ICON - Louisa Trent
Loose Id www.loose-id.com
ISBN: 978-1-59632-684-2
May 2008
Erotic Historical Romance

Northumbria, England - 936 A.D.

Already bored out of his mind, Taracut, the overlord of Northumbria, is secretly glad to be interrupted by one of his guards in the middle of a very public fornication with 3 dancers. Apparently there is a Scottish raid that he must deal with immediately. A message from the Neil Clan promises that they will leave the region once they get back a stolen item from the wizard Petacides. Taracut insists that the white-haired wizard come back with him for intense questioning about the icon. Before getting any further with his demands, Taracut is startled by the gutsy move of a beautiful woman who steps in to protect the wizard, and Noci insists that Petacides has done nothing wrong. Taracut has been so indifferent to lustful thoughts for so long that he is stunned with his reaction to this woman. Unfazed by the lust on her enemy's face, Noci immediately attacks him in the throat with a dagger, viciously drawing blood. Shocked, he knocks away the weapon from this nervy and courageous woman, quickly snatching what he believes is the icon from the wizard's neck. Taracut then forcefully grabs Noci to secure his escape.

Noci is enraged and horrified that she's been captured. She can't believe that this large, unattractive and very dominant man is the object of her recent vision. It's doubtful that this man is someone who will alter her life so distinctively. His substantial size in all the right places is interesting, but couldn't he be more handsome? She almost resents her psychic abilities right about now. At thirty-four, Taracut has never been married or had a serious emotional or sexual relationship. Despite Taracut's well known desire to remain celibate, he is exceptionally talented and sought after by many women. It is only at his king's insistence that he's decided to have sex and has not enjoyed his duty.

Even though the author came up with an interesting tale, I initially had a hard time getting through the book because it moved slowly. As I continued to read, however, I was intrigued as the characters pulled me into their complicated love story. Traditionally, we see heroes as handsomely sexy men, but Ms. Trent absolutely convinced me that a brave man is a champion no matter what he looks like. I found myself wondering what triggered Taracut's unconventional behavior, and was eager to learn more. It was so interesting to see how Noci's original perception changes as she grows to understand Taracut's dominant nature and his difficulty in trusting his feelings. Noci did surrender sexually, but she did not give up her fierce independence and outspoken nature simply to please Taracut. Her strength and courage prove that a BDSM lifestyle may be misunderstood. Once we fall in love, isn't the focus more on what's inside than outside? When we trust, don't we trust with our whole hearts? The writer also displays a wicked and witty dialogue between the two lovers. For those who enjoy sizzling and steamy sex, you'll get it here, and it was believably written. Some may be put off by a couple of overtly explicit portions in the book, but it by no means takes away from the overall romance.

Will the two cope with their trust issues for a happy ending? I think you know that I can't say. But I can share that Ms. Trent deserves a standing ovation for thinking outside of the box and exploring a real love affair. ICON is a thought provoking and innovative novel that I plan to keep on my bookshelf for years to come.

Allegra Alston