BARDIC TALES

Review

BARDIC TALES - Cynnara Tregarth

Marauders, Book 3

ISBN: 978-1-59632-391-9

March 2007

Erotic Paranormal Romance Anthology

Present Day

From author Cynnara Tregarth comes an anthology of short stories giving readers a glimpse at what the Maraigh brothers have been up to since they were wrongly cursed by the Goddess Morrigu. All the stories take place between THE MARK OF THE BLOOD and CALL OF THE WYLDE. So sit back, relax, and enter the world of the Marauders...

Samhain Healing and Blessing

Florida - Present Day

All the Maraigh brothers come together after an urgent but mysterious call from their brother, Niam. His wife, Kirstie, is pregnant but because of her captivity at the hands of Taranis, the baby is in danger. Niam needs the gifts of all his brothers if he has any hope of saving his unborn child. But, will Kirstie agree to the ritual that involves sex and all the brothers' participation?

Samhain Healing and Blessing continues with Niam and Kirstie from MARK OF THE BLOOD. The two are happily married and expecting a bundle of joy. Unfortunately, all is not well.

Imbolic Fire

(After CALL OF THE WYLDE)

Present Day

Finn and Cuin Maraigh are asked by the Goddess Brigid to retrieve the Stone of Fal which they hid during the reign of King Arthur. She informs them that one of her daughters, Scarlet MaNessa, will be accompanying them on this journey. Scarlet is from a different time, a different place, and she has special abilities. During this trip, Finn will let go of the guilt he's been carrying for the death of young Robin, and Cuin and Scarlet will make use of their together time in a very heated and sexual way. Will the three succeed in bringing back the Stone of Fal before Taranis, the evil brother of Morrigu, gets his hands on it?

Imbolic Fire enlightens us to Finn and Cuin and what the two of them are up to. Finn has been dreaming of his beloved and Cuin? Well, he's just Cuin. <g>

St. Patrick's Chug and Chase

(Takes place after CALL OF THE WYLDE)

Ambrosia Tavern - Present Day

Cadrus and two of his brothers come to Ambrosia's Tavern for a drink or two. When Cadrus is challenged to a drinking match by a funny looking man named Tralee, he accepts knowing he will win. Unfortunately, what Cadrus doesn't know ends up losing him the challenge and he must dress up like a leprechaun and run around the tavern hoping and praying no one catches him. Just when he thinks he's safe, Cadrus finds himself captured by the Twins, Sharyn and Phoenix. Their request...bedplay with the handsome Maraigh brother.

St. Patrick's Day Chug and Chase made me chuckle aloud. The description of Cadrus dressed in a leprechaun suit and running around was so cute and funny.

The Beltane Blues

(Takes place before CALL OF THE WYLDE)

Michael Padriag O'Conner is awaiting his punishment from Morrigu and wondering when and what she will do to him. In the meantime, she sends him on an assignment to work with Frelin, second heir to the Seelie Court Throne. There's a matter that has arisen between the Fey and the Druids because someone is trying to open the gateway early. Unfortunately for Michael, Frelin isn't at all happy about working with a human and nearly gets them both killed. Only with the aid of Sharyn and Phoenix, the Twins, do these two men uncover the identity of the one trying to open the gateway. In return for their aid, Sharyn and Phoenix take our boys upstairs to have their wicked way with them. Hmm...maybe this temporary partnership isn't so bad after all.

The Beltane Blues is an interesting story and gives us a little more information on Michael Padriag O'Conner, a man that I wouldn't mind getting to know on a more personal level. <g>

Lithia Games

(After CALL OF THE WYLDE and IMBOLIC FIRE)

Boston - Present Day

Dylan is contemplating what to do about his charge Siobhan, when she talks him into going toy shopping for his unborn niece and nephews. Dylan finds a couple of toys and is putting them in the buggy when Siobhan calls out to him. Dylan rushes to her side to find an Unseelie Fey trapped inside a doll box. She's unlike any they've seen before and boy does she have a temper. Her name is Lilea, and she wants to go home but cannot. It seems that Lilea is in love and gave a token to her lover. Unfortunately, her lover isn't what he appears to be and Lilea can't go home. Can Dylan and Siobhan help her retrieve what she's lost and get her home?

Mabon's Early Twilight

(After LITHIA'S GAMES)

Present Day

All the brothers come to the Marauder's main home because their older brother, Miach, is sick. They want to help him, but when they try to enter his room, they discover he has cast a spell preventing them from doing so. Is he hurt worse than he's letting on and doesn't want them to heal him, or is it something else? Has Catie, his obsessive stalker, returned and is somehow keeping him from asking for their help? They finally gain entrance and discover Miach chained to the bed and Catie is indeed the cause of his predicament. Can they help him or are they doomed to suffer the same fate as him?

In Mabon's Early Twilight, we learn a bit about Miach and gain some insight into this man's thinking and the reasons for what he does. He very much loves his family and will fight to the death to protect them.

Blessing of the Birth and Life

(After CALL OF THE WYLED and MABON'S TWILIGHT)

Present Day

Owain Maraigh is racking his brain trying to figure out what to get his very lovely and pregnant wife, Collette, for her birthday. It's got to be something she would never get for herself. Frustrated as hell, he calls Collette's former lover, Grey and asks his help in picking out the perfect gift. Well, let me tell you...these two handsome devils come up with a gift that is unforgettable. Now I won't say much but it involves sex...sex...and more sex. <g> Will Collette enjoy her husband's gift to her? Hmmm....

I love Collette and have since she was first introduced. The woman is a bad-ass and can take care of herself. Her and Owain are a perfect match. There's a menage in here that is hot, and might not be to some readers' liking, so just beware of this naughty little tale.

Author Cynarra Tregarth weaves her magical spell enticing readers to be swept away by her BARDIC TALES anthology. What woman wouldn't be captivated by these brawny sexy men with a killer smile and an even deadlier sword? I devoured the first two books and have been anxiously awaiting the other brothers' tales. BARDIC TALES is an enthralling teaser but I want more. <g> I want each brother and the other heroes to have their own stories and lots of it.

Sinclair Reid