Love's Wild Desire

Rating:
Summary: A "Can't-Put-It-Down" Swashbuckling Romance!
Review: I love Jennifer Blake's novels. She doesn't use formulas like many other romance writers. Her plots are complex and packed with adventure and action. While some of her storylines and characters' motivations strain one's credibility at times, I always allow her leeway, because her novels are so exciting. And her characters are colorful, unusual, and credible. The historical detail about the period is really interesting and well researched.

"Love's Wild Desire" is set in New Orleans and Alhambra, a Louisiana plantation, owned by super-hunk Rafael Navarro. Catherine Mayfield, a spirited, aristocratic Creole beauty makes a poor decision when she agrees to accompany a friend to a quadroon ball one evening, a place where no lady would ever be seen. Navarro see her there and is immediately attracted. He mistakes her for a "lady of the night" and literally sweeps her off her feet. He carries her away to his townhouse and has his way with her, thereby ruining her reputation. Although there is another man who is willing to marry her, the fortune hunting Marcus Fitzgerald, (a nasty villain, disguised by a handsome face and a lying tongue), Rafael has his way - again. So, Catherine becomes Maitress of Alhambra and goes there to live with her husband.

This is a period filled with danger for plantation owners, as slaves are rebelling and rioting throughout Louisiana Territory. Catherine feels the tension immediately with the house slaves. She also has problems with her young sister-in-law and her companion who dabbles in voodoo. Although she is very attracted to her husband, she is guarded with him, afraid to open herself emotionally. She is sure he only married her to save her reputation and she doesn't want to be hurt. Rafe, is also fearful of being hurt. So, the usual misunderstandings which take place when two people are not open with each other about their strong feelings, occur. As a consequence, Catherine gets herself into all kinds of trouble, even risking her own life on a few thrilling, chilling occasions.

This is a real swashbuckler that will keep you reading well into the night. ENJOY!
JANA

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book
Review: This is one of Blake's earlier works, originally published in 1977. While it promised at first to be "steamy", with the opening duel, and subsequent rape scene early on, this book does not quite measure up to some of her later works. Except for that one rape scene, sex was not explicit. Although I loved the character of Rafael, he is not developed as thoroughly as could have been possible. Some actions of the story likne were only talked about, and not shown first hand, which would have been more effective. Especially lacking were scenes showing Rafe's grief when he thought Catherine had drowned. Overall, however, I am always impressed by Blake's knowledge of the history of the area and the different cultures that exist along the Mississippi, in Natchez and New Orleans. One can see just how much Jennifer Blake has improved as a writer over the years, by comparing this book and others, such as LUKE and ROAN, and PRISONER OF DESIRE.

Rating:
Summary: Love's Wild Desire not so Wild
Review: This is one of Blake's earlier works, originally published in 1977. While it promised at first to be "steamy", with the opening duel, and subsequent rape scene early on, this book does not quite measure up to some of her later works. Except for that one rape scene, sex was not explicit. Although I loved the character of Rafael, he is not developed as thoroughly as could have been possible. Some actions of the story likne were only talked about, and not shown first hand, which would have been more effective. Especially lacking were scenes showing Rafe's grief when he thought Catherine had drowned. Overall, however, I am always impressed by Blake's knowledge of the history of the area and the different cultures that exist along the Mississippi, in Natchez and New Orleans. One can see just how much Jennifer Blake has improved as a writer over the years, by comparing this book and others, such as LUKE and ROAN, and PRISONER OF DESIRE.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book
Review: This is one of the first romances I ever read, and its still one of my favorites. Rafe is amazing, the setting is great.