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Summary: Passionate historical romance
Review: During the 1750's, he lingered in a French prison for four years until his father decided to ransom him, but now his younger brother is also captured. Now, several years later, Ashton Merrick remains obsessed with obtaining his brother's freedom, using his ability to successfully gamble to earn the needed money. However, an opportunity to expedite the process appears when his sire demands Ash escort the man's ward Rhiannon Russell to him in exchange for paying for the release of his sibling. Though he loathes Lord Carr, he agrees to do the man's bidding. When he meets Rhiannon, he finds himself attracted to her beauty and intelligence. He begins to worry that his father plans to make Rhiannon his fourth bride. The first three inexplicably died. As he falls in love with his charge, Ash has a dilemma of freeing his brother at the cost of sacrificing his beloved. MCCLAIREN'S ISLE: THE PASSIONATE ONE is a superb historical romance that will thrill readers as the complex Ash deals with a losing situation. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action. However, the plot truly centers on the relationship between the enigmatic Ash and the woman who pulls him out of the darkness. Once again, Connie Brockway writes a winner. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: RICH AND REWARDING
Review: A wonderful start to what promises to be a genre- stretching series. The Merrick family is multi-dimensional, fascinating and quirky.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Story
Review: After not being thrilled with All Through The Night, my first Brockway story, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline was interesting, the h\h chemistry was wonderful, the writing superb. Ach, a couple scenes took my breath away. I can't imagine anyone, who likes a good historical romance, not enjoying this story.
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Summary: A brief review of The Passionate One
Review: As a diehard Connie Brockway fan I was more than a little disappointed with this latest effort. As usual her hero Ash was suitably tortured and smouldery however our heroine Rhiannon seemed rather lacklustre compared to other Brockway heroines eg Desdemona in As You Desire. There seemed little of the soul wrenching connection I associate with her love stories. In a way this novel came across as much more formulaic with less thought to the rounding out of her characters especially in Rhiannons case. Here's hoping she is saving herself for the next in the trilogy The Reckless One.
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Summary: Dark and Dangerous Trip to McClairen's Isle
Review: Ash Merrick is a strong and tormented hero. Rhiannon is a heroine who fights for herself. When the two meet, it's instant combustion! This book went on my keeper shelf; with it's outstanding leads, wonderful locales, one can only look forward to the next two books. Definitely for the reader that likes a deep and thoughtful read.
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Summary: The Best of the McClairen Trilogy!
Review: Ash Merrick is one of the best tortured heroes ever created! He's lived his entire life under the power of his cruel, murderous father, Lord Carr. He witnessed his mother's death at Carr's hand, was forced to take part in a bloody vendetta that was not his own, and then languished in prison for two years while his father lived a life of luxury off of his dead wife's riches. Ash leaves prison a scarred man, outwardly and inwardly. There, the basest, ugliest part of him was unleashed, and he began to truly loathe what he had become. What drives him now is his desire, at any cost, to free his younger brother from his own cell. Far from the typical "rake," Ash denies himself any pleasure or vanity, not only because of his singleminded quest to save his brother, but also one senses that he finds himself utterly unworthy and incapable of happiness. It simply doesn't enter his mind. Ash is sent to England to fetch his father's ward whom he has never met. He knows not why Carr has shown a sudden interest in the girl, nor does he care...until he meets the lovely, innocent and spirited Rhiannon. Ash, cynical, world-weary, and jaded, is bemused by Rhiannon's determination to believe him a charming gentleman as she draws out the soft, hidden part of him and binds him to her with a love he'd thought himself incapable of, and one so powerful that he feels he must protect her from it. The attraction becomes undeniable, but Rhiannon is about to marry another. Ash, as her ward's representative, has been invited to stay in the charming community of Fair Badden until the happy nuptials. Unable to resist, he accepts, and flames ignite between he and Rhiannon. Ash comes to the determination that he must leave...until he realizes Rhiannon's life is in danger. Wonderful, rich storytelling with a very sexy, well-drawn hero, a likable, charming heroine, and an intriguing plot. The romantic scenes are exceptional - equal parts tender and erotic. Ms. Brockway is a true talent.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the McClairen Trilogy!
Review: Ash Merrick is one of the best tortured heroes ever created! He's lived his entire life under the power of his cruel, murderous father, Lord Carr. He witnessed his mother's death at Carr's hand, was forced to take part in a bloody vendetta that was not his own, and then languished in prison for two years while his father lived a life of luxury off of his dead wife's riches. Ash leaves prison a scarred man, outwardly and inwardly. There, the basest, ugliest part of him was unleashed, and he began to truly loathe what he had become. What drives him now is his desire, at any cost, to free his younger brother from his own cell. Far from the typical "rake," Ash denies himself any pleasure or vanity, not only because of his singleminded quest to save his brother, but also one senses that he finds himself utterly unworthy and incapable of happiness. It simply doesn't enter his mind. Ash is sent to England to fetch his father's ward whom he has never met. He knows not why Carr has shown a sudden interest in the girl, nor does he care...until he meets the lovely, innocent and spirited Rhiannon. Ash, cynical, world-weary, and jaded, is bemused by Rhiannon's determination to believe him a charming gentleman as she draws out the soft, hidden part of him and binds him to her with a love he'd thought himself incapable of, and one so powerful that he feels he must protect her from it. The attraction becomes undeniable, but Rhiannon is about to marry another. Ash, as her ward's representative, has been invited to stay in the charming community of Fair Badden until the happy nuptials. Unable to resist, he accepts, and flames ignite between he and Rhiannon. Ash comes to the determination that he must leave...until he realizes Rhiannon's life is in danger. Wonderful, rich storytelling with a very sexy, well-drawn hero, a likable, charming heroine, and an intriguing plot. The romantic scenes are exceptional - equal parts tender and erotic. Ms. Brockway is a true talent.
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Summary: Gothic and Grand!
Review: Ash, the original tormented hero, is sent by his murdering father to escort his father's ward to Scotland. He doesn't want to becasue he knows he may be delivering the girl's death sentence but if he doesn't his father won't ransom Ash's younger brother who is rotting away in a French prison. Choices, choices! They become even harder when Ash falls in love with the still-waters-run-deep Rhianon. A big, wonderful spooky read. Can't wait for the others!
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Summary: The BEST of Connie Brockway!
Review: Ashton reminds me a lot of the type of romantic figure. He is very mysterious, brooding, good looking, and very wonderful. Of course, he drinks in his anger and can act his rage. But like I said, he is just a romantic figure and people like him do not exist in life, I am afraid. He' s the guy who gets the control, and the women is the victim kind of fantasy. He's very seductive and occasionally has his gentle moments. The lady Rhiannon is not a fragile virgin-victim not a virgin-whore. She's an excellent ecample of good self-esteem and sexual weakness. And yes, she can act real too. This is one of the few excellent romance novels that maintains very good sexual tension. It's very good but it's never in bad taste or cringe-worthy. You might even say beautiful.
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Summary: Enjoyed it tremendously; clever, passionate and intense.
Review: Brockway as ususal lives up to her reputation as a writer who knows what her readers want; books with involved characters, intense passion boardering on obsession, heart ache and redemption. I devor anything she writes, and I can't wait for "Fia, the Ravishing One". Bravo, Ms. Brockway!
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