Rainbow Reviews

BOOK BLURB:
When sword for hire Teodoro Cieza de Vivar accepts a commission to “rescue” Lord Christian Blackwood from unsuitable influences, he has no idea he’s landed himself in the middle of a plot to assassinate King Philip IV of Spain and blame the English ambassador for the deed. Nor does he expect the spoiled child he’s sent to retrieve to be a handsome, engaging young man.

As Teodoro and Christian face down enemies at every turn, they fall more and more in love, an emotion they can’t safely indulge with the threat of the Inquisition looming over them. It will take all their combined guile and influence to outmaneuver the powerful men who would see them separated ... or even killed.

BOOK REVIEW:
Checkmate does what any good historical should do and that is pull the reader into the time period in which the story takes place. Set in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, this story by dynamic duo Nikki Bennett and Arial Tachna, is full of hot passion, denial, and political intrigue. The character Teo is a sword for hire. He is also an honorable man trying to raise a son, stay under the radar of the Inquisition, and correct the wrong he unwittingly committed during his most recent job. Christian is a young English aristocrat sent into hiding while his father negotiates with Spain. Tired of being seen as frivolous, Christian will do anything to prove himself to the man he is falling in love with.

It was easy to fall in love with both these characters, each of whom is strongly written, and as a reader I was able to connect with both of them which made the story more enjoyable. The authors did a wonderful job portraying the sometimes harsh period in which the story takes place; capturing not only the difficulties of the times, but also the intrigue that surrounded the Courts. The fact that the authors did so well with capturing the period makes it easy for the reader to understand the reasons Teo fought his attraction to and need for Christian.

There are also several wonderful secondary characters, some of whom call out for their own stories to be told, that help moved this story along smoothly. If you like M/M, as well as historicals, give this story a chance, I am sure you will enjoy it.

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