My Shadow Warrior (Macdonell Brides Trilogy) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jen Holling (Author)

Book Description

Series: Macdonell Brides Trilogy | Publication Date: July 26, 2005

Acclaimed author Jen Holling presents the stunning final novel in her sensual trilogy, set against the windswept hills of Scotland, about a trio of sisters with witchcraft -- and passion -- in their blood.

Rose, the youngest of the MacDonell sisters, is more concerned with her father's mysterious illness than with her impending marriage to her childhood sweetheart. A gifted but frustrated healer, she decides to beg help from William MacKay -- a reclusive laird who is renowned not only for his ferocity, but also for his healing powers. Denied entry to his fortress in the cold, harsh mountains of the far northwestern highlands, Rose uses cunning to force her way in, and William is duly intrigued with this bold slip of a girl. But securing his help may not be enough to save Rose's father. For there is something darker at work in the glen, something more powerful than William's and Rose's magic combined, and only the soul-deep passion that shadows their mutual desire can help their love prevail.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In Holling's superb trilogy, it's 1597, and Scotland is no place for witches. After Alan MacDonell's wife was burned at the stake, he sent his three daughters away. Now he is dying and sends three escorts to bring them back to marry men he believes will protect them from the witch hysteria.The third sister, Rose, is a healer. In My Shadow Warrior, she tries to heal their father. Nothing works, so she writes letter after letter to her last resort, the Wizard of the North. When the wizard won't come to her, she goes to him. William MacKay is a virtual recluse whose own villagers turn on him any time he tries to help. He not only heals but he also takes the offending pain onto himself. Rose is shocked at the danger he puts himself in.Medieval Scotland comes to life in Holling's tantalizing trilogy, and each book is moving and engrossing, as each tormented hero is saved, not by the powers of the MacDonell sisters but by their love. Through her alluring characters, Holling celebrates the triumph of good over evil, especially in dangerous times, and no one should miss these fine romances. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"[Kept] me reading all night long."

-- Teresa Medeiros, New York Times bestselling author

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (July 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743471083
• ISBN-13: 978-0743471084
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Occult

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Outstanding - Mesmerizing Read, August 2, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: My Shadow Warrior (Macdonell Brides Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

It apparent that in the last of the MacDonnell Sisters trilogy, the author seems to have saved the best for last, or, at the very least, what I consider the most sensual, nail biting and tension-filled chapter to this wonderful medieval saga.

Rose MacDonnell, the youngest of the three MacDonnell sisters, was also a witch whose mystical power lay in healing the sick. Unfortunately, try as she might she could not stop or heal the wasting sickness that was killing her father. After several letters pleading for the great healer, William McKay, wizard of the north, and receiving no response - the intrepid Rose, disguising herself as a boy, set out to go and beg him to come back and help.

William McKay, had read all of the young woman's letters, burning most, but he'd kept one, not knowing why, but definitely intrigued with the woman who both begged his help and at the same time chastised him for his cold-heartedness. It wasn't that he wouldn't have liked to help but each `healing' physically drained him. Eventually, thru Rose's sheer perseverance, and a good deal of good ole fashioned sensual attraction, William agreed to travel to Roses' home at Glen Laire. Unfortunately, once he arrived there he discovered that her father's illness was not something he could cure. It was soon apparent that the work of a very powerful wizard using black magic and spells was stronger than either Roses' skill or Williams miraculous healing could combat. As Rose and her sisters sought to uncover the identity of the mysterious black wizard he turned his evil intentions against William and his daughter Deirdre threatening any future happiness Rose and William might find together.

*** I truly enjoyed this offering from the very first pages right up to the last, and found it hard to set aside. In this character driven installment featuring the youngest MacDonell sister Rose and the wizard William McKay the characters were both very likeable and well matched, as well as complex. The secondary characters, including those from the previous installments all came back to fit within the plot very well in this stand-alone episode. Deidre, William's daughter with her gift of communicating with animals was wonderful and the child molestation aspect was also a rather unique element that gave an added dimension to the story. All in all, this was a highly original, sensual and beautiful love story that is sure to please the most discriminating of historical romance readers who like a touch of whimsy in their reads. ---- Marilyn, (...)

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holling doesn't disappoint!, October 9, 2005

By 

Natti 29 "natti29" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Shadow Warrior (Macdonell Brides Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am not and never have been a romance reader, but I'll always read Hollings books. She is that good. And I have to agree with M. Rondeau: Holling saved the best for last. I didn't see how she could possibly do any better than the riveting first two books of the McDonnell series, but My Shadow Warrior is like the finale of a dazzling fireworks display. Rose is such an endearing heroine, and her dilemmas (saving her dying father, trying to escape a past of abuse at the hands of a 'foster' family) make for a heart of compassion as well as inevitable faults. Very realistic, very identifiable. And hero William McKay breaks the mold when it comes to love interests. His past is as tortured, if not more, than Rose's, and his heart is just as big. The darkness surrounding him adds tension to his and Rose's already tense and knee-weakening attraction. And readers of the first two novels will be glad to see Gillian and Isobel again as they work with Rose to get to the bottom of their father's illness. The climax you have been waiting for happens here!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an ending!!!, August 28, 2006

By 

Neilisa (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Shadow Warrior (Macdonell Brides Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the third installment of The Brides of the Bloodstone trilogy. It's the story of Rose, youngest of the three MacDonell sisters. While they were little girls, their mother, a powerful witch, was burned at the stake. In fear for their lives, their father hid them separately. Now many years later, and on his deathbed from a mysterious illness, the MacDonell has summoned his daughters home.

Their lives are still in danger so he has arranged each of them to be married to men he can entrust with their safety. Rose, the youngest and blessed with the healing touch, is betrothed to Jamie MacPherson, a childhood friend she hasn't seen in years. Her wedding, however, has been postponed so she can devote herself to discovering the source of her father's illness.

Despite her many efforts, her father continues to deteriorate. To Rose's mind, her only hope is William MacKay, a gifted healer also known as the Wizard of the North. Since her many letters to him have gone unanswered, Rose decides to travel to his fortress to see him in person.

William is determined to shun the girl who has traveled many miles to see him, but curiosity forces him to disguise himself and seek her out. What he finds is a beautiful woman who is dedicated to helping others, even at risk to herself.

His fascination with her finally forces him to see her and eventually agree to travel to MacDonell castle to see her father. But in truth there is a sinister plot behind the MacDonell's illness and his wife's death and this mysterious enemy will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

This was such a great ending to a wonderful trilogy. The plot of the MacDonnell's illness and the mother's death at the stake is woven throughout all three books. It is finally resolved in this last tale but what an ending. Jen Holling has done a masterful job weaving several storylines together to create an enchanting tale of love, treachery, and greed.