Set
in the Highlands in 1377, this is the story of Lady Caitriona whose father, the
laird, has just died. Unbeknownst to her, her father had asked King Robert II
for help. The king sends Lord Ranald Scott to hold Scaurness Castle on
Scotland’s western coast. Ranald has been told if the old king dies before his
son returns from France, then he must take over as laird and marry the old
laird’s daughter.
Caitriona would prefer to rule the clan in her brother’s stead and is not happy about being forced to wed her childhood friend she never liked. Added to that, she has a 4-year-old daughter, the product of a rape when she was 15, that she fears Ranald—like one of her other suitors—will reject.
Caitriona would prefer to rule the clan in her brother’s stead and is not happy about being forced to wed her childhood friend she never liked. Added to that, she has a 4-year-old daughter, the product of a rape when she was 15, that she fears Ranald—like one of her other suitors—will reject.
This
is a well-written story, albeit long at times. The author has done her research
to make it authentic and that is good. I enjoyed Ranald and his friends and the
castle life MacRae has created. Caitriona (“Riona” for short and pronounced
“Ree-na”) is a worthy heroine who has overcome great difficulties to take her
place at the head of her people, that is until Ranald arrived.
Treachery,
battles, celebrations, a Highland wedding and an adorable child will keep you
turning pages!
No comments:
Post a Comment