Dance of Desire

Desperate to save her brother Rudd from being condemned as a traitor, Lady Rexana Villeaux must dance in disguise at a feast for the High Sheriff of Warringham. Her goal is to distract him so her servant can steal a damning missive from the sheriff?s solar. Dressed in the gauzy costume of a desert courtesan, dancing with all the passion and sensuality in her soul, she succeeds in her mission. And, at the same time, condemns herself.

Fane Linford, the banished son of an English earl, joined King Richard?s crusade only to find himself a captive in a hellish eastern prison. He survived the years of torment, it?s rumored, because of the love of a Saracen courtesan. The rumors are true. And when he sees Rexana dance...

The king has promised Fane an English bride, yet Fane desires only one woman ? the exotic dancer who tempted him. Then he discovers the dancer?s identity. And learns her brother is in his dungeon, accused of plotting against the throne. It is more temptation than Fane can resist.

The last thing Rexana wants is marriage to the dark and brooding Sheriff of Warringham. But her brother is his prisoner, and there may be only one way to save him. Taking the greatest chance of her life, Rexana becomes the sheriff?s bride. And learns that the Dance of Desire was only a beginning...

"4 1/2 stars — Fantastic. A Keeper." Romantic Times BookClub Magazine

"A fabulous, fascinating, fast read! I couldn't put it down! You'll be hooked from the first page to the last!" Karen Hawkins, New York Times best-selling author of Lady in Red

"Dance of Desire sings with emotion....A sexy, tortured, devastating hero and an endearing, feisty, determined heroine." Lisa Manuel, author of Mostly A Lady

"Sensual, seductive, sassy — here?s one dazzling dance you don?t want to miss!" Jocelyn Kelley, author of A Knight Like No Other

Dance of Desire is the launch title of Medallion Press's Sapphire Jewel Imprint mass market historical romance line.

Catherine Kean always loved to write, even as a young child. She penned her first novella at age twelve, and first full-length manuscript at sixteen. Lovingly tucked away in her filing cabinet, these literary "masterpieces" will likely never be published, but she vividly remembers the sheer exhilaration of putting pen to paper and letting her imagination soar.

After completing a B.A., Double Major (First Class), in English and History from the University of Victoria, B.C., Canada, she was accepted into the post-graduate Works of Art Course run by Sotheby?s auctioneers in London, England, where she studied centuries of history, antiques and fine art. She worked in Canada for several years as an antique and fine art appraiser, which inspired some unique ideas for novels.

Prior to her first publishing contract, Catherine?s manuscripts finaled in thirty contests, including Georgia Romance Writers? 2003 and 2004 Unpublished Maggie Awards. She lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and two very spoiled, overweight cats.