"An exciting Scottish historical romance"

In 1747, as her Paris vacation comes to an end, Lady Isabella Drayton meets Comte de St. Germain at the King's court. Believing she is the virtuous one, the Comte asks Bella to return a stolen enchanted mermaid stone to its rightful owner, MacAiodh. However, her quest is complicated by the existence of two potential "Sons of Fire". If she chooses the wrong one, history will be altered, but if she selects correctly than everything will flow as it is intended to proceed.

Clan chief Calum "THE ADVENTURER" MacKay abducts Bella as she tries to return the stone to its rightful owner. He is shocked that she possesses what is considered a legend among his fellow Scots. Though he wants to steal the stone from her, he knows he must not desecrate the stone. She must willingly hand it to the right person, so he tries devious means for her to give it to him. However, his seductive efforts may have hooked the stone bearer, for he now loves her too.

The latest Highland Hero tale is an exciting Scottish historical romance with a fantasy backdrop. The story line starts slow though the audience observes the happenings at the court of King Louis XV, but once the plot takes off from the moment the Comte enlists Bella as his delivery person, the tale goes into hyperspeed. The lead couple is a delight to watch together while readers ponder whether their love was fated to happen due to the stone. Jaclyn Reding shows she is no PRETENDER, but a contender, to the sub-genre throne.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 1, 2002