OK, so the plot is a wee bit contrived, the hero is an arrogant jerk for much of the book, and all the horse-riding double entendres did make me giggle at times. Even so, this is an entertaining fantasy, the second in the "House of Karedes" contemporary series. The books alternate between two feuding families ruling two separate (fictional)islands on the edge of Europe - the Karedes of the vaguely Greek-like Aristo and the al-Farisis of the vaguely Middle Eastern-like Calista; this one is a Calista book. The underlying plot has something to do with a missing precious royal diamond and the houses being reunited by purity and passion, or something like that (hey, I'm just quoting the advertising blurb). But the real attractions are the outrageously handsome, filthy rich heroes who have a core of decency and eventually do the right thing, heroines who are not goody-two-shoes virgins, beautifully exotic settings, and steamy, very steamy, very, very ... well, you know.

And really, what more could one ask for in a bit of escape reading?

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