I don't know why I continue to read Small's books. She's a good writer, but she puts too much death in her books. I read romance for the HEA and I don't always get it with her. I do like the history in her stories. I've learned more about British and Scottish history from her books than I ever learned in school. ( )

I have been reading the books written by Bertrice Small for over a decade and look forward to each new one as it comes out. However, this book, the 4th in her Border Chronicles series, fell a bit flat IMO. There weren't the usually steamy sex scenes sprinkled throughout and the story was a bit bland. It was still good fun, but just not her usual quality. ( )

Review book courtesy of ( )

Cicely Bowen was the childhood companion to Lady Joan Beaufort, James Stewart's new queen. At the Scottish court, she is wooed by the sophisticated Andrew Gordon of Fairlea. As she weighs his advances, she is kidnapped by Ian Douglas of Glengorm, a rougher, more honest sort of man who claims he fell in love with her at first sight. As Glengorm becomes her home, they face together the anger of their king, who wanted the Gordon match. But life in the border lands is harsh, and Cicely's--and the future of Glengorm--takes an unexpected turn.

Fans of the epic romances Small wrote in the 1980s probably won't like this, but I enjoyed it. There's good chemistry between the characters and Cicely is an appealing strong character, independent and self-assured without being whiny or naive. The plot's trajectory is not as simple as some of Small's other recent novels--it's hard to comment on without giving anything away. It's a pleasant read, with enough of an edge not to be dull but not so much that it's misogynistic. ( )

I like the book. I read it quick. The reading was pleasant. There wasn't any complicated plots, no loose threads to tie up or complicated plots to untangle. The book dealt with the life and times of Cecily, the daughter of an English Earl. She was fostered out to royalty. Her lifetime companion, Joan was married off to Jamie Stewart, King of Scotland and Cecily accompanied her as one of her ladies in waiting.
Cecily was abducted by a border lord and forced into married. When her laird died she was married off to another.
You will enjoy the book, I did. That is if you do not want a complicated book. ( )