Customer Reviews

A Clan Chief, A Dragon and Evelyn

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This heartwarming story of revenge, redemption and love touches your heart and leaves you wanting more of these delightful characters.
Chan-Chief Dylan McTavish kidnaps his enemy's daughter in order to stop further bloodshed between the two warring clans.
Evelyn Roche's world has been turned upside down. Her aunt has died, she must find the father she never knew and now the handsome, yet distant Dylan McTavish has kidnapped her and is holding her captive. Evelyn is determined to fit into her new clan, even though the members don't accept her.
Can these two people stop the bloodshed, resolve the hatred between the clans and find the love they are destined to share?
Aysel Arwen is a gifted author who has written an intriguing story with vibrant characters dealing with realities we all face; forgiveness, respect and love. A Clan-Chief, a Dragon & Evelyn is a brilliant story and a must read for romance lovers.

After reading Miss Arwen's, A Pharaoh, A Spell and Jade, I eagerly picked up this previous effort. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. This author's lyrical prose, vivid imagery and attention to detail had me immersed in a thrilling world of adventure, betrayal, danger and love.

Clan Chief, Dylan McTavish, is a man at the end of his rope. His people are suffering needlessly at the hands of a man they call Brian the Butcher. Seeing no other alternative, he hatches a plan to kidnap and wed his arch enemy's daughter. Dylan is certain he's doomed himself to be wedded to a woman as much a monster as her father, but believes it is the right thing to do to save his people. Yet when his men bring the lass, bound and gagged before him, he can't help but be taken by her beauty. How can one born of evil be so fair, seem so innocent?

To say Evenly Roche is having a bad week is putting it mildly. The only mother she's known, Aunt Mary, passed from a sickness, leaving Evelyn with nothing saves for the name of the father she'd never met. When her bone weary journey to meet up with this Brian Roche finally seems at an end, she's kidnapped and forced to wed an irritable Scotsman, who accuses her of horrid atrocities against his people. Understandably her new husband's clan is anything but welcoming and no one seems to believe she's not a fiend. Still, Evelyn finds it in her heart to come to love her handsome husband and his clan. However nothing will deter her from her quest to find her true family. Will the secrets Evelyn uncovers about her identity help mend the hate between the feuding clans and heal her husband's heart? Or will they tear them even further apart?

I have to say, Miss Arwen is one clever and inventive storyteller. This was a rich and enjoyable read that had me hooked from page one. Dylan is a true Alpha male and Evelyn a nicely rounded and strong heroine. It was pure joy to watch these two compelling characters love for one another develop and unfurl. In addition, some of the secondary characters were so well written and engaging, I hope to see a couple of them in future books. I highly recommend that you pick up this and other works from Miss Arwen. You'll be in for a wonderful treat!

Ms. Arwen gets better and better with each of her efforts. Her latest is romantic, humorous, and entertaining!

Dylan McTavish is tired of seeing his people coming to such sad end and decides that he will sacrifice himself for the good of his people. He decides to kidnap and marry the daughter of Brian the Butcher...her name is Evelyn and she is thought to be just as her father is. Cunning and vicious. When he lays eyes on her for the first time he can't ignore the fact that the trussed and gagged woman is a true beauty. It won't be that much of a hardship to marry such a lass.

Evelyn has been seeking her father Brian Roche and her journey has been long, taking her through a forest. Cold and tired and almost at her journeys end when from out of nowhere she is captured, gagged and bound and then further insult she is rolled into a filthy carpet only to be carted off so she can be married to a man! Well, the groom to be is handsome...but this is not what she had planned for herself. If this man wants to marry her...well, he's going to have to fight to get what he wants. And Evelyn may just find something she wants herself...the love of her husband.

Ms. Arwen's latest effort is incredibly crafted story with equally matched characters. Her make believe world was a pleasure to visit. She has managed to balance humor, romance, and suspense in this entertaining read. I eagerly look forward to reading this talented author in the future. Ms. Arwen is a writer I have no trouble recommending!

Setting - Ireland, 1630 --- So much killing, such a waste of life! Clan Chief Dylan MacTavish was sick to death of seeing his people decimated one at a time. In order to put a stop to it he thought to sacrifice himself -- for the good of his clan. The plan he came up with was to kidnap and marry Brian the Butcher's daughter Evelyn. Even though she was rumored to be as cunning and vicious as her father "Brian the Butcher", he would do it. Seeing Evelyn for the first time -- trussed up, gagged and spitting angry fire from her eyes -- Dylan agreed with the rumors that she was a force to be reckoned with. Uncommonly beautiful, but marry her he would - for the good of his clan!

Evelyn was furious! After her Aunt Mary had died, she trekked through the forest anxious to arrive at a castle, said to be the home of her father Brian Roche -- a man she'd never met. She was just about to end her cold journey when she was grabbed from behind, bound and gagged, rolled up in a dirty rug, and carried off. To hear her captors talk, they knew all about her, which was confusing since she'd just found out herself that Brian Roche was her father. Her Aunt Mary had given her the impression that he didn't know she existed. Now here she was about to be married to a giant of a man (albeit a very handsome giant) whom she'd just met! Well, she wasn't about to go down without a fight! She didn't know then that the real fight would be to save the husband she'd come to love!

