A Flame for the Fire [Mass Market Paperback]

Nigel Tranter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

It was the beauty of his sister, Janet, that brought David Kennedy of Carrick to the attention of Scotland's romantic and personable monarch, James IV. But whatever its cause, the association was to prove highly beneficial to Scotland in the troubled years ahead.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nigel Tranter is one of Scotland's best-loved writers. He has written over eighty novels on Scottish history.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340696710
• ISBN-13: 978-0340696712
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,815,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Flame for the Fire By Nigel Tranter, March 19, 2001

By 

S.Worden (Herts, Eng, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Flame for the Fire (Mass Market Paperback)

This book chronicles the (loving and stormy) relationship between James IV of Scotland and Janet Kennedy - his longtime mistress, and her family, whilst also detailing the story of James ongoing struggle for recognition throughout Western Europe and particularly the battle of wits continued between James (perhaps the ablest of all Scotland's kings aside from Bruce) and the two Tudor Monarchs Henry VII and his son Henry VIII. Indeed, aside from relationships, the book also details (with fine attention to detail) why James eventually chose to confront England head on, leading to one of the stormiest (and tragic) moments in all Scotland's turbulent history. The book is in my opinion a fitting tribute - not only to one of Scotland's greatest (but least known) Monarchs, but also to perhaps Scotland's greatest writer, Mr Tranter himself.

I believe that for all those who like engrossing, solid and well detailed tales that contain both depth and engaging characters, this book is simply a must read. The book is, I believe a member of that rare class of books which, whilst remaining exciting and involving (due, of course to the depth of its characters - ever one of the late Mr Tranter's strengths), it is also historically accurate and at the same time as all this, far from boring. This is because it shows clearly the story telling ability that is now possessed by so few writers and which Mr Tranter had in abundunce - that of almost bringing one's characters to life with words whilst still remaining true to events and thus producing a complex and enthralling tale. This is a task that Mr Tranter has clearly accomplished in this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A King's Mistress through the eyes of the Brother, December 22, 2006

By 

Shawn Marchinek "McDonald" (Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Flame for the Fire (Hardcover)

This is a great Tranter book with all the character and life that makes you feel like you are in Scotland at the turn of the 16th century. A Flame for the Fire is told through the life of David Kennedy, the eldest son of the "King of Carrick" Lord Kennedy. David is also the brother of "Flaming" Janet Kennedy, a beautiful red head who is wooed by the Red Douglas, Earl of Angus for a wife but finally taken by King James IV as a mistress. The relationship is stormy but Janet is true to her King and gives birth to a son, who becomes the Earl of Moray and Janet receive the Lordship of Mentieth. Which makes her a very powerful woman indeed. Through all of this David is the concerned older brother who tries to keep Janet safe from hurt by the King and ends up becoming his friend and Privy Councilor. David rises on the national scene as he accompanies King James around the Kingdom fighting Islemen in the Highlands, rebels in the borderlands and English of Henry the VII and VII. David proves himself and eventually is made the Earl of Cassillis. He marries his sweetheart and begins a family of three fine Kennedy sons. Finally he accompanies his monarch and friend to the battle of Flodden. A fine Tranter tale with a view from the South West of Scotland. I thoroughly enjoyed every page.