Customer Reviews

Secret Clan

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

 

 

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Two very young sisters were taken away from their home. One received a secret clue, from their mother, to remember her birthright and her clan.

Molly Gordon was the infamous Maid of Dunsithe, rumored to have the largest fortune in all of Scotland. Unfortunately, no one has seen it since Molly was taken from her home in the dead of night. That doesn't stop people from looking for it, or to continue passing her around from foster family to foster family, like chattel. She longs for a place to call home, and she is fed up with people only wanting her for her supposed treasure. Then one night she meets a man called Wild Fin, and everything changes.

Sir Finlay MacKenzie has been granted Molly as his ward, given to him by the King of Scotland himself. Fin goes to collect her from her present residence, the keep of Laird MacKinnon, only to find an attempt to thwart him from his business with claims Molly is not there. As Fin and his men are leaving, he is thrown from his horse, at the same time he spies a young women hiding in the forest.

Molly takes an instant dislike to Fin, from the moment he mistakes her for a common maid to be trifled with, and she is infuriated to discover he is her new guardian. She chafes at his commands and shows rebellion at every turn. Then he has the nerve to try to force her to marry him, upon finding out Molly's previous guardian, Donald of Sleat, has not taken the news of her transfer of guardianship kindly. She does finally agree to marry Fin, grudgingly, hoping she has finally found a home.

However, adventure and danger await, finding Fin travelling all over the Highlands to fight Donald. Donald wants the fortune of Dunsithe, but doesn't stop there. He wants the throne as well. Will Fin and Molly defeat Donald and find the magical treasure... and love they are destined for?

This was a captivating read. The characters were vividly drawn and full of personality. Add in a few of the Fair Folk and it becomes a magical adventure. There is plenty of mystery as well, with the cast trying to solve the puzzle of the hidden riches. One will be drawn in to the story from page one and will stay absorbed through to the end.

Also of note, is how well Ms. Scott sets up the story of Bess, Molly's missing sister, believed dead. Her story will be told in the sequel The Secret Clan: The Hidden Heiress, to be released in 2002. The Abducted Heiress doesn't really end, but gives the reader a "to be continued" feel, without leaving the feeling Fin and Molly's story is incomplete. This reviewer will be awaiting the sequel, and a chance to revisit some very enchanting characters.

I am only 19 years old and I do read a bit of adult fiction but to be completly honest this was my very first romance novel. and I abslutly loved it. I loved it that it had historical facts and the faries and the little hints of scottish fantasy was very nice. mostly because even though there were hints of this in the story which I love because I have always been a huge fan of fantasy novels really in any fourm what so ever. but this still had added interest that kept in very realistic and did not make the story stray to far from the plot line. the romance was always great because it consited all the way thorough the novel all the way from when molly and fin first meet and to the very end of the book. this indeed was the fact that made me not so suprised that I had read such a large scale novel in such a short amount of time. seeing is how it had so much to ofer that was so interesting and would draw a reader couristey very easily. so even though I am very new to the romance novels of the amazing amanda scott I hope to read more of work namly Border Bride, The Secret Clan: Hidden Heiress, The Secret Clan Highland Bride, and The Kid Napped Bride.
and I would diffenly recomend this book to anyone who shows a soft spot for romance novels or stories.

In 1527, the Earl of Angus arrives to take his five year old niece Molly Gordon, the Maid of Dunsithe and her infant sister Bessie away from their home. The little girls have no protector as their father just died and their mother is helpless to stop her brother, who plans to control the wealth of Molly, an heiress. Before being separated from her two children, Molly's mother uses a heated ring to burn a mark onto her daughter's chest so she can recognize her if they ever meet as adults.

Twelve years later, Sir Finlay "Wild Fin" Mackenzie comes to the Isle of Skye to take his king chosen betrothed/ward Molly away with him. Fin has two reasons to marry Molly. His people can use her legendary riches though no one knows where they might be and he wants to enact revenge on her previous guardian Donald of Sleat who killed his father. As the wee people interfere, Fin and Molly are attracted to one another, but dangerous enemies want Molly and Fin dead rather than united in love.

ABDUCTED HEIRESS, the first part of a two part miniseries, The Secret Clan, is an engaging paranormal historical romantic suspense. The story line is filled with the danger of intrigue blended with the magic of the wee people. The lead characters are a delightfully dueling duet and the audience will enjoy their capers, but the novel works on several levels because fans will believe in Amanda Scott's "world" and want Bessie's story told soonest, not next year.

Harriet Klausner

This is the first in Scott's Secret Clan series (see list below). Set in 16th century Scotland, it tells the story of Molly Gordon, the Maid of Dunsithe and heiress to an estate in the Border lands (and supposedly a fortune). Her father, Lord Gordon, was murdered when she was five and that very night she was abducted and taken from her mother to be raised on the Isle of Skye. Now 17, Molly is to be taken away again, this time to be the ward of Sir Finlay Mackenzie ("Wild Fin"), a handsome Highland chief who has the power to barter or marry her by order of King Jamie. Little does Fin know there was fae magic at work (the Secret Clan) in the change of wardship. Fin has his hands full when he realizes that Molly, now a spirited a young woman with a mind of her own, has no intention of obeying his commands.

What I loved: (1) the household spirits, or "little people," their speech and accents captured wonderfully well by Scott. It added a whimsical touch and an interesting depth to the story that did not detract from what would otherwise be a more typical Highland romance. (2) A strong but imperfect hero (Fin is an independent, drool-worthy Highlander, but often times harsh with Molly, not valuing her opinion, or indeed, even conceding she is entitled to one). (3) A strong heroine, just the kind we like, Molly is for the most part, independent and resourceful and does not hesitate in killing her enemies. (4) Scott captures the time and the sense of the Highlands with careful attention to detail. I can recommend this one as an interesting and entertaining read.

A few negatives: (1) The book really needed a map of Skye and environs with the real and fictional holdings noted, particularly since it's the beginning of a series. The descriptions were just not adequate and had my mind in knots. (2) Molly's expertise in the longbow seems highly improbable, notwithstanding words by the author to the contrary. A woman, especially a slight woman like Molly, could not pull a longbow...it takes 150 lbs. of pressure, and the bow would be nearly as tall as she is and not subject to being slung over her shoulder as some scenes suggest.

The Series in order:

Abducted Heiress
Hidden Heiress
Highland Bride
Reiver's Bride

There's simply not enough passion, romance, or excitement, even, in this story. Also, and this may be quite irrational, but i just didn't like the names of the characters--very weak and unremarkable.

The presence of the secondary fairy characters also seemed more of a nuisance. Halfway on the book i wanted it to end already and be done with it. I felt that i have wasted my time with this...