Margaret Mallory started out as a Midwest girl. Except for two years in Africa, she grew up in small towns in northern Michigan, where her dad was a county extension agent. After college and law school, she headed to Washington, DC to save the world. When that failed, she packed up and moved to the Pacific Northwest for no reason except that it was beautiful and far from her last jobs and boyfriends. She admits to having a vague notion of finding herself a park ranger with a dog. The man she met was not a park ranger, but he was willing to get the dog. Marriage and children soon followed.
Margaret spent many rewarding-but rather wearing-years in jobs devoted to improving services for abused children and care for the elderly. Not long ago, she surprised (shocked?) her friends and family by abandoning her legal career-and steady job-to write novels. She is thrilled to spend her days writing stories of love and adventure, instead of going to endless meetings. After all, she has always loved romantic tales, heroic deeds, and happy endings. And, at long last, she can satisfy her passion for justice by punishing the bad and rewarding the worthy-in the pages of her novels.
With her two children off to college, Margaret spends most of her time working on the next books in her medieval romance series, All the King's Men. KNIGHT OF DESIRE is her first novel, so she would dearly love to hear from readers. Readers can contact her through her website: www.MargaretMallory.com.
The second book in the series, KNIGHT OF PLEAURE, will be out December 2009.
www.MargaretMallory.com
KNIGHT OF DESIRE - 1st Book in All the King’s Men Series
Release date: July 2009
FEARLESS IN BATTLE
His surcoat still bloody from battle, William FitzAlan comes to claim the strategic borderlands granted to him by the king. One last prize awaits him at the castle gates: the lovely Lady Catherine Rayburn.
TENDER IN BED
Catherine risked everything to spy for the crown. Her reward? Her lands are declared forfeit and she is given this choice: marry FitzAlan or be taken to the Tower. Catherine agrees to give her handsome new husband her body, but she's keeping secrets and dares not give him her heart. As passion ignites and danger closes in, Catherine and William must learn to trust in each other to save their marriage, their land, and their very lives.
Excerpt:
Catherine. Catherine was in his bed.
In three heartbeats, William went from dumbstruck to breathless. She was stunning, with her fair hair spilling over his pillow like a river of moonbeams.
"You have come to me," he said, not quite believing it.
She clutched the bedclothes to her chin and nodded.
Now that she was here, he could show her she had nothing to fear in his bed. He undressed quickly, dropping his clothes on the floor and lifted the bedcovers. Ignoring her sharp intake of breath, he slid in beside her.
"Turn toward me, I want to look into your face."
He held her eyes as he ran his hand up her side to the tantalizing swell of her breast. Gritting his teeth, he reminded himself to go slow. He moved his hand back to her waist, then over the curve of her hip and down her thigh.
He was tight as a bowstring. In a daze of desire, he kissed her face, her hair, her neck. Against her ear, he murmured, "I have dreamed of this."
Praise for KNIGHT OF DESIRE:
4 Stars! - Romantic Times BOOKreview
"Set during the Welsh rebellion against the English, Mallory's debut is impressive. She breathes life into major historical characters.in a dramatic romance."
"An impressive debut . . . Margaret Mallory is a star in the making."
-Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author of At Last Comes Love
"A wonderful new voice in the tradition of Gellis and Woodiwiss."
-Bertrice Small, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen
"A fast-paced tale of romance and intrigue that will sweep you along and have you rooting for William and his fair Catherine to fight their way to love at last."
-Candace Camp, New York Times bestselling author of The Courtship Dance
"Few writers share Margaret Mallory's talent for bringing history to vivid, pulsing life."
-Virginia Henley, New York Times bestselling author
"A lavish historical romance, evocative and emotionally rich. KNIGHT OF DESIRE will transport you."
-Sophie Jordan, USA Today bestselling author of Sins of a Wicked Duke
"KNIGHT OF DESIRE is akin to stepping into another century;
Mallory has a grasp of history reminiscent of reading the great Roberta Gellis."
-Jackie Ivie, author of A Knight Well Spent
"Stunning! Margaret Mallory writes with a freshness that dazzles."
-Gerri Russell, author of Warrior's Lady
"Medieval romance has a refreshing new voice in Margaret Mallory!"
-Paula Quinn, author of A Highlander Never Surrenders
"Mallory spins a masterful tale, blending history and passion into a sensuous delight."
-Sue-Ellen Welfonder, USA Today bestselling author of Seducing a Scottish Bride
"Margaret Mallory writes with intense passion and beautiful, believable emotion."
-Lucy Monroe, bestselling author of Annabelle's Courtship
Release date: December 2009
THE GREATEST PASSION
Lady Isobel Hume is an expert swordswoman who knows how to choose her battles. When the king asks her to wed a French nobleman to form a political alliance, she agrees. But that's before the devilishly charming Sir Stephen Carleton captures her heart-and tempts her to betray her betrothed, her king, and her country.
IS WORTH THE GREATEST PERIL
Sir Stephen Carleton enjoys his many female admirers-until he dedicates himself to winning the lovely Isobel. When a threat against the king leads Isobel into mortal danger, Stephen must prove that he is more than a knight of pleasure ... and that love can conquer all.
Excerpt:
"Do you want to learn how to protect yourself?" Stephen asked.
Green eyes sparking with fire, Isobel raised her sword and said, "Teach me."
"You should carry a short blade as well," he instructed as he fended off her attack.
"Why? You think you can knock my sword from my hand?"
"I can. But I will not have to. You will drop it."
He forced her to step back, and back, and back again. She threw her hands up, sending the sword clattering against the wall as she tumbled backward.
"I'm afraid you have the advantage of me," she said, reaching her hand up for him. He took it and sank to his knees beside her.
"Not true, Isobel," he said in a harsh whisper. "'Tis I who am at your mercy."
His eyes fixed on her lips, full and parted. The moment their lips touched, fire seared through him. She was kissing him back, mouth open. Slowly, he lowered his body ...
He froze the instant he felt the prick of cold steel against his neck.
"You are right," Isobel said so close to Stephen's ear that he could feel her breath, "'tis wise to carry a short blade."
KNIGHT OF DESIRE
(All the King's Men, Book 1)
Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 978-0-446-55339-1
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