Customer Reviews

Warrior's Lady (Stones of Destiny, Book 3)

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Somehow when this book was first released I missed reading this novel about brave knights, revenge, kind maidens and magical stones. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Russell, and I must say I enjoyed her story and her fluid compact writing style.

Scot Camden Lockhart is devastated when he discovers the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law and many clansmen when he returns from fighting the English. His clan's nemeses the Ruthvens have again struck with a vengeance. Camden is so enraged he hires an assassin to kill every single Ruthven.

In an abbey, Rhiannon Ruthven has been given a task; she must deliver young Violet Lockhart to Camden's castle. Rhiannon also carries a magical stone from the Middle East that has the power to heal, however, it can only be utilized by a Lockhart. Let me state that Rhiannon was a finely drawn character, she is innocent of her brother's dastardly deeds, in fact, she has come to the abbey to escape the violence of her clan.

Rhiannon's job is not an easy one. A power hungry Arch Bishop hungers after the stone and he is not above any means fair or foul to obtain it. Rhiannon fortunately is aware of his desires and she is brave too, willing to lay her life down for Violet.

When Camden meets pretty Rhiannon he realizes he has unknowingly put her under a death sentence, he would have never hired an assassin to wipe out the Ruthven's if he had known there was a sister in the clan. Honor bound, he allows her to stay in his home under his protection but he and his clan despise her.

The mutual attraction that grows between these leads is believable and sweetly romantic. Rhiannon does not set out to change people's minds about her character; she just accomplishes this transformation by being her kind generous self. Her loyalty is unwavering to Violet.

Camden is a fine hero with a past that could have left him very bitter, he was sold into slavery to a middle easterner for seven long years. He is strong willed yet not overly stubborn, he is quick to recognize Rhiannon is nothing like her violent brothers.

This story moves at a steady pace, I was never bored. All the actions by the hero and the heroine were believable, but the six year old Violet was a little too precocious. The author shows the reader how these two fall in love and not just tells the reader their emotions. Overall this novel has an endearing romance because the characters are so very likable.

After seeing his brother James killed by a blade with clan markings, Camden Lockhart swears revenge on the entire Ruthven clan. In a moment of impulsiveness, Camden hires a man to do just that! Rhiannon Ruthven escapes the brutality of her brothers by escaping to an abbey but Mother Agnes has another plan for her. In a desperate attempt to capture the celebrated Charm Stone to increase his power, the Archbishop had accused Violet's mother of witchcraft. Without James or Camden to intervene, Clara handed over Violet and the celebrated Charm Stone to Mother Agnes. Now in an effort to protect the Charm Stone and keep Violet safe, Mother Agnes charges Rhiannon with the duty as Violet's protector on a perilous journey to the Ruthven castle. Having vowed vengeance on all Ruthvens, Camden is shocked to discover a female Ruthven right at his doorstep. Honor demands that he protect her but little does he realize all the forces at play who wish to destroy her. As Camden discovers Rhiannon's skill, determination and heart all focused on protecting Violet, to the point of risking her life for others, Rhiannon's spirit transforms the heart of this a warrior, a man almost destroyed by his lust for vengeance. Can he protect her from the killer he hired and those wishing to possess the healing powers of the Charm Stone? Can the Charm Stone unite the Ruthvens and the Lockharts with love?

In WARRIOR'S LADY, the third in her Scottish Stones of Destiny series, Gerri Russell creates a passionate medieval tale of love, danger, and legend all together with a twist of paranormal power. Rhiannon is a wounded soul, a woman who feels herself alone and unwanted and yet her heart is all goodness. Her love for Violet and indeed for Camden fills her with an inner strength, rather allowing it to surface even in the most dangerous moments. She will do everything within her power to protect Violet and teach her how to stand up and protect herself. Camden is a warrior, a man ruled by intense emotion and yet when everyone else in his castle resents Rhiannon, Camden's fairness and integrity shine forth. Gerri Russell creates a stunning portrait of her villains that fills this romance with exciting, suspenseful drama as the archbishop and his mother scheme and plot. In an unexpected way, even their story moved this reader. I found myself craving justice for all their misdeeds and yet, Gerri Russell created in them a multi-dimensional portrait from which I easily understood their motivations. Gerri Russell has a gift for peering into the hearts of all her characters and placing them within adventures that keep readers locked into captivating drama.

Gerri Russell, winner of the American Title contest, finishes this wonderful series with a masterstroke. A new fresh, powerful voice within the genre, Gerri Russell is an author for the medieval lover who cherishes both history and the mythical, magical medieval world. With a paranormal aspect taