March 2019: Keeper Shelf
~ Ruth A. Casie ~
CTR asked:
Which book is at the top of your keeper shelf, the book you like to re-read over and over? And why?
Ruth A. Casie said:
Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
I did a lot of international flying for my company. I brought books with me to read to pass the evenings. I usually brought adventure stories, Clive Cusler, Robert Ludlum, and Michael Crichton. I went to the bookstore to get three or four books for a trip and Giselle (the woman behind the counter) handed me a books to read. Not my usual read, but I was willing to be adventurous.
The first time I read Knight in Shining Armor I was on a British Air overnight flight from New York to London. I started the book when they closed the doors in New York and by the time I landed I finished reading the last page. I had four other books with me on that trip. They came back with me a week later without being read. I re-read Ms Deveraux’s story. I wanted to savor the words and images. Even though I knew what would happen, my emotions went wild. The story of Dougless and her knight, Nicholas told of a love that crossed the centuries, endured, and made me all… mushy.
I understand why this story is a romance classic. Over the years I’ve re-read the story for different reasons. First, the story plays to a full spectrum of emotions, anger over Dougless’ boyfriend leaving her high and dry in another country and his nasty daughter, to the disbelief that she’s actually summoned a medieval knight for help, to the deep affection that grows between her and her knight.
I’ve also re-read this story to see how Ms. Deveraux manages to pull emotions out of me. How does she make me cry? Make me angry? Why do I like Dougless? Why do I LOVE Nicholas? After writing my own stories and studying craft I bow to the magician. Ms. Deveraux has crafted characters that are down to earth and relatable. Ms. Deveraux invites us to feel empathy with the characters as they grow emotionally and together. Even though I knew the outcome, I waited for the happy-ever-after as if I had never read the story.
As an author, that is how I want my readers to feel after they’ve read my stories.
– Website – https://RuthACasie.com
– Twitter – @RuthACasie
The Pirate’s Jewel
[Medieval Pirate Romance]
Deception and family honor are at stake – so is her heart.
Wesley Reynolds will do anything to avenge his family’s banishment from Dundhragon Castle even throw in with the notorious pirate, MacAlpin. His plan, ruin Lord Ewan’s trading network. He has a more devious plan for his father’s ‘best friend,’ the man who abandoned them at the eleventh hour. He’ll ruin the man’s most precious jewel, his daughter Darla. Wesley’s so close to ruining the trade network and succeeding he can almost taste it, but revenge is not nearly as sweet as Darla’s kisses.
Darla Maxwell, beloved by her parents has no prospects of marriage. Her father and Lord Ewan search to find her the right husband. Darla’s special gifts are frightening to many. She has visions that often come true. The murky image of a man haunts her, she’s sure it’s Lord Ewan’s soon-to-be son-in-law, but the vision morphs when she meets Wesley. The meaning couldn’t be any clearer to her, her destiny lies with Wesley.
When revelations surface indicating Wesley has been deceived and his revenge misplaced. Will he find the truth of what really happened to his family in time to stop the pirates? Will Darla ever forgive him? Will he ever forgive himself?
Available in Ebook:
More Authors Dish about their keeper shelves.
https://coffeethoughts.coffeetimeromance.com/ad2019-mar-keeper/
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