Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

HONOR UNDER

SIEGE

What Reviewers Say About Radcly f fes Books

A Matter of Trust is . . “a sexy, powerful love story fi l ed with angst,

discovery and passion that captures the uncertainty of fi rst love and its

discovery. - Just About Write

Shield of Justice is a “. . wel -plot edlovely romance. .I couldnt turn the

pages fast enough! - Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker

Chronicles

“The authors brisk mix of political intrigue, fast-paced action, and

frequent interludes of lesbian sex and lovein Honor Reclaimed sure

does make for great escapist reading. - Q Syndicate

Change of Pace . .“is contemporary, yet timeless, not only about sex, but

also about love, longing, lust, surprises, chance meetings, planned

meetings, fulfi l ing wild fantasies, and trust. - Midwest Book Review

“Radcly f fe has once again pul ed together al the ingredients of a

genuine page- turner, this time adding some new spices into the mix.

shadowland is sure to please - in part because Radcly f fe never loses

sight of the fact that she is tel ing a love story, and a compel ing one at

that. - Cameron Abbot , author of To The Edge and An Inexpressible

State of Grace

Lammy winner“ Stolen Moments is a col ection of steamy stories about

women who just couldnt wait. Its sex when desire overrides reason,

and its incredibly hot! - On Our Backs

“With ample angst, realistic and exciting medical emergencies,

winsome secondary characters, and a sprinkling of humor, Fated Love

turns out to be a terrifi c romance. Its one of the best I have read in

the last three years. - Midwest Book Review

“ Innocent Hearts. . il ustrates that our struggles for acceptance of

women loving women is as old as time - only the set ing changes. The

romance is sweet, sensual, and touching. - Just About Write

Lammy winner. .“ Distant Shores, Silent Thunder weaves an intricate

tapestry about passion and commitment between lovers. The story

explores the fragile nature of trust and the sanctuary provided by

loving relationships. - Sapphic Reader

In When Dreams Tremble the “focus on character development is

meticulous and comprehensive, fi l ed with angst, regret, and longing,

building to the ultimate climax. - Just About Write

Visit us at

w

ww . b o ld

st ro k e sb oo k s. c o m

HONOR UNDER SIEGE

by

Radcly f fe

2007

HONOR UNDER SIEGE

2007 By Radclyffe. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN10: 1-933110-80-5 ISBN13: 978-1-933110-80-6

This Trade Paperback Is Published By Bold Strokes Books, Inc. New

York, USA

First Edition, June 2007

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS,

PLACES, AND

INCIDENTS

ARE THE PRODUCT

OF

THE AUTHORS IMAGINATION OR ARE USED

FICTITIOUSLY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL

PERSONS, LIVING

OR DEAD, BUSINESS

ESTABLISHMENTS,

EVENTS, OR LOCALES

IS

ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.

THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED

IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Credits

Editors: Jennifer Knight, Ruth Sternglantz and J. B. Greystone

Production Design: J. B. Greystone

Cover Graphic: Sheri ( g r a p h i c a r t i s t 2 020 @ h o t m

a il . c o m )

By the Author

Innocent Hearts

Loves Melody Lost

Loves Tender Warriors

Tomorrows Promise

Passions Bright Fury

Loves Masquerade

R

o mance s

shadowland

Fated Love Turn

Back Time

Promising Hearts

When Dreams Tremble

T

h e P

ro v in cet o w n T

a le s

Safe Harbor

Beyond the Breakwater

Distant Shores, Silent Thunder

Storms of Change H

o n o r

S e ri e s

Above Al , Honor

Honor Bound

Love & Honor

Honor Guards

Honor Reclaimed

Honor Under Siege

J u st ic e Se

ri e s

A Matter of Trust (prequel)

Shield of Justice

In Pursuit of Justice

Justice in the Shadows

Justice Served

Erotic Interludes: Change Of Pace

(A Short Story Col ection) Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen

Moments

Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds. Erotic Interludes 3: Lessons

in

Love

Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.

Erotic Interludes 4: Extreme Passions

Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.

Erotic Interludes 5: Road Games

Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.

Authors Notes

Above All, Honor was the first book I published that real y

provoked many messages asking for a sequel. Safe Harbor

was the second. Many of you recall me saying I wasnt going to

write more of either one. This year I will publish number six

in the Honor series and number five in the Provincetown

Tales. Obviously, what do I know? Ive discovered that writing

multiple works in a universe of characters I and the reader are

familiar with forces me to stretch as a writer in ways that

stand-alones dont. Each has its unique chal enges - neither is

easier or harder or more rewarding. Just different. A series

demands both continuity and new directions - consistency and

change. We want to see more of the characters we love, but we

also demand that they grow and evolve in the face of their

personal struggles and in relationship to others.

Thank you to the readers who assured me that they really

did want to read more of these characters and the world they

inhabit. I have learned a great deal in the telling.

My thanks also go to my first readers: Diane, Eva, Jane,

Paula, and RB for insightful comments and unfailing faith; to

the editors who brought their special talents to making this a

better book: Jennifer Knight, Ruth Sternglantz, and J.B.

Greystone; and to the generous proofreaders at Bold Strokes

Books for their painstaking devotion to duty. All the credit goes

to these dedicated individuals and the responsibility for any

shortcomings to me.

Sheri, as always, says it all and constantly says it better with

every cover.

To Lee, for never ever saying write it later - Amo

te.

DEDICATION

For Lee To The Last Word

Chapter One

Monday, October

8

B lair Powel walked along the oceans edge just after dawn, watching

the sky segue through a palet e of colors she had yet to capture on

canvas. Thankful y, she wasnt a landscape artist, because she feared she

would be doomed to an eternity of frustration and disappointment.

Her life held more than enough chal enge as it was, especial y now,

less than a month after the terrorist attacks on New York City and