The Destiny
is the sequel to The Legend, both books telling the separate tales of twin Highland
brothers bound together by a strong, almost magical, link.
Their futures have been foretold by a prophecy; war, glory, battle and love
all entwined in a legendary prediction that shadows both of their lives.
In 1691 England, being Scottish can
be a dangerous thing – especially for Highland Chief Neil MacCurrie, a recognized
enemy of the current monarchs, William and Mary. After
journeying to France to meet with James Stuart, Neil is unfortunate enough to have to
cross the Channel into England, and risk being branded a spy.
Assuming the guise of Jean-Paul
Belmond, a French Huguenot making his way back to London, Neil takes refuge from a
snowstorm near Ronley Hall, hoping that Adam Ronley still sympathizes with Stuart. However, Adam and his wife have both been dead for
two years, and he is forced to deal with one of King William's staunch supporters.
Adam's daughter, Eileen Ronley, does
still reside at Ronley Hall, though her position there is precarious at best, since the
new Hall's owner is no relation at all. As
the only one who can translate Neil's French, she suspects that he is not who he claims,
though she does not voice her opinions aloud. Eileen
finds herself in a very delicate position after Neil is found suspect, beaten and thrown
in the priest hole at Ronley Hall. Should she
help him and risk being thrown from Ronley Hall herself?
Or should she stand by while the man is taken away and tried as an enemy of
the Crown?
Of course, being half MacKenzie,
Eileen makes the only choice that seems right, she smuggles Neil out of the Hall in the
dead of night. And earns herself the interest
of one of Scotland's most powerful Lairds.
What follows is a delightfully
romantic account of two people destined to be together.
No amount of political intrigue, nor the efforts of Eileen's family,
can keep them apart once Neil sets his mind to have Eileen for his own.
Kathleen Givens has created a lovely
romantic adventure in The Destiny, laden with stunningly life-like historical
details and sweet romantic attachments. Neil
MacCurrie is the perfect hero: brave, strong, handsome and honorable. He makes an ideal complement to Eileen's
delicate, highly intelligent character. The
Destiny is one romance that makes a reader want to sigh with contentment when the hero
and heroine finally get together in the end.
I really enjoyed Kathleen Givens's
engaging style of writing, and her attention to detail, and look forward to seeing more
from this author in the future. Ms. Givens
has just earned herself a new fan.
Reviewed
by Janean Nusz, AuthorsArt.com,
for Road to Romance
June
10, 2003 |
