Customer Reviews

The Border Hostage

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

We first met the Kennedy's in TEMPTED when Flaming Tina Kennedy stole the heart of Ramsey "Black" Douglas set to the brackdrop of the Border turmoils of 17th century Scotland before the Battle of Flodden. Tina's half gypsy brother Heath plays an important role in helping his sister find her heart desire and was deserving of his own story.Well... in THE BORDER HOSTAGE, Ms Henley doesn't disappoint.

Heath is living with his sister and her husband some months after the horrendous battle at Flodden which about distroyed all of the "Flowers of Scotland". Heath ignored by the rest of Kennedy Clan as their father's by blow, has found his place with the Douglas clan as a horse trainer. Thru his Celtic gift of magic he senses his sister, who is swollen with child, is in dangers and he rushes to her tower room. Here he is captured by border reivers who mistake him for his brother in law Ramsey" Black Ram" Douglas,and in true hero fashion he willing is captured to keep both Tina and Ram safe.

Across the border in England, Raven Carleton has found her own unigue niche, she trains raptors, much to her mother's dismay. Seems mother sees titles/money/status in her daughter's future and will do everything to rise above her own meeker border beginnings. Including linking with a border family's who job is to secure peace on the Enlglish side of the Borders. But Raven wants to be left alone to make her own choices both in how she will act and who she will choose for a husband, despite her interest in local "catch" Chris Dacre. Yet, she has a magical link to her Celtic heritage when she is inducted into the CRAFT by her grandmother. When the couple first meet, it seems in a case of mistaken identity again as Heath has been taken across the border and left for dead. Yet, he survives and finds himself at the mercy of Raven who calls him a filthy Scots bastard. Yet in true Scots Revier fashion he gets her out her clothes only to take her shirt(one of her brothers she wasn't supposed to have on) and wears it to escape. leaving her virtue intact and her being in outrage. Thru this first encounter they share an inkling of a shared magical link, but both are too concerned with their own problems to delve into what the magic might hold for them.

In Heath's determination to find out who wants Black Douglas dead, he meets with Raven head on as they clash over border disputes. Yet, thru this Celtic magical bond our couple to begin a journey of love and self discovery: a highly charged senual link as only Ms Henley can provide.

What makes this such a fun read is the hero is a man of courage, honor and pride. To compliment him Ms Henley has given him a heroine who like the hero is searching for self and when she must, she listens to her heart despite what others expect of her: another Flaming Tina who can't obey when her man is in touble.

Readers who have read TEMPTED will enjoy meeting up with the Kennedy Clan, as they too must share a journey of discovery, forgiveness and acceptance, but this clearly Heath Kennedy's story. Although each book stands alone, if the reader hasn't read TEMPTED, buy it now along with THE BORDER HOSTAGE, you won't be disappointed. It was a delight for this reader to see Ms Henley return to her classic historical romances. The pace is measured and the story is exceptional with loves discovery at the forefront and history in the background giving it depth, until the final page,

Here is hoping we readers get Duncan's story in the near future. THE BORDER HOSTAGE is worth the hardcover price and is classic historical romance.

This was the first Virginia Henley book I tried reading. I was drawn by the summary at the back of the book, it sounded intriguing and sexy. But after reading the first few pages of this book, I could guess what kind of a story it would be like and how the author was likely to write it out. How can you begin a romance by description of two horses mating? Ms. Henley's choice of words also leaves a lot to be desired. Does everything have to be sexual?

No romantic depth here. And I don't get the ravishing each other in their dreams thing either. There's a lot of sexual teasing in this book, which made it seem more lustful than romantic. I didn't exactly feel like the stones they carried around (phallic for Heath and hag for Raven) brought much weight to the story, it just made it seem strange, not adding a thing to the magical or destined feel.

However, I must say that the storyline and plot are not that bad though. And Heath's character was a definate plus to it since I always enjoy it when the hero falls for the heroine first; I cannot say the same for Raven. She seemed too impulsive and silly most of the time, not a likable heroine. The dialogue between characters is not too well written, it doesn't flow naturally and is not a joy to read their bantering since it is predictable and without humour.

If you don't mind a nit-wit heroine, a hot hero and a so-so storyline then get this book. Otherwise, you won't be missing out on much at all.

The border lands between England and Scotland are dangerous places for anyone, especially a woman. Raven Carleton is unimpressed with the wild nature of her English home, for it closely mirrors her own temperament. Heath Kennedy thrives in his Scottish home, raising his horses and protecting his clan. In retribution for the theft of his prized herd, Heath takes Raven and her betrothed hostage. He has no intention of returning Raven, for she has captivated him. Raven finds herself unwillingly attracted to the rogue. In their tumultuous surroundings, love is not as easy as declaring feelings and living happily ever after. Virginia Henley has written an enjoyable story despite some flaws. The most glaring transgression is the use of words that were not part of the English language in Medieval England or using words that were in existence but had yet to take on the meaning she conveyed. This caused a "jerking away" from the story. Raven's thought process as she lingered between the English lord and the Scottish man leaned toward confusing at times. For a woman who flaunted convention at every opportunity, she was willing to give up true love to conform to expectations. Regardless of its problems, it still catches the interest and begs to be completely read.

