Customer Reviews

Maiden of Inverness

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

 

 

Enjoyable read. Meridene is betrothed to Revas when they are both no more than children. King Edward sends her away to England shortly after the wedding ceremony is performed when an attempt is made on her life by her own kin. Young Revas vows he will come for his child-bride.

Thirteen years later, Revas makes good on his vow. Unfortunately, Meridene wants nothing to do with him or Scotland.

Revas was adorable...a strong, handsome warrior determined to win over his bride. Meridene was a bit stubborn but her fears were not unfounded. I found this to be a charming story with a likable hero and heroine and secondary characters guaranteed to bring a smile to one's face.

From the back cover:

A woman born to greatness...

In a time of war, Meridene is just an innocent child, yet she is also the revered Maiden of Inverness, ordained by birth to place the ceremonial sword of Scottish rule in her husband's hands. But Edward I, King of Britain, cunningly betroths her to a lowly butcher's son...

A man destined to rule...

Of common blood, yet noble in his dreams of a united Scotland, Revas MacDuff accepts his destiny--while his enraged in-laws would rather kill his young bride than honor such a marriage. Only retreat to an English nunnery saves the young Maiden's life, leaving a boy along with his vow to one day win her back...

A passion fated to possess them both...

Thirteen years later Revas will find not a grateful wife, but a fighting fury of a woman who despises Scotland, its clans, and the Highlander who calls himself her mate. Planning merely to seduce her, Revas begins to care. Determined to forever hate him, Meridene begins to surrender. Now, amid evil and treachery, the kindling of love's bright fire can save a great land--or destroy a Maiden's hopes...her soul...her heart.

And my review:

I can't really see what the big deal is about this book. I can see why it might appeal to some people to some extent, but I don't really think it's anything special.

I felt that there was more emphasis on history than on the romance for many parts of the book. Rather than providing an interesting backdrop, the history would take centre stage. If that's what I wanted, I'd read historical fiction, not historical romance.

Also, the relationship was very annoying at times. The fought so much. And it started to descend into that horrible "I hate you but I can't keep my hands off you because you're so hot" themes, which I just hate. I need more than sex to cheer for characters to be together. While the heroine's fears and hurts were well-founded, they also felt like they dragged on far too long.

I would not recommend MAIDEN OF INVERNESS, not unless you're a die-hard fan of this author. If you're still determined to read it, borrow it from the library. For a more enjoyable medieval romance, I recommend HIS FORBIDDEN TOUCH by Shelly Thacker.

This book is close to being her BEST. Revas Macduff is a special kind of hero, the kind that is equally virile as loveable, and the relationship between he and Gibby brings tears to the eyes. While The Maiden herself gets somewhat trying, Revas and the entire cast of supporting characters more than make up for the heroine's somewhat less than sterling performance. There were times I laughed out loud, with tears in my eyes. If you get the chance, GET THE SERIES! Border Lord, Chieftain, and The Maiden. You may even break down and get the rest of the Scottish Fold, Border Bride and a short story inside A Holiday of Love. Hurrah for a man like Revas!

Maiden of Iverness is my favorite book in the entire universe! Kudos Ms. Lamb. The tale of a woman turned against her homeland and the butcher's son who is determined to win her heart for Scotland, and himself will make you cheer for Revas and envy Meridene. You will not be able to sleep until you read the whole thing from beginning to end, but that's just my opinion, so if it doesn't appeal to you, don't pay any attention to me. If you are as much big a fan as I am of Arnette Lamb, you will definitely want to read this book. Ciao!

This book was nothing spectacular. While a well written account of early Highland myth and history, it lacks the sparkle and punch to set itself asside from similar themed romance.

The main characters are uni-dimensional. Revas MacDuff is a butcher's son turned warrior whose eye is on the Highland crown. His humor is forced and his might questionable. Meridene holds the legendary office of the Maiden of Inverness. Hers is the power to bestow the kingdom to her husband. She rebels against her own involvement in Scottish politics and yearns to return to the English abbey she grew up in. Her character comes off as a fearful, weak, and dull individual.

The problems of the characters are rehashed ad nauseum throughout the book until the ending, where the ties are neatly bound and everything rather amazingly resolves itself within mere pages.

The novel's backdrop of ancient Scotland was a plus. The legend of the Maiden, and its almost druid/magical references was a well-planned tale of pure fancy. Maiden of Inverness mentions some of the lesser appreciated clans that many historical fiction writers pass over. I believe with a better planned climax and plotting, this author has the ability to shine. I shall certainly check a few of her other Highland related titles to see if I fair any better.

What do you do when everyone is telling you what to do ?

Gilly had an important role to play in life and many people wanted to determin how she would play it out. At four she was married by order of the king, an attempt was made on her life, and she was taken away from her family to be raised by English nuns. Settled into the life she was forced into Gilly wants nothing to do with the young husband who she left in scotland. Her husband how ever has other plans. Again against her wishes Gilly is transported to another country and uprooted from the people she cares about. This time she is not a meek child, and gives them hell to pay until she learns what love is all about.