Love's Wild Desire

I love Jennifer Blake's novels. She doesn't use formulas like many other romance writers. Her plots are complex and packed with adventure and action. While some of her storylines and characters' motivations strain one's credibility at times, I always allow her leeway, because her novels are so exciting. And her characters are colorful, unusual, and credible. The historical detail about the period is really interesting and well researched. "Love's Wild Desire" is set in New Orleans and Alhambra, a Louisiana plantation, owned by super-hunk Rafael Navarro. Catherine Mayfield, a spirited, aristocratic Creole beauty makes a poor decision when she agrees to accompany a friend to a quadroon ball one evening, a place where no lady would ever be seen. Navarro see her there and is immediately attracted. He mistakes her for a "lady of the night" and literally sweeps her off her feet. He carries her away to his townhouse and has his way with her, thereby ruining her reputation. Although there is another man who is willing to marry her, the fortune hunting Marcus Fitzgerald, (a nasty villain, disguised by a handsome face and a lying tongue), Rafael has his way - again. So, Catherine becomes Maitress of Alhambra and goes there to live with her husband. This is a period filled with danger for plantation owners, as slaves are rebelling and rioting throughout Louisiana Territory. Catherine feels the tension immediately with the house slaves. She also has problems with her young sister-in-law and her companion who dabbles in voodoo. Although she is very attracted to her husband, she is guarded with him, afraid to open herself emotionally. She is sure he only married her to save her reputation and she doesn't want to be hurt. Rafe, is also fearful of being hurt. So, the usual misunderstandings which take place when two people are not open with each other about their strong feelings, occur. As a consequence, Catherine gets herself into all kinds of trouble, even risking her own life on a few thrilling, chilling occasions. This is a real swashbuckler that will keep you reading well into the night. ENJOY! JANA

This is one of the first romances I ever read, and its still one of my favorites. Rafe is amazing, the setting is great.