As with her previous historical romances, Virginia Henley continues her tradition in creating tales rich in historical tapestries and sultry passion. THE BORDER HOSTAGE takes the readers to the 17th century Scotland where she weaves the destined romance between an English aristocrat's daughter Raven Carleton and the roguish dark borderer Heath Kennedy who is the illegtimate son of Lord Galloway ewith Gypsy's origin.

When Raven's intended fiance, Christopher Dacre attempts to kidnap Lord Ramsey Douglas, Heath Kennedy ends up mistaken as him and gets waylaid. Heath swore revenge, kidnaps Raven and his nemesis but sets him free with Raven's intervention. She is not convinced that Heath is his soulmate despite her erotic dreams and her Celtic roots that call out to her. The passion between them accelerates with Heath's chivalry in her rescue and his loyalty to the Scottish clan. Raven falls head over heels in love with this protective man who claims her as his own. However, political treachery comes in the way when Raven becomes a pawn in the deadly game masterminded by her betrothed....

THE BORDER HOSTAGE is bawdy lust and highland romance at its finest despite the tangible flaw in the loose plot binding the 400 pages . The characters are scripted to finesse with their emotions afire, yet the intrigue and murder plot can never sustain the interest with its thin content. It is predictible but it is the fascination with the starstruck couple that holds us arrested.

While I would agree with other reviewers that this is not Virginia Henley's best work, it is still a nice read. The plot is a little loose, but it moves along nicely, and the secondary characters in particular are well drawn. Heath and Raven seem a bit too willing to give each other up, but I chalk this up to dramatic necessity, thought I wish that the author had used something more believable and more consistent with her characters' temperaments.

One thing Henley excels at is her excellent descriptive ability when it comes to time and place, and for that reason alone, I would recommend this book.

I love Viginia Henley's books. At first this book was hard to get into. I felt the lead characters were thin. The plot really makes up for what I thought was a problem. With it's fast plot, and the characters from the first book brought back, I found it a fast and enjoyable read. Heath was different from other male characters from Henley's previos books. He was gallant, and unselfish. I was not found of Raven. I'm use to Henley's strong female characters. And Raven was naive. But even that did not dampen the story. V.H. is one of the greatest historical romance writers to me. And I hope she keeps on writing for a long time!

In 1514 in the Borders, six thugs abduct Heath Kennedy thinking he is Lord Douglas. He barely escapes, but soon meets Lady Raven Carleton, who is mulling over her expected marriage to Christopher Dacre, son of a Head Border Lord. Not withstanding her connections, Heath steals her horse anyway. Not long afterwards, Heath recognizes his own horse stolen by the thugs but now possessed by Christopher.

As an act of revenge for the attack that he cannot prove, Heath kidnaps Christopher and Raven. He sends the former back for an insultingly low ransom, but decides to keep the latter with him a little longer because he already is falling in love with her. Heath knows that he must somehow persuade Raven that he is the right man for her in spite of his half-Gypsy blood. Raven is unable to resist her attraction to the dangerous Heath and neither can he to her, so they make love. However, a deadly conspiracy centering on the three-year-old King of Scotland plus the insulted Dacre clan make a permanent relationship between Heath and Raven seem impossible.

THE BORDER HOSTAGE is the typical entertaining Virginia Henley historical romance with the twist of gypsy and Celtic powers to add depth. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action that paints the conspiratorial atmosphere of the times with fascinating colors. The lead couple is a fabulous duo while the royal machinations adds suspense and excitement to a very strong sixteenth century romance.

Harriet Klausner

I liked this story a great deal and plan to keep the hardcover copy I bought as part of my collection. It wasn't overly dramatic but at the same time it made you sit up and think. I enjoyed how the heroine became part of what she had been brought into and the way she overcame things. Henley is very clever at weaving a story and I hope to read more of her books in the future. My hat off to you !

Actually, I would give this book 2 1/2 stars if I could because it was only half as good as it should have been. I am surprised that the same author who wrote "Enslaved" which was one of the best books I've ever read could have possible written this piece of fluff. This is a great author or I never would have spent the money on the hardcover, but when I do buy the hardcover, I expect the book to be above the average. This one was not. There was no substance. The book never really took hold and got going. Even the antagonism between the hero and heroine was limp. I never got the point. Try harder next time Virginia. I am a great fan of your and have read ALL of your books, but you let me down this time.

I am usually a big fan of Virginia Henley's work. I'm afraid that this book did not live up to her previous work. The main characters were interesting - but the plot was very thin. I kept waiting for more to happen. Some of the plot lines were just dropped with no explanation. I will admit that I finished the book 3 days after it arrived - but it just didn't match the last two - A Woman of Passion and The Marriage Prize.