Defiant
Buy the Book:Amazon
Pages: 352
ISBN13: 978-1420100945
Synopsis
A woman with a mission...
After seeing women brutally raped and sold into slavery, the enchantress Gweneth of Windrose vows to do anything to set them free. Even resort to seduction, deceit and murder. Or kidnapping a man and forcing him to marry her.
A man who has been wronged...
Disguised as a commoner, Jared the Hawker hides in the shadows to avoid being thrown back into prison for a murder he did not commit. Night after night, he sits at a tavern, gathering information to clear his name, until the most beautiful woman he has ever seen seduces him into drinking a tankard of drugged ale. He wakes up and finds himself bound in unholy matrimony.
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Praise
"Jessica Trapp is a charming writer who seems to have perfected the art of lacing her stories with so much beauty and enchantment amidst worlds of violence and hardship that DEFIANT is utterly impossible to put down." Read Entire Review
—Shannon Cox, Fresh Fiction Review
"A well-written story filled with passion, struggles and even a bit of intrigue, Defiant won’t disappoint." Read Entire Review
—Robyn Roberts, Once Upon A Romance Review
"Defiant was a pleasant surprise for me, I loved it. The well-rounded characters, the undeniable attraction between Jared and Gwyneth, the fluent and profound plotline and the high level of girl power. The solutions Irma and Gwyneth come up with for their problems were hilarious. Yet at the same time Defiant keeps that authentic medieval vibe. Therefore Defiant is a mesmerizing read from start to finish." Read Entire Review
—Marissa, Realms On Our Bookshelves
"Ms. Trapp snags the reader with her skilled and intriguing writing style, creating a passionate treasure that will evoke conflicting emotions, wit, and humor."
—Lauren Calder, Affaire de Coeur, 5 Star Review
"Relying on classic themes, such as captive/captor and battle of wills, Trapp lures readers into her medieval love story with powerful emotions and sizzling sensuality and with a fresh twist on traditional medieval romance.
Unjustly imprisoned for his brother’s murder, Jared St. John gets a chance to escape and clear his name. He is on his way home when he is drugged, kidnapped and forced to marry Gwyneth of Windrose, who fascinated him years before.
Gwyneth must wed or lose her lands and her chance at freedom. She has never forgotten the young monk who gave her his book, but this rugged bear of a man, who claims her as wife, cannot be him — or can it? Though she yearns to continue working to free wrongfully accused women from slavery, she also craves Jared’s touch. Though he would love to inflict revenge on Gwyneth, Jared desires her and sets out on a path of seduction. Working to rebuild her lands brings joy and closeness, but when Jared believes Gwyneth betrays his trust, he thrusts her away. Only by putting aside his pride will he be able to rescue his wife from a fate worse than death."
—Kathe Robin, Romantic Times Review
"Defiant is a sensual reboot of “Taming of the Shrew.” It’s a page turning story of the battle of wills between two dominant individuals. Jessica Trapp gives depth and emotion to her two main characters, and immediately you will be engrossed in Defiant. Awesome job Jessica Trapp, you have my vote for a romantic winner!"
—Bonnie at A Romance Review
“Loved it, loved it, loved it! Make room on your bookshelves because this one is a keeper.”
—www.onceuponaromance.net, Robyn Roberts
"Jared St. John escapes from jail and an obvious execution for the murder of his brother. He has no time to grieve his sibling as he must find a way to prove his innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt and uncover the real culprit before he is killed. However, he fails to reach home because someone abducts him after drugging him. He is forced to marry Gwyneth of Windrose, whom he met years ago and was attracted to her back then.
Gwyneth was given a choice between a husband and poverty; as remaining unmarried meant losing her lands. She selected Jared as he reminded her of a kind monk who gave to her a book several years ago. Jared rages in hopelessness not just because she kidnapped him and married him, but because he is attracted to her and admires her grit. As they fall in love working her land together, she continues her efforts to help accused innocent women from being sentenced into slavery. However, when he perceives his beloved betrayed him, he wants nothing more to do with her. His rejection puts his wife in peril.
