"Welfonder shines!"

So Many times when I pick up a Scottish Historical Romance I fear a long list of problems from a writer that doesn't know Scotland. I have seen potatoes, rhododendrons, heroes swinging from glass chandeliers and much more, all in a medieval period when they didn't exist in Scotland, and some cases wouldn't for hundreds of years. I have seen great battles misspelled, and heroes and villains alike sneaking around in the black darkness of a Scottish summer night. Hello? You can read a newspaper out of doors at midnight in Scotland. Why do you think they advertise you can play golf at night? And these errors are not just from first time writers, but some of the biggest names in Scottish Historical Romance today. I never have those worries when I pick up a novel by Sue-Ellen Welfonder. She writes with such heart, such spirit, but more importantly, writes with a true knowledge of Scotland that shines through her tales. You see places she writers about, know they exist. I am not sure her publisher Warner really stops and takes notice what a gem they have in her. Readers know! Have since her very first book Devil in a Kilt!

This tale is Robbie Mackenzie's. The son of Duncan Mackenzie, the Black Stag of Kintail, he's been off for ten years. But now he is coming home. There are rumors spreading through Kintail that when Robbie returns that Duncan would surrender his lairdship to his only son and heir. But first Robbie has promised to marry a MacLeod lass, Euphemia. On his way home he rescues a redheaded woman from the loch, saves her from drowning. The minute he holds her, he kens this is the lass for him. Only what of Euphemia? He cannot just dismiss her. She is already in route to Kintail. To send her home for be a grave insult to her and her clan.

Juliana Mackay holds no love for the Mackenzies, blaming them for the impoverishment to which her mother has been forced to raise her brother Kenneth and her. Upon her mother's deathbed she charges Juliana to repay a debt to Duncan Mackenzie. Juliana is furious, knowing her mother had this small fortune which she is sending to Duncan as repayment for a debt. Juliana doesn't understand about, believing the money could have gone to give them a better life. Against her wishes, she agrees to her mother's deathbed request.

Robbie finds her thrashing in the lochan, a bloody gash on her forehead. Juliana cannot recall what brought her to Kintail or even who she is. To Robbie it little matters.

Welfonder delivers, yet again, a pure, true Scottish Historical that is sure to delight her fans. Devotees will delight in seeing old friends from her previous works, even though this is a stand-alone novel. New readers - read them in order to get all the full pleasure, read them out of order - just read them if you love to see Scotland how is really is.

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted June 24, 2005

Summary

It was beyond her control to resist him...

ONLY FOR A KNIGHT

For ten lusty years, Robbie Mackenzie has savored the sensual pleasures that only a man with no wife can taste. To the lassies of Scotland, he is a living legend, the sole heir of the Black Stag clan, and a prize catch indeed. But Juliana Mackay has no such interest in the rogue or his powerful family. Her mission-to deliver an unpaid debt for her dying mother-is the only thing that could force her within reach of the wayward knight. That is, until an accidental blow to the head sends her reeling right into the brawny arms of Robbie MacKenzie himself.

In the heat of the moment, their passions ignite. But Juliana has forgotten her own identity, as well as her mission-and Robbie has promised to marry a bride from a rival clan. How can these two star-crossed lovers resist the love that burns in their hearts...and the desire that consumes their souls?