Lord of Desire    by Paula Quinn Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2005 (2005) Paperback Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Marie Hashima Lofton This historical romance takes place right before the Battle of Hastings during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Lord Richard Dumont has just lost his home to Norman warrior, Lord Brand Risande, and part of the deal is that Richard's daughter Lady Brynnafar (Brynna) is to wed Brand, whether she wants to or not. To Brynna's shock, Brand is the man that she spied upon years before in a secluded lagoon, as he swam with his lover. She has fantasized about him ever since. Little did she know then that one day she would end up being his wife. While the romantic aspect of this book didn't completely hold my attention, the historical background impressed me. The story is set during events leading up to the famous battle that decided the Norman conquest of then Saxon England. Brynna and her father are Saxons, while Brand and his people are Normans. Though the dialogue in the book did not reflect old English, there was enough French to represent the Norman influence, making clear to the reader that the Saxons were the conquered people and the Normans the invaders. Duke William of Normandy was described as being exceptionally large and a powerful warrior. He often made references to Hastings, so that the reader anticipates this famous battle. Obviously, the historic story line plays second fiddle to the romance, which centers on two people brought together against their will, coming from different cultures as Saxons and the Normans fight over England. Those who appreciate historical romances with true-to-life characters will enjoy Lord of Desire, and can anticipate the next in the series, Lord of Temptation. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews