Review
Simon Hayward, Warden of the Middle March, wants to control the border between Scotland and England. He summons his ward, Lady Analise Hayward from court because he has two interested suitors and he wants to marry her off to create an alliance. Analise is headstrong and independent and will have none of that. She finds both suitors unacceptable and during the Truce Day festivities she escapes them and stumbles into a group of ungentlemanly Scots Reivers whom she has heard so much about. A gallant Scot reiver named Ronan Armstrong saves Analise. Ronan gives her a tantalizing kiss that neither one of them will forget and he promises to find her before he lets her go. Analise has successfully driven off her suitors but Simon still needs to secure his position on the border. Simon captures a reiver and gives him the choice of the gallows or marriage, and the reiver, Ronan Armstrong, chose marriage. The marriage creates an alliance that assures Simon of Ronan's support, but Analise isn't happy about her forced marriage and immediate exile to Scotland. She fights and denies her feelings for Ronan and tries to escape to her mother's people in France while Ronan admits he loves her and won't let her go. In these dangerous times, their love is as uncertain as the peace between the borders and as tumultuous as the reiving and fighting. The tempestuous love between Ronan and Analise grows and strengthens while the situation on the border worsens. A traitorous alliance is formed and Ronan is prepared to fight for his king not knowing that he will also have to save his wife. I thought some of the early 'love' scenes could be interpreted as rape since Analise was not a willing partner and afterward vowed to leave Ronan. While this did not distract or upset me, it might for other readers.The Reiver's Woman is an exciting read by Catherine Creel! A wonderful historical that captures the lives and times of the border reivers! Ms. Creel's fans will be delighted with her latest romance! Put this at the top of your reading list!Gloria Miller --
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From Literary Times
From the Inside Flap
In a land without rules, passion has no boundaries. . . .
Analise Howard is powerless against the political tide along England's Scottish border. As a pawn for peace, she is married off to Ronan Armstrong, the Scottish leader of a fierce band of border reivers-men. Blessed with devilish charms, Ronan could make any woman forget her woes.
But the innocently seductive Analise is determined to escape, and her life with Ronan ignites into a war of its own.
Though treachery, not love, brought them together, Analise can not deny her growing desire. For with each caress, Ronan wins her trust--and home becomes a place of sweet enchantment in the arms of her boldest enemy. . . .
