If I Had You (de Piaget Family)

Sensuality: 6

Beautiful Anne of Fenwyck has loved her foster brother, Robin de Piaget, since they were children. Now Robin has become a fierce knight and Anne's father is bent on marrying her off. Robin hasn't been home to his family's seaside keep, Artane, for five long years, but when he learns that Anne's father is husband-hunting, he returns immediately. Although Robin, too, has loved only Anne since they were children, he is a warrior unskilled in wooing and his awkward attempts to lure the lady he loves are too often misadventures. Fortunately for the course of true love (although often painful for Robin), our hero has a charming brother and a strong-willed grandmother who are more than willing to lend a matchmaking hand.

As if Robin didn't have enough on his battle-scarred hands with trying to win his lady, there is evil mischief afoot in the castle. Jealousy and greed have festered long and strong in the hearts of three of Artane's residents and the return of Anne and Robin sets in motion a chain of events that threatens their lives. Now Robin must find a way to keep Anne and his siblings alive while he discovers the identity of the assassins that stalk them.

In this tale of medieval wooing and mystery, Kurland has created an endearingly gruff and impossible hero balanced by a warm and vulnerable heroine. There is an often hilarious humor to the scenes of sibling rivalry and the secondary cast of characters is so interesting that one can easily imagine a series of books featuring the members of the de Piaget clan. In If I Had You Kurland has written another sure-fire hit that will delight her readers. --Lois Faye Dyer