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ISBN: 9781465986122
ASIN: B005TYXJ6E
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
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Cover artist: Cora Graphics
Ysbail of Ellesmere is a pawn in her guardian's war. For decades there has been unrest between the marcher lords and Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd, King of Gwynedd. The most recent war had been the bloodiest she could remember in her eighteen years. Madog ap Maredudd, Prince of Powys, and his allies lost untold numbers of men at the hands of Owain's soldiers. When a settlement of truce is presented to Madog, it's at Ysbail's expense. She is to marry Bedwyr ap Owain, one of King Owain’s bastard sons, and his most notorious henchman. If all the rumors and stories she's heard are true, she knows her marriage will be rife with horror and fear.
Since proving himself worthy with his sword, Bedwyr fights at his king's side. He's shed oceans of blood and sent untold numbers of men to their graves. He's become what his name foretold—the grave-knower. He's afraid of nothing, least of all death. All men fear him, including those who fight at his side, and sometimes even his own king. Terror of him lives within women's hearts; only the bravest of whores accept him into their beds. And children weave their own tales of the monster they hear him to be, embellishing the details to their own gruesome degrees.
When King Owain informs Bedwyr that he's to marry Ysbail of Ellesmere as part of a peace settlement with Madog, Bedwyr is furious. A man such as Bedwyr can only survive on the battlefield. For without love, hatred will send a man like him to the edge of insanity. Then push him over. But when Bedwyr sees Ysbail for the first time, blood-thirst turns to blood-lust, and he vows to show her that she should have no fear of him.
REVIEWS
Please note: Some of these reviews are from this book when written as Scarlett Valentine
If you enjoy historic erotic novels
If you enjoy historic erotic novels, this one is for you. Well researched, steamy hot sex scenes, and light humor. Ysbail, the young bride is a pawn used to settle a long war and is married to the king's bastard son, Bedwyr. It is a tight short story with a few surprises and true to the behaviors one would expect in the time period. ~ Avid Reader, Amazon
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White Hot ReadThis short, sweet erotic romance isn't short on heart, heat or plot . . . Truly Awakening is a romance, above and beyond the plenitude of sex. Ms. Shortland has penned a lovely story that I wished was longer, as it left me wanting more; more at the beginning and more and the end. That's not to say the story was lacking, just that there was so much depth to the story, this could easily have been twice as long and not been enough . . . the sex is both sweet and hot and certainly appropriate . . .All in all, I was very glad I had a chance to read this book. Set in a time I'm not familiar with, in a place I've seldom read about with characters who felt real and genuine, Awakening is a touching romance with plenty of sizzle and a truly satisfying ending. ~ LAS Reviewer, Amazon
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This was a nice erotica for me to dabble in and a novella that immediately gets into the story. The erotica aspect of the book was good, however, I thought the bond between Ysbail and Bedwyr was interesting as well . . . If you are an erotica lover, and enjoy a bit of historical scenery to it, then you might like this book. I'm also very interested to see how the author will carry forth the series. Based on her first historical erotica book, I think her style and imagination can only get better. ~ Lady Raven Rave, Amazon
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I really enjoyed this erotic short story. The historic setting was well-written, the sex scenes were steamy and the main characters were likable. There was also a plot--something sometimes missing in a novella. I also like the humor and clever writing. Overall, a very well-written work. If you like historic erotica, buy this! ~ anajupear, Amazon
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Awakening is a romance, above and beyond the plenitude of sex. Ms. Shortland has penned a lovely story that I wished was longer, as it left me wanting more; more at the beginning and more and the end. That's not to say the story was lacking, just that there was so much depth to the story, this could easily have been twice as long and not been enough . . . My absolute favorite part of the story had to be how Ysbail deals with the catty gossips who worked at the keep. Clever and quite fun! She shows her backbone here, proving she's strong enough to govern alongside her husband . . . I was very glad I had a chance to read this book . . . Awakening is a touching romance with plenty of sizzle and a truly satisfying ending. ~ Poppy, Whipped Cream Reviews
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Erotic and sensual, this is a touching and well done historical. Bedwyr is a complex man and I fell for him almost immediately. Ysbail faces her new life with courage and grace. Without a doubt this is erotica; and the book makes that point right away. The sex is really hot but there is also an intriguing story. It seems to head in one direction but then suddenly takes an interesting turn. I enjoyed getting to know both characters and the author does really good job of relating their pasts. Their shared discoveries reveal a couple who is well-matched. Everything meshes together to create a stirring romance and sensual delight. If [you] love those sexy knights, this tale is sure to please. I can't wait for the next one. ~ Emma, Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 stars and Top Pick Award
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This short, sweet erotic romance isn't short on heart, heat or plot . . . Truly Awakening is a romance, above and beyond the plenitude of sex. Ms. Shortland has penned a lovely story that I wished was longer, as it left me wanting more; more at the beginning and more and the end. That's not to say the story was lacking, just that there was so much depth to the story, this could easily have been twice as long and not been enough . . . the sex is both sweet and hot and certainly appropriate . . .All in all, I was very glad I had a chance to read this book. Set in a time I'm not familiar with, in a place I've seldom read about with characters who felt real and genuine, Awakening is a touching romance with plenty of sizzle and a truly satisfying ending. ~ LAS Reviewer, Amazon
White Hot Read
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Awakening delivers a good story outside of the bedchamber as well as inside. Strong characters and coherent dialogue make the story flow so smoothly that I found myself surprised when it was over. If you are looking for something a little different than your usual reading choices, give Awakening a try. ~ Sharal Hunter's Reviews, Goodreads
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I would recommend this to readers who like erotic historical romances. This novella is packed with plenty of steamy love scenes to get the reader hot and bothered. Awakening is also filled with rich historical details woven into an exquisite love story. This is the first book in Scarlett Valentine’s The ABCs of S-E-X: Love by the Letter series and I am looking forward to the next 25 books in the series. I am giving this wonderful novella 4 Dragons. ~ Monique, GoodreadsComing Soon
BEGUILER
