Danger Is Sweet

Beautiful Pict princess Bethoc fails in an attempt to kill Scottish king, Kenneth McAlpin, whom she believes brutally killed her father. Soon after, her assigned punishment is a marriage to McAlpin’s cousin Malcolm. She battles with Malcolm but their attraction to each other is undeniable. But Malcolm has a secret that threatens to come between him and the woman he loves; a secret that defies the everyday earth world.

Bethoc demonstrates feistiness as she engages in fights with Malcolm, proving her tenacity and loyalty despite her outward rebellion. They complete their vows in a very sexy scene involving a pot of honey. Malcolm soon confesses to her that he is not the man he seems, that he has another “identity” besides that of Scottish warrior. When his secret is revealed to her, and when she is later injured in battle, Malcolm is forced to make the most difficult decision of his life.

Danger Is Sweet is set in medieval times, but also contains references to mythology and the paranormal. These elements don’t overpower the plot, but enhance it. Malcolm and Bethoc are strong-willed, but their personalities are not exaggerated to the point of parody as they can be in many tales of the paranormal. Secondary characters are strong, especially Bethoc’s woman servant Riona. Myths such as Stone of Destiny are interwoven in the story to great effect. A smoothly written and enjoyable tale by Ms. Amiri.

Reviewed by: Jade