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51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best historical romances I have ever read!, August 3, 2005
This review is from: Risk Everything (Zebra Debut) (Paperback)
Set in Scotland, the year 1074. Rolf and Meghan had fancied each other as children, but Fate sent them upon different paths.
Meghan of Blackthorn grew up training with her brother, Connor. She is efficient in archery, blade throwing, some hand-to-hand combat, and training animals. Her people affectionately call her their "Warrior Woman - the Pride of Blackthorn". Meghan knew that there was some bad tidings between Rolf and Connor, but no one ever told her what happened to cause the feud.
Meghan sneaks away from her brother and her laird for some time alone hunting. She soon finds herself kidnapped by Rolf. But he is no longer the boy she once loved. In his place stood a cold warrior with hate burning within his eyes and a sneer upon his lips.
Rolf of Rimsdale is known as the "Lord of Vengeance". He has proof showing that Connor was the one who led the raid two years ago. During that raid Connor hilled Rolf's wife and new born son. It is only fitting that Rolf uses Meghan for his revenge. Where before Rolf once had dreams of Meghan being his bride, now he has dreams of using Meghan to correct Connor's wrongs ... even if it means crushing Meghan's pride and spirit to do it.
***** OMG! This has got to be one of the very best Historical Romances I have ever read. I cringe at the thought of anyone missing out on this book. Yes, it is THAT great! It has strong characters full of honor and dignity. Lots of action, adventure, romance, and betrayal. I even fell in love with a few of the secondary characters. I hope to see young Garith get his own story told one day. If you are looking for a story that will grab your attention on the first page and never let go, reach for this title. Highly recommended! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Agonizing tale to get through but very enthralling, August 26, 2006
This review is from: Risk Everything (Zebra Debut) (Paperback)
Rolf MacDaidh has a score to settle with his childhood friend, Connor of Blackthorn. Connor murdered his wife and unborn child and Rolf is planning to inflict the same pain on him. He kidnaps Meghan, Connor's sister, and carries, well drags her off to his castle. Meghan is formidable. She is unlike any other woman he's ever known. She is known as the Pride of Blackthorn, the Woman Warrior of Blackthorn, and she can out-fight, out-shoot, and out-ride any man in her keep or Rolf's.
Meghan is shocked when Rolf reveals the reason behind her kidnapping and also his plans for her. Since Connor robbed him of an heir, Rolf will have an heir through Meghan. Meghan vehemently refuses so Rolf agrees to handfast with her, which is a form of marital oath where they both agree to stay together as long as both are willing. Meghan, in her oath, agrees to stay with Rolf for a year and a day.
Meghan and Rolf are finally a happily married couple but Meghan's happiness is constantly marred by the pitying looks thrown her way by the people around her. What she doesn't know is the true treachery of Rolf's plan. He already has a betrothed and plans to break their handfast to marry her and force Meghan to be his mistress.
Rolf's vengeance comes to pass. He marries his betrothed and Meghan is humiliated. And instead of releasing Meghan to return to her home, she is forced to remain at Rolf's keep and witness their wedding and endure his wife's malicious contempt for her. But Rolf's carefully laid plans finally backfire when Connor's innocence is finally proven and Meghan escapes his clutches on the same night.
Intense. Very intense. So intense that even three days later, I'm not completely satisfied with the ending. What I find unbelievable is that, after all the trauma Meghan has gone through, the anger, the hate and her rage at what Rolf did to her "simply" melts off of her at his apology. I can't quite swallow that.
An appropriate ending, I think, would've been a brief separation for the two while Meghan and Rolf worked through their emotions, especially Meghan's torture and ill treatment at Rolf's hands. After that, once they discover their abiding love for each other, they meet at, oh I don't know, somewhere and confess all, kiss and make up, and plan their wedding.
And may I just say that Rolf is a total idiot? With too much muscle in his biceps and not enough in his noggin.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Voice To Watch..., December 6, 2005
This review is from: Risk Everything (Zebra Debut) (Paperback)
"Risk Everything" is a wonderful debut effort by a new voice that bears watching in the future. Ms. Johnson has created a wonderfully dynamic story with larger than life characters that will jump off the pages and into your imagination.
Rolf MacDaidh is driven by his need for vengeance. He believes his once good friend is responsible for the loss of his wife and bairn as well as the damage done to his brother. He's waited a long time to pay back this insult and when he puts his plan in action he is not ready for the fall out from his decision. He abducts Meghan of Blackthorn. Once long ago he had strong feelings for the lass but he now needs to keep those long ago memories buried deep. The Meghan he once knew no longer exists. In her place is a lass that can fight as hard as a man and has enough pride to even impress him. Will he be able to keep his mind on his task, or will the emotions that Meghan brings out in him change everything?
Meghan once loved Rolf fiercely with all of her heart. She once dreamed of marriage and bairns with him. But, now things have changed. She is now his captive and he's been brutish in his treatment, and she has been a minx at every turn. She will not go quietly and if she causes a few injuries along the way...well, that's what happens when you take a lass such as herself against her will. But, the longer she's with Rolf the more her heart softens to the man he's become. Will she be able to deal with the fact that she's a weapon of revenge against her brother or will deceit and danger keep these two from ever finding the happy ending they so both deserve?
This was a richly written romance that grabbed me right from the start. Ms. Johnson is a worthy new voice in the historical romance genre and one that I eagerly look forward to reading again in the future. She has deftly created characters that are at the same time strong but endearing. The romance and chemistry between Rolf and his Meghan was sensual and romantic. I enjoyed the secondary characters and found them to be important to plot without overpowering the main storyline. Ms. Johnson is off to a brilliant start with her writing career.
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