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Lords and Ladies #1
Lord of Fire
Jarvia watches silently as the magnificent Highland chieftain gallops into her village. The silver-tressed Norse beauty has heard the whispered rumors about the one they call Malcolm Duncan --- how his first bride took her own life rather than submit to his barbaric needs. And now the enigmatic Scotsman seeks a Nordic wife --- to unite two warring peoples and bring peace to a troubled land.
Forced by necessity to marry, Jarvia reluctantly agrees to share her handsome enemy's bed . . . while vowing never to surrender her love. But Malcolm is a warrior accustomed to victory. And he is determined to release the raging fires beneath the frost --- to conquer not only his proud lovely's body . . . but her yearning, defiant heart as well.
Forced by necessity to marry, Jarvia reluctantly agrees to share her handsome enemy's bed . . . while vowing never to surrender her love. But Malcolm is a warrior accustomed to victory. And he is determined to release the raging fires beneath the frost --- to conquer not only his proud lovely's body . . . but her yearning, defiant heart as well.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
1 person is currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Emma Merritt
25 books29 followersPseudonyms: Emma Bennett, Micah Leigh
Emma F. Merritt was born on 12 November 1940 in Texas, USA. She resided with her husband, Paul, in San Antonio, where she wrote long letters to her twin sons, who both served in the Marine Corps. Her romances were published since 1983, she signed her novels as Emma Merritt and under the pseudonyms Emma Bennett and Micah Leigh. She was the first president of the San Antonio Romance Authors. She was widely known in the romance community as a tireless volunteer and mentor.
Emma Merritt passed away on 18 October 1995. Since then, the Romance Writers of America have honored the memory of Merritt by naming their National Service Award after her. The Virginia Romance Writers have also named a scholarship after Emma Merritt, and the San Antonio Romance Authors have named their conference and contest after her: the Merritt Conference and the Award of Merritt.
Emma F. Merritt was born on 12 November 1940 in Texas, USA. She resided with her husband, Paul, in San Antonio, where she wrote long letters to her twin sons, who both served in the Marine Corps. Her romances were published since 1983, she signed her novels as Emma Merritt and under the pseudonyms Emma Bennett and Micah Leigh. She was the first president of the San Antonio Romance Authors. She was widely known in the romance community as a tireless volunteer and mentor.
Emma Merritt passed away on 18 October 1995. Since then, the Romance Writers of America have honored the memory of Merritt by naming their National Service Award after her. The Virginia Romance Writers have also named a scholarship after Emma Merritt, and the San Antonio Romance Authors have named their conference and contest after her: the Merritt Conference and the Award of Merritt.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 9, 2024
Read:5/1/24
2.7 stars
An okay read!
Malcolm arrives at Southerlands, looking for another bride for his treaty with the vikings. The king has no more blood relatives, so he "adopts" Jarvis as his daughter to fulfill their pact. Jarvis, though attractive to Malcolm, is already engaged to a Viking. Malcolm wants her so much that he pays her betrothed off and then marries her.
Malcolm has a traitor in his midst. Someone who wants his peace treaty to fall apart. He doesn't have time to fall in love. That won't stop him from succumbing to his new bride.
So, who is the traitor besides his sister? Who stopped Jarvis's ex from receiving his payment?
The first half was slow and a little boring. It wasn't until they were married and at his home before the plot picked up. I also hate when Hs let the villain get away with causing problems instead of just taking action to stop it. I guess this book would have been too short
I think book 2 was a better read! Still, I'm glad I got a chance to read this story.
A special thanks to Lori for sending me this book!! ❤️ I
2.7 stars
An okay read!
Malcolm arrives at Southerlands, looking for another bride for his treaty with the vikings. The king has no more blood relatives, so he "adopts" Jarvis as his daughter to fulfill their pact. Jarvis, though attractive to Malcolm, is already engaged to a Viking. Malcolm wants her so much that he pays her betrothed off and then marries her.
Malcolm has a traitor in his midst. Someone who wants his peace treaty to fall apart. He doesn't have time to fall in love. That won't stop him from succumbing to his new bride.
So, who is the traitor besides his sister? Who stopped Jarvis's ex from receiving his payment?
The first half was slow and a little boring. It wasn't until they were married and at his home before the plot picked up. I also hate when Hs let the villain get away with causing problems instead of just taking action to stop it. I guess this book would have been too short
I think book 2 was a better read! Still, I'm glad I got a chance to read this story.
A special thanks to Lori for sending me this book!! ❤️ I
May 12, 2019
Love in 7th Century Scotland
Emma Merritt wrote some wonderful historical romances. This is one of the few set in the Highlands. It’s the year 625 when Norsemen, Picts and Gaels vied for control of Scotland.
It tells the story of a half-Pict chieftain, Malcolm mac Duncan, whose heart's desire is to unite all of the Highlands. To make peace with the Southerlanders living at the top of Scotland, Malcolm took a bride. But that wife committed suicide, so he wants another from the Southerlanders. And the one he wants--the one he claims--is a beautiful young woman named Jarvia who is educated in the Gaelic tongue and is now the Law Speaker for her people. Malcolm wants an heir; Jarvia wants to save the girl they would have given to Malcolm, so she agrees to wed him.
There's treachery from many camps here and lots of action to keep you reading. Duncan proves a worthy hero and Jarvia his perfect mate. At the end, Merritt leaves some threads loose to come back to in the second book, Lord of Thunder, the story of Norseman Michael Langssonn, Malcolm’s long lost twin. If you are a fan of Merritt, and I am, I think you'll enjoy it.
Emma Merritt wrote some wonderful historical romances. This is one of the few set in the Highlands. It’s the year 625 when Norsemen, Picts and Gaels vied for control of Scotland.
It tells the story of a half-Pict chieftain, Malcolm mac Duncan, whose heart's desire is to unite all of the Highlands. To make peace with the Southerlanders living at the top of Scotland, Malcolm took a bride. But that wife committed suicide, so he wants another from the Southerlanders. And the one he wants--the one he claims--is a beautiful young woman named Jarvia who is educated in the Gaelic tongue and is now the Law Speaker for her people. Malcolm wants an heir; Jarvia wants to save the girl they would have given to Malcolm, so she agrees to wed him.
There's treachery from many camps here and lots of action to keep you reading. Duncan proves a worthy hero and Jarvia his perfect mate. At the end, Merritt leaves some threads loose to come back to in the second book, Lord of Thunder, the story of Norseman Michael Langssonn, Malcolm’s long lost twin. If you are a fan of Merritt, and I am, I think you'll enjoy it.
May 19, 2025
Overall I think I liked this book better than the second? Or at the very least I liked the second half of this book more. but I wasn’t into the dude as much in this one. Idk why. Maybe he was just too aggressive lol
February 4, 2013
Overall Rating: 3.40 // Action: 1.0 / Emotion: 2.5 / Romance: 4.5 / Sensuous: 1.5 / Suspense: 4.0 // Historical Flavor: 3.5 / Laughter: 0 / Tears: 0
Lord of Fire, Emma Merritt's first book in The Lord and Ladies Quartet, was a book full of possibilities: {1} the possibility of exciting action and adventure scenes featuring the extremely hunky, powerful highland chieftain, {2} the possibility of deep, heartfelt emotion as the former slave, now a strong-willed widow came to terms with her attraction to the barbarian, and {3} the possibility of an intensely suspenseful, dynamic story. E.M. did an incredible job of immediately drawing great interest in the characters as she introduced them and began developing their personalities, but the story failed to keep the reader enthralled so this book was just too put-down-able. But, it was also finish-able -- E.M. inspired enough interest that it was necessary to keep reading the book to see how the author was going to unknot the threads of the story that she began tying to prevent the hero and heroine from having a relationship.
Lord of Fire was an enjoyable read, but it is definitely not a must read. While the plot eventually became intriguing and drew interest, E.M. failed to develop the deep emotional connection to her hero and heroine that are necessary requirements for an outstanding read. A more in-depth, detailed review of Lord of Fire appears at Wolf Bear Does Books.
Lord of Fire, Emma Merritt's first book in The Lord and Ladies Quartet, was a book full of possibilities: {1} the possibility of exciting action and adventure scenes featuring the extremely hunky, powerful highland chieftain, {2} the possibility of deep, heartfelt emotion as the former slave, now a strong-willed widow came to terms with her attraction to the barbarian, and {3} the possibility of an intensely suspenseful, dynamic story. E.M. did an incredible job of immediately drawing great interest in the characters as she introduced them and began developing their personalities, but the story failed to keep the reader enthralled so this book was just too put-down-able. But, it was also finish-able -- E.M. inspired enough interest that it was necessary to keep reading the book to see how the author was going to unknot the threads of the story that she began tying to prevent the hero and heroine from having a relationship.
Lord of Fire was an enjoyable read, but it is definitely not a must read. While the plot eventually became intriguing and drew interest, E.M. failed to develop the deep emotional connection to her hero and heroine that are necessary requirements for an outstanding read. A more in-depth, detailed review of Lord of Fire appears at Wolf Bear Does Books.
March 22, 2011
Malcolm has come for a new wife. His last wife, the daughter of Wyborn had killed herself after turning traitor. The King was going to give Malcolm a slave girl that he claimed to be a bastard daughter in her place.
Jarvia was a widow betrothed to a relative of her dead husband. Malcolm lusted after her the minute their eyes met. Jarvia was also the law speaker for her people. Her late husband had taught her to read and write the runes and to know the law. She was honest with him as to her Gerda was.
Malcolm said he would take Gerda to wife if Jarvia would be a 2nd wife. She declined until finding out Gerda was with child already and if Malcolm did not kill her the King would.
After the betrothal is broken, Jarvia is taken as the first wife to save Gerda.
Malcolm has many things going wrong back home. His father is ill, cattle are being stolen and many other things. There is a traitor among them and to top it off his new wife finds a baby and wolf and wants to keep them and those who worship the ancient gods believe she has brought curses onto them.
I am going to read the 2nd book called Lord of Thunder which is a continuation to this book.
Jarvia was a widow betrothed to a relative of her dead husband. Malcolm lusted after her the minute their eyes met. Jarvia was also the law speaker for her people. Her late husband had taught her to read and write the runes and to know the law. She was honest with him as to her Gerda was.
Malcolm said he would take Gerda to wife if Jarvia would be a 2nd wife. She declined until finding out Gerda was with child already and if Malcolm did not kill her the King would.
After the betrothal is broken, Jarvia is taken as the first wife to save Gerda.
Malcolm has many things going wrong back home. His father is ill, cattle are being stolen and many other things. There is a traitor among them and to top it off his new wife finds a baby and wolf and wants to keep them and those who worship the ancient gods believe she has brought curses onto them.
I am going to read the 2nd book called Lord of Thunder which is a continuation to this book.
February 17, 2009
this was the first book that i actually read. After i was hooked and havent stopped since. this book is great. A twin, lost and raised as a warring clan... Honor, lost and needing to avenge it.... and a love blossoming in captivity. just the best book...... I love this author her characters and the drama that unfolds in them, amazing, spellbounding, great.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews