Customer Reviews

The Scottish Thistle

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

From page one of The Scottish Thistle, the reader is thrown into heart-thumping action as the hero, Duncan Cameron, is about to be murdered by robbers. Rescued at the last minute by the mysterious Thistle, a champion of the poor and protector of the outlaw Clan MacGregor, Duncan is brought to the hidden MacGregor village. When he recovers from his wounds, Duncan informs the clan leader that he has been sent by Lochiel, chief of the clan Cameron, to honor the pledge of an ancestor and marry a lady of the clan, Rory MacGregor, a union which pleases neither of them. The Scottish Thistle is unlike other arranged marriage stories where the couple begin their relationship begrudgingly only to end up falling in love, because Rory is unlike any heroine. She's the chief of her clan, a warrior who can best any man in battle. Embittered by a painful past, she neither needs a man to protect her, nor desires one, and finds loving and trusting anyone extremely difficult. However, being the true leader she is, she marries Duncan because it aids in securing the safety of her people.
The Scottish Thistle is a brilliant historical epic of a tumultuous time in Scottish history when Scotland's and Britain's political wars became intertwined in a battle for the British throne. Step by step, Cindy Vallar takes us on a journey through the Scottish Highlands, to the lowlands, and all the way to England, immersing us in the language, the culture, the customs, and the magnificent surroundings of these powerful people. Drawn in by her exquisite historical detail and heart-warming characterizations, we become a part of the events surrounding the Stuart uprising seen through the eyes of Rory and Duncan, two unlikely lovers who find themselves at first thrown together against their will, and then torn apart by war in a world where duty and honor prevail.
If you're looking for a mushy romance, this is not your book. If you're looking for an escape into 18th century Scotland where you can smell the heather, feel the damp moss under your feet, the cool mist seep into your bones, and where you are a part of the struggles, wars, and heartaches of the Scottish people, then you'll love this book. I highly recommend The Scottish Thistle for all lovers of history, Scotland, adventure, and romance.

Sorry, have to agree with other 2 star reviewer. The premise is ridiculous, and would not have occurred at this juncture in Scottish history. I could not quite fiugure out why I was not 'getting into ' the book after first several chapters, and then realized, yes, indeed, this was but a romance novel that happened to be placed in a specific period/geography. The interspersed useage of 'Scottish dialect' was maddening, and the characters were thinly drawn~ the feisty heroine, the dashing hero, good guys, bad guys,etc...Did not find the desricptive/narrative passages particularly colorful or well-drawn.
If you LIKE romance novels, then , probabaly a pleasant read for you.

By TT reviewer Amanda Schmidt [Full review on our website]

Set in one of the most turbulent times in Scottish history, Scottish Thistle gives us the heartrending story of love coming from war. Rory is a young, lovely, intelligent woman who is chieftain to an outlawed clan. Over the course of her young lifetime, she has witnessed things that no one, especially a child, should ever have to see, including the murder and destruction of her clan. While these events would have destroyed a lesser person, they made Rory a stronger person, but her inner strength has come with a high price. It has become nearly impossible for her to trust, and to love. Duncan Cameron, meanwhile, has grown up as the foster son to a powerful chieftain whose clan is respected, and Duncan himself is the chief's own personal bodyguard.

While Rory and Duncan meet under a strange set of circumstances, it was destiny. Rory's late father and Duncan's foster father, Sir Donald, had come to an arrangement years ago that Rory would marry a man of Sir Donald's choosing. Rory has a hard time accepting this, but for the sake of her clan, she gives in and marries Duncan. They are just beginning to understand the love they have for each other when events unfold that will forever change the course of their lives. Charles Edward Stewart comes back to Scotland and leads the clans in an uprising that would restore the Stewarts to the throne. While not happy with going to war over something that already seems lost, Duncan and the Clan Cameron go out of loyalty to the Stewarts. Though the war goes badly and the Stewart cause is lost, Duncan and Rory come to realize just how great their love is for each other.

I really enjoyed this book. Rory is definitely an independent woman, which is unusual for the time period. Duncan is the perfect hero. He accepts Rory as she is, and doesn't try to change her. I also like the fact of how their story is told among the events of the uprising of 1745. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys romance set against a major historical event.

I stumbled on to this book by accident but what a TREASURE! Fans of Diana Gabaldon's Jamie Fraser will love Rory and Duncan. The period of the '45 Rising is a familiar one but this story approaches it from a slightly different aspect. I read until 2am to finish the story. Didn't want it to end and...as with Jamie and Claire Fraser....I want to know what happened to Rory and Duncan. If you enjoy historical fiction set in Scotland this book is a MUST!!! 5 STARS!!!! Can hardly wait for the next book from Cindy Vallar.

The main character, a 22 year old woman, is chieftain of her clan and an infamous warrior heroine. Riiiiight. Superficially written and oozing with saccharine. I literally laughed out loud at times -- example: one of the characters has purple eyes to match their kilt. Not a serious read unless perhaps your tastes include romance novels which feature Fabio on the front cover.

Cindy Vallar's novel receives nothing but praise from various sources for her novel. She writes a simple story wrapped around the MacGregors and the Camerons who must come together through marriage to fulfil a vow made fifteen years prior. Rory MacGregor a.k.a Thistle, MacGregor chief of Rannoch is none too pleased with her having to give up her position as chief to become the wife of Duncan Cameron, leine-chreis to Locheil (body guard of the Camerson chief); however honor and duty dictate what she must do. The novel is laced with superstitious people who make life difficult for the two main characters and bring them close to death. The time is just before Culloden, when a counrty is being torn apart by some while others vainly try to save it. The epilogue gives the reader the needed closure and also teases you with a possible future book. The book also has a postscript for those that would like to know what happened to the "real" characters in the story. There is no steamy sex in this book. It's a good read for those that like historical fiction with the high emotion brought by duty, honor and love of country.

The Scottish Thistle started out really good, made me heartsick in the middle and ended on a joyful note. Cindy Vallar did try hard to explain the Scottish language she uses throughout the book, but missed a few here and there. Overall, it was a delightful book. Duncan and Rory were perfectly matched. I would love to see a sequel of the new adventures.

This book is so dry I don't think I can finish it. Very disappointing.
Diana Gabaldone has this author beat by a mile. There is absolutely no
chemistry between these characters. And the dialogue is so 20th Century.
Totally unbelievable. This is strictly grammatical, but a couple of times
I noticed she used the word "can" where "may" should have been used. I
don't think 18th century Scots were misusing those words the way we do today.
Maybe not. Who knows. I do enjoy romanic novels but I can't even get that out
of it. I'm wondering if I should even finish it.

I read this book because in a couple of reviews it was compared to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. I love the Outlander series so I guess maybe my expectations were too high. I was definitely disappointed. I felt the book read choppy at times and found how quickly Duncan fell in love with Rory unbelievable. Overall, this book was OK. There was more I didn't like about it than I did like. I would not recommend it.

Cindy Vallar's novel begins during the year 1744 in the country of Scotland. She definitely takes her readers there with her wonderful descriptions of the country, in addition to the well-researched historical aspects. Readers will learn about the politics and wartime in this country filled with various clans. It does become tense at times with the battle scenes.

Throughout this time of war, Ms. Vallar weaves in a love story between characters that don't "fit the mold," as in a lot of typical romance novels. Readers will fall in love with Rory and Duncan as Vallar shares their emotions, love for family, and the loyalty they have to what they see as their mission in life.

Some readers may struggle with the dialect used in the book, but most will "take it on" which is part of what makes this piece of fiction feel so authentic. This helps to make the characters come alive. Readers who want a book to take them to another place and time will certainly enjoy Ms. Vallar's book of historical fiction with a love story within its pages.