Kathleen Givens’ THE WILD ROSE OF KILGANNON – A Wonderful, Exciting Story of Clan Kilgannon, a keeper!

 

April is Classics month when I dive into my Keeper shelf and dust off those I intend to re-read. This is certainly one of those. I love how Givens writes. I just get lost in her tales and her characters. I have two tests for a 5 star romance: (1) can I put it down? and (2) will I read it again? This book passes both tests. For those considering buying it, make sure you also buy Kilgannon first. The two books form two parts to one story--and you will want both.

 

This novel tells of Mary Lowell, an English aristocrat, and the Highland chief Alex MacGannon, who claims her as his bride. I loved Mary...what a heroine! She is independent and smart and does what she thinks is right no matter the cost. When news comes of the capture of her beloved Alex, Mary vows to rescue him. As a defiant Alex is tried in London as a traitor, though all he did was to give his life to save his men, Mary unleashes her own campaign on London society to win justice for him. I loved Alex, Lord Kilgannon, too. He is all Scot, all man, very romantic, and loves his woman fiercely. He fights with the best of them, leads men well and keeps his humor no matter the peril.

 

You might want to read these two books first: On A Highland Shore and Rivals for the Crown. They involve the same family/clan but are set generations earlier (13th century). It helped having the earlier story to understand where Clan Kilgannon came from, though it is not essential to enjoying The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, which is based in the 1700s.

 

Here’s the description of book 1, Kilgannon:

 

Alex MacGannon, Earl of Kilgannon, strode into the ballroom and commanded her heart. They called him a barbarian, a rough-hewn Scot—chieftain of Clan MacGannon. They said no woman could hold him, as he set sail on the high seas. But Alex returned to claim Mary Lowell as his own, to carry her off to Scotland to his magnificent ancestral castle, Kilgannon.

 

I have all of Kathleen Givens’ books. All are set in Scotland (except for the scenes in London). She is simply the best...a standard for all others.

 

Kathleen Givens’ The Wild Rose of Kilgannon – A Wonderful, Exciting Story of Clan Kilgannon, a keeper!

 

I love how Givens writes. I have two tests for a 5 star romance: (1) can I put it down? and (2) will I read it again? This book passes both tests. Could not put it down and I will read it again.

 

For those considering buying it, make sure you also buy Kilgannon. The two books are the two parts to the same story--and you will want both. I just get lost in her tales and her characters, in this novel, Mary Lowell, an English aristocrat, and the Scottish chief Alex MacGannon, who claims her as his bride. I loved Mary...what a heroine! She is independent and smart and does what she thinks is right no matter the cost. When news comes of the capture of her beloved Alex, Mary vows to rescue him. As a defiant Alex is tried in London as a traitor, though all he did was to give his life to save his men, Mary unleashes her own campaign on London society to win justice for her man. I loved her man, Alex, Lord Kilgannon. He is all Scot, all man, very romantic, loves his woman fiercely. He fights with the best of them, leads men well and keeps his humor no matter the peril.

 

I suggest you read these two books before: On Highland Shore and Rivals for the Crown. They involve the same family/clan but are set generations earlier (13th century). It helped having the earlier story to understand where Clan Kilgannon came from, though it is not essential to enjoying this one based in the 1700s. And then read Kilgannon, book 1 in the Kilgannon duology. Here’s the description:

 

Alex MacGannon, Earl of Kilgannon, strode into the ballroom and commanded her heart. They called him a barbarian, a rough-hewn Scot—chidftain of clan MacGannon. They said no woman could hold him, as he set sail on the high seas. But Alex returned to claim Mary Lowell as his own, to carry her off to Scotland, to his magnificent ancestral castle, Kilgannon.

 

I have all of Kathleen Givens’ books. She is simply the best...a standard for all others.

 

Kathleen Givens’ ON A HIGHLAND SHORE – Superb Love Story, a Keeper Rich in the History of Medieval Scotland

Kathleen Givens was an award-winning author of Scottish historicals, each rich in historical detail. Each is a keeper.

 

Set in 13th century Scotland, this tells the story of Margaret MacDonald and Gannon MacMagnus, who find love after tragedy. In both this book and its sequel, Rivals for the Crown, Givens does a superb job of weaving English and Scottish history into an epic romance and a tale of Highlander families swept up in the great themes of Scotland's history.

 

I grew to love these men and women and felt like they could have easily been real people--people who experienced deep, lasting love, demanding challenges and heartrending losses. Gannon is an heroic figure, half Norse, half Irish, who comes into Margaret’s life at a tragic time. One of my very favorite heroes.

 

Givens’ writing is so believable, so compelling, I found myself reading her stories late into the night. These are not formula romance books or superficially historical but sweeping stories, well-researched and well worth the read. You won't be disappointed. There are fewer love scenes than in some romances but the ones included are tender and well worth the wait. The sexual tension she creates fits the story and the characters.

 

Givens gave us two other 2-book series –all  Scottish historicals (The Legend and The Destiny and Kilgannon and The Rose of Kilgannon). They are all we will have of her work as she passed away in early 2010, a great loss for historical romance fans. She was a great talent.

 

If you like sweeping sagas rich in historical detail, you will love this one.

Kathleen Givens’ THE LEGEND - A Wonderful Scottish Historical!

I am a devoted fan of Kathleen Givens's stories. I loved the Torridon duology about twin brothers from the Clan MacCurrie living on the Northwestern shore of Scotland at their family seat, Torridon.

Set in 17th century Scotland (and England), while perhaps not as good as On A Highland Shore or Rivals For The Crown or the Kilgannon duology, I did really enjoy it. Givens has a real talent for weaving true history into a story that captures the reader’s mind as well as the heart. Always her tales tug at my heartstrings.

This two book series (The Legend and The Destiny) present the Clan MacCurrie and a legend told by the Seer about two brothers, twins Neil and Jamie, and their family. Their father, grandfather and great grandfather all died on their birthday--just as the Seer predicted. The twins were conceived the night the great oak tree that is the clan symbol was split in two by lightning. Yet each half of the tree lived. And the legend tells of the brothers going to war and then of 50 years of peace. The two brothers are very close, even communicating without speaking.

This first story is Jamie's and Ellen's and it begins as the Highland clans are gathering to consider if they will go to war to fight for King James' right to rule or accept William and Mary who have been declared co-regents. It is decided that Jamie must attend the gathering in Neil's place and they believe since they are twins, no one will know.

Ellen is the youngest daughter of a family in turmoil. While her two older sisters have married for love and are happy, her stepfather brought deceit and treachery to her mother's life and her own. Ellen learns of a plot on the life of her cousin, Dundee, who has become the champion of the Highlanders, and she feels she must go to the clan gathering to warn him. On the way, Jamie will save Ellen from brigands.

If you love Scottish history and Highlander romance, you will find both in this tale.  And for Neil's story, get The Destiny!

Kathleen Givens’ ON A HIGHLAND SHORE – Superb Love Story, a Keeper Rich in the History of Scotland

Kathleen Givens was an award-winning author of Scottish historicals, each rich in historical detail. Everyone is a keeper.

Set in 13th century Scotland, this tells the story of Margaret MacDonald and Gannon MacMagnus, who find love after tragedy. In both this book and its sequel, Rivals for the Crown, Givens does a superb job of weaving English and Scottish history into an epic romance and a tale of Highlander families swept up in the great themes of Scotland's history.

I grew to love these men and women and felt like they could have easily been real people--people who experienced deep, lasting love, demanding challenges and heartrending losses. Gannon is an heroic figure, half Norse, half Irish, who comes into Margaret’s life at a tragic time. One of my very favorite heroes.

