Awakening by Scarlett Valentine

Ysbail of Ellesmere is a pawn in her guardian's war. For decades there has been unrest between the marcher lords and Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd, King of Gwynedd. The most recent war had been the bloodiest she could remember in her eighteen years. Madog ap Maredudd, Prince of Powys, and his allies lost untold numbers of men at the hands of Owain's soldiers. When a settlement of truce is presented to Madog, it's at Ysbail's expense. She is to marry Bedwyr ap Owain, one of King Owain’s bastard sons, and his most notorious henchman. If all the rumors and stories she's heard are true, she knows her marriage will be rife with horror and fear.


Since proving himself worthy with his sword, Bedwyr fights at his king's side. He's shed oceans of blood and sent untold numbers of men to their graves. He's become what his name foretold—the grave-knower. He's afraid of nothing, least of all death. All men fear him, including those who fight at his side, and sometimes even his own king. Terror of him lives within women's hearts; only the bravest of whores accept him into their beds. And children weave their own tales of the monster they hear him to be, embellishing the details to their own gruesome degrees.

When King Owain informs Bedwyr that he's to marry Ysbail of Ellesmere as part of a peace settlement with Madog, Bedwyr is furious. A man such as Bedwyr can only survive on the battlefield. For without love, hatred will send a man like him to the edge of insanity. Then push him over. But when Bedwyr sees Ysbail for the first time, blood-thirst turns to blood-lust, and he vows to show her that she should have no fear of him. (cover blurb courtesy of the author)


This book definitely does not lack heat! Valentine is kicking off her ABC’s of S-E-X series with a hit. I loved how our leading hottie (Bedwyr) warms up his girl and meets his match. My favorite scene has to be our Ysbail owning it and putting the servant girls in their place and when she learns her man is as good in bed as he is in battle.

Valentine has a big win for me here. The book is quick, fun, and hot. I was immediately wrapped in, Valentine definitely starts the book right where you can't think to put it down.  There was not a break for me at all - It was the right amount of story and interest and definitely over the top with the S-E-X.  You can not go wrong with this series – pick up book 1 and you’ll be ready for the winter nights!



Come back tomorrow as we have our very own visit from Ms Valentine here at the blog.