Bride of the Mist (Draycott Abbey Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Christina Skye (Author)

Book Description

Series: Draycott Abbey Novels | Publication Date: May 1, 1996

At rose-covered Draycott Abbey in a savage age of chivalry, a war-weary knight defends a mysterious lady from danger and swears himself her champion - for all time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Complex and multi-faceted, Skye's (Bridge of Dreams) latest addition to her Draycott Abbey series is actually two stories in one. When bridal magazine editor Kara Fitzgerald attempts to secure Dunraven Castle to Scotland for a fashion shoot, she has to overcome the resistance of Duncan MacKinnon, the ill-tempered lord of the manor. The pair are thrown together after Kara interrupts Duncan at work-robbing a London jewelry store in order to discover the weakness in corporate security. An old necklace triggers a psychic link between Kara and 19th-century Arduaine of Draycotte, the beautiful, mute daughter of Lord Draycotte with whom Kara shares a possibly fatal destiny. Meanwhile, Duncan tries to prevent his evil twin brother (Dunraven's displaced heir) from blowing the new-forming couple to smithereens. Skillfully using two time periods, strong characters, reams of rich Scottish history, and a couple of resident ghosts, Skye has written one finely-crafted, very romantic love story.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Chritina Skye has eaten snake meat in Shanghai and armadillo in Canton. A Ph.D. graduate in Chinese literature, she has translated for Chinese generals, dissident poets, and fifth-generation puppet masters. In 1981 the Ohio native was nearly arrested when a businessman she was working for insisted she help him smuggle two "ladies of dubious virtue" into Peking's prestigious State Guest House.

The armed PLA soldiers at the gate were not amused, shenotes. But these days Skye's greatest love is England,especially the fog-swept southeast coast. Here she firstencountered the portrait of a proud-faced, sad-eyed aristocratand a great gray cat sitting protectively beneath it. Adrian andGideon haven't given her a moment's peace since.

Two Draycott novellas later (one appeared in Avon Books'Haunting Love Stories and one in Bewitching Love Stories),the award-winning author of four historical romances is deepat work on a new novel set at magical Draycott Abbey.

A descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer,Christina Skye currently lives with her husband and youngson in New Jersey, where she prudently avoids snakes andanything that resembles an armadillo.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Avon (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380782782
• ISBN-13: 978-0380782789
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #784,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My favorite by Skye, so far, May 3, 2000

By 

Laurie Gold "bookie" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bride of the Mist (Draycott Abbey Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Bride of the Mist is a quick-reading, suspense-filled, erotic love story set amongst the majesty of the English and Scottish countryside. Overflowing with lush descriptions, second-sight, a ghost and a cat, this is a page-turning, heart-stomping tale of a love between man and woman that endured throughout time.

Although primarily a contemporary romance, the story is mirrored by a tale of long ago between a beautiful mute girl, a Crusade-worn knight, and his evil brother. Their tale and destiny are to be re-lived by their contemporary counterparts, the beautiful American Kara Fitzgerald and the rugged Scots laird, Duncan MacKinnon.

They are thrown together because of her gift of second sight - through touch she can see and feel events and emotions. Skeptical at first, Duncan accepts her gift and they begin a dangerous adventure that could bind them together, in life or in death, if Duncan's evil (and supposedly dead) brother has his way.

The magical mysticism of Scotland adds unique flavor to this tale. Because of his heritage, Duncan also knows a thing or two about "the sight". He and Kara believe they are fighting against a destiny doomed to destroy him, and, as heroes are wont to do, he would push her away to protect her. Kara, on the other hand, believes that her gift is what has cost her love in the past, for she believes no man would want to share himself as totally and completely as would occur with her.

Their healing of each other, as is usual in romantic fiction, is quite unique due to the nature of Kara's gifts. It is Duncan's task to restore her confidence as a woman. Because of their unique connection with each other, Kara can see in her mind and feel in her being Duncan's desire for her and the things he would do with her - it sure is getting hot in here, isn't it?. Their intimacy is wet, hot, and very sexy.

As they work together, first to protect their inner selves from each other, than to save each other, it is easy to get caught up in their adventure. In general I have found that romances 400 pages in length are padded by 40 to 60 pages of unneeded verbiage. This book is not padded. Each page allows Kara and Duncan's relationship to build as both the past and future unfold. Each page is filled with the the flavors of danger, suspense, and the connectedness of these two people.

Wow - what a good book!

TTFN, Laurie Likes Books

Publisher, All About Romance

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This deserves MORE THAN 5 STARS!, December 6, 1998

By 

R. Wong "rosieonvacation" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bride of the Mist (Draycott Abbey Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading Christina Skye's historical romances, I was reluctant to give the Draycott Abbey series a go. You see, I'm a romance freak, and somehow, I've always preferred historical romances to contemporary ones. But, as luck would have it, I finished all her historical romances, and I was starved for more of her writing. In the end, I gave up, and decided to try and give it a shot. I wasn't very hopeful that I would like it - I mean, how real can it be, a contemporary romance with a resident ghost?!

I had to eat my words. I loved every page of her book! Now, I'm hooked, and I can't wait to get my hand on her remaining books. In fact, from now on, her name will be signature enough for me to buy ALL of the books that she has, published. I just pray feverently that she will not neglect the historical romances she weaved so well - I'm dying to know what happened to Conner Mackinnon, Duncan Mackinnon's ancestor!! Somebody please tell Christina to follow up on that one!

With one to two books out each year, Christina Skye can't write enough to satiate my thirst for her books!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IT WAS GREAT!, January 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bride of the Mist (Draycott Abbey Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the fabulous love story of Duncan MacKinnon, the sixth laird of Dunraven and Kara Fitzgerald, an American with the gift of Sight. The two get involved in intrigue, murder and with each other. It's a great story filled with ghost and legends. It's yet another winner of the fantastic Draycott Abbey series. You'll love it. Trust me!