Heartbreak and treachery find Aila at every turn in her
life. She’s finally accepted her fate and found peace with herself and others
in the monastery. Then Conner Mackenzie enters her life. Conner makes her want
things she hasn’t wanted in years. But again, things are never as they seem.
I found myself drawn to the sexy and gentle warrior, Conner.
He was tough enough to fight and save those who needed it, yet gentle enough to
win over Aila.
Aila’s story broke my heart. I wanted her to find love,
happiness, but it just didn’t seem she would ever get it.
Conner is stubborn and pig-headed and proud. I wanted to
smack him on the head so many times. All he had to do was open his mouth and
tell Aila what he was thinking, feeling. But instead of doing that, he let her
suffer. Of course, he didn’t exactly know what was going on. He is a guy after
all.
Aila could have as easily said something to Conner. But in
her defense, she didn’t know he could be trusted. She had already been betrayed
and she wasn’t certain where Conner stood. She was fierce and brave. She was
willing to risk everything to save Conner.
The first part of the book moved a little slow for me. But
soon I was drawn into the intrigue of the Scots versus the Picts. This was a
new time period for me. Most of the highlander stories I’ve read are later in
time. So, part of the dragging for me could have been me learning more about
this time period.
I will definitely be reading more on this series and from
this author!
About the Author:
Christina loves writing dark tales set in
the 9th century featuring tough Highland warriors who are brought to their
knees by their brave Pictish princesses.
She is published by Ellora’s Cave and
Berkley Heat and has dipped her toe in the indie pub waters. She is a member of
the Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, the DarkSide Down
Under Group Blog and Historical Hearts Group Blog.
Christina is an ex-pat Brit who now lives
in sunny Western Australia with her family. She is also owned by three gorgeous
cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not
wrong.
Excerpt:
She
lifted her head and Connor’s lips brushed hers. A fleeting, tantalizing touch.
A touch that seared her core with a wild, reckless longing.
“I’ve
wanted to kiss you since the first moment I saw you.”
His
ragged whisper scorched her parted lips. She hadn’t been mistaken. “I thought
you far from interested that first day. You surely didn’t give any indication
of your thoughts.”
He
moved closer. The breadth of his shoulders blocked out the rest of the world,
his white linen shirt sculpted his impressive chest. And the weave of his plaid
branded her through the softness of her gown.
“How
could I? You were an aloof Pictish lady and I a mere savage Scot.”
She
leaned into him, soaking up the hard ridges of his chest, the fresh scent of
his hair, the faint sweetness of mead on his breath. “So what has changed?”
“Nothing.”
His fingers tightened around hers and his eyes enslaved her. “Yet everything.”
His
words curled through her heart, shimmered in her blood. Nothing. Yet
everything. The chance of them having a future together was remote. And yet she
had been given this time with him. Moments to savor, to cherish. To remember
for the rest of her life.