Aysel Arwen's latest romantic adventure was a delight; from the very first page to the last I didn't want to set it down! Evelyn was a tremendously strong character; Dylan was a pure alpha male, and the story the author wove together was very inventive and very sensual! The identical twin aspect, which I quickly surmised in the beginning, was a superb vehicle that drove the misconceptions of Evelyn's contrary personality and kept Dylan on his toes. In spite of the horrible rumors of how evil Evelyn was supposed to be, the personality and kindness of the Evelyn that was kidnapped overrode all the speculations and poor Dylan didn't stand a chance!

The reader will find many instances of funny, or poignant scenes. Several were quite delightful with Evelyn winning over the children. Although, one of my favorites was the marriage ceremony scene where Dylan tricked the bound and gagged Evelyn to nod her head in approval of the marriage -- very inventive and cute.

The author intuitively knew how to snag the readers emotions and draws on that to make you feel the love blossom. Imbuing all her characters with tons of personality, they leave an indelible imprint long after the last page was turned. The romance and love story was beautifully done with just enough humor, danger and anxiety plugged in to keep the tempo fast and exciting! This was a very well crafted and enjoyable read that I highly recommend!

Marilyn Rondeau - RIO, Reviewers International Organization

Dylan McTavish is prepared to do what any clan chief would rightfully do for his people: He will give up his chances at happiness by taking to wife the vile daughter of his most hated enemy. Brian Roche, or Brian the Butcher, as he is known, has committed the foulest atrocities against Dylan's clan, and Dylan sees his marriage to Evelyn as a means to an end, no more. When he kidnaps the young beauty though, he finds he has no defenses against her seemingly innocent and child-like nature. With behavior that is at odds with the rumors of her own unforgivable actions, can Evelyn find a place within a clan determined to hate her? And most of all, can she make Dylan see her for who she really is? Dylan and Evelyn will have much to overcome, years of deceit and lies spawned by a hateful Dragon and her prodigy, to reach a peaceful happiness.

Author Arwen has penned a cleverly suspenseful tale of innocence, treacherous lies and a breathtaking love. We enter the story as the tide begins to turn in Clan McTavish's favor. Dylan's kidnapping of his wife was probably the most ingenious move he could have made as the putrid muddle of deceit quickly unravels from that point. The twist in the story was deftly hidden till just the right moment, and I was kept guessing at the mystery. Arwen's writing drew me right in and I could not wait to find out who the Dragon was and who was actually responsible for the sins against the McTavishs.

This is my first full-length read by author Aysel Arwen, and one I came away very pleased with. Her voice is fresh and the story flows nicely from start to finish. The romance between Dylan and Evelyn was very sweet and so satisfying a balance to the undercurrent of malice reaching for them from Clan Roche. I am definitely pursuing more of this author's work and cannot wait to read more by her. Check out her other books too: "A Pharaoh, a Spell and Jade ", "A Pirate, a Secret and Rose", and her short story "Spellbound" in the Blue Moon Magic anthology. Wonderful story, Ms. Arwen! Keep `em coming!


K. Montgomery
Official Reviewer for The Mystic Castle

After seeing all the 5 star reviews, I really wanted to read this book. I was finally able to locate a used copy(no new ones to be found anywhere at a reasonable price!). I thought the title was very unique and expected the story to be unique as well. Was I in for a big disappointment! The book is supposed to be a historical romance novel. On the first pages there is mention of Charles I, but other than that, the novel could be taking place in any time perion before 1800. There is nothing in this novel to make me think that it takes place in Ireland. I thought the plot was weak. Much of the story seemed contrived and unbelievable. There was very little developement of the main characters. There was no buildup of the romance/love story between the hero and heroine. I thought some of the prose and dialogue was pretty silly. There was much too much modern language. In addition to all of this, there was extremely poor editing. I know now that this book is self-published. I realize that some of these self publishing companies just do the bare minimum of editing, but that is no excuse for the errors in this book. For example: "She said her peace" instead of "She said her piece" Also, "make due" instead of "make do". "She winched" instead of "She winced". This is extremely sloppy editing. And lastly, the binding of the book was pretty sloppy. The title of this book was very intriguing. I was looking for a story to match and came away very disappointed.

The lively and talented Arwen has penned yet another enchanting tale, demonstrating a writer with the passion for romance. Each book shows her sparkling zest for the genre; each showcasing another layer in her growing talent. Setting in 1600s Ireland, Dylan MacTavish, chief if his clan is determined to stop the killing. He kidnaps Brian the Butcher's daughter Evelyn, who is rumoured to be just as horrid as her father. His first meeting with the lady upon kidnapping her only reinforces this impression, but a lad must do what he must do to save his kinsmen. He figures to marry the beautiful lass to bring peace to his lands.

Naturally, things are never as the poor beleaguer hero assumes. Poor Evelyn was returning to her father's home after her aunt has died. She's never met her very nasty father, has no idea just how he is hated. The lass has just learn that Brian Roche is her father; all this is making her head spin. Thus, she is really perturbed to be gagged and bound and carted off and informed she is about to be married to Dylan!

Evelyn is a wonderful heroine and a suitable match to the pure Alpha Dylan. Arwen writes with a sprite humour, a true love of her story, and with a sensual fire that will delight the reader from start to finish. Each tale from Arwen shows her passion for delivering a fun tale that enthrals the reader and leaves you wanting her next book. Her voice is fresh, still evolving. Once she hits her full potential she will be an amazing writer.