This is an enjoyable medieval romance with a great twist that brings a uniqueness rarely seen in the sub-genre. Fast-paced from the moment Gwyneth ties Jared to her cot and never slowing down, fans will enjoy the love story of the defiant ones as each understands imprisonment and the craving for freedom as well as each other."
–Harriet Klausner
"Defiant is another sexy romp through the Middle Ages with author Jessica Trapp. I am not typically not a fan of the Medieval era but the author really brings the period to life and creates a passionate and winning romance.
Jared St. John doomed himself to life as a monk for his lustful tendencies but even his impending vows can't keep him from longing for Lady Gwyneth of Windrose. Beautiful and headstrong Gwyneth is tired of being controlled by the men around her. When her family arranges a marriage for her, Gwyneth decides to take matters into her own hands.
The handsome green-eyed stranger at the brothel doesn't look dangerous, so Gwyneth drugs Jared, abducts him and forces him to marry her. She bribes him to leave after the marriage, but Jared wants a real marriage.
Defiant is the story of a blazing battle of wills that will leave you breathless! I wanted to run off to a Renaissance Fair and find my own Jared! It's definitely not the Dark Ages you learned in history!"
–Kathleen Ayers
"This is my first time reading a book by Jessica Trapp and I must say I was NOT disappointed! Love the story plot and it certainly kept me guessing. It was easy to get transported into medieval England and caught up in the lives of Gwyneth and Jared as the story unfolded. I didn't want it to end! Jessica is clearly a gifted author and I can't wait to read her other books already published and any forthcoming! I just wonder where on earth can I find my own Jared? He sounds like the man of every woman's dreams..."
—Alice Suryana
"As you can tell this is a fine pickle of a story and I probably haven't done it justice. However if you like medievals. Strong characters, silly situations, bondage and a lot of hot sex...I recommend this book. Actually I highly, highly, highly recommend this book. I know that many of you will enjoy it."
—Adair, Mystic Castle
Awards & Honors:
First place
Golden Pen Contest; Jasmine Contest; Orange County Rose Contest; Four Season’s Awards; Duel on the Delta; Heart of the West Contest; Opening Gambit; Silver Quill Award; Gotcha Contest; Hot Prospects Contest; Where The Magic Begins Contest
Finalist
(4th place) in the JABBIC
Excerpt
She gathered what she needed and returned to the unconscious man—her husband—tied to the cot. Husband! What a strange word. A strange word for an absolute stranger.
A shot of heat curled in her belly and for a fleeting moment she wished she could keep him here, like this, tied for her own pleasure. A man of her own. A husband she could totally control.
Guilt curled through her at the sinful idea.
All her life she’d been under a man’s thumb in one way or another. All her life, she had manipulated, wheedled, and coaxed men to do her bidding. And here was a man that she did not have to do that with. He was hers for the taking—to do with what she willed. She could undress him, wash him. Kiss him.
Kiss him?
Where had that thought come from?
Fascinated by the opportunity to explore a man, she ran her finger lightly over his stomach. Her wrist gently grazed the area just below where his hose and braies met.
That area twitched, seemed to lift of its own accord.
Unable to tear her gaze away, her eyes widened. It twitched again.
She gasped; a thrill spiraled through her. Tamping down a wayward tendril of guilt, she reached forward again. This time, she squeezed. Even beneath his linen garment she could tell it was cylindrical and fleshy. It hardened beneath her fingers and she laughed aloud.
What fun, wicked pleasure to toy with a man’s body! They were such stupid, half-witted creatures that even in sleep they had no control over their own parts.
His eyes opened, locking with hers.
Her delighted giggle died on her lips, and she drew her hand back as if she’d been slapped.
He had the most intense eyes she’d ever seen. Intermingled shades of dark and light green agate caught in candleglow. They looked almost inhuman, as if they belonged to a thing dredged up from hell itself.
Except they shone with intelligence and determination.
Not the eyes of a half-witted cretin at all.