The Key by Lynsay Sands Series: Deed #2
Published by Leisure Books on January 1st 2003
Genres: Historical Romance, Medieval Era, Scottish Highlands
Pages: 313
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 084394482X
Iliana Wildwood would do anything to escape from the depraved baron who sought her lands - including marrying a barbarian. Fleeing the highlands, Iliana was wedded to Duncan, laird to Dunbar Castle. Certainly, there was something about the virile warrior that made her weak in the knees - but something stank in the state of Scotland, and Iliana would not trust anyone until she'd discovered the source.Determined therefore to resist her handsome husband, Iliana found a way to keep her secrets safe. Employing a belt of chastity, the spirited beauty managed to thwart the thane's advances. But then her husband changed his tactics and began a sensual assault that sent her intentions up in smoke. And as the air cleared, Iliana found it had been her heart she had locked away, and that this stubborn Scot had finally found...
Summary
Iliana is desperate to find a way of escape for herself and her mother from a vile baron who desires her lands for himself. So she agrees to marry a stranger and a Scot. When she first arrives she is shocked to discover the place is a disaster zone, and her future husband stinks like he hasn’t bathed in six months. She wonders if she has made a mistake but knows for her mothers sake she must stay true to the course that she has set, and must marry this man that seems to live in a pigsty and is totally fine with it. However Iliana is determined to turn her home into something livable even at the wrath of her husbands fury. When he wants to consummate their marriage however, she has a trick up her sleeve, because she refuses to make love to someone without him bathing first so she puts on a ‘chastity belt’ with the key hidden from him. Here begins the test of wills between the two which will turn into the battle of true love.
The Hero
Duncan, Laird to Dunbar Castle, has lived a life of freedom and without restraint. Going where he pleased and doing as he pleased. Ever since his mother died when he was young, his father gave him free reign. Now he is 29 years old and feels its time to marry and have children. However what he doesn’t realize is how having a wife will turn his content world upside down into chaos. At first he finds Iliana a proper wife, beautiful, restrained, but then she tries to change everything in his castle and home, and to top it all of refuses to bed him until he bathes….unbelievable……he is surprised to discover how much he is starting to like his new wife despite her stubbornness and refusal to obey his every command. He then comes to the realization that he is falling in love with the woman and would do anything to make her happy……
The Heroine
Iliana, has suffered greatly as well as her mother. After finally managing to escape from her wicked step father in search of way to save her mothers life. She finds one…marry a barbarian of a Scot, then she knows she is in trouble but she also knows she has some tricks up her sleeves to make Duncan compromise with her….only things never go as you plan them. Before she knows it he is confusing her left and right and his kisses tempt her for something more and feels her heart weakening toward him….
My Thoughts
The Key is the second book in the Deed trilogy. I had previously read a historical by Sands but didn’t like it that much, but The Key totally changed my mind about Sands historicals. I just fell in love with this one, even though there were parts of it that would never really happen, but turned out to be humorous and flowed really well with the story. I just loved how creative Iliana is throughout the story, and how blunt Duncan is and at times how much of a hunk he is. I also loved the spark that flies between Duncan and Iliana, there were many moments I was laughing out loud…..a very engaging story, and I have to say as much as I liked Duncan, I was secretly cheering on Iliana’s side. I really loved how even though she is shy and reserved, she has a inner strength to be admired, and is a lot tougher than she looks. Overall a fun and witty read, with a magnifiscent plot that engages the reader, and a love story that will bewitch you….A JEWEL OF A ROMANCE!!!
About Lynsay Sands
LYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author who is known for her hysterical historicals as well as the popular Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series. With her witty and charming personality, Sands describes books as, “Waking dreams or stories, tales to amuse, entertain and distract us from everyday life.” She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there are occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus. Visit her official website at www.lynsaysands.net.
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