Chambers brings back secondary characters from Provoked and, by utilizing David's friend Elizabeth's bad marriage, develops a side story focusing on women's lack of rights and/or choices during that period in time. The historical details are just as good in Beguiled as they were in the first installment. Murdo's passion for David is palpable but tenderness also becomes an obvious, beguiling factor that goes along with the rest. David is still honest and straight forward but now open to what Murdo has to offer. Two years later during King George IV's first visit to Edinburgh, Murdo and David meet again, and the passion between them is scorching! Chambers uses those two years of separation as the basis for character growth. Provoked hooked me on this series, but with Beguiled I fell in love with the characters. (Samhain Publishing, July 2013)Īfter reading Provoked, I couldn't resist and immediately picked up Beguiled. It is always a pleasure to read a historical romance where 'history' is both well researched and well incorporated. I particularly like how Joanna Chambers uses historical facts from the Radical War in this first installment. Edinburgh as the main setting gives this book a unique atmosphere. They are each right and wrong and although there is not a 'happy ever after' or even a 'happy for now' ending to this book, Chambers sets up this slowly developing romance perfectly for the second installment. Murdo is more worldly and outwardly a bit of a cynic, but his passion just burns.

David with his naive honesty comes off as a bit of a prig, but a lovely one. There's a high level of chemistry and the sexual tension between them is off the charts throughout the story. The two main characters are conflicted and therefore intriguing. Provoked is a great read on a few different levels. Red Caps: New Fairy Tales for Out of the Ordinary Readers by Steve Berman (2014, Lethe Press) 'Cruel Movember' & 'Persimmon, Teeth, and Boys' Naming Ceremony: Stories by Chip Livingston (2014, Lethe Press)

'Anthology of Spoon River AIDS Walk' & 'One Hundred Kisses' I have chosen 10 short stories and believe me, that was not an easy task this year! Here they are, in no particular order:

All collections are highly recommended in their entirety. Additionally, the setting and atmosphere, as well as the well incorporated historical facts and details are a big plus to this beautiful m/m romance trilogy.įAVORITE SHORT WORKS: My favorite short works are all chosen from single author collections and anthologies read and reviewed during 2014. The slow building romance filled with sexual tension, sensuality, and both inner and outer conflicts make the final outcome worth the journey. The Enlightenment trilogy by Joanna Chambers is a late addition to my list of favorites as it was read in December, but it is a fabulous addition.

Enlightened by Joanna Chambers