Review: A 4/12 star read that grew to a 5 star read because of one scene...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 8, 2010
As a reader of romance I like a story with believable conflicts, characters I can relate to and a happy every after that makes sense for the conflict. I want to see the H/H grow as they ride the rollercoaster on their journey toward a HEA. All three of these are found in Leigh Morgan's debut romance.Elfin Reed is a feisty heroine who doesn't need a man to define her, nor protect her.  Jordon on his climb to the soaring top of his profession has missed out on the gentleness of a woman at his side and must now be married or lose out on his heart's desire.  This may seem a romance cliché but Ms Morgan has thrown these two determined characters together and the reader gets to watch the fireworks plus some steamy hot intimate scenes. There is nothing cliché about this pair. Then add to this plot a teenager wise beyond his years, Reed's ex-husband who is gay, and her Aunt who is a "mature' free spirit as the reader finds them self in Potters Woods, where we all would love to spend our senior years. An interesting aspect to the story is the underlying use of the dojo that brings together Reed, Jordon defining their inner discipline and their sensei's wisdom that seems to direct them in path they are too stubborn to see.For those readers who love the intimate scenes hot and heavy you will love this book, Ms Morgan turns up the heat but none of it is gratuitous and helps us to understand Reed and Jordon a bit better. For me though, I thought the intimacy happened too early in the relationship and yes they did marry in Vegas while on their first date but that sex was behind closed doors. With Reed regretting what happened so soon on her return home and then to share an intimacy so soon with Jordon out in the open it seemed out of character for her hence the lose of  star. Not a prude but I like to see the relationship develop a bit more especially one with such a strong conflict  before they get hot and heavy and believe me Reed and Jordon get very hot and heavy {wink, wink}.However a strong element of this story is the role of secondary characters and their stories as they intertwine with Jordon and Reed's growing relationship. Nothing shows this more than Jordon and Irma's relationship. I haven't read a more poignant scene in a romance in a long time, so without giving away spoilers, have the tissues ready, this scene alone garners the  star lost earlier, making this a five star read.  Clearly we will be visiting with the folks at Potters Woods in future books from Leigh Morgan but you must read SPARING PARTNERS to anchor yourself in this unique world of love and acceptance.