Set in 18th century Scotland, New Orleans and Georgia, it tells the story of Kayleigh Kerr, who was raised in Mhor Castle near Inverness until the day tragedy struck and her life of affluent nobility was taken away. Escaping to America and the slums of New Orleans, she dresses in rags. To survive, she becomes a cutpurse named “Kestral.” Her only dream is of returning to Scotland and having revenge on her evil cousin Straught who took her life from her. But when she tries to steal from the darkly handsome St. Bride Ferringer, who has just arrived on a ship from France, she finds a man to be reckoned with. St. Bride is really the Duke of Lansdowne in disguise, secretly plotting his own revenge, not coincidentally against the same cousin who has followed Kayleigh to America.
I love a heroine who is beaten down by life but never gives in and holds her head high as she sticks to her principles and her virtue, even if the whole world assumes she’s a whore. And who doesn’t love a hero who recognizes a diamond in the rough…or rather, a diamond sullied by misfortune? The wild and beautiful Kayleigh becomes St. Bride’s obsession and his constant distraction. Love the names and the emotions McKinney gives her characters.
This is suspenseful storytelling at its best; and I recommend it. (The cover does nothing for this wonderful tale...)
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