Friday, July 9, 2010

Highland Blessings


TAYLOR, JENNIFER HUDSON
HIGHLAND BLESSINGS

Kidnapped on her wedding day:

Scotland, 1473. Highland warrior Bryce MacPhearson kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. When he forces Akira to wed him, hoping to end a half-century old feud between their clans, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment. Her strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce. She learns to forgive, and he begins to trust. How will God turn a simple promise into a beautiful Highland blessing?

But there is a traitor in their midst and murder is the ultimate weapon...

THIS DEBUT AUTHOR TOOK ON THE CHALLENGE OF WRITING A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE FOR THE CHRISTIAN MARKET AND SHE DID A FANTASTIC JOB! BRAWNY, BOLD AND SLIGHTLY UNTAMED HIGHLAND WARRIORS ARE A STAPLE OF THE SECULAR PUBLISHING MARKET, BUT RARELY FOUND IN THE CBA TRADE. I LOVED THE UNIQUE SETTING AND THE COURAGE OF BOTH THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER (ABINGDON PRESS) TO GIVE CHRISTIAN READERS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO READ.

BRYCE IS A DROOLWORTHY CANDIDATE FOR A ROUGH AND TUMBLE HERO, BUT IT'S HIS TENDERNESS THAT STOLE MY HEART FROM THE VERY FIRST CHAPTER. WHAT A LETHAL COMBINATION!!!

AND AKIRA IS SUCH A CONTRADICTION OF GENTLE CHRISTIAN AND FIERY WARRIOR WOMAN. SHE KEEPS BRYCE ON HIS TOES, CONSTANTLY DELIGHTING (AND INFURIATING) HIM WITH HER SURPRISING BEHAVIOUR. OF COURSE HE FALLS HARD, AND SHE DOESN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL TRAGEDY STRIKES AND THEN, JUST WHEN YOU THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO BUILD A LOVING LIFE TOGETHER, SOMETHING SINISTER CREEPS INTO THEIR MIDST.

TAYLOR DOES A MAGNIFICENT JOB WITH THE TIME-PERIOD AND I ESPECIALLY APPRECIATED THE AUTHENTICITY SHE GAVE THE SCOTTISH DIALOGUE. IT WASN'T OVERDONE SO READING IT WAS EASY BUT IT HELPED IMMERSE ME IN THE SETTING, ADDING FLAVOUR TO A RICH READING EXPERIENCE.

3 comments:

  1. I downloaded this one from kindle the other day. It's free right now. I've been looking forward to reading it for awhile. Even got my library to order it, but alas had to take it back before I had time to read it.

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  2. Wow -- that's exciting, that you got it free. Hope you enjoy it. I have to admit to being kindle-reluctant. I love slouching around with book in hand and I adore the rows and rows of 'old friends' lined up on my bookshelf. Maybe when I finally run out of room......:-)

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