Strongman

Fortitude McLaren is new to the Ten Nations Fair. He has left his time as a mercenary well behind him as well as his tragedies as an adult and in childhood. Growing up within the brutal rules of the Straight Church under the stranglehold of an abusive parent steered him clear of ever having experimented with any but the fairer sex. He has a quiet authority, is looked up to by other men, and he has an empty yawning loneliness inside of him.

A handsome tumbler agile in body, mind and conversation takes immediate notice of the new roustabout. The arm’s length distancing by the latter is worn away by the open friendship Griffid Ringman offers. A yearning for more than standard companionship may not be his norm, but he knows a good thing when he sees it and he definitely wants Fort.

Will Fort let down his defenses or have his walls been breached before he even knew to barricade his heart? Even worse, will fate take away happiness before he can grasp it at all?

This is the third story in the Phoenix Rising series and one is happy to settle into this world again. Readers who have been following these books will enjoy spending considerably more time at the fair than was possible in the past. We are treated to the private day-to-day life of the fair inhabitants.

Much of the charm in Ms Rossetti’s toe-curlingly erotic stories lie with her ability to create characters in which we become emotionally invested. The appeal that both heroes have and the attraction between them are set at a lovely simmer lasting long enough to build in steamy pressure. We get a very good look at exactly what is behind Fort’s reticence and what makes him tick. Griff is not colored as dark in personality and he is a good counterweight with his lighter view of life and openness to love in whatever form has come.

The romance takes a solemn turn when the beautiful, winged, human-like Aetherii need competent men to uncover information on the vile and cruel Hssrda armies. Danger loosens the fetters of perceived societal restrictions like nothing else. It certainly made for a compelling and emotion filled urgency that was credible.

Fort’s journey is not an easy one but he discovers what is truly important to him. STRONGMAN he may be but love can conquer even the strongest.

May 2008