Better than you deserve.”

Will leaned closer, slowly, his breath warming her cheek. “Open your mouth.”

Her lungs shuddered to a halt. “What?”

“I said, open your mouth. I have something for you.”

“You’re being absurd.” Her heart was a terrified animal, shivering and demanding flight. But her feet refused to move.

“Trust that at this moment I have no notion of doing you harm.”

The soft timbre of his voice nestled seductive images behind her eyes. She pinched them shut. “And why should I trust you?”

“I fear your ability to transform into a ball-twisting wench.”

“You deserved that.”

“Blessed be, woman, no man deserves that.” Will edged closer still, his hair tickling the skin of her forehead. He slipped a hand around the base of her neck, softly kneading and massaging her tense muscles. She may as well have been a kitten held by its scruff, so completely did he imprison her. “Open your mouth before I have to hold you down and pry your lips apart.”

Every sharp retort and defensive reply shriveled to naught. She swallowed the pathetic whimper that wanted to beg for mercy, some reprieve from the onslaught. First Hugo and his hideous, baiting insults. Then Scarlet–the worry and guesses and vain attempts to understand him. Protecting against his influence was like trying to catch smoke. He was some powerful potion in masculine form, intent on driving her to madness.

“Open for me, Meg.”

The intimate nature of his command shocked her. Dread flared, digging into her bones and settling between her legs. A throbbing ache blossomed, her body thriving on a spiteful blend of danger and curiosity. Heat licked over her skin like flames, setting good sense ablaze.

She opened her mouth.

He touched his finger to her tongue. An explosion of sweetness enveloped her mouth, nearly buckling her knees with the unexpected pleasure. Thought fled. She closed her lips around his finger and sucked, discovering every last crystal of sugar he offered.

Scarlet pulled his finger free. His breath was fast, strained, and very close. “More?”

She gave the smallest nod. He petted her lower lip, painting tiny grains along her thin, sensitive skin. She caught his finger again and licked the sweetness. The hand at the back of her neck tightened, near to pain. A combination of man and sugar swathed her tongue, slid down her throat, set her body on fire. Her breasts felt heavy and hot. A familiar hollowness opened inside her, aching to be filled. He offered more sugar. But she wanted more of him.

She swirled her tongue around his finger, sucking again. He moaned and shuddered. She could take no more. Burrowing eager fingers into a shaggy length of hair, she dragged his face to hers. Lips met in a heady explosion of heat and sweetness. His tongue thrust into her mouth. The syrupy remains of the sugar mingled with his own spice. His arms circled her back, deepening the kiss. Tight nipples crushed against the solid leather shielding his chest, arousing and frustrating her in turn.

Her hips found his. The insistent ridge of his erection offered proof of his desire. He groaned her name and arched her back, dusting quick, hard kisses along the length of her neck. She resented the high bodice that barred him from traveling lower, but flicks of his tongue wet a trail to one ear. He nibbled and suckled, threading his fingers into her hair. Lightheaded, she clung to his body as if a heartsick year had passed since she last held him, since he last held her.

Will.

And like a drowning woman finding a single gulp of air, she found herself–and ran.

Copyright Carrie Lofty 2008

Carrie’s Lofty’s debut, What a Scoundrel Wants, will be in bookstores December 2. Raise your hand if you’ve seen Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Now raise your hand if you liked Christian Slater’s character, Will Scarlet. Will Scarlet is the hero of this book. Cool–Sherwood Forest, Sheriff of Nottingham, and no poorly accented Kevin Costner in sight. Read on for the excerpt, and then pop over to Ann Aguirre’s site for a contest!

In this dazzling, original tale, Carrie Lofty imagines a new chapter in the well-loved Robin Hood fable. Meet Robin’s rakish nephew, Will Scarlet, a man whose talents with the sword and the ladies are legendary–until his desire for one woman changes everything.

