The Legend [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathleen Givens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

This is the first of two novels set in 17th-century Scotland, chronicling the adventures of twin brothers who dare to love two fiery women as they lead their clan into battle against the English.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set during the late 1600s amidst the conflict between James II and William and Mary, a period that Givens (Kilgannon) is obviously at home with, this saga follows identical twins James and Neil MacCurrie as they lead their clan to war and then peace. Adeptly intertwining history with romance, this book, the first of two about the brothers, focuses on James, who takes Neil's place at a gathering of chiefs to discuss whether to go to war against William. En route to the meeting, James rescues plucky Ellen Graham from unknown attackers. Ellen must reach the meeting to alert her cousin of a murder plot she overheard at her stepfather's home. After delivering her warning, she agrees to travel with James to safety, but when they are accosted once again, he takes her to his home. While the chemistry between James and Ellen crackles, the relationship between the brothers is put to the test. At one point, Neil, jealous of Ellen's growing importance to James, encourages her to leave, but inevitably, James finds her and handfasts with her. Givens spends almost as much time outlining the country's political affairs as she does the relationships between James, Ellen and Neil, but readers unfamiliar with highland romances will appreciate the history lesson.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446610526
• ISBN-13: 978-0446610520
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overall a good read, October 8, 2002

By 

Marie "Marie" (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legend (Mass Market Paperback)

This really wasn't a bad book. However, for the sake of the readers, instead of talking about all the things it did well, I will simply focus on what could have been better (and let the reader decide). First, the heroine seemed a little too foolishly independent. She was stubborn and a little ridiculous with all the times she was going to "strike out on her own" in a dangerous country and during wartime. Second, I thought the jealousy between Neil and James was silly. Any truly close brothers would not begrudge each other's happiness and Neil simply ended up seeming childish. Third, the murder plot was a filler and completely useless only because we knew from the beginning who did it. Also, the characters were suspicious of the murderer for no real reason except that they didn't like him. I can think of several of the characters who would have been so much better in the "surprise" role of murderer. (Ellen's previous suitor instead). On a side note: these criticisms are simply that. I do not mean that this book is not a good read; it is. I am merely trying to help readers weed out the best writers as I am a very picky romance reader myself. I am also aware that there are several other reviews already written about the strengths of this book. I just thought I'd warn readers of the weaknesses as well... thanks for reading my opinion!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experience a Scottish Romance the way it should be told!, July 9, 2002

By 

Tara A. Green (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Legend (Mass Market Paperback)

Setting: Scotland
Year: 1689

THE LEGEND begins with the death of the great clan leader and father of Neil and James, two twins that are cast into a role fate has predestined for them. The seer prophesies that two brothers would lead the clan to war, and then to 50 years of peace. Both brothers would marry a woman from the East and the women would share a name.

Ms. Givens weaves a stunning tale of politics and warfare in 17th Century Scotland. As the highland clans prepare for battle against King George of Orange in their support of King James Stuart, James encounters Ellen Graham. Ellen Graham is on her way to warn her cousin, John Graham, of a sinister plot of assassination.

James, a handsome black-haired warrior with blue eyes, is smitten by Ellen and the feeling is mutual. His care for her is immediate and continual throughout the story. Indeed their conflict does not lie with their relationship and feelings for each other but the storm of history they are swept up in.

This is a masterful tale rich in action, adventure, and passion cast against very real historical events. It will set your heart pounding with excitement as you experience highland clansman, fierce in battle, or the passionate love between James and Ellen. Reading this book will make you desperate for more, and you are in luck...there is a sequel.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting era of highland history! -- Very highly recommended, July 6, 2002

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Legend (Mass Market Paperback)

A lightening strike divides a mighty oak yet lives. Consequently, a seer tells the legend of the MacCurries: three generations of lairds will be born and will die on the same date. Then twins will be born to the third son and they will lead their people to both war and to fifty years of peace. The twins of three generations of men who died on their birth dates, nothing has ever come between brothers James and Neil...except a woman.

Ellen refuses to settle for less than a passion that transforms if she is to ever marry. She certainly does not expect to find that passion on the road Dunfllandy Castle as she flees her family home to warn her cousin John of a plot of murder. The would-be assassins pursue Ellen until James MacCurrie comes to her rescue. But he cannot even reveal his true identity since he is taking his twin's place at the gathering of clans.

Even as passion draws Ellen and James together the coming war keeps them divided in this tumultuous account of an exciting era of highland history. THE LEGEND begins with James story and leads to the sequel that will follow Neil's quest for love. The richly developed characterization, especially the strength of the bond between the brothers and Neil's jealousy when that bond weakens, lends the novel a marvelous depth. In addition, the tightly woven plot draws readers into a dangerous world of loyalty and betrayal. A must read for historical romance lovers, THE LEGEND comes very highly recommended.