by Lisa Jackson
A cool breeze greeted her and lifted her hair.
The trees sighed.
The gods and goddesses were watching.
And somewhere Isa was hiding in the clouds, guiding her on her newfound and secret quest.
Bryanna leaned forward. She sensed that her life was changing. Without knowing what was in store for her, she dug her knees into her horse’s sleek sides. The jennet responded, her legs stretching, then bunching. Bryanna let out the reins and felt the rush of air as it tangled her hair and caused tears to streak from her eyes. “Run, Alabaster!” she encouraged, leaving Calon far behind. “Run like the wind!”
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Temptress.
I had a great time writing the novel, let me tell you. I love turning back the centuries to another time, another place, another perspective. This time was special for me because I was able to blend my love of sharp-edged suspense with romance and backdrop the story with the intrigue and mystique of medieval Wales.
Ever since I’d finished writing Impostress, where the character of Morwenna was introduced, I just knew she had to have her own story. She was just such a likable, take-charge kind of woman, one who knew her own mind but had one fatal flaw: her love for Carrick of Wybren, who also was mentioned in Impostress. I knew Carrick had to show up in Temptress so that Morwenna could face her past: her dreams, her mistakes, and her disappointments. And of course, I had to have a villain whose chilling obsession with Morwenna was second only to his thirst for blood and revenge. So the Redeemer crept onto the pages and the suspense really took off.
At least for me. While writing the book, I was lost in this darkly romantic world I’d created. Though I hadn’t planned it, I again fell in love with several new characters, especially Bryanna, Morwenna’s younger, self-involved sister, who, during the course of Temptress not only grew up but discovered that she’d been endowed with a special gift: the ability to see into the future. She wasn’t sure she wanted this keen sense of what we’d now call ESP, but we left her about to face the rest of her life as well as the curse of her special “gift.” Wouldn’t it be great if Bryanna were to show up in a future book? And just possibly run into Carrick again? Let me know what you think by writing to me through my Web site. Tell me if you agree.
To celebrate the publication of Temptress, I’ve created some special pages on my Web site, www.lisajackson.com, and www.thedarkfortress.com, which is a site dedicated to Temptress and my other medieval novels. While you’re there poking around, why not enter a contest, take a poll, or e-mail me to tell me what you think of my historical novels. And please e-mail me to let me know how you liked the blend of romance, suspense, and historical fiction in Temptress.
Keep reading!
Lisa Jackson