*This review will be word-for-word as that contained within the Collection - Jeff Woods Mysteries*

As expected, all the small problems of the previous books levelled out here – the imbalance between home and work, as well as the progression of the characters personalities.

I really liked how Jeff, Alex, Sean, Parker and David became a full, proper family together, sharing a building while living separately. The personalities and relationships of the characters has really grown and shown the progression of understanding and acceptance of all the characters involved. Sean's conditions are never easy to deal with, but Parker and Jeff's prejudices fade away in light of his warmth and his slow acceptance of them.

Plot wise, the emotions that were flying around were well founded this time, without seeming overblown or under-reactive. Alex wasn't too clingy or emotional in this one. He didn't go looking for trouble either. The only problem I had was that, whenever they started reminiscing about all the bad stuff they'd survived and been through, they remember the gun-to-head incidences, but never Brok, who sexually assaulted Alex and totally terrified him. It makes no sense to me.

As for the mystery, I can admit that this one was much more developed and had so many suspects that it wasn't always clear who the killer was. There was no obvious killer, just because it couldn't be anyone else.

How about a little swordplay? No not that kind! 

 

Here are some wonderful Historical Romance where the heroes and heroines really know how to handle a blade. 

 

My lists are neven in any particular order. Enjoy! 

 

1. The Prize by Julie Garwood

 

In the resplendence of William the Conqueror's London court, the lovely Saxon captive, Nicholaa was forced to choose a husband from the assembled Norman nobles. She chose Royce, a baron warrior whose fierce demeanor could not conceal his chivalrous and tender heart. Resourceful, rebellious and utterly naive, Nicholaa vowed to bend Royce to her will, despite the whirlwind of feelings he aroused in her. Ferocious in battle, seasoned in passion, Royce was surprised by the depth of his emotion whenever he caressed his charming bride.

In a climate of utmost treachery, where Saxons still intrigued against their Norman invaders, Royce and Nicholaa revelled in their precious new love...a fervent bond soon to be disrupted by the call of blood, kin and country!

 

2. Once a Knight by Christina Dodd

 

A Lady's Choice

Only desperation can make strong-willed Lady Alisoun hire Sir David of Radcliffe to protect her castle. He had once been a hero renowned for his brave daring and knightly skills. But few know what he has been doing these past years.

A Hero Again

At George's Cross estate, Sir David does indeed discover danger afoot. But the danger that surprises him most is how quickly his own well-protected heart is falling to a fiery damsel who brings him to his knees. When put to the test, he must make a sacrifice. But will he lose his heart...or his life?

 

3. Desire by Amanda Quick

 

Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clarre knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire new fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.

Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal... until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame... and a treacherous plot put their lives in deadly peril.

 

4. Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins

 

Noah Yates fully believes in the joys of a happy family and a good wife. But that's not the life for him. No, he would much rather sail the wild seas in search of adventure, not tied down. But then the unthinkable happens . . . he finds himself literally tied down. To a bed. By a woman.

 

And Pilar isn't just an ordinary woman. She's descended from pirates. And after giving him one of the worst nights of his life, she steals his ship! Now Noah is on the hunt, and he'll stop at nothing to find this extraordinary woman . . . and make her his.

 

5. The Last Warrior by Kristen Kyle

 

aptain Jake Talbert has come to San Francisco on an all-consuming quest for the precious samurai swords he once wore as a warrior in his adopted homeland of Japan. Jake will go to any lengths to retrieve the heirlooms—and the honor he lost along with them. He is prepared to fight if he must, but he does not foresee the battle he is about to face—or the spirited opponent determined to get in his way.
 
Meghan McLowry has come to the waterfront in search of the notorious Captain Talbert after hearing of his fondness for sword collecting and his ability to fight as no westerner can. She makes him a deal: If he can protect her father from the deadly vengeance of the Tong, she will gladly hand over the five exquisite swords she received as a birthday present from her father. Little does she know that Talbert is no crude sailor to be bent to her will, but a dangerously seductive warrior who will stop at nothing to get what he wants—whether it’s justice, respect, or a woman’s heart.

 

6. Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin

 

During China's infamous Tang Dynasty, a time awash with luxury yet littered with deadly intrigues and fallen royalty, betrayed Princess Ai Li flees before her wedding.Miles from home, with only her delicate butterfly swords for defense, she enlists the reluctant protection of a blue-eyed warrior….

Battle-scarred, embittered Ryam has always held his own life at cheap value. Ai Li's innocent trust in him and honorable, stubborn nature make him desperate to protect her—which means not seducing the first woman he has ever truly wanted…

 

7. The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

 

Sick of tragedy, done with rebellion, Emmaline Martin vows to settle quietly into British Indian society. But when the pillars of privilege topple, her fiancé's betrayal leaves Emma no choice. She must turn for help to the one man whom she should not trust, but cannot resist: Julian Sinclair, the dangerous and dazzling heir to the Duke of Auburn. 

To the marble halls of London... 

In London, they toast Sinclair with champagne. In India, they call him a traitor. Cynical and impatient with both worlds, Julian has never imagined that the place he might belong is in the embrace of a woman with a reluctant laugh and haunted eyes. But in a time of terrible darkness, he and Emma will discover that love itself can be perilous -- and that a single decision can alter one's life forever. 

Destiny follows wherever you run. 

A lifetime of grief later, in a cold London spring, Emma and Julian must finally confront the truth: no matter how hard one tries to deny it, some pasts cannot be disowned...and some passions never die.

