BOOK REVIEW
It's official. I love this author/writing pair and their work. When I read the previous book in the series, they entered my will-read list of author. And with this book, they've just confirmed their place in my historical romance must-read list.
Where should I start in my praise? Is is the lush and vivid historical setting that transport you back on an adventure or the beautiful details that pull you into a scene and yet doesn't distract you from witnessing the actions unfold.
And of course I have to mention the characters because these stories are about them--capable and confident men that are not cowered by the feisty and fearless women they are matched with.
And you don't get more fearless than Arbela. She is a demon with a bow and arrow and you certainly don't want to be opposite her in battle. She is one fierce lady and I loved her.
Of course like every other woman of her class in the historical setting, she is expected to accept a marriage arranged by her sire. She doesn't want to get married, certainly not to some Scottish Laird when she'd rather be defending a Christian Keep in the The Holy Land from the Saracens.
Caelen doesn't want a wife. Not after a disastrous loveless first marriage. But he needs a partnership with the MacLeans, which means marriage to Arbela.
They come to an agreement. So the questions becomes, will a marriage of convenience morph into a marriage of passion? Arbela needed to loosen up and Caelen needed to lay the ghost of the past to rest. I must say, I really wanted these two to fall in love with each other.
A wonderful read and one I highly recommend to fans of medieval/Scottish/historical romance.
Reviewed by
Meet the Author:
Cathy MacRae lives on the sunny side of the Arbuckle Mountains where she and her husband read, write, and tend the garden—with the help of the dogs, of course.
You can visit with her on facebook, or read her blogs and learn about her books at www.cathymacraeauthor.com. Drop her a line—she loves to hear from readers!
DD MacRae enjoys bringing history to life and considers research one of the best things about writing a story! With more than 35 years of martial arts training, DD also brings breath-taking action to the tales.
You can connect with DD through www.cathymacraeauthor.com. It’s always exciting to hear from readers!
About the Book:
Born in the Holy Lands only a few years after the Third Crusade, half-Armenian, half-Scot Arbela MacLean is a true daughter of the desert, beautiful and untamed. Trained to be a warrior to avoid her gentle mother’s fate, Arbela has honed her skills with Turkish bow and arrow, sword and throwing darts—and dreads the day her father choses a man for her to marry.
After more than thirty years in the Holy Land, Donal MacLean, Baron of Batroun, is recalled to Scotland, the last son available to take up leadership of clan MacLean. He brings with him knights, treasure, trade—and a daughter of marriageable age.
Caelen MacKern, known as the Bull of the Highlands, is cynical about women. His first marriage formed an alliance, and he did not grieve when his spoiled, immature bride passed away. He has agreed to marry again—against his better judgement—for the men, means and coin to recover from a devastating pestilence that all but wiped out his clan.
More than a little resentful at finding himself forced to remarry, Caelen’s proposal to Donal MacLean’s headstrong daughter nevertheless piques her interest. Each will receive what they want most from life—the ability to live as they please without interference from a meddling spouse. But their marriage of indifference will soon change to one of passion that neither Arbela nor Caelen could have predicted.
Purchase: Amazon
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a comment and I will return the visit.
Have a nice day.