Dark Desires of the Druids IV: Temptations and Treachry

The final in my Druids series. Though I'm never opposed to adding more to the verse, the arc I set for myself is finished. If I did another story centered around this time and place, it wouldn't have much (if anything) to do with my core characters. I won't rule out to a story set in contemporary times, however. *G*

The story arc was 3 books, this one was added because, well...I wanted Isadore to have a story. Poor woman deserved a happy ending of her own! She deserved love and passion and adventure. James Blackthorne is perfect for her. He's sexy, moritvated, and needs her, which is what Isadore wants to be-needed.

Temptations & Treachery: Philadelphia June, 1884

Lady Isadore Harrington is a well-bred English lady. She's traveled the world in search of magickal artifacts to help her people and has seen the best and worst of humanity. But she's never taken time for herself-never done just for herself. Going to Philadelphia as the magicker emissary between England and the Americas, she intends to rectify that.

Then she meets James Blackthorne. Tall, handsome, witty, commanding, he brings out feelings in her she's always wanted to experience but never has. He makes her want him, makes her forget all else but him. Virginal, but far from naïve, Isadore is tempted to experience everything James has to offer. Cautious by nature, she offers her body to him and discovers all her sexual desires fulfilled.

But the magicker world is far from safe, and Isadore is threatened from many who are jealous and distrustful. Temptations abound, but treachery is never far behind.

With a last look at the door, and fighting the urge to race after the man, James moved next to Lady Isadore.

“Are you all right?” He leaned against the archway, the room spinning around him.

Takoda entered with a light. Jacobs, the butler, looking disheveled, moved behind him already lighting the downstairs rooms.

“I have to admit,” she said moving closer to James. Her hair tumbled down her back, her eyes were grey-blue again as they gazed steadily at him. “I hadn’t expected this kind of welcome.”

Offering a weary smile, James’ hand touched the back of his head, but no blood coated his fingers. Looking concerned at his movement, Isadore circled him and moved her gentle fingers onto the back of his head.

“Were you injured?” she asked, exploring his scalp. “What happened upstairs?”

“Just a bump,” he said. And winced as she tilted his head forward, causing the room to swim again. “I caught him snooping upstairs, for what I don’t know.”

The companion—what was her name—said something to Lady Isadore, who answered in the same language. James had never heard it before, but then her
fingers massaged his scalp and he forgot about it.

“Morgana’s been out of residence over a year,” he said as her fingers moved over his neck.

“Yes,” she laughed, her breath soft on his skin.

Taking her fingers in his hand, he half turned and smiled. He leaned down to help the other woman stand. Takoda appeared, then, with a cloth wrapped around ice. James started to reach for it, but he handed it to the companion instead.

Snorting in amusement, he looked around the area. Smashed bit of pottery and ceramics, broken slabs of furniture; Takoda stood to one side, the companion next to him.

“Not the welcome I expected to give you,” he offered. Her hand was soft in his and James rubbed a thumb over bare knuckles. “I can’t let you stay here. Not tonight at least. It’s probably best for you to stay in my house this evening.”

5 Cherries from Whipped Cream Reviews:
Excerpt: In this fourth book in the Druids series, Isabel Roman takes us back to Philadelphia of the late 1800’s. The characters are superb and complex. Isadore is a strong woman, much like all of the heroines in Ms. Roman’s Druid books. But unlike the others, Isadore is an innocent.

4 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs:
Excerpt: Isabel Roman has done a wonderful job of telling of the treachery by the characters that felt they needed the control. There is a joint effort of the council to staunch the problems that arose so they could try to live peacefully. I am hopeful that this is not the last in this series, and I am looking forward to the other books written by this author.

4 Cups of Coffee from Coffee Time Romance:
Excerpt: Passion, jealousy, greed, power and many more corruptible feelings are all present in this story. The bottom line of the story is that ultimate power corrupts and the author explored the idea that maybe no one person should hold the knowledge of such power. The storyline moves very well and drew me into the plot right away. Worth reading for someone who loves the mythical world of magic.