Helpful Score: 4
With Scotlands King Alexander and the Maiden of Norway both dead, Scotland is left ripe for Englands King Edward I to subdue, but Highlander Arryn Graham will do whatever he must to avenge his familys deaths and reclaim Scotland by stealing his sworn enemys bride and castle.
Lady Kyra does not love her husband to be, Lord Darrow, but she must save his people from harm. Thus she becomes Arryns unwilling hostage, fighting him at every turn and holding on to her spirit.
Arryn is determined to have his vengeance, but it is difficult to use Kyra as a pawn when he respects her courage. She comes to understand what drives Arryn to fight for Scotland with men like Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.
Lady Kyra does not love her husband to be, Lord Darrow, but she must save his people from harm. Thus she becomes Arryns unwilling hostage, fighting him at every turn and holding on to her spirit.
Arryn is determined to have his vengeance, but it is difficult to use Kyra as a pawn when he respects her courage. She comes to understand what drives Arryn to fight for Scotland with men like Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.
Helpful Score: 3
Once again Shannon Drake strikes gold! The story she weaves will keep you glued to the book. The story of Arryn Granham and Kyra Beniface in my opinion is one of Ms. Drake's best. Ms. Drake weaves a story of two people caught up in turbulent times in Scotland. A time when people like William Wallace, Andrew deMoray fought England's Edward I for freedom. Skillfully she has told a beautiful love story mixed in with true historical facts. Yet not once has this story compromised historical facts nor the purpose of the story of two strong-willed people. You will not be bored with facts, dates and such. Yet the story flows through events; such as, Berwick, Stirling Bridge, yet remains true to the romance novel we want to read. Here is a story of a man, Arryn, hurt, bitter, wanting revenge against Kinsey Darrow, who destroyed his home, his people, killed his wife and his unborn child. Kyra who is to marry Kinsey, is taken prisoner by Arryn and is to be used as a tool for revenge. Yet though all the hurt, bitterness, misunderstandings, a love is born that will survive. This may sound like your typical medieval romance story, and to some degree it is (so what, I love that type of story). However, it is more than typical. It is an excellent written story. I highly recommend this book. Now I have to wait for next year for her third installment of the Granhams.
Helpful Score: 1
I never thought I'd see the day when some publisher would decide to back to the old lie that rape is romantic.
Well, it isn't. Not in real life and not in this horrible piece of tripe. I found the rape scene objectionable in every way possible. It was offensive, not believable AND poorly written on top of it.
The dialogue through the entire novel was fragmented and poorly done. The supposedly strong and independent heroine was a nitwit. And (this is a historical romance after all) the historical research (if she did any) was nothing to brag about.
My recommendation: Find something else to read.
Well, it isn't. Not in real life and not in this horrible piece of tripe. I found the rape scene objectionable in every way possible. It was offensive, not believable AND poorly written on top of it.
The dialogue through the entire novel was fragmented and poorly done. The supposedly strong and independent heroine was a nitwit. And (this is a historical romance after all) the historical research (if she did any) was nothing to brag about.
My recommendation: Find something else to read.
Helpful Score: 1
Very good historical involving Scotland's bid for freedom, well written with a stubborn heroine and a determined hero. Both of them denying they've fallen in love. Shannon Drake is a wonderful writer.
Helpful Score: 1
I knew on page 87 that I wouldn't like, and probably wouldn't finish this book. When a woman gets raped, she's not going to fall in love with her rapist. That's the premise here, hero rapes heroine, heroine falls in love with him. I think it's insulting to the reader, and degrading to women in general.
