Lady of Conquest

She had the fierce spirit of a warrior--and the passionate heart of a woman in love.

He is called Conn of the Hundred Battles, the warrior-king who forged a nation from a land of isolated clans.??As High King of Ireland, he rides with the legendary Fianna, his elite band of warriors.??But a threat to the throne looms from a mysterious scourge who has vanquished several of Conn's bravest warriors.??Conn rides out alone to face a seemingly invincible foe, never expecting that he will confront a grief-maddened hellcat with emerald eyes and hair like liquid flame....

Wielding a sword called Vengeance, Gelina ó Monaghan has sworn to defeat the man she holds responsible for her family's ruin.??She never dreamed she'd be bested by him in combat...and lose her heart in the bargain.??Their forbidden passion will become a private war fought with swords and kisses, promises and betrayal--and surrender will be only the beginning....

The lush hills of ancient Ireland are the background for this epic battle of wills between two kindred spirits. When Conn, king of Ireland, goes to face the creature that has murdered his loyal warriors, he is convinced that his strength will bring him swift vengeance. Imagine his surprise when he finds his worthy adversary is the lovely and young Gelina O'Monaghan.

Gelina has spent years hating Conn and the warriors who destroyed her family's fortunes, but she has no choice but to return to the castle Tara as Conn's ward. Soon, Gelina begins to see a different side of Conn and his fellow men. Though some town folk still suspect her loyalty, Gelina begins to replace the fear and anger in her heart with security and hope. When the tension between Gelina and Conn turns passionate, it's clear that she has found love as well. But when a courtier is murdered and Gelina is the only suspect, Conn must banish her. Unable to refute the accusations, Gelina feels her old hatred rekindling. Irresistibly drawn to her, Conn goes to her, but will they be reunited in love or divided by hatred?

Court life in ancient Ireland makes an interesting setting for this romance; the descriptions are detailed and appealing. Gelina is a refreshingly aggressive and self-sufficient heroine, if not historically credible. Generally, Teresa Medeiros explores the thin line between love and hate with a keen eye, but readers may find the multiple chapters of mutual abuse between these two rather unsavory. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien