Publisher: Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 9781419918629
Release Date: September 19, 2008
1847 Ireland was a place of hardship and devastation, and Bess and her father wouldn't have been able to escape without Colm Devaney. But Bess' feelings for Colm go well beyond gratitude. Now they find themselves together in an immigrant neighborhood in New York City, sharing a cramped shack. And Bess wants to get even closer.
Three things aid Colm's survival—a small bit of savings, his ready fists and his desperate desire to have Bess... in every way possible. Every night he spends in their close quarters, trying to force himself not to peek at her luscious body as she bathes, is pure torture. The few stolen minutes of passion they finally share are heavenly, but leave them both fraught for more. More determined than ever to win Bess and take her far from their dirty, dangerous life, Colm sets his eye on another prize—an exquisite sapphire that goes to the winner of the fiercest prizefight in Five Points.
Her heart slammed in her chest, then raced. Colm hammered his fists into the side of one of the hanging cattle. It was the first time she'd seen him without a shirt.
The muscles on his back and in his arms flexed and moved beneath taut skin. A sheen of sweat coated him. He was glorious. She ached to run her hands over him. Her body heated. What would it be like to have his skin pressing against hers?
"Good, Colm. Just keep your other hand up more. Protect that daft brain of yours," Rory coached.
"Go on." Finn nudged her.
She shouldn't be looking, but how could she not?
Finn cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, we have a guest!" He took the crock and plates from her.
Colm stopped swinging and stilled the swaying meat. "Bess?" He dunked his hands in the bucket of water next to him. Quickly, he washed his hands before he grabbed up his shirt. "Finn, what are you doing bringing her here?"
She watched as the muscles of his abdomen clenched. His chest rippled while he yanked the shirt on and pulled up his suspenders.
"I didn't," Finn defended himself.
Her eyes traveled over Colm, taking in the sparse dark hair on his chest and the small path of it that traveled from his navel to disappear into his trousers. Her passage clenched. Her desire flared when she caught sight of the bulge within them.
"You came here alone?" Colm's voice rose.
His tone gave her the strength to look away. She cleared her throat and put her hands on her hips. "I wasna alone. I wanted te bring ye supper so I followed him. He would've heard me if I had needed help."
Winning Bess is a gritty slice of American history. This erotic romance isn't set in some neat and tidy Regency ballroom but in an 1847 New York City slum. The writing is wonderfully descriptive. I was so sucked into the story I lifted my feet off the floor as I read so the rats couldn't touch them. I have never done that before. The dialogue is curt and harsh, the sex scenes hot and the romance surprisingly sweet. Winning Bess is a winning read.
Highly romantic with a few unexpected twists, Marissa Alwin's Winning Bess will satisfy our desire for excellent romance. [...] Guaranteed to leave a smile on your face, Winning Bess is a delight to read and enjoy. Marissa Alvin has penned a winner, which will stay in our hearts long after the last page has been read.
Marissa Alwin has built an excellent story of situations experienced by many after they were driven out of Ireland to settle in the USA. [...] Ms. Alwin has done a great job with the storyline, characters, setting, dialogue and eroticism. All of it together makes this a great story to read.
This 19th Century historical hit the spot with action, romance and plenty of hot loving. […] The relationship that develops between Bess and Colm was believable and very natural. The progression of the connection made sense, even as their relationship develops a chemistry that is more sexual. The sex scenes are hot yet still realistic, as they explore each other tenderly yet passionately. […] Overall, Winning Bess hit the spot for me.
5 Angels and a Recommended Read from Kimber,