Historical
The Game
By Dottie
May 5, 2008 - 10:44:33 AM

At the age of thirteen, Katherine’s world came apart; Hugh, her fiance, died in battle and Gerald, her father, was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth.  Katherine's stepmother, who despises her, sent her to a convent to live.  She has had no word from her family since the year she entered the convent nor has money been sent to keep her there.  Now, at the age of eighteen, she is eager to leave.  Finally, after two previous denied requests to depart, she finally has gained permission.  On her first morning on the ship taking her home, Katherine awakens to cannon fire.  The ship is boarded and a pirate known as the Master of the Seas takes Katherine and her friend Julie hostage.

Liam O’Neill, aka the Master of the Seas, was taken from his mother at age ten by Shane O’Neill, his savage Irish warlord father.  Liam was conceived when his father raped his mother.  With his father he has endured beatings and learned to accept them quietly while seething inside.  Now his father is dead, and Liam is a pirate with his own men.  He is also a favorite of the queen, who remembers a quiet, lonely little boy.  This powerful golden pirate is not like his father in many ways.  He wields his power justly – without the need to be cruel to women and those weaker than him.  Nevertheless, when he sees Katherine, he is fascinated with her.  When she wishes to see her father, Liam breaks the news to her that Gerald, charged with treason, is still imprisoned.  Although Katherine desperately wants to go home, Liam has decided she is his booty.  He will protect her since there is no one else.

During their travels, the queen’s men capture Katherine and Liam, accusing them of joining her father in treason.  Queen Elizabeth, seeking proof of their guilt, decides to release them and have them followed.  She orders Liam to see Katherine safely to Hugh who, Katherine discovers, survived the battle after all.  Although Liam follows the queen’s orders, he is determined that Katherine will never wed Hugh.  This feisty beauty belongs to him.  Why has Hugh never sent for her in all this time?  How will Liam keep them apart especially as they seem to be so happy to be reunited?  Are Liam and Katherine still in danger from the queen?  Now that Liam has given Katherine a taste of the desires between a man and a woman, will she be able to turn her back on him?

THE GAME is a very entertaining, romantic novel.  Traveling through England and Ireland, while enduring danger both on and off the high seas, Liam plays a very dangerous game trying to win his lady love even as he presses on with his own covert causes.  The steamy, sensual romance, intrigue-filled plot and charismatic characters will make THE GAME a favorite for readers of many genres.