The Knight Before Christmas [Paperback]

Jackie Ivie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006

A battle over shared shelter becomes more than Kendran or Myles expected, especially when passion enters the fray.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

While on his way to wed the "Harridan of the Highlands," Myles Magnus Donal gets lost in a snowstorm. When a silent beauty rescues him, he becomes convinced that she is his betrothed, and he does his seductive best to convince her to marry him by Christmas. When Myles arrives at his fiancee's home, he discovers the woman with whom he has been stranded is not his bride to be, but her sister. Ivie adds a dash of magic and plenty of sizzling chemistry to the plot of her latest sexy, Scottish, medieval romance. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Back Cover

A RELUCTANT HUSBAND. Caught in a furious blizzard, battle-weary Myles Donal has only two options: die alone in the snow, or make his way home by order of his sire to marry the woman known as the Harridan of the Highlands. The warm glow of light in a small croft will only delay his fate... A REBELLIOUS BRIDE. Kendran is not about to share her hard-earned shelter with anyone, especially not a man! Running away from an arranged marriage was her only chance at freedom--and she'll not forfeit it to another arrogant male...even one as devilishly attractive as Myles Donal... A WEDDING TO REMEMBER. Snowbound and equally stubborn, Myles and Kendran engage in a battle of wills that quickly becomes a passion too fiery to ignore. "Wedded bliss" may be an abhorrent concept to both of them, but true love is not so easily denied...

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821780123
• ISBN-13: 978-0821780121
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a native of the beautiful state of Utah, where I first discovered how much I liked reading the historical romance genre. I then relocated to the really large state of Wyoming where I found out I loved writing historical romance more than reading it. Well...now I live and work in the enormous state of Alaska with my family, my four pets, and a whole lot of snow, mountains, and wildlife.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When first we practice to deceive..., November 28, 2006

By 

Cynthia Breeding - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Knight Before Christmas (Paperback)

Jackie Ivie's "The Knight Before Christmas" blends a dry sense of humor with a good feel for a stark, winter Medieval setting where the hero (Myles) and the heroine (Kendran)could cozy up to a warm fire in a deserted shack if only each of them didn't have a personal agenda.

Since the plot has been described in other posts, I would just like to add that what makes this story different from the standard "brought together in an impossilbe situation" plot, is that each character is so caught up in protecting himself/herself from any emotional responses, that they bumble along the path in a series of misunderstandings that would make Lucy and Desi seem complacent.

The Knight Before Christmas definitely has a different twist and an interesting ending... I can hardly wait to see what kind of man the curse laid upon Lady Sybil brings...

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rolicking adventure of a story, September 24, 2006

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Knight Before Christmas (Paperback)

Myles, the Donal heir, fought his entire clan to a standstill but finally, betrayed by his own honor guard, he was beaten. Now he must marry the famously ugly, famously shrill daughter of the Laird of Eschocan--marry her and receive her dowry of precious land. Or rather, he would if he survived the Scottish blizzard, but that seems increasingly unlikely as he makes his way across the deserted and ice-covered countryside.

At the last possible moment, he spots what he'd imagined impossible--an inhabited croft. Inhabited, however, not by a poor peasant, but by a beautiful woman. A woman who, by her attire and bearing, can only be noble. And the only nobles within travel are the Eschocan. Could he have fought his entire clan, been beaten within an inch of his life, to avoid a woman who sets his blood on fire?

Kendran knows all she needs to about men. They are violent, cruel to women, and immune to logic. Still, Myles seems different. Oh, not about the lack of logic, but about everything else. Locked together in a small croft, with nothing to do to pass the time but get to know one another, play games, and gradually fall in love, Kendran learns that there is more to men than she'd dreamed possible.

Unfortunately for both of them, an unpleasant surprise awaits Myles at the Eschocan castle when he goes to press his marriage plans. And it isn't just that the castle itself, a part of his betrothed's dowry, is falling down on itself. Could it really be that love is not enough? That duty, honor, and male pride can stand in the way of what both Myles and Kendran need? Fortunately for both of them, Kendran's half-sister, the mystical Lady Sybil, has her own plans--plans that don't make much sense to either Kendran or Myles but that just might lead to their happiness. Of course, following someone else's plan is not easy for either a man or a woman.

Author Jackie Ivie delivers a rolicking adventure of a story. Myles and Kendran are teriffic characters, suitable for one another because of their flaws as well as their virtues. Ivie combines humor with great characters, fine writing, and a complex situation that really does seem doomed to keep the lovers from achieving their goal of marriage (to each other). I am very happy to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun historical romance.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well done. Recommended!, November 3, 2006

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Knight Before Christmas (Paperback)

The story is set in the year 1455. Myles Donal is ordered by his father to marry the female nicknamed the Harridan of the Highlands. Having delayed as long as possible, Myles sets out for the Eschoncan Keep to meet and wed his betrothed. Yet before he can reach his destination, he becomes trapped in a furious blizzard. With no other choice, Myles stumbles into a small croft. He never expects to find a female already within, also riding out the blizzard. She has laryngitis and communication is all but impossible. Yet she is clearly high born; therefore, untouchable. But when Myles learns she is the daughter of Laird Eschoncan, he does not even try to hold back his desire for her.

Kendran Eschoncan ran away from an arranged marriage. The blizzard traps her in a small croft and she has no choice but to wait it out. She does not expect to share her shelter with anyone, especially not a man! Men cause nothing but pain. Kendran has marks from her father's previous beatings to prove it. However, their battle of wills soon turns into passion.

When they eventually meet again at Eschoncan Keep, Myles learns that Kendran is the not the daughter he is expected to marry. To keep Kendran's honor intact, they can neither show their love for each other, nor admit to having met before. Through it all, one of Kendran's sisters, Lady Sybil, gives the two star-crossed lovers advice. Before it is over, they may have to admit that Lady Sybil is touched by the fey after all.

**** Author Jackie Ivie delivers a little magic, a little fate, and a lot of passion in this tale of Highland romance. I found some surprises and a twist or two as Myles and Kendran battle destiny. As for Lady Sybil, that character is more than meets the eye. I can hardly wait to dive into her story! Excellent reading here. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.