by Susan S., guest reviewer
Heroine, Aila Graham, has lived a pious and sheltered life at Dundaff castle; in Scotland. She’s preparing to take her vows as an Abbess. Well…actually, that was before her father married her off to a highland warrior named Padyn MacLaren (hero.)
Aila’s father (Laird John Graham) offers MacLaren his daughter’s hand. The union will give Graham’s clan protection. Padyn in turn, will receive a beautiful redhead, along with her land and fortune. Everyone should be in a celebratory mood, a win-win situation, right? Wrong! Last thing Aila wanted was to be married. As for MacLaren, he’s just thinking of his clan; after all-women are an aggravation he rather not have.
Now there’s a murderous traitor in their midst, and Aila will have to choose where her loyalties lie: with her father, her mother, her new husband, or the church. Will she choose wisely and save her life, and the lives of those she holds dear? Or, will a wrong decision bring destitution and death to her clan?
My thoughts:
I felt the French knight, and MacLaren’s friend (Chaumont) overshadowed the hero. It was easy to sympathize with Chaumont’s humanity, his pain, his basic desire to be accepted and loved. He was my favorite character.
MacLaren by contrast, was simply aggravating! He’s harsh, wastes no opportunity to insult Aila and make her cry. It’s understandable if a past betrayal has broken one’s heart, but the hero crosses the line from caution into emotional abuse. He redeems himself only slightly, and too late in the novel for me.
I would’ve preferred the secondary characters Chaumont and Lady Mary Patrick, as hero and heroine.
Recommendations:
This novel will appeal to readers who like historicals. Forester does a lovely job with the historical elements; throughout.
2 Stars
Historical Romance Fiction, ARC, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. March 2010, Print Pages 337.
ISBN# 978-1-4022-2948-0
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This post was written by...
Susan S. – who has written 104 posts on Love Romance Passion.
Susan adores any paranormal character in leather, can't get enough of those unscrupulous rakes, and has a special fondness for law enforcement officers. If there’s a hero/heroine with a badge she's all over it! You may also see her around the web as Witchy Woman because of her love for magic, broomsticks, and black cats. Learn more about Susan in Meet the Review Staff at Love Romance Passion.
