Blurb:
It has been five years since King Stephen took the English throne. The border lands are fraught with tensions. Loyalties are uncertain. Only the strong will hold their lands, and behind every strong man is an even stronger woman.
The eldest of five daughters born to King Henry's mistress, Elspeth fears she and her sisters will be used as pawns in the wars to come. When her sisters are wrenched from the Blak Montayne Priory that has sheltered them since Henry's death, Elspeth alone escapes, only to find herself indebted to, of all men, a Scotsman, whose loyalties are in question…
Left to face the wrath of a new sovereign, Malcolm MacKinnon has sworn his fealty to Stephen of Blois in order to keep the demesne he won by slaying his grandfather. In doing so, he has pit himself against Scotland, and even his own father. Even as he realizes there is no turning back, his bartered bride may offer him a chance to atone. But will giving in to his passion bring nations to war?
The eldest of five daughters born to King Henry's mistress, Elspeth fears she and her sisters will be used as pawns in the wars to come. When her sisters are wrenched from the Blak Montayne Priory that has sheltered them since Henry's death, Elspeth alone escapes, only to find herself indebted to, of all men, a Scotsman, whose loyalties are in question…
Left to face the wrath of a new sovereign, Malcolm MacKinnon has sworn his fealty to Stephen of Blois in order to keep the demesne he won by slaying his grandfather. In doing so, he has pit himself against Scotland, and even his own father. Even as he realizes there is no turning back, his bartered bride may offer him a chance to atone. But will giving in to his passion bring nations to war?
Okay, I can't say that I didn't put the book down because I did. For several days. Honestly? A couple of pages in, my heart was broken. I was so upset about the things that I read there about sweet little Malcolm (at least, once upon a time in another book he was sweet and little), that it took me some days to get over it and read on. And then I barely put it down anymore because it was so good!
What I really love about the books by this author, is her manner of weaving a story by combining historical facts with a brilliant and captivating story, lots of romance and a healthy dose of myth. I loved the vivid picture of a country torn by war and conflicting loyalties, of people having to face their own kin on the battlefield and I also loved the amazing and unique characters and their story. Elspeth and her sisters soon found a place in my heart and I felt with them but also feared for them and wondered about their mother's ruthlessness and her power. Especially her power. Her mother was set apart, not only by her actions and her thoughts but also because she was the only one whose part is told in the first person. Immediately, every time you stumble upon her parts, you are on guard and fear what new atrocities will be revealed. Along with our hero and our heroine, you learn to hate and to fear Morwen - and this was just the beginning.
I loved how Malcolm and Elspeth fell for each other. Despite the sudden and definitely quick manner of their...well...kind-of-not-really-courtship, you can feel that those two belong together and that they care a lot for each other. Elspeth is so sweet and Malcolm's devotion to her and his calm acceptance of her uniqueness and her power are simply amazing.
Such a beautiful and amazing book, I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
What I really love about the books by this author, is her manner of weaving a story by combining historical facts with a brilliant and captivating story, lots of romance and a healthy dose of myth. I loved the vivid picture of a country torn by war and conflicting loyalties, of people having to face their own kin on the battlefield and I also loved the amazing and unique characters and their story. Elspeth and her sisters soon found a place in my heart and I felt with them but also feared for them and wondered about their mother's ruthlessness and her power. Especially her power. Her mother was set apart, not only by her actions and her thoughts but also because she was the only one whose part is told in the first person. Immediately, every time you stumble upon her parts, you are on guard and fear what new atrocities will be revealed. Along with our hero and our heroine, you learn to hate and to fear Morwen - and this was just the beginning.
I loved how Malcolm and Elspeth fell for each other. Despite the sudden and definitely quick manner of their...well...kind-of-not-really-courtship, you can feel that those two belong together and that they care a lot for each other. Elspeth is so sweet and Malcolm's devotion to her and his calm acceptance of her uniqueness and her power are simply amazing.
Such a beautiful and amazing book, I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
★★★★★
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