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Princess Mackenzie of the Seelie Court has been promised in marriage to Prince Elwyn of the Unseelie Court in order to cement the recent peace between the two. Her mother, Queen Moya tells Mackenzie she has no choice but to accept the marriage. This is totally unacceptable to Mackenzie, but because her only love, Cedric, was killed in the war, she agrees to negotiate with Elwyn. One of her main requirements is that she be allowed to have sex with others as long as she is not in love with them. To her surprise, the prince agrees without comment.
Mackenzie sees an extremely attractive man in the courtyard of the Queen's castle. He appears to be a nobleman of the Unseelie court, come to complete negotiations for the marriage. Mackenzie is instantly attracted to him, and despite warnings of her friend, and her own caution, she goes with him. He is Rowan, and she has never felt such overwhelming lust. While under the influence of lust, a fairy cannot lie, and Rowan tells her he loves her. She feels the same, but worries what impact this will have on her marriage. After all, she can sleep with others, but not anyone she loves.
For his protection, she knocks him out and heads for the Unseelie Court to meet the unsavory Prince Elwyn for herself. Because she has fallen in love, she has to know if she can go through with the marriage. Before she reaches the castle, she is captured and thrown into a dungeon. There she finds her childhood friend and lover, Cedric. She helps him to escape and is now in an even greater quandary than before. Her love for Cedric is still there and strong, yet she loves Rowan. And what about this marriage she's going to have to accept?
Mackenzie is an arrogant, sensual creature, who is fully aware of her attractiveness to the opposite sex. She is also furious with her mother for daring to invoke such an antiquated marriage contract. She wants to choose her own mate, and in fact, had chosen Cedric before he went to war. Her mother told her Cedric didn't want her.
Elwyn is an unknown quantity, one to be feared and resented. While Rowan is and unbelievable lover, who quickly bonds to her mind and body. He wants her and will do whatever it takes to gain and keep her. When Rowan is unmasked for who he truly is, Mackenzie will have to make an agonizing choice.
Mandy M. Roth has written an interesting tale of tangled loyalties, lost love and difficult decisions. The sex scenes are steamy and quite explicit. The lust between Mackenzie and Rowan is instant and well written. The ending of the story is weak; however, it is the first of a series of books. If you like paranormal elements in a hot love story, this book will satisfy you.
Reviewed by Nancy
for The Road to Romance
July 26, 2004
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