Margo Maguire, The Perfect Seduction

The Perfect Seduction

Margo Maguire

Avon, Sep 2006, $5.99

ISBN: 0060837322

In 1072 Castle Kettwyck, Kathryn de St. Marie hopes to marry for love until Scots led by Lord Ferguson raid the keep and kidnap her. At Braxton Kell on the Borders, Saxon Lord Edric and his soldiers attack Ferguson and his men for cutting through his land. Ferguson's men have already destroyed much of the keep with their raids. At the same time, Edric's Norman wife Cecily is about to give birth though she does not want the child, hates her spouse and his people, and wants to go home.

Edric rescues Kathryn from Ferguson, killing him just before he tried to rape the Norman. Edric takes Kate to his keep. Though he is wary of Norman women, he also finds he wants her. Kate thinks Edric is what she wants in a husband, but he loathes Normans and is married that is until he learns his wife died giving birth to his son Aidan who has no wet-nurse to care for him. Kate ends up with the role as Aidan takes to her holding him and her using an artificial device. Kate says she will stay until he finds a nurse then will continue to nearby Evesham Bridge Abbey as she cannot go home. She hides from him the knowledge that her dad is lord of Kettwyck. As they fall in love treachery threatens both their lives.

The lead couple and most of the support cast are nice likable individuals who bring to life the first decade after the Norman Conquest. The story line is action-packed, but emphasizes the distrust between the Normans, Saxons, and Scots. Though the villain is obvious and his demise too easy, Conqueror romance fans will immensely appreciate Margo Maguire fine historical.

Harriet Klausner