The Unsung Hero

     Pirates and scoundrels and rakes, oh my! Cowboys and Highlanders and Dukes. Let’s not forget spies and corporate raiders, doctors, lawyers and military men. Lawmen and thieves, too. These are the heroes who populate the novels we love. And admittedly, we fall in love with each one as we read their stories.

           

     Why wouldn’t we? Indeed, how can we not? Each and every one has something to offer. Excitement and daring. A chance for redemption or forgiveness. The promise of love, eternal and everlasting.

           

     How many times have you been lost in the pages of a romance and fallen in love with the wounded Duke, the one who, despite it all, falls in love with the heroine, no matter how hard he fights it? Or the Highlander, bound by duty, who falls for the spirited daughter of the rival clan’s laird? Or the lawman, sworn to uphold the law, who can’t help loving the woman who breaks those laws.

           

     Even lonesome cowboys have their code of honor. I admit, I have a certain weakness for cowboys. This weakness dates back to my younger years when I saw my first John Wayne movie, but then again, I have a weakness for debonair spies (James Bond, anyone?) and men in uniform. Oh, and let’s not forget sea captains….I have a weakness for them too, but what about the unsung heroes? The men whose stories aren’t told in the pages of a book? The men who work hard every day and come home, kiss their wives and read bedtime stories to their daughters? Or play catch with their sons? He may not be an Earl. He may not be rich as Midas, but he’s still a hero. At least in my eyes.

           

 So who’s your favorite? And aren’t you glad you don’t have to choose?

As always, happy reading!

Marie

Highlander in Disguise by Julia London

 I wasn’t sure reading a story about a highlander IN DISGUISE would come forth with the picture I have in mind of this hunky, beefy badass type I’m used to, but alas London made me want Grif Lockhart all the same.  Oh yeah, and I did root for Anna Addison, a witty and upstanding woman who knows how to stand tall for her rights.

Grif disguised his name and his powerful machine of a body into a party boy of London for a virtuous reason, which is very manly in itself.  I won’t tell you his reasoning as I’d like to keep you wondering.

Grif does need the help of a young maiden whom he makes a deal with, and she’s quite the deal maker.  After considerable deliberation over the barter, Grif agrees to “teach” Anna how to seduce a man well enough to get her choice interested in marriage.  If Anna is able to do this, she will reveal her secret, which will send Grif home with the conquest of his mission. 

It’s quite obscene to teach a woman flirtatious means when you (as in Grif) decide that the absolutely enticing drills should only be practiced and used on yourself.

Julia London simmers the usual role of a highlander amongst the parties, yet she knows when to show the true colors of the highlander-cunning, sexy, and powerful can never be mistaken in any costume.  Anna is more than just a party girl looking for a man.  She’ll only take him if he takes her as is. 

I just hope Grif realizes Anna will show hers if he shows his-real personalities, of course!

I canna for the life of me see how ye might pass on this scandalously romantic story.

Happy Reading, Dawn