Review: Pre Quel to Even More?????
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 21, 2012
4.5****'StarsWhen we receive book submissions from Alexandr Voinov, I look at page one as a reading adventure. I never know what to expect, but I do know I will love the rush. This seems to be a pre-quel to something more, and he has paired this journey with author Kate Cotonor. My rating might not be justified. It is a 4.5****Stars because it does leave the reader wanting, even though there is a beginning a middle and a happy-for-now ending. So, you be the judge if I was harsh in my rating.William Raven is a squire in the English Manor of Lord Robert de Cantilou. A squire is an underling in training to Knighthood. This is William's dream. Our story begins as Sir Robert returns from a five year crusade in the Holy Lands. Five years have passed since Sir Robert's wife died, and rather than take a new bride for his children, he left with five senior knights to see the world, leaving the child raising to Lady Alais and nannys.Upon his arrival, Lord Robert called a meeting of his squires and knights, telling them that they soon would have guests, and a hunt  that would be held by order of the king. They would entertain French nobility from the County of Toulouse. William's mind went racing. If he performed well he might "gain his spurs" to become a knight at last. If he were noticed by the nobles he could win riches and fame.Politics and rumors abound, young Henry was at odds with his father, The King, and the emissaries from Toulouse were at Westminster. The French and the English had border issues. Along with the French, Sir Robert announced one of the guests would be his brother Stephen. Everyone knew there was no love lost between the two. So the scene is set, yes? The staff, the squires, the knights all working hard in preparation for their guests. William is working so hard to perform and be seen by Sir Robert.It is the night before their guests arrive. William, having drunk too much ale, is lying in his bunk listening to another squire who has taken a serving girl to bed. Someone settles behind him, reaching for him. The body behind him is not feminine, and that excites him even more. In the dark he knows not who it is and when he awakens the following morning feels it might have been a dream.After recently reading Scorpion, and its secretive male/male  sexual  encounters which might turn some readers off,  this wonderful relationship is wonderfully open, sexy and sensual. The wooing of William Raven is a great part of the story, but the storyline takes us into intrigue, murder and a cast of good and evil. Brother Stephen in particular is a man you love to hate. With shocking revelations and steamy male sensuality, this book delivers. Kate Cotonor is new to me, but not for long. I will look up her list of books and choose one or two for starters: and Aleksandr you have my vote every time!Review by Gloria LakritzSr Reviewer and Review Chair of the Paranormal Romance GuildAleks has written a snippet short story about our William Raven in Forbidden Love called Deliverance put out by Noble Romance Publishing. It skips a number of years and Aleks has promised me that he will write a sequel from where we leave off in Lion of Kent to Deliverance, to fill in the blanks!