A Passionate Lover…

A swordsman for the Sheriff of Nottingham, Will Scarlet has finally emerged from his famous uncle’s shadow. But when he’s unwittingly drawn into a bloody battle between the Sheriff and a nobleman, it’s impossible to tell friend from foe. A woman’s screams lead Will straight into the carnage to save her–but the ravishing young lady is not the helpless maid she appears to be…

An Amorous Lady…

Meg of Keyworth lost her sight to illness years ago, but that hasn’t stopped her mission to save her imprisoned sister, who’s been arrested by none other than Will Scarlet. Meg wants to hate Will for betraying her family, but he sparks heated desire in her heart–a desire that only he can satisfy. Meg is lovely and loving, and bedding her is sensual bliss. To please her in every way is what he wants most, for Will knows he will cherish her forever….

EXCERPT

Will stared at her lips, hating the sudden need to prove his worth to her, if only in words. But the subject of worth and valor and courage skirted too near unwanted memories. He ran the sharp edge of his thumbnail over the long-healed scar on his palm, picking at the lump of flesh.

“You don’t trust him either,” he said.

“How do you figure?”

“Why did you keep the truth of my role in your sister’s arrest a secret from him?”

Meg pinched her lips into a scowl. “He doesn’t need to know.”

“Because you don’t trust him.”

“Stop it!”

She balled both hands and lunged. Perhaps she moved more slowly because of fatigue, or perhaps he knew better to guard against the angered assaults she was quick to use. Wheedle. Confront. Attack. The pattern of her behavior was becoming clear. Catching slender wrists, he absorbed every twist and thrust. He spun her twice, shoved her away. Meg stumbled and fell into the leaves.

She scrambled to her feet, angled away from him. Will felt a childish urge to hold his breath and stay hidden from her keen ears, but a swift flash of lust made that a difficult task. Sparring with her played unconscionable games with his control.

“You still need me,” he said, his claim scratching free of a tight throat.

Meg whipped her head around. “Ridiculous.”

“Do you know Nottingham? Or that castle? No.”

“And I suppose you do.”

He scowled. “Like I’d know my own father.”

“No, no,” she said. “You’ve more reason to sabotage me than help me.”

“How so?”

“If you bend the sheriff’s ear, maybe reveal me as the real alchemist, then life becomes easier for Will Scarlet.”

Her blindness had caused him nothing but trouble. She could have cleared his name. She could have made their flights through the forest easier to navigate. But at that moment, he was glad for her impairment. Although prepared to deflect a physical assault, he had not expected her flawless assessment of the stakes. He felt his surprise slash across his face in bold strokes.

“That may be true, but I need Dryden as much as you do,” he said. “He’s the only one who can help clear my name. If nothing else, I can prove my good worth by coming to your aid.”

“I knew you had ulterior motives.”

“You wound me.”

“No, I cured you.”

He crossed his arms. “Based on our association, I see little difference.”

“You suggest that if we share Dryden’s influence, in a way, you’ll have no cause to betray me?”

Suspicion yet swam through her voice like fish in a stream. To get Meg to Nottingham, he needed to secure her full cooperation. No potions, no tricks, no reason to abandon him for Dryden’s convenient status and fickle bravery. She had to come willingly, if only for his own health and sanity.

But how to convince her? The truth was obviously impossible; it resembled his misdeeds too closely, no matter his concern for the safety of Robin’s family. And if Hugo were any example of her associations, she would never accept altruism.

Deceitful, lascivious, greedy Hugo.

He grinned. “And if you offered a few of those counterfeit emeralds, I’d appreciate it.”

“You low, slimy dunghill.” She closed the distance between them and jabbed a precise finger into the leather mail he wore. “You arrested my sister. You should be begging for my forgiveness, not offering your services for a price.”

“Truth be told, ’tis an inexpensive price,” he said. “What sacrifice is it to part with shoddy rocks? Rocks you can conjure?”

“The sacrifice is in giving you what you want.”

He stroked a thumb along her bottom lip, feeling powerful when she flinched. A wayward, lustful part of him anticipated the sweet sting of her teeth, fighting, biting him again. “I’ve already had from you what any man wants from a woman.”

She slapped his hand away. “Gelded bastard.”

“If I were a gelding, you would’ve discovered as much.”

“You’re no better than Hugo.”

Good girl.

“Two men working on your behalf will be better than one. Your unscrupulous soul knows as much.”

“The Devil take your offer,” she said.

“No, the Devil just made you an offer. Let me escort you to Nottingham.”

Copyright Carrie Lofty 2008

This just in…

Ann Aguirre has a great contest going on.   Lots of books up for grabs, so check it out!

~  Prizes include 20 copies of Carrie Lofty’s new book, What a Scoundrel Wants.

~ And a $50 Amazon gift certificate will be added if there’s at least 100 entries.

~ So be sure to enter to help raise the stakes!  Go here to do just that.

~ All you need to do is post the widget you see here on your blog or MySpace page or Face Book, wherever you can to get the word out on Carrie’s book.

~ Then just leave word by way of a comment at the blog along with a link where your post is.  Simple!

~ If you don’t have a blog or MySpace page or any of that stuff, just spread the word on any loops or groups you’re involved with or tell someone via email, IM, any way you can.  One time is enough, so don’t get in trouble for spamming!  And send along the nifty widget above, ‘cuz you never know where a friend might be able to post it.  Then post on the blog where you sent the info and you’re entered!

~ Another way to win is to post at Ann’s blog what you think a Scoundrel wants.  Your best guess is all that’s needed!

Consider yourself flashed.

Alicia Thomas’s review of Sundial by Carrie Lofty
Time travel short story ebook published Dec 07  by Wild Rose Press

Sundial is a short story, only 67 pages and is the first thing I’ve read from Wild Rose Press.

The biggest factor in Sundial is the style. The whole feel of this story is disjointed but in an artsy kind of way. It’s like Picasso does time-travel romance. I enjoy some of the weird IFC movies, etc., so once I figured out what I was reading I enjoyed it. I did have immediate negative reaction, though, and had to come up from there.

First off, we aren’t told just how young Mark is so his attitude seems really off. Also, the masturbation scene is really stupid. He gets caught because he sets himself to get caught, in my opinion. Who does that sitting outside a door the other person may walk through soon? And this brain damaged person has the nerve to act surprised! This is in the very beginning, though, and things got better quickly.

The author calls Mark shy but I’d say wary is a better word. He’s a consummate actor, with a natural talent and having honed his skills out of necessity. he is direct and strong, so he’s not shy. He’s been living in an unstable environment since he was 16, which is a vulnerable age, and he never knows when he may just disappear into his old life. He comes across as cold, at first, but bitterness toward circumstances isn’t an unusual response for a teenager. Due to what’s happened with his life, in some ways he’s less mature for his age and in other ways he’s much more.

I haven’t said much about Amber but really, Mark is the star of the show. She’s a good enough heroine and in the end she pulls off a good climax but there’s not a lot to say about her. The vast majority of the struggle, pain and growth are Mark’s.

Now I have to grade this. This one is hard. It will be sad if it misses the audience who will enjoy it because it definitely isn’t for everyone. It will be a gem for those looking for something unusual. I’ll give a general grade with a strong recommend if you think you may go for the style. I’ll be looking for more from this author.

Grade C+

Blurb:   Amber Schulman stepped into a lush English garden in 2007, only to arrive in breathtaking Sorrento, Italy in 1958. The only person who understands her confusion is fellow time traveler Mark Lacey, a New Yorker who comes from the land of cassette tapes and Reaganomics. His dark, world-weary eyes beckon her with secrets and sensuality. But why does he seem so familiar?

Trapped in the past since he was a teen, Mark wants nothing to do with another whining newcomer. But the blue-eyed Aussie might be able to answer the one question that haunts him: Do I ever get back to 1987?

From soccer to samba to sex, Amber tempts him with a zeal for life and love, pulling him free of his lonely isolation.

But getting home could prove easier than they imagined. How will their love endure if Amber returns to her time and Mark to his?”

Read an excerpt.