"Laird seeks lady of secrets and magic"
Love casts its spell in the Highlands, as a warrior seeks a
miracle from a mysterious lady of secrets and magic...."
Well, with an intro like that, of course I HAD to read this
book! I am glad I did. Laird Alex MacDunn needed a cure for his dying son. His
wise-woman told him the child's only chance was to "fetch
the witch MacSween". Arriving the day they were to burn
the witch, he thought to buy her, but when his offer was
refused he resorted to the "madness" he was known for and
rescued her. Was she rescued? Or was this changing one
jailer for another Gwendolyn was going to be burned as a witch just as her
mother had been. All because of the greedy, ambitious
brother of the Laird MacSween had killed her father and
blamed it on her. She wished she did have powers, but she
did not. She would have to improvise and act the best she
could to maintain even the limited freedom she had with the
MacDunns. She grew to love young David and the "mad
laird". His madness was his grief over the death of his
wife and the illness of his child. She must battle the
fears and the well-meaning and not so well-intentioned
efforts of this clan; even attempts on her life. Gwen does
not believe she has powers. Her mother's death and her
father's fears for her prevented her from the training she
needed. The wise-woman Morag does have powers and she is
aware that Gwen will grow into a powerful witch someday. Her efforts were making positive changes not only in his
son, but his whole clan... and Alex MacDunn was unwillingly
falling in love with the witch. Gwen was finding an
acceptance and peace that she had never had in her life.
When the attack of the MacSweens would put her new clan in
danger, she chooses to leave the castle. Morag advises
MacDunn and he comes to her rescue again. The tale itself was well written and kept my interest and
the little blips of magic in the story were not overdone;
so this book is rated as Historical romance. I think
paranormal fans will enjoy it, too. SPOILER ALERT! I have food allergies, and find it a pleasant surprise to
see this... and diet cure as part of the book. Few realize
that food allergies can be life threatening and it was a
different approach to the "mysterious illness". It is one
of the tidbits in this book that attracted me. The fact
that what we consider knowledge here would be considered
magic then, and the subtle way the plot is woven. The scenes where Gwen unknowingly calls storms are the main
extent of her power in this book, but the ending shows that
now that she is accepted and loved her powers will grow and
could be passed onto her daughters. I would like to have
seen her come more into her own before the end of the
story, but the story seems to be mostly of her growth in
confidence as well as love. I have hopes there is a sequel
brewing, but no mention was made.
Reviewed by Cy Korte
Posted November 12, 2001
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