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A gilded cage is still a cage.
From the womb, she was owned. Shula Kelley was signed away before her first breath, just like everyone else in secessionist Texas. She was called beautiful like it meant something important. Like it would get her a kind husband, or one less cruel. She hoped Jared Agnesson was kind.
And the devil you know is still the devil.
As punishment for his son's rebellion, the patriarch of the Agnesson clan claimed Shula for his own. And she saw only one way out. Shula had a plan, but she didn't realize it would require a savior.
Suffer not the sins of the father.
First acts of rebellion open doors that are best left closed. Until Jared walked through it. Her savior. But how can she truly love when she only knows obedience?
He had been told long before he was to take a bride that it was important–imperative–to assert his place on top of her, between spread thighs, claiming relentlessly that which belonged to him. Her opinion forever insignificant.
He had never been told that a thirst so indelible could suffocate every blessed second. That an unsated hunger would leave him unsettled and a little terrified.
That he would need those same thighs to spread for want of him.
It had been several months, but the gift of her was still overwhelming.
“Did your mother ever call you Shulamith,” Jared asked innocently. He had been watching her for a short time as she methodically and efficiently chopped the onions, carrots, and potatoes for their stew. She was more adept with the large knife than even he was. He wasn't quite sure why kitchen work made such a difference. Maybe it didn't, and Shula was just very good with her hands.
He didn't know why he enjoyed watching it.
She gasped as the knife slipped from her grasp and she nicked the tip of her fingertip holding down an onion. He was at her side grasping her hand with muttered apologies. He had meant to shock her with his new found knowledge, but he hadn't meant to hurt her. She pressed her lips together, because she didn't want to complain.
She gasped again when he pressed her finger in his mouth. “I won't tell anyone,” he whispered.
“How did you find out?” She was afraid she might cry. She hated being named for a harem girl. She liked to believe that her mother did it to make a point.
“I didn't really. Your name. Shula. I've never heard it. I looked through some genealogy information online and no one on either your mother or your father's side shared that name. But, everyone had sacred names. First and middle. I saw a smudge by yours.”
“Father. He was ashamed. He tried to change it. But, it was too long–”
“Shh. Not now. Later.” His hands moved to both hips. He gripped tightly, and lifted her easily onto the counter. She sucked in a breath and held onto him tightly. The light in the room was waning, but it was the brightest light he'd ever been so close to her in.
He loved it when she was supplicant under him, trying to hide, trying not to spread her legs wider. He loved that by the end, she's panting in his mouth, with her hands gripping his shoulders tightly. She was his completely, and he never had to ask. She just gave.
He found himself wanting her to want him. Was it fair for him to ask for that when she hadn't a choice previously? He frowned and stepped back a few inches.
She dropped her hands from his shoulders. “Have I done something to...displease you?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it. It took a few moments to speak. “You are my wife.”
She nodded, unsure of his point.
“We didn't get to choose, but I was happy at the wedding, unexpected though it was.” He stepped in close to her again, and her legs spread for him. He pressed both fists on either side of her hips. “You were my punishment, and I think it's the grandest cosmic joke ever.”
REVIEW
This book is a collection of all of the Sins of Lethe about the Agnesson Family set in the future - 2250 - where Texas is a separatist state. John Agnesson has trained his son James to be the next ruler of Agnes Oaks, Texas where instead of forward thinking as you would expect in the future everything has gone back in time here. Women have almost no rights whatsoever and are not even given an education. James having five sons whom all have women betrothed to them is where things get interesting. All forms of sexual gratification are deemed sins therefore any and all pleasure his sons gave or received from their wives were against his direct decree. When James' sons rebel we have the Sins of Lethe -
In the first book Jared and Shula were promised to each other almost from birth and now that Shula is eighteen it is time for her marriage. The only problem is Jared has decided he no longer wants to live under his father's thumb so James - monster that he is decides he will marry Shula himself...
Book two continues on the James/Jared/Shula storyline with James' proclivities finally coming into question too. We also get to meet the son Jude as he struggles with his attractions for a previous lover when he is already promised to marry someone else.
Book three good Lord book three... Jared and Shula are still struggling against dear old dad and James - crazy person that he is has seriously gone to new levels of evil as he terrorizes Jude and his loved ones. This book also brings Josiah the only son that leaves Texas to spread the good word all over the U.S. and his lady love Eve...
Book four plays out with James realizing that his so called disappointment of a son is not so bad after all. Shula and Jared also have some resolution to their issues with Jared showing his unwavering loyalty to his love. While some things come to light in a good way we are also left with plenty of what the heck just happened here moments too, I need a drink after this one...
Book five is a joining of forces to revolt against the evil villain James Agnesson. All the boys are discovering his plans / plots and trying to put a stop to his tyranny but in the land of Agnes Oaks if you are discovered for treason it will get you killed. This book has more twists than a pretzel and of course just when you think you know what will happen everything changes up on you...
Book six is the end of this wild and crazy ride where we find the Agnesson sons in "happy for now" situations and all loose ends tied up. The biggest and most important part is that James Agnesson gets retribution for all his sins. While I truly enjoyed this book it had a bit too much politics in it for a romantic suspense. All the other aspects of the story were truly spectacular especially in terms of this new-to-me author's writing style. I will definitely look for more from this author in the future :)
In the first book Jared and Shula were promised to each other almost from birth and now that Shula is eighteen it is time for her marriage. The only problem is Jared has decided he no longer wants to live under his father's thumb so James - monster that he is decides he will marry Shula himself...
Book two continues on the James/Jared/Shula storyline with James' proclivities finally coming into question too. We also get to meet the son Jude as he struggles with his attractions for a previous lover when he is already promised to marry someone else.
Book three good Lord book three... Jared and Shula are still struggling against dear old dad and James - crazy person that he is has seriously gone to new levels of evil as he terrorizes Jude and his loved ones. This book also brings Josiah the only son that leaves Texas to spread the good word all over the U.S. and his lady love Eve...
Book four plays out with James realizing that his so called disappointment of a son is not so bad after all. Shula and Jared also have some resolution to their issues with Jared showing his unwavering loyalty to his love. While some things come to light in a good way we are also left with plenty of what the heck just happened here moments too, I need a drink after this one...
Book five is a joining of forces to revolt against the evil villain James Agnesson. All the boys are discovering his plans / plots and trying to put a stop to his tyranny but in the land of Agnes Oaks if you are discovered for treason it will get you killed. This book has more twists than a pretzel and of course just when you think you know what will happen everything changes up on you...
Book six is the end of this wild and crazy ride where we find the Agnesson sons in "happy for now" situations and all loose ends tied up. The biggest and most important part is that James Agnesson gets retribution for all his sins. While I truly enjoyed this book it had a bit too much politics in it for a romantic suspense. All the other aspects of the story were truly spectacular especially in terms of this new-to-me author's writing style. I will definitely look for more from this author in the future :)
REVIEWED BY JILL
Arden Aoide lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and three cats. Turn ons include men who cry during sex, long walks on the beach, and talking about herself in the third person. Turn offs include mean people and trying to figure out how to write an interesting author bio.
She doesn't write about the typical men you normally read about in erotic romance novels. She likes her men brainy and just this side of manic.
She's an introvert, she loves coffee, Internet, British television, and pot stickers. And pie. She loves pie.
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