Tuesday 15 October 2013

In The Flesh - Sylvia Day



Synopsis

An Infamous Beauty. A Daring Warrior. . .
For five years, Sapphire has been the king of Sari's most treasured concubine. Independent at last, she refuses to put herself in anyone's control again. But now another's meddling has led her into the path of proud, arrogant Wulfric, Crown Prince of the rival kingdom of D'Ashier. . .a man who is dangerous to her in every way. 

And A Seduction That Could Destroy Them Both
 
The daughter of Wulfric's fiercest opponent, Sapphire is a prized warrior in her own right and highly skilled in the sensual arts--in short, Wulfric's perfect match. A lasting union is unthinkable, but the bargain they strike--to spend one night together, and then part--proves impossible in the face of a desire powerful enough to bring two countries to the brink of war, and two hearts to the point of surrender. . .

Review - Copy received from publisher via NetGalley for honest review

For the past 5 years, Katie, AKA Sapphire, has been the king of Sari's favourite concubine, to the exclusion of all his other concubines - and his Queen.

Jealous of the king's love for her, the Queen arranges for Sapphire's retirement, with benefits that no woman could deny.  She has her own palace, will never want for anything - and 14 men for her every pleasure.

The Queen also organises another surprise.

While out on patrol with his troops, Wulfric, Prince of D'Ashier is taken hostage in an ambush.  And through the Queen's devices, he ends up near death as one of Sapphire's men.

From the moment their eyes met, sparks flew.  The sexual tension could be cut with a knife.  And this is before either of them knew who the other person was.

They are quite the star-crossed lovers in this book, Katie/Sapphire being the mistress of Wulf's greatest enemy.  And it does not help that she is the daughter of Sari's biggest hero and heralded General.
Yet she goes with her gut instincts (which never fail her) and protects him from those who would ransom him in the least, and at worst, kill him.

I love Katie/Sapphire.  She is strong, wilful and will take no crap from anybody, no matter who they are.  After years of being a "kept" woman , the last thing she wants to do is be the same with Wulf.  Oh, and she is a kick-ass warrior who will beat the hell out of anyone who threatens her, and maybe even kill to protect those she loves.

Wulf is completely obsessed with Katie - seriously, she has every world leader falling at her feet.  Must be some super-strong pheremones she is throwing out there!!

He goes against his family's and his country's wishes when he bring Katie back to D'Ashier.  His father, the King, poisons those around him with how she is a spy, how she is no good for Wulf.  Those closest around Wulf can see the difference in him and adore Katie.

I don't see that as much.  As much as he says he has changed and loves her - which I don't doubt he does - it still feels a bit more like she's an obsession of his.  But I am sure that will change as their stories progress.

In The Flesh has a kind of futuristic yet ancient feel about it - a bit like Star Trek meets the Arabian Knights (when you read it you will get what I mean)

The sex scenes are hot - there is seduction, sweet love making, and then rutting like animals in heat lol.  And anyone who has read any of Sylvia's work knows what they are in for with with the sexy-sex!

Will Wulf and Katie get their HEA?  Will their love cause an international incident and lead their families and countries to war?

For that you are going to have to read it!