 

8. The Serpent Prince by  Elizabeth Hoyt

 

WHEN THE DEVIL MEETS AN ANGEL
Country bred Lucy Craddock-Hayes is content with her quiet life. Until the day she trips over an unconscious man - a naked unconscious man - and loses her innocence forever.

HE CAN TAKE HER TO HEAVEN
Viscount Simon Iddesleigh was nearly beaten to death by his enemies. Now he's hell-bent on vengeance. But as Lucy nurses him back to health, her honesty startles his jaded sensibilities - even as it ignites a desire that threatens to consume them both.

OR TO HELL
Charmed by Simon's sly wit, urbane manners, and even his red-heeled shoes, Lucy falls hard and fast for him. Yet as his honor keeps him from ravishing her, his revenge sends his attackers to her door. As Simon wages war on his foes, Lucy wages her own war for his soul using the only weapon she has - her love.

 

9.  To Catch a Bride  by Anne Gracie

 

It was the perfect excuse to delay a dreaded marriage of convenience  and head off on an exotic journey to track down a young lady missing in Egypt for six years. Rafe Ramsey, son of the Earl of Axebridge, is utterly besotted when he finally locates the beautiful and spirited Ayisha, who has taken a new name. But a mysterious past has made it impossible for her to return to England, and she is on the run from something far more serious than an unwanted betrothal.

 

10. Lord Of Fire by Gaelen Foley

 

After years of preparation, he has baited his trap well, luring the depraved members of Society into his devil's playground so he can earn their trust and uncover their secrets. Yet no one in London suspects that Lord Lucien Knight is England's most cunning spy, an officer who has sacrificed his soul for his country. Now an unexpected intruder has invaded his fortress of sin, jeopardizing his carefully laid plans - and igniting his deepest desires. Beautiful, innocent Alice Montague finds herself at the mercy of scandalous Lord Lucien. But as he begins his slow seduction to corrupt her virtue, Alice glimpses a man tormented by his own choices, a man who promises her nothing but his undeniable passion. . .

 

 

Di I miss your favorite? Let me know!

 

Vote for the best of the best on my Goodread list!Swordplay in Historical Romance

This was a nice little gem. Reminds me a lot of Highlander in a good way, but has a different edge to it. I wish the action scenes were less repetitive and more detail with the sword-fighting, but otherwise a good action/adventure novel.

Reviewed for Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.

Traitor’s Blade is about Greatcoats. Greatcoats were law-enforcers who ensured that King’s Law was obeyed by everyone. (Kinda like gunslingers in The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, just with swords.) But now there is no king anymore and greatcoats are mocked and called trattari.

We had been heroes for a little while and now we were just traitors with useless pardons, no allies and no purpose.

Narrator of Traitor’s Blade is greatcoat Falcio val Mond, and what a story it is – mix of flashbacks and his current adventures. It’s always exciting, sometimes sad, but never boring. And all spiced up with Falcio’s dry sense of humor, even when he is explaining ordinary things in life. To get this kind of snark from narrator I usually have to read urban fantasy novels.

How they can transcribe the events of a man’s life from afar, I do not know. Some say they read the threads of fate, or they bond with a man’s mind and capture his thoughts to put down on paper. Others say they just make this shit up, since by the time anyone gets to read it the person it’s about is almost certainly dead.

And it gets even better if you are into fencing. Because Falcio has good advises from his long experience of sword-fights:

Once you get hit with the ball from a pistol, you really only have a few seconds to get the pointy bit into someone’s mouth before you fall down and die.

If you are not lover of things with pointy ends, but still like to fight. Do not despair. There are tips for you too:

When you’re fighting a crowd, it’s good to shout potentially threatening things like “Crossbows!” or “Fire!” or “Giant Flying Cat!” every once in a while.

But I am getting side-tracked. I almost told you The First Rule of the Sword. But I am not telling. Nope. For that you will have to read the book. 

 

Warmth and humor in Traitor’s Blade is only increased with banter of Falcio and his friends. A lot of people compare them to The Three Musketeers, but I found them more down-to-Earth. Like they are real and not just characters in a book. Their interactions reminded me of Cazio & his sword-fighting instructor z’Acatto from The Briar King by Greg Keyes (especially when they gossip about knights).

 

Another thing that I LOVED is Monster. I adore when a book features mythical creatures or animals with attitude and Monster had that in abundance. And again I am not telling more. My lips are sealed. Also, if I start I could not stop and would spoil half the book – so you really should appreciate my perseverance.

 

I think that was enough praise and fangirling. If you didn’t figure out until now, Traitor’s Blade is definitely getting a place on my Favorites shelf.

 

Now, what was bad? Nothing! Haha, just kidding. (Not really.)  There are some descriptions of torture scenes and brutal behavior that might be tough to read if you are too sensitive and squeamish. Also, Falcio is so slow sometimes. I would call him stupid but I loved him as character so I am being gentle. But some facts were obvious to everyone, except to him.

 

In The End

Traitor’s Blade will definitely be on a list of my favorite fantasy novels in 2014. I would recommend it to old fantasy readers who like sword-fights and conspiracies and to urban fantasy fans who would like to try fantasy genre. There is enough snark and action to make Traitor’s Blade a fun summer read.

 

Disclaimer: I received this ebook from Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a terrible collection. The stories chosen are each so incredibly awful--so casually offensive, clunkily written, and devoid of imagination--that I cannot believe a single one of them was published, let alone all of them. There is one good story in this entire collection--Nina Kiriki Hoffman's piece. I've always enjoyed her work, but generally find it a little too bouyantly surreal. But this story, an emotionally powerful take on Wagner's Ring, is possibly the best she's ever written. For her story alone, this collection is worth checking out of the library. But don't waste a cent on it.