Kilgannon [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathleen Givens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 1999

A place where love and war collide--and she would be possessed by the Scottish chieftain they called . . . barbarian

Enter a world of breathtaking romance and rugged adventure. Enter the world of Kilgannon--an unforgettable story of love and treachery in a great Scottish clan. Kathleen Givens's magnificent novel sweeps from Queen Anne's London to the Highland wilderness . . . and into the hearts of one proud, passionate family: the MacGannons of . . . Kilgannon.

Mary Lowell wasn't interested in marriage despite her aunt's determination to find her a husband by the end of the London Season. Then Alex MacGannon, Earl of Kilgannon, strode into the ballroom and commanded her heart. They called him a barbarian, a rough-hewn Scot--chieftain of clan MacGannon. They said no woman could hold him, as he set sail on the high seas. But Alex returned to claim Mary Lowell as his own, to carry her off to Scotland, to his magnificent ancestral castle, Kilgannon. And as the Highlands are torn by rebellion, Mary will find passion--and danger--in the rugged land she would now call home.

Watch for the next book in the magnificent Kilgannon saga: The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, coming in November 1999 from Dell.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: Scottish Highlands, 1712
Sensuality: 7

Mary Lowell is enjoying the social whirl of a London season when Alex MacGannon, Earl of Kilgannon, walks into her aunt's ballroom. It's love at first sight but their courtship isn't an easy one; instead, it's fraught with misunderstandings, the intervention of another jealous suitor, and an attack on Mary's life. Despite her aunt's warnings about the danger and hardships of life in the Highlands, Mary is determined and marries her handsome Scotsman. She quickly learns that marriage to a Scottish laird involves complications that she's never considered, while Alex finds that having a beautiful, intelligent wife can sometimes make life difficult. And as if settling into marriage and sharing their life isn't challenging enough, the threat of betrayal and war swirls over Kilgannon, threatening their happiness and the lives of the clan.

The world of well-to-do Londoners and Highland clansmen comes alive in this memorable historical, immersing the reader in the sights and sounds of the early 1700s. The characters are well drawn, while the tightly woven plot keeps one turning the pages without pause. The sequel to this story, The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, is soon to follow, bringing us the further adventures of Mary and Alec. --Lois Faye Dyer

From Publishers Weekly

Givens's debut romanceAset in England and Scotland in the early 1700s, when tensions ran high during Queen Anne's reignAsubtly weaves a tale of personal and historical conflict. Mary Lowell, a sheltered young Englishwoman, is shocked by her strong feelings when she meets barbaric Scottish chieftain Alex MacGannon, Earl of Kilgannon, at a ball in London. After a rocky courtship, MacGannon whisks Mary back to his clan in the Scottish Highlands, where they face danger amid tumultuous rebellion. Alex displays both a sense of humor and unshakable integrity, and Mary's quiet strength is revealed through her first-person narration. The only serious flaw in this well-researched historical is that, in her effort to set up a sequel, Givens fails to resolve major conflicts, a tactic that may leave readers dissatisfied. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dell (October 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440235677
• ISBN-13: 978-0440235675
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Attention Gabaldon and Donati fans..., February 20, 2002

By 

noone42 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kilgannon (Mass Market Paperback)

I came across this book in a search for something like Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series or Sara Donati's "Into the Wilderness". While not quite the same standard of the other two authors, Kathleen Givens does not disappoint. English lady Mary Lowell is stuck in something of a mundane existence. She is being courted by a man whose intentions are unclear. Her friends are getting married, while she is being passed back and forth between relatives. One night, at one ball, she meets Alex MacGannon, Earl and laird of Kilgannon. In a time when feelings between Scotland and England are unsettled, at best, these two people ignore their heritages and fall in love. Questions of mysterious attacks, sinking ships, and jealous family members threaten the new found relationship. But through it all, love will triumph.

Givens has done a good job with "Kilgannon". I found a lighter version of Gabaldon's "Outlander", but a little more strictly romance. The characters are a little weaker, but all in all, this is a good story. So, if you are an "Outlander" fan like myself, waiting impatiently for the next installment, give this on a try.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice surprise!, May 28, 2003

By 

SnowStar (Norway) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kilgannon (Mass Market Paperback)

After I read the online reviews of this book "KilGannon" I ordered the books here on Amazon...It was a pleasent surprise for my part after I finshed reading these two books (KilGannon, and the wild rose of Kilgannon) The books are wonderful.. yes, some reviewers think these two books reminded them of the OUTLANDER series...I personally own these books, so I agree with them. The KilGannon's story line is like this: Everyone expects Mary Lowell to marry the handsome Scotsman, Robert Campbell, whom she has known for years. Except there is a small problem: He hasn't proposed yet! Everyone else in the ton seems to be so sure that Mary is Robert's fiancee. In the meantime, Mary becomes fascinated with and falls in love with another handsome Scotsman, Alex MacGannon-Laird of KilGannon. Mary is an Englishwoman who is expected to marry well and Alex is considered a 'barbarian' by members of the ton. And then there are the mysterious accidents that befall Alex that point to a relentless enemy. But then they got married and Mary is welcomed into the hearts of Alex's clan. But marriage doesn't mean living happily ever after for this couple because of the highland politics via love as Alex finds himself [drawn] into the plot to restore the Stuart throne.(the Jacobite uprisings) It is refershing to see that not only Kathleen Givens manages to make her main characters lively, interesting and 3 dimensional, but that she also does this with the secondary characters as well. All in all, this is an excellent read. If you are facinated by Scottish Romance novels, I high suggest you read The KilGannon and its' sequel. :)

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Similar to Gabaldon?, August 5, 2004

By 

Celtic Girl (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kilgannon (Mass Market Paperback)

While patiently waiting for the next installment of the Outlander series I decided to give this book a try since the reviews seemed to be favorable. After reading this book I cannot understand how anyone who has read the novels of Diana Gabaldon could ever compare the story of Alex and Mary to that of Claire and Jamie. Disappointment is an understatement. There is no substance, the plot lines are weak, and the chemistry between the main characters is questionable. Not at all like Galbaldon. I gave the book 2 stars because it is readable even if it is complete fluff, and to also give credit to Kathleen Givens for having the talent to just write the book. If you are looking for a very easy read and a simple story this will do the job. I really don't like to have to write a negative review, however, I wanted to warn fans that if you are looking to fill the gap while waiting for the release of the next Gabaldon novel it does not do its job. It will leave you highly unsatisfied. I would recommend the Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati. The books are well written and absorbing.