"A Welcome Return To Her Classic Historicals"
Readers first met the Kennedy's in TEMPTED when Flaming
Tina Kennedy stole the heart of Ramsey "Black" Douglas set
to the backdrop of the Border turmoil of 17th century
Scotland. Tina's half gypsy brother Heath played an
important role in helping his sister find her heart's
desire and was deserving of his own story. Well... in THE
BORDER HOSTAGE, Ms. Henley doesn't disappoint. Heath is living with his sister and her husband some months
after the horrendous battle at Flodden which about
destroyed all of the "Flowers of Scotland": the noble young
men who were to be Scotland's future. Heath, ignored by the
rest of Kennedy Clan as their father's by blow, has found
his place with the Douglas clan as a truly talented horse
trainer. With his Celtic gift of magic he senses that his
sister, who is swollen with her first child, is in danger
and he rushes to her tower room. Here he is captured by
border reivers who mistake him for Black Ram Douglas, and
in true hero fashion (big sigh) he willingly is
captured to keep Tina and Ram's child safe. Across the border in England, Raven Carleton has found her
own unique niche; she trains raptors, much to her mother's
dismay. Seems mother sees titles/money/status in her
daughter's future and will do everything to rise above her
own meager border beginnings. But Raven wants to be left
alone to make her own choices both in how she will act and
who she will choose for a husband, despite her interest in
local "catch" Chris Dacre. To further complicate her life
with her mother, she has a magical link to her Celtic
heritage when she is inducted into the CRAFT by her
maternal grandmother. When the couple first meet, it is a case of mistaken
identity as Heath has been taken across the border and left
for dead. Surviving, he finds himself at the mercy of Raven
who calls him a "filthy Scots bastard". In true Scots reiver
fashion he gets her out of her clothes, but only to take her
shirt (one of her brother's) and wears it to escape. Leaving
her virtue intact, she is left to stew in her own outrage. This first encounter leaves them experiencing startling
stirrings of a shared magical link, so unexpected to both.
However, as stubborn individuals they are both too concerned
with their own problems to delve into what this
magic might hold. In Heath's determination to find out who
wants Black Douglas dead, he meets with Raven head on as
they clash over border injustices and a growing attraction.
Their shared Celtic heritage and magic gifts can't be
suppressed as they begin a journey of love and self
discovery sure to startle them both. For the reader this
leads to a most satisfying, highly charged sensual
coupling, as only Ms. Henley is wont to provide. What makes this such a fun read is that the hero is a man of
courage, honor and pride. To compliment him, Ms. Henley has
given him a heroine who is his mirror image with an added
splash of feminine pride, sure to bring him to his
knees, right where she wants him to be. Readers will cheer
as Raven is another "Flaming Tina" who can't seem to obey
the males in her life when her man is in trouble. Readers who enjoyed TEMPTED, will be happy to meet up with
the Kennedy Clan, as they too must share a journey of
discovery, seek forgiveness and acceptance. But this
clearly is Heath Kennedy's story. It was a delight for this
reader to see Ms. Henley return to her classic historical
romance voice. The pace is measured and the story is
exceptional with love's first intensive discovery at the
forefront, with history in the background giving it depth,
until the final page, Here is hoping we readers get Duncan's story in the near
future, surely you didn't think Ms. Henley would leave the
readers without a nibble concerning her next troubled hero.
THE BORDER HOSTAGE is classic historical romance at its
best and well worth the hardcover price.
Reviewed by Jody Allen
Posted July 31, 2001
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