"A sparkling debut ... Revier's Passion enchants from the first page."
A tapestry of passion, history, and adventure ... simply magnificent!
Mariah LeGrand is a bright new talent sure to please the most discerning readers.
Evocative ... with vivid imagery, brilliant characterization, and spellbinding romance, Revier's Passion is an outstanding first novel."
Click the icon to read a Fallen Angel Review by Ruby,
who gives Revier's Passion 5 Angels!
Candelinn Comyn longs to see her best friend, Helena de Keith, one last time before Helena marries Robert MacBaron, but since the Comyn and MacBaron clans are enemies, a visit is forbidden. With her brother's help, Candelinn, headstrong and daring, sneaks away and travels to Helena's home. When Fergus and Candelinn arrive, they find that Robert and his brother Angus, the fearsome leader of the MacBaron clan, are there for a visit. Candelinn has heard gruesome tales of Angus MacBaron's cruelty. She never expected he would be such an incredibly handsome man--or that she would be so attracted to him.
Angus is thrilled by Candelinn's arrival. He had seen her many times before, secretly watching her as she rode wildly across her family's lands, and he plans to see the beautiful girl many times in the future as well. When he learns that part of the reason she won't be coming to the wedding is because she fears crossing his lands, Angus offers her safe passage across his lands to attend the wedding. Will he keep his word, or will he prove he's the ruthless reiver Candelinn believes him to be?
Set in the early fourteenth century, during Scotland's struggle to crown a
king of its own, THE REIVER'S PASSION takes the reader into a land filled
with danger. Blending together rich historic detail and an engaging plot, Ms.
LeGrand has created an enthralling story that's hard to put down. Candelinn
often rushes into dangerous situations without thinking about the
consequences, but her strength and determination enable her to escape
unscathed. Angus is more of a planner, always thinking of what lies ahead. He
will do anything to protect the one he loves and fight for what he believes
in. This delightfully romantic tale is a must read.
On a ride through their enemies land, Candelinn and Fergus Comyn revel in their freedom from the harsh rule of their uncle, Sir John Comyn. They both know they will have to face the consequences of their actions when they get back. Candelinn has yet again talked her brother into an adventure, this time riding through MacBaron land to join in her best friend Helena's engagement party. What she isn't aware of is that the Laird MacBaron is at the party as well, setting up a dangerous situation that will put in motion events that will change her future.
Watching Candelinn greet Helena, his brother’s betrothed, Angus MacBaron is struck by Candelinn's beauty and her outrageously irreverent attitude. This is the lass he has spied riding across the Comyn lands that has entranced him with her total abandon. In the two years since he had first spotted her she has managed to draw him again and again to his enemies land just to catch a glimpse of her, now she is here within his reach and he is hard pressed to keep his hands to himself. Showing more control than he believes possible, he watches as Candelinn mingles with the guests drinking in her vivacious character until she is accosted by Sir Simon de Keith, stepping in to prevent Sir Simon's unwanted attentions he assures her she will always have his protection, whether she wants it or not.
With the MacBaron's promise of safe passage to Helena's wedding in mind, Candelinn stoically endures her punishment of being confined to her room. Sir John knew being stuck in her room is normally the best way to bring Candelinn to heel, what he couldn't predict was it has given her plenty of time to plot her escape to the wedding and to contemplate Angus and the feelings she has for him. Finally released from her room she finds Simon de Keith has come to press Sir John for her hand in marriage, plot Robert Bruce's downfall and continue with their plans to put Sir Simon on Scotland’s throne. Talking Fergus into escaping yet again Candelinn is shocked to find Angus there to help with the escape, more confused than she cares to admit, she struggles to hide the feelings of safety she feels in Angus' arms. When Angus claims her hand to lead her to her place as maid of honor she has to admit her feelings have deepened and when their eyes meet during the ceremony something incredible passes between them and she knows for sure this is the man she will love forever.
Reiver's Passion does a wonderful job of blending the love story between Candelinn and Angus with the turbulent times of Robert Bruce's climb to the Scottish throne. I was well pleased with the fact that Ms. LeGrand didn't bog down the story with the politics of time focusing instead on Candelinn, Angus and their love story. Candelinn proved herself an intriguing heroine, strong and competent never allowing Angus to overwhelm her. Angus MacBaron was nonetheless a true Highlander whom any reader would love to drool over with a well-developed sense of humor.
With the backdrop of the Scottish struggle for independence to add some action and Sir John Comyn and Simon de Keith just bad enough to make Candelinn and Fergus’ switch of loyalty feasible REIVER’S Passion flows quickly throughout and is a delightful read. I hope to read more of Ms. LeGrands books in the near future. If REIVER'S PASSION is an indication of her talent as a storyteller, we will many great stories to come.
THE REIVER'S PASSION takes place in 1305 Scotland, during the fight for
independence between Robert de Bruce and the clans of Scotland against the
great Hammer of the Scots, King Edward I of England. Rich in background
and tapestry, Mariah LeGrand takes her readers on an exciting and
adventurous journey into the Highlands, in this, her debut historical
romance.
Candelinn Comyn and her brother, Fergus, steal away from the watchful eye
of their hated uncle to visit Candelinn's best friend, Helena, who is soon
to marry. Arriving safely at the home of Helena's parents, Candelinn soon
encounters Angus, the handsome and mighty laird of the MacBaron Clan, who
also happens to be deadly enemies of the Comyn's.
Unbeknownst to Candelinn, Angus has watched her from afar for the last two
years. But now seeing her up close and in the flesh turns what was once a
simple fascination into a full-fledged obsession. Determined to have her
as lover and mistress, Angus sets out to win the heart of this fire-haired
beauty.
There are several things I really enjoyed about this story. For one, Ms. LeGrand's prose and dialogue were both very well written; the story flowed seamlessly and kept my attention from wandering. Secondly, her narratives of the Scottish landscape were descriptive enough to help me visualize the land and put me there. And the secondary characters were all well-drawn, adding much to the storyline including several light-hearted moments of humor.
