Ava's Obsession
By Michelle Marquis
Ava Snow is a quiet, obedient woman who leads a simple life working in her father's dress shop. Her biggest dream is to save enough money to move out on her own. But there is one thing poor Ava has overlooked in all her careful planning, and that is her lustful, hungry heart. For Ava is about to discover a passionate, wanton side to her nature that she never knew she had.
Ming Han is a skilled Asian warlord and leader of the mercenary army the villagers call The Orientals. Ming is famous for two main talents, his expertise as a swordsman and his ferocious appetite in the bedroom. But Ming is about to find a woman whose passion is as unquenchable as his own. And keeping this young widow satisfied is going to take all his carnal talents. Happily, he's in for one hell of a time.
Ava's Obsession is pure fantasy with a touch of medieval times mixed in to give a historical feel, yet the dialogue is easy to relate to.
Ava is a strong woman stuck in a weak power position. She is well past the first blush of youth yet is remarkably innocent due to tragic circumstances. She wants to branch out, to be free to follow her heart but finds balancing her love and duty to her father hard to reconcile with her unclear desires. She's only thought about things just so far because her reality overrides any true progress. That is until she spies a hunky warrior and her thoughts quickly turn very concrete.
Ming is the man who inspires Ava to not just dream but conspire to act on her wishes. And what hot wishes they are. I would really like to accidentally come upon some virile and hunky warrior and unseen, get to enjoy the show. As for me though, I'd prefer it being not be so close to battle. That would be too much for this 21st Century gal but for Ava, it's acceptable. Ava is a very brave woman. She dared do something that would have had me shaking in my shoes. I would have been found out, though, because when I'm embarrassed, I giggle. She doesn't!
The relationship between Ava and her father is stern. Yet when I'm almost convinced he's a total despot, he shows tenderness and real love for her. Even when he dropped the bombshell and I thought the relationship was about to go down the sewer pipe, I was pleasantly surprised.
The sex scenes aren't graphic and over-written. They are hot enough to inspire fantasies of my own and provide an earthy connection between Ming and Ava. Ava has her own bombshell to drop on those she loves and I was impressed with her fortitude and take charge attitude; doing what she could with her limited choices. I also enjoyed Ming's redemption and how it illustrates the power of love in overcoming people's preconceived notions of what can be done versus what they say should be done. Ming is strong enough to do things his way, the warrior way, and it works.
The ending reminded me more of the chivalry of Aurthur and his Knights and I enjoyed the parallel. It may not have been intentional but I like seeing someone being strong enough within themselves to choose to be humane, even when it's unpopular.
Ming and Ava are perfect for each other. Each brings their strengths to the table and between them, I was treated to a relationship and HEA filled with a bounty of love to withstand the trials that will surely face them.
Rating:

Reviewed by Xeranth