Customer Reviews

Heaven and the Heather

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Based on the cover, I thought this was a series romance (and I guess technically it is since it is part of the Highland Fling series), but it read more like a single title. It was somewhat wordy, but the writing was technically proficient and the descriptions were evocative. If you like the use of regional dialect in historicals, then this is probably a good selection for you. The heroine felt flat and unengaging to me despite the author's having given her the requisite flaw (crippled hand) and a unique "hobby" which played into the plot. I found the hero likeable if not particularly memorable. The villian was sufficiently villanous with no complexities of character to divide our loyalties. Overall, this is a better historical romance than some I've plowed through in the last few years, and if you haven't guessed by now, I'm a demanding critic.

Sabine has found her place in life to be Mary, Queen of Scots attendant in the wake of her father's death. Though she is not exactly happy with this situation, she is loyal to her Queen. However, when she has the chance to escape the marriage Mary arranged for her, she takes it, fleeing from a cold Laird, Campbell, to the passionate Niall MacGregor, the chieftain of an outlawed clan. While she is with him, Sabine will uncover a plot against Her Majesty and find love despite the odds with this barbarian.

***** Ms. Holcombe sweeps readers back to a tumultous age with vivid details and fiery characters. Sabine and Niall's passion flames brightly against the more rigid background of the court, showing that despite cultural differences and royal edicts, they are made for one another. There are few sex scenes and the tension between them sizzles. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

In 1561, Mary returns home to become Queen of the Scots. Among those traveling with Her Highness is Sabine de Sainte Montagne, whose father recently died. Emotionally, her sire's death means nothing to Sabine, as he was never there for her being too busy womanizing. However, his request of his Queen is to see his daughter married. So against her will, Sabine is engaged to Lord John Campbell.

Niall MacGregor and his clan have been declared outlaws. With his father and brother already murdered, Niall knows the only hope to avoid a massacre of his kin is pleading his clan's innocence with Mary. He decides that his enemy's betrothed is the avenue to gain entrance with his Queen. Niall steals Sabine's sac containing gold and other personal values. Desperate to get it back so she can escape to France before she is wedded, Sabine assists the "Scottish sauvage" in seeing the Queen. Soon Niall and Sabine fall in love, but his deadly foe is highly ranked among the Queen's retinue and happens to be her fiancé.

The plot of HEATHER AND THE HEAVEN is a typical Scottish historical romance (duh - it is a Highland Fling novel), the sophisticated Sabine showers freshness with her outlook on the Scots. She and Niall turn the tale into an action packed story while Mary anchors the era though John with no redeeming qualities appears more like a cartoon villain. Still Elizabeth Holcombe furbishes a wonderful tale that provides much pleasure to those readers who enjoy a delightful sixteenth century Highland romance.

Harriet Klausner