VBT: Review & Giveaway - Tempted By The Storm by. Maxine Mansfield

Tempted by the Storm

by Maxine Mansfield

BLURB:

Larksong Hammerstrike has always been just the younger sister of Princess Aryanna. Never quite as pretty or as smart, always lacking, a mere empath whose power gets her into trouble more often than not. But at Carnalval, the festival of all things sexual, she unleashes her sensual side for a night in the arms of a masked stranger. When morning dawns, Lark can't resist a peek beneath the mask of her lover and is once again crushed by fate. The man of her lusty adventure is none other than the future Lord of the High Elves and destined to marry her sister.

As heir to the kingdom of Landis and current instructor of wizardry at the Academy of Magical Arts, Sarco Sunwalker is honor bound to rise above the temptation of the beautiful empathic student who invades his mind, body, and soul. But when sparks fly, lightning strikes, and thunder rolls, Sarco finds himself more than tempted by the storm of Lark's passion and vows to find a solution that will prevent a war between races, fufill an infamous quest, and win Lark's hand.

REVIEW:

This is the second book in Maxine Mansfield Academy Series. I haven't read the first book in this series, but I didn't feel lost. I could follow the story fine, and was quite impressed by it.

Lark is sick of living in her sisters shadow. Being the family outcast is hard on her, and she longs for happiness of her own. Lark is different, she knows she's different. All she wants is normalcy, but Lark knows normal is something she can never be.

Lark is an empath, and her abilities affect the weather whenever her emotions get the better of her. This causes the people in her kingdom to view her as a freak, and they keep their distance from her.

Then Lark meets Sarco Sunwalker, High Elf, Prince to the Kingdom of Landis, and betrothed to her sister. Lark isn't aware of Sarco's identity when she throws all caution to the wind, and spend a unforgettable night in his arms. When she finds out who he really is, Lark is understandably shocked & shamed at what has happened.

She knows the truth will come out eventually, and her sister along with everyone else will discover the truth.

What Lark doesn't know is her sister has her own agenda, and Lark is a pawn in her game.

This erotic fantasy was really a great read. I really liked Lark's character, and I was rooting for her throughout this story. I also enjoyed Sarco's character, I thought he was a really good match for Lark. The sexual situations between them were romantic, and smoking hot.

I loved how they both realized they were sacrificing their happiness for all the wrong reasons. I really think they grew as a couple, and individually in this story.

The secondary characters all most took the show. The gnomes were hilarious, and had me laughing out loud. Actually, their were a lot of humorous situations in this book, and I appreciated it. It brought something else to the story.

All in all I consider this an excellent example of an erotic fantasy. I got everything I was looking for, and so much more.

5STARS/5

EXCERPT:

There was only one word that could describe the creature standing before him.  Wonderful.

“Did you say something?” the woman whispered. 

He shook his head. “Nothing, I just can’t believe my luck. You really are real and here with me.” 

She smiled, but her smile didn’t extend to her eyes. 

Before another heartbeat passed or another breath taken, he stood at her side. With tenderness, he gazed into her gentle, masked face and took both of her hands in his. He was humbled as her fingers trembled even more than his own did. “We don’t have to do this if you’d rather not.” 

She smiled wider, and her eyes gleamed with mischief. “I suppose we might as well. After all, we’re already here, and you’re at least halfway undressed.” 

Sliding his hands up her arms and around her shoulders to her back, Sarco felt for and found the clasps holding her gown together. With the flick of a wrist, they gave way, and with a swish, the silky fabric fell to her hips exposing lush, rose-tipped breasts. Just the right size to hold in both hands, to fondle, to caress, to taste. 

“Hmm, it seems you’re halfway undressed yourself.”

GIVEAWAY!!

 Maxine will be awarding a Tempted by the Storm themed gift bag to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (US/CANADA ONLY)

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/02/virtual-review-tour-tempted-by-storm-by.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi, my name is Maxine Mansfield and I write romantic fantasy. I live in the far northern state of Alaska where the summer days are long and the winter nights even longer.

I have one very special man, our three equally special children, and six delightful grandchildren in my life. Not to mention a very bossy African Grey parrot named Gabriel.

Oh, and Gnomes! many, many gnomes.

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