This book is one of those that I never fail to mention when asked "If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 5 books..." I had read several books about Elizabeth and the Tudors before reading "Legacy", and I've read many since, but I doubt it will ever be topped.

The portrayal of Elizabeth provided by Susan Kay is one of a living, breathing woman with desires, fears and intelligence. After reading this book, you will feel as though you have personally known Elizabeth I and the menagerie of historical figures that shaped the period of time that we now call "Elizabethan".

Elizabeth Jones is the only daughter of a staunch patriotic family during the early stirrings of the American Revolution. She meets Jon a bumbling, slow-witted Redcoat and she immediately becomes his unofficial protector. What she doesn't know is that Jon is really Jonathan Leighton who is only pretending to be a bumbling fool while he works undercover for the Americans. Elizabeth finds herself falling in love with the simple-minded Jon, a big, gorgeous man who she feels is perfectly suited to her.

Their romance developes and heats at a pace with that of the growing resentment of British interference in colonial life.

I so recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a sweet, passionate love story, with beleivable characters set against the backdrop of a tumultuous time during our history.

The writing is exquisite: at times powerful enough to suspend a heartbeat, at times so delicate and poignant it stirs deep and wrenching feelings for the characters that dance alive amongst the pages. Kay traces Erik's thoughts throughout his turbulent life and is able to bring out the beauty that permeates this tortured man's being. I am especially amazed at how Kay crafts her words; an adjective here and there, an isolated sentence -- such little things bring amazing impact. By dividing the story into several parts (written in different characters' perspectives), Kay creates a deep, enriched world where the reader is omniscient and enraptured...

PHANTOM by Susan Kay is an outstanding, powerful read. I can't say enough of this book. I've recently read it AGAIN and had to write a review. It was absolutely outstanding!

This is the story of the Phantom of the Opera but entirely different from Gaston Leroux's classic. This incredible story adds new depth and seering emotion into this well-known story. The Phantom exudes such despair and longing for Christine. He has never known gentleness in his life. Has never known what it is to love. Until that fateful day he hears an angelic voice reaching out to him.

He becomes obsessed with Christine after hearing her sing. The purity of her voice awakens all of his tortured emotions. Utterly mad with wanting her, he devises any and all means necessary to lure her into his world. A world filled with despair, anguish and madness. . .

This story is absolutely haunting. It filled me with such sadness that Erik believed himself so unworthy. He believes that there is no woman who could ever look at him with love especially being so hideously disfigured. Christine offers him salvation and tries to draw him out of his world of madness. Yet, Erik is so unwilling to believe . . .

Grab yourself a copy and be prepared to be swept away. You will savor this powerful story over and over.

The storyline may be a little familiar but the author's take on it is certainly refreshing. What struck me as noteworthy is her quirky sense of humour as it surprised me into laughing out loud more than once. For those who like a good western with lots of laughter and wonderful sensual scenes thrown in, this would be the book to read.

Kudos to Ms. Law on a fine book!

As I did with Gabriel Jackson in the BAD MAN'S BRIDE, Anthea's story, I fell in love with Jake Sullivan in MARRY ME, Emily's story.

Emily Bright wanting and needing to be independent, tells her sister, Kate, who is arranging affairs after the death of her husband, that she is going to Colorado to see their sister Anthea and her husband, Gabriel. Instead she heads to Montana to claim land for who own.

After losing his first wife, he had abandoned his land claim six months ago. But now he's back, and there is a temptuously beautiful woman in his bed. He tries everything to get her to leave, waiting her out, hoping she'd leave, even offering to buy her piece out just to get her off his land.

In the midst of the arguing over the property, Emily receives a letter from Kate saying that Kate is coming to visit. Emily had written to her and told Kate she had married. Kate wanted to meet the new husband. But what husband? So she goes to Jake and begs him to pretend that they are married just until Kate leaves. He reluctantly agrees to do so, but in the process Jake falls madly in love with her, when he hadn't meant to and wants to make their pretend marriage real.

Susan Kay Law has outdone herself with the Miss Bright books. I love them!