Cover by Trace Edward Zaber Copyright © 2006

STAY Available now from Amber Quill Press Kelly Burrows' friends are taking her on a cruise to a tropical island paradise. It's going to take a lot more than a cruise to help her recover from the biggest mistake of her life, the five years she wasted with a married lover who cruelly ended their relationship. She almost wonders if it would be better to just jump from the ship into the ocean… Fate and a desperate prince have different plans for Kelly.

Pulled from the ocean by strange men in strange clothing, she finds herself in a beautiful stone city, treated like royalty. But then the people of Josara have reason to treat Kelly like a princess. Their civilization is dying because there are no women young enough to bear children and no daughters born for a generation.

Prince Halen must convince Kelly to be the salvation of his kingdom and get her with child as soon as possible…

Reviews:

"This is such a touching story, with great characters. I was completely enthralled with Kelly and Halen from the very first chapter of the story. This is not the first story I have read by Isabella Jordan and will definitely not be the last. Anyone looking for a story with love, great sex and a happily ever after, this is it." - 5 Hearts, Sandra, The Romance Studio

"Kelly Burrows has been dragged on a cruise by her well-meaning friend. After the betrayal of her married lover of five years, Kelly is heartbroken and feeling a bit like an idiot. When she is swept overboard, she's sure she's going to die -- but instead she's rescued by a stranger and whisked off to a strange castle. Halen, the prince of his people, is desperate to save them from extinction and so resorts to magic of legend to bring a woman capable of bearing children to his island. Now Kelly has to make a decision, should she try to return to her own world, or should she heed Halen's plea and stay? Sizzling sex, heartfelt passion, and a hero any woman would want to call her own, STAY is a captivating and enchanting romance I highly recommend." - La Petite Mort, Isabelle Spencer, RRT Erotic

"Oh what an awesome story and looking at the hottie on the cover had my temperature climbing! Stay is a fantasy that will linger in your mind long after the final page has been read. Stay was an easy read with a good plot with wit that only Isabella Jordan could include with a dash of the paranormal. It is loaded with blazing-hot sex to make you pant. It is a must read!" - 5 lips, Alisha, Two Lips Reviews

"Isabella Jordan’s STAY is one of six stories that make up Amber Quill’s DESIRATA collection. I was fully prepared to not like Kelly because of her involvement with a married man but the more I read the easier it became to understand how that could happen. Halen is a genuinely likeable man who actually feels guilty for taking Kelly away from her former life. He’s also worried about the future of the people who live on the isle. I adored the dialogue between Kelly and Halen - she’s a modern day gal who is used to doing exactly what she wants, he is a leader used to being obeyed. It makes for some very interesting battles between them. Ms. Jordan has created a fun and imaginative book which I thoroughly enjoyed." - 4 1/2 Blue Ribbons, Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies

"Ms. Jordan hooked me from the first paragraph with this story. Kelly has made some bad choices over the last five years and is suffering for them now. She feels that she deserved what she got, but she loved Jared and was very hurt when he got another woman pregnant after stringing her along with excuses for five years. Her friends mean well, but a singles cruise to an exotic island is not what she wants right now. Halen is very honorable and angry about what his servants have done to Kelly. He wants her to want to stay with him, but not she has no alternative. He needs her even more than he needs her children. The love scenes in this book are very erotic, but the story is what held me throughout and I recommend this book highly." - Maura Frankman, Coffee Time Romance Reviews

"Stay caught my attention with an interesting blurb and Ms. Jordan didn’t disappoint. Whereas there are elements of the plot that are not overly evolved, the author managed to surprise me with the development behind Josara. I would love to see more stories within this world. The characters are well matched and I appreciate how the author portrays Halen. He is an honorable man forced to make tough decisions for his people and yet he also cherishes the potential he could have with Kelly. Their relationship might get off to a rough start, but the author captures the hesitant trust and deeper emotions building between them. Overall this is an entertaining mix of passion and promise that will hopefully be the start of a few more stories about Josara." - 4 Angels, Amanda S., Fallen Angels, Reviews

"This short story is a solid four stars. Isabella Jordon has created a tale of fantasy and adventure that pulled me into her make believe erotic world. Kelly is a lovely heroine that I quickly identified with as she struggled to understand what was happening to her. The heat cranked up from the magic and special love potion she was given. I love Ms. Jordan's hot sex scenes. They aroused me and left me with feelings I could savor beyond the read. Kelly' special adventure is very exciting and the hot sex scenes are well written. Prince Halen's, the hero, attempts to convince Kelly to save his kingdom's future added a sense of suspense that helps to drive the story. The storyline and pace was just right to hold my attention and make me want to read this short story in one sitting. I strongly recommend this book to all who like a fantasy romance that explores magic and contains really hot sex." - 4 Stars, Wendy Cable, JERR

" The characters are interesting and fairly well developed. The sex is passionate and very well written as well as being plentiful and the main focus of the story. Halen is very considerate of Kelly and seems to sense her desires perfectly. He is an endearing hero with a tragic story who pulled at my heart-strings. He showed his nobility and honor when he offered Kelly a chance to return to her friends, but I was wishing with all my heart that she would choose to stay with him. While the story read like it was the prelude to the real story wherein everything would be fully explained, it was a very enjoyable read and I found myself longing for more. I would love to see the story expanded to include the fate of Halen's people and the health of the magical tree in the village center. I'm completely hooked on the story and catch myself worrying about these things. Please, Madame, could I have some more?" - 3/4 Stars, Karen Haas, JERR

"As usual, Ms. Jordan creates a wonderful fantasy. Kelly doesn’t know it but Prince Halen and Josara are exactly what she needs in her life. Disappointed with herself and the man she wasted years with, awakening where she is wanted and needed sooths something in her soul. First, though she has to get past how she was summoned and just what is expected of her. Halen is one hunk of hot stuff! Although he was worried about what would be brought forth in the spell, he’s surprised and pleased with Kelly. Their first true meeting is definitely the stuff of fantasies! With realistic characters, an engaging plot and steamy scenes, you’ll certainly want to Stay for this one." - Georgia, Joyfully Reviewed

Excerpt:

"While your concern for my welfare pleases me," he began slowly, "what were you doing running about the hall with my men? Did you hear none of my story?"

"Excuse me?" Hadn't she found a way out of that room, demanded those men bring her to him because she was concerned?

"Kelly, do you not remember my telling you that there are very few women here. On a large scale, do you know what that means? Do you think any of the men you've encountered thus far have women of their own to satisfy their needs?"

Well, yes, she did remember his story but she hadn't thought of that. And why should she? Where she came from there was no shortage of women, no wolf-looking creatures, and no magic trees.

"Do you know what could have happened?"

Oh, she wasn't sure she liked the menace that had crept into his expression. It made her want to cringe, to take a step back. What she did was stood her ground and placed her hands on her hips. Being timid was something she'd never been accused of. And she wasn't going to start backing down from anyone now.

"Why should I be expected to think that way and be so aware?" she wanted to know.

"To prevent your rape at the hands of my men?"

Okay, he had a point there.

"I've been here for two days and that wasn't my idea," she pointed out, "so don't think you can start telling me how things are going to be because you're not. I came down here because I actually cared that you got hurt, idiot that I am and - "

His mouth slanted down over hers, halting her words and claiming her with a kiss that wiped her mind clean of all else. It was different from the patient, nurturing kisses he'd treated her to before. This kiss was demanding, masterful. It revealed the darker, dangerous side of the man who had been in her bed last night.

That kiss combined with the heat that had built in her body as she watched him battle the wolf creatures that had entered the courtyard to send pulses of pure heat racing through her blood. With an urgency that surprised her, she wanted him. She had to have him now.