"Medieval Highland Love Story"
In ONCE FORBIDDEN Terri Brisbin takes an interesting 'what
if' leap from her Time Travel book A LOVE THROUGH TIME and
examines what happens to those left behind after a time
traveler has entered their world and then departed. In the case of Anice MacNab, who is much more likeable than
in the first book, the results are truly terrifying. Anice
was engaged to Alesander the son of Struan MacKendimen who
was absent from the Clan due to service with the Scottish
King David. Alesander, now known as Sandy, is convinced
that Anice was unfaithful to him with the 'imposter' Alex
and uses his brutal strength to nearly kill Anice on their
wedding night. Struan is so horrified at what his son has done to this
gentle girl, that he has him knocked over the head and sent
to England. Anice barely recovers from her ordeal, only to
discover that she is pregnant and unable to fulfill all her
duties as Chattelaine of the Manor especially since the
Steward, Dougal is dying. Struan sends for Robert Mathieson, the legal son of his
dying steward. Robert was sent to foster with his neighbor
Duncan MacKillop 8 years before after an argument that
revealed he was Struan's bastard son. Struan has managed to
keep Robert's parentage a secret from the Clan, who think
Sandy the only heir. Robert has felt completely abandoned
by the father he had always known and the one who refuses
to acknowledge him. He has flowered under Duncan's care and
has become Castillon of Duncan's Manor. Robert has trepidations about returning to Dunnedin as he
is unsure of his welcome. The greeting is as bad as Robert
feared; Struan is extremely cold and the Lady Anice shies
away from him if he tries to touch her. Struan makes it
clear nothing has changed, he will never acknowledge Robert
and that his stay is temporary. Robert is puzzled by Anice's insistence that she is no
longer "Lady" Anice, just plain Anice. Robert quickly
understands that Anice is afraid to be touched and
eventually figures out that Sandy is responsible for
Anice's fears and self-recrimination. Anice begins to trust Robert and when she goes into a
difficult labor, it is Robert who actually saves her and
the baby. Robert is so tender with the baby, that Anice
realizes that not all men are like Sandy--but after Sandy's
death she is determined never to be under a man's power or
marry again. Unfortunately for Anice, her father sees her as a way to
forge another alliance and plans to have her leave her son
with Struan and marry again. Anice follows Robert who has
returned to Duncan and he marries her to protect her. He
does not tell Anice that he is her husband's brother, even
though it is against the Roman Church's law for them to be
wed. Robert finds a priest of the Old Church who tells him
it is his duty to care for his brother's wife and marries
them. Robert loves Anice, but he also admits to himself
that he has long hated Sandy and wanted all the things
Sandy had, including his wife. Anice tells Robert what Sandy did to her and he agrees to
wait for them to become husband and wife until she is
ready. But, for appearances they will outwardly live
together as husband and wife. Anice and Robert return to Dunnedin and Struan angrily
accepts the marriage, if Robert gives up all attempts to be
claimed as his son and keeps quiet about some information
Robert uncovered. Of course like many secrets, Robert's
parentage will be exposed with unforeseen results.
There is a definite 'Scottish' feel to this book and a lot
of Scottish dialect, but it never reached the point of
annoyance or pulled me out of the story. Robert and Anice
are both very likeable and very complex and I was rooting
for their happily ever after. ONCE FORBIDDEN is basically a character-driven love story
and the action never overwhelms the emotional growth of the
couple. ONCE FORBIDDEN is from Jove's Highland Fling series
and the cover is absolutely gorgeous. Luckily, the story
inside did not disappoint.
Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted March 12, 2002
SummaryAnice MacNab barely survived her wedding night. The death
of her husband forces her to flee a new political alliance,
seeking the one man she trusts.
Raised the son of one man, Robert Mathieson discovers he is
the son of the MacKendimen laird. Denied recognition and
refused his heritage, Robert finds himself drawn into the
intrigue surrounding Anice and wanting the one person he
cannot have--the woman he loves.
Robert and Anice's newfound love threatens to expose long-
buried secrets within the Clan MacKendimen and they must
find the strength to fight the darkness that surrounds
them. Will love be enough to unite them forever?
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