"One of the best writers of Scottish Romance"

Historical writers suffer with the "shortened length" of all romance books these days. The time of the really rich sagas are sadly gone, and one can but hope they will one day come back! Welfonder is a very talented writer, but you can almost feel the "chains" her editors put on her.

Still, Sue-Ellen Welfonder does magic with her books that convey with love the true spirit of the hands. This is her third Highland tale of the warring Macleans and Mackinnons. Welfonder knows Scotland, and that is clear in her writing. She understands that the realm of lore and myth are not that far from the everyday mind of the Scots, that we accept things such as second sight as second nature!

This is a very lively novel with Lady Catherine Keith, twice wed, twice widowed, and in need someone to fend of unwanted suitors and protect her Scottish Stronghold. Having been raped by English knights, she wants no men near her. Only her sister knows her being unwed makes her a target for men to try and kidnap her to force her into marriage to gain control of her lands, so she send a "make believe husband". He is an English knight, whose face had been scarred in battle. Sir Marmaduke Strongbow. Sir M. comes at the request of the sister of Catherine to defend the Keith fortress, but he has plans of his own. Unlike all the other suitors, he wants her love, not her land, so he lays siege in the bedroom and teaches her there are other ways to wage war. He thinks she resists him because of his scared face, instead of her aversion to all men. So the chase is on. Sir M. is a wonderful hero, who steals her heart and yours.

The characters are well drawn and winning. This book given a longer length and some care to leave in the history for the period could have been so magnificent. Let's hope Warner reverses this trend and puts history back in their writers' tales.

A delightfully enjoyable read, with authentic Scottish settings and lore.

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted September 24, 2004

Summary

A HEADSTRONG LADY, A BATTLE-TORN KNIGHT, AND A LESSON IN TEMPTATION!

Twice wed and twice widowed, Lady Caterine Keith has no need for a champion. She can fend off unwanted suitors on her own and guard her Scottish stronghold without the help of any man. But her sister, knowing better, sends a make- believe husband—a knight with a battle-scarred face almost too frightening to behold. Sir Marmaduke Strongbow has a secret ambition. He wants not Caterine's land but her hand in marriage and her heart to own. With tantalizing caresses, he will show her how a real champion lays siege ... and how love is impossible to fight.