The Promise of Rain [Mass Market Paperback]

Shana Abe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 1998

They call him the Hound of Hell....

Lord Roland Strathmore has been ordered by the king to find and capture Lady Kyla Warwick, a noblewoman running from rumors of scandal and murder. One of England's fiercest warriors, Strathmore is torn between his loyalty to the king and his pledge to the elusive woman he has never met. For Strathmore was once betrothed to the fiery Lady Kyla--until her family's fall from grace halted plans for their union.

When Kyla is seized by Strathmore, she vows to seek vengeance against the man she considers a traitor. But she's surprised when her hatred for her newfound enemy is matched by a powerful attraction--a temptation at odds with her desire to reclaim her freedom. Fueled by his own unspoken passion, Strathmore is willing to risk everything to help his beautiful captive discover the truth about her shocking past--even if only the most desperate act will save her from further ruin...or perhaps even death.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Lady Kyla Warwick was once betrothed by King Henry's command to Lord Roland Strathmore, known throughout England as the Hound of Hell for his fierceness. When scandal strikes the Warwicks, King Henry himself declares the betrothal contract invalid, and Kyla and her family flee to Scotland. When tragedy takes Kyla's family, leaving her the sole survivor, Lord Roland obeys his king's request to lure Kyla from her hiding place in the Highlands and take her captive for her own protection. Kyla wants to hate Roland but discovers that the attraction she feels for the powerful knight grows stronger with each hour spent in his company. Lord Roland finds in Kyla a shield against the darkness of his soul. Her dignity, courage, and beauty bring out his own warmth, compassion, and concern--emotions he thought long dead. Can he turn her over to his King and certain confinement in the Tower, or will he choose to save her? And if he claims Kyla as his own, will he be able to keep her safe and win her heart? The Promise of Rain offers the winning combination of endearing characters, a thrilling adventure, and a romance worthy of royalty. --Lois Faye Dyer

Review

Lord Roland Strathmore, Earl of Lorlreau, is on the hunt, for King Henry has ordered the Hound of Hell to find Lady Kyla Warwick and any of her family. Kyla's father was accused of murdering her mother and shortly thereafter died himself. Now Kyla and her brother are in hiding with her uncle in Scotland away from the King's wrath and court scandal. Then her brother and uncle are killed in a raid by the king's soldiers, stripping her of her remaining family and Kyla knows of no one to blame but Roland. Kyla is captured by Roland and taken before Henry, even as she becomes all too aware of her growing attraction to the Hound, and the seeming paradox he presents. For just as she is convinced of his ruthlessness he claims her as his bride to save her from being at the King's mercy. As Roland takes her to his island estate, she sees his other side, a caring, gentle man, who also carries a dark burden of guilt from his past. Then her mother's murderer comes looking for the one piece of evidence that would point to the real killer and Kyla is his next target. The Promise of Rain is a book that still haunts me even after finishing the final page. Abe's style has come into it's own with stunning writing and characters so real I feel I would recognize them if I saw them on the street. Kyla and Roland make such a strong romantic pairing -- both are equal to the tasks laid out for them in this nearly magical tale. There are a few historical inaccuracies, but with a strong cast of secondary characters and an Island setting that is like an Elven kingdom come to life, this is a book that promises to capture even more readers for this up and coming author! Abe's writing is unlike any other author's on the market today. With a strong sense of story and character complimented by prose that grips the reader, she is a fabulous, breathtaking change from the ordinary! A definite keeper! Abe delivers on her promise to entertain and enchant! A must read for romance readers everywhere! The Promise of Rain is a descent into the magical realm of what if that readers won't want to emerge from. Truly one of the most unique books of the year! Don't dare miss it! Phoebe Imel -- Copyright © 030199 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (November 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553577883
• ISBN-13: 978-0553577884
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance at its Finest!, January 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Promise of Rain (Mass Market Paperback)

The story of Lord Roland Strathmore, a battle hardened warrior whose fiersome nature earned him the dark title "Hound of Hell," and the woman he was once once betrothed to and must now capture and bring before the King, a woman who is running from scandalous rumors of murder and betryal which surround her family. But upon taking her prisoner, Roland quickly finds himself struggling with his overwhelming attraction to the beautiful, tormented Kyla, and soon finds himself willing to forfeit everything to help her unearth the truth about her past, and unwittingly, the most shocking truth of all: the truth about his dark, hardened soul.

This book is wonderful! It is extremely well-written, powerful, and moving. As she did in "A Rose in Winter," Ms. Abe breathes life into her characters with her descriptive and cogent writing. A must read for any fan of the historical romance, or for a superb love story. This book was so good that my only wish was tht it was longer!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Promise of Rain (Mass Market Paperback)

Got this after I read her first book, A Rose in Winter, because I loved it so much. I know others have said this, Ms. Abe's style of writing is so unique, very intense. It's true. I'm so happy I've discovered her. This book maintains her style with a fresh story, and I loved the hero and heroine, and the location. Such great descriptions! VERY GOOD! Wanted more!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Romance with Mystery, June 9, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Promise of Rain (Mass Market Paperback)

What another great story from this new author. Lord Roland Stathmore ordered to find and capture Lady Kyla Warwick - his one time betrothed. Because of a huge scandal at court, Kyla and her brother Alister had run away to relatives in the highlands of Scotland, and Lord Roland, aptly named the Hound of Hell would do his duty to his soverign and bring them back.

Strathmore had never met his betrothed and was not ready for her incredible beauty, and spirit. Temptation and feelings he could not control, led him to gamble his very life in an attempt to save her from the Tower.

What follows is a marvelous story of romance, a little bit of magic, quite a good mystery, and an unforgettable love story. What more could you ask for!