It is the story of Lady Margaret of Blackthorne, a Glendruid "witch" (though she is really a God fearing young woman who loves her people), and Dominic le Sabre ("the Sword"), a knight who has returned to Scotland to be rewarded by King Henry I for great service in the Middle East. His reward is Blackthorne Keep, its lands and the Lady Margaret ("Meg"), its mistress. Dominic wants lands, peace and heirs--male heirs--but the Glendruid women cannot bear male heirs unless there is real love present and Dominic has none to give as he’s been wounded in heart and soul at the hands of the Saracens. Dominic knows Meg was promised to another and he suspects the man was also her lover. However, Meg is an innocent young woman, though wise in the ways of people and animals. She's a gifted healer, as are all the Glendruids, and she has an amazing way with the falcons they raise at Blackthorne.
I loved the way Lowell wove falconry and the life of a medieval keep into her incredibly detailed story. She created wonderful characters (two of whom are featured in FORBIDDEN and ENCHANTED) with period dialog that drew me in from the first page. The romance is well done and very believable.
This is a keeper, worth enjoying more than once! I highly recommend it.
I love this series as well, Regan! The books are wonderfully atmospheric and Elizabeth Lowell knows how to weave emotionally intense stories with unforgettable characters. I love all three books but, Enchanted, Simon and Ariane's story is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteI think I liked the first one best...I still hear the bells she wore. But I, too, loved the series.
DeleteRegan