Givens’ writing is so believable, so compelling, I found myself reading her stories late into the night. These are not formula romance books or superficially historical but sweeping stories, well-researched and well worth the read. You won't be disappointed. There are fewer love scenes than in some romances but the ones included are tender and well worth the wait. The sexual tension she creates fits the story and the characters.

Givens gave us two other 2-book series –all  Scottish historicals (The Legend and The Destiny and Kilgannon and The Rose of Kilgannon). They are all we will have of her work as she passed away in early 2010, a great loss for historical romance fans. She was a great talent.

If you like sweeping sagas rich in historical detail, you will love this one.

Kathleen Givens’ KILGANNON – A Very Worthy Heroine in a Great Highland Romance – a Keeper!

After reading On a Highland Shore and its sequel Rivals For The Crown, I became a devoted fan of Givens and her amazing talent for weaving a story from history that sweeps you away.

Kilgannon is a story of the same Highlander family in On a Highland Shore, but ten generations later--in 1712. Set in Scotland and England, it tells the story of Mary Lowell, a pampered debutante, swept up in London's society of parties and entertainment. Mary saw no suitors that appealed to her but then it was expected she'd marry the Campbell. Then Alex MacGannon, the Earl of Kilgannon, shows up at a soiree in London one evening wearing a kilt and Mary is intrigued, captivated.

They called Lord Kilgannon a barbarian, a Scottish chief of clan MacGannon who sailed the seas in his ships. But Mary finds the Scottish lord polished and with a wonderful sense of humor. Alex knows what he wants and he wants Mary Lowell for his wife, to live with him and his two young sons in castle Kilgannon. The Highlands are torn by rebellion, and Mary is drawn into the conflict as another man competes for her love.

Alex is every bit the man his ancestor, Gannon, was and I could not help falling in love with him as he pursued Mary, a very worthy heroine. English, she is a strong woman of character who would leave her own land for his.

Givens' writing is wonderfully descriptive and the feelings between the two characters develop subtly and believably. You are drawn into their world without realizing it.

The sequel, The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, continues story of Alex and Mary as they face England's wrath together. When you can't stop reading, you know you've found a keeper. The two books comprise a rich tale of the 18th century you will want to re-read! Givens is a superb storyteller.

It’s on my Best Scottish Historical Romances list, My Top 20 list and My Favorite Heroes & Heroines list!

Review: Kathleen Givens’ THE LEGEND - A Wonderful Scottish Historical!

I am a devoted fan of Kathleen Givens's stories. I loved the Torridon duology about twin brothers from the Clan MacCurrie living on the Northwestern shore of Scotland at their family seat, Torridon.

Set in 17th century Scotland (and England), while perhaps not as good as On A Highland Shore or Rivals For The Crown or the Kilgannon duology, I did really enjoy it. Givens has a real talent for weaving true history into a story that captures the reader’s mind as well as the heart. Always her tales tug at my heartstrings.

This two book series (The Legend and The Destiny) present the Clan MacCurrie and a legend told by the Seer about two brothers, twins Neil and Jamie, and their family. Their father, grandfather and great grandfather all died on their birthday--just as the Seer predicted. The twins were conceived the night the great oak tree that is the clan symbol was split in two by lightening. Yet each half of the tree lived. And the legend tells of the brothers going to war and then of 50 years of peace. The two brothers are very close, even communicating without speaking.

This first story is Jamie's and Ellen's and it begins as the Highland clans are gathering to consider if they will go to war to fight for King James' right to rule or accept William and Mary who have been declared co-regents. It is decided that Jamie must attend the gathering in Neil's place and they believe since they are twins, no one will know.

Ellen is the youngest daughter of a family in turmoil. While her two older sisters have married for love and are happy, her stepfather brought deceit and treachery to her mother's life and her own. Ellen learns of a plot on the life of her cousin, Dundee, who has become the champion of the Highlanders, and she feels she must go to the clan gathering to warn him. On the way, Jamie will save Ellen from brigands.

If you love Scottish history and Highlander romance, you will find both in this tale.  And for Neil's story, get The Destiny!

Review: Kathleen Givens’ ON A HIGHLAND SHORE and RIVALS FOR THE CROWN – Keepers!

I only discovered Kathleen Givens just as she passed away unexpectedly in January 2010. I so loved her books that it broke my heart to lose such a great writer of historical romance. But she left us six wonderful historical novels to treasure. All are “keepers”, including the two I’m featuring today. Both are set in 13^th century Scotland.

On a Highland Shore

 

On Scotland's western shore, the village of Somerstrath prepares for the wedding of Margaret MacDonald, the laird's daughter. But a merciless band of Vikings threatens and Margaret doesn’t know if she can trust the noblemen from King Alexander's court, who insists that only by adhering to a betrothal dor political gain will she find safety. And she wonders if she can put her trust in the half-Irish, half-Norse warrior, Gannon MacMagnus.

Margaret is a brave heroine who handles all with courage and Gannon is a noble man who would claim the woman others want.

Givens does a superb job of weaving English and Scottish history into an epic romance and a tale of Highlander families swept up in the great themes of Scotland's history. If you love historically authentic romance, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Buy on Amazon.

Rivals for the Crown 

This story follows some 30 years later when the young Queen of Scots dies en route to claim the crown. Two bitter foes—John Balliol and Robert Bruce—emerge as possible successors, but England's Edward I has his own designs on Scotland.

In London, Edward has expelled all Jews from his kingdom. Rachel de Anjou must leave behind her best friend, Isabel de Burke, and travel with her family to the Scottish border town of Berwick for their safety. And then she meets the tall, dark Highlander, Kieran MacDonald, who would have her heart.

Innocent Isabel, lady-in-waiting to Edward's queen, Eleanor, is soon immersed in a world of privilege and peril where she attracts the notice of two men—Henry de Boyer, an English knight, and Rory MacGannon, a Highland warrior and outlaw. Isabel and Rachel are reunited in Berwick, but enmity between Scotland and England leads to war.

This story stayed with me long after I turned the last page… it’s a well-written story of choices, not just those of Rachel and Isabel, but also of the men who would have them. I promise it will tug at your heartstrings.

Buy on Amazon.

New Review: Kathleen Givens’ KILGANNON – A Very Worthy Hero & Heroine in a Great Highland Romance – a Keeper!

After reading On a Highland Shore and its sequel Rivals For The Crown, I became a devoted fan of Givens and her amazing talent for weaving a story from history that sweeps you away.

Kilgannon is a story of the same Highlander family in On a Highland Shore, but ten generations later--in 1712. Set in Scotland and England, it tells the story of Mary Lowell, a pampered debutante, swept up in London's society of parties and entertainment. Mary saw no suitors that appealed to her but then it was expected she'd marry the Campbell. Then Alex MacGannon, the Earl of Kilgannon, shows up at a soiree in London one evening wearing a kilt and Mary is intrigued, captivated.

They called Lord Kilgannon a barbarian, a Scottish chief of clan MacGannon who sailed the seas in his ships. But Mary finds the Scottish lord polished and with a wonderful sense of humor. Alex knows what he wants and he wants Mary Lowell for his wife, to live with him and his two young sons in castle Kilgannon. The Highlands are torn by rebellion, and Mary is drawn into the conflict as another man competes for her love.

Alex is every bit the man his ancestor, Gannon, was and I could not help falling in love with him as he pursued Mary, a very worthy heroine. English, she is a strong woman of character who would leave her own land for his.

Givens' writing is wonderfully descriptive and the feelings between the two characters develop subtly and believably. You are drawn into their world without realizing it.

  

The sequel, The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, continues story of Alex and Mary as they face England's wrath together. When you can't stop reading, you know you've found a keeper. The two books comprise a rich tale of the 18th century you will want to re-read! Givens is a superb storyteller.

Both are on my Best Scottish Historical Romances list and My Favorite Heroes & Heroines list!

Buy Kilgannon on Amazon