"Exhilarating Highland historical"

In 1545 in the Scottish Highlands, Duncan MacRae is betrayed by his brother Colin and Morgana MacDonnal at his wedding ceremony. The MacDonnals kill many of the MacRaes including Duncan's bride, steal the magical amulet Ealach, and sell Duncan to the English, who imprison him in the Tower.

Thirteen years later, Duncan returns to Scotland following Queen Elizabeth freeing the Scottish prisoners. He and his clan raid MacDonnal to take back the Ealach as well as to avenge what happened to him and his people. However, both Colin and Morgana were reported dead while in exile and her brother Robert offers a deal to end the feuds. He offers his other sister Aieleana as Duncan's wife in exchange for allowing his other brother to live. Duncan accepts Aieleana as his leman until he begins to fall in love with the witch who has safely hidden the Ealach.

THE SWEETEST SIN is exciting historical romance with a touch of fantasy to spice the plot. Duncan admires Aieleana for her courage within hostile environs while she learns of the atrocities committed by her family towards the MacRae clan. The story line grips the audience from the moment that Duncan realizes what happened to his beloved as they stood at the altar until the final neat twist places his new beloved in jeopardy by his enemies. This Scottish historical is a terrific tale that sub-genre fans will enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 3, 2004