This is the first in a series of historical
novels of the Graham clan (see list below). First released under the pen name
Shannon Drake, it’s set in 12th century Scotland during King David I’s reign. Waryk
de Graham is 14 and on the battlefield with his father and uncle, both of whom
are slain. In a heroic feat, he manages to rise from the assumed dead and save
the remaining Scottish warriors and kill Renfrew, the leader of the Norse forces.
For this, he is knighted by the king, dubbed "Lord Lion," and
promised future prizes.
Ten years later after Waryk has
faithfully served the king and won many battles and his reputation has spread
far and wide, the king is of a mind to finally give him the promised reward. Prompted
to move by the death of Adin, once a Viking conqueror who then became truly
Scottish and loyal to King David, the king gives Waryk the Blue Isle—a wondrous
holding—and his daughter Mellyora MacAdin, who is known as beautiful and a
brilliant swordswoman.
Mellyora, unaware of all this, upon her
father’s death, asks the king to allow her to rule in her father's place and to
marry the McKinney who is a laird in his own right and lives on Blue Isle. But
the king wants a powerful warrior defending Blue Isle and he wants to reward
Waryk.
Waryk has had a mistress he has loved
for years and wants to marry her. But he will bend to the King's will if only
to gain the lands. So Mellyora, headstrong and courageous, after many attempts
to escape, is finally resigned to marry Waryk (or suffer the loss of her lands).
Neither likes the other and so begins the story of their tumultuous love.
Graham’s writing is wonderful and she
serves up non-stop action. The romance is compelling. And, this historical is
also based on her own family history of the Graham's. The historical elements
are well done and Graham even includes a timeline in the back for those of us who
love the history.
Our heroine and hero do have their
issues. At times, Mellyora, who was supposed to be a brilliant strategist, could
be quite stupid in falling into Waryk's traps and he was at times less than
honorable, even mean.
Buy on Amazon.
I recommend the whole series!
The Graham Saga:
Come the Morning
Conquer the Night
Seize the Dawn
Knight Triumphant
The Lion in Glory
When We Touch
The Queen's Lady
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