"A great debut book!"

The time of Mary, Queen of Scots is my very favorite slice of history. I've read numerous fictional and historical books about this time in history. I believe that's the reason I enjoyed this story so much.

This is the story of Sabine de Sainte Montagne and Niall MacGregor. Sabine's father gave her into service to the Queen in France. He only told the queen to see that Sabine married well. Sabine has been with Mary for five years now and they are on their way back to Scotland. Mary has betrothed Sabine to Lord John Campbell, one of her trusted advisors of her Privy Council. Sabine is not happy with this betrothal but has to do the Queen's bidding.

Niall MacGregor only wants the Queen's ear so he can let her know that not only was his clan wrongly accused but also that Lord Campbell murdered his father and his brother. He has to be careful because he knows that Campbell is waiting to capture him. He just has to find a way to get to the Queen. When he sees Sabine he feels as if this is his ticket but will she agree?

This was the most exciting and intriguing historical I've read in a while. I was glued to the pages and could not wait to see how this book would end. This may be Elizabeth Holcombe's debut book but it's a must read for those fans of historical Scottish romances!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted November 15, 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!