"An enchanting Scottish historical novel"

HEAVEN AND THE HEATHER is a Highland Fling romance set in the Highlands of Scotland in the time of Mary Queen of Scots. Sabine de Sainte Montagne has been sent with Queen Mary on her return from France to reclaim her Scottish throne. Sabine's passion is art and her abusive father has sent her with Mary as a form of rejection and disenfranchisement. Sabine keeps her crippled right hand carefully concealed as much as possible, and works to regain strength in the hand. She continues drawing everything she sees even while she suffers severe pain. In the meantime, Mary has decided to marry Sabine to one of her loyal Scottish courtiers, Sir John Campbell. Sabine has no wish to go to this barbaric country or marry a man she has never met. She has secretly saved some money and hopes to disappear once the court has reached Scotland.

On arrival in Scotland Sabine immediately encounters Niall MacGregor, the perfect image of a barbarian Scot. Sir John Campbell has declared Niall's clan outlaws, and his father and older brother have been murdered. Now as laird of Clan Gregor, Niall seeks Sabine's help to convince the Queen of his loyalty. Sabine is attracted to the red-haired, blue eyed savage, but soon finds out that he is brave, resourceful and loyal. It is Sir John Campbell, the accomplished courtier, who makes his deceit and corruption very clear.

HEAVEN AND THE HEATHER is a well-crafted story. The characters are richly drawn and the detail of the historical setting adds a great deal of dimension to the novel. Sabine's courage and persistence in the face of great adversity make her a wonderfully strong character. Niall also faces desperate odds with strength, bravery and compassion. He understands Sabine's deep love of art, and she sees the beauty of his homeland with her artist's eye. Ms. Holcombe has described Highlanders and their spirit with great care. Her attention to the small details of living conditions and physical setting are carefully done, and transport the reader completely into the story. This is a must-read for all who love great historical setting.

Reviewed by Cynthia Meidinger
Posted October 10, 2002

Read an Excerpt

A savage land. An untamed passion. Anything can happen in the Highlands--even love.

Summary

A member of the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, the exquisite Sabine de Sainte Montagne is at the mercy of Her Majesty's whims--and has been promised in marriage to a powerful, yet devious, Scottish lord.

The chief of an outlaw clan, Niall MacGregor knows his people's future rests in the hands of the new queen. But his reckless attempt to approach her is spoiled by Sabine's presence. Stopped cold by her raven-haired beauty, Niall barely escapes with his life.

With but a glimpse into Niall's startling blue eyes, Sabine recognizes the freedom she so desperately craves. But it will take all of the warrior's fierce courage and determination to pierce Sabine's French pride and make her believe that anything can happen in the Highlands--even love...

What inspired Heaven and the Heather?
A Vanity Fair cover of Scottish actor Ewan McGregor in a muddy kilt, a wry grin on his lips, and twinkling blue eyes beckoned Elizabeth's imagination. That, and a speckled chicken he holds under one arm. She asked herself: "What would a Highlander do with a chicken?" She wrote Heaven and the Heather as the answer to that consuming question!