August 2000 was a great month for the Silhouette Intimate Moments line. Linda Howard's A Game of Chance and Fiona Brand's Blade's Lady are 2 of my favorite SIM's and each would make any month memorable.
Blade is a yummy hero, the strong, protective alpha that many of us dream of. His determination to get Anna into his life as well as protect her from her step-father and his goons is wonderful. He is loving and gentle with Anna and has no jerk moments. Anna is also a great heroine. She's a strong woman to have survived life on the run, but she's never bitchy and best of all, she doesn't fall apart as soon as the hero is there to lean on.
The plot is great, there's some good suspense, the villain is suitably slimy, and the writing is very good. Blade and Anna share a psychic connection that's essential to the plot, but even if paranormal isn't usually your thing (it isn't mine) it's unlikely to put anyone off. The rescue at the end may surprise if you're expecting an American-style shoot-'em-up. Blade goes for strategy and stealth instead of firepower. There's some lovely sensuality, you can feel the connection between Anna and Blade. So romantic and sexy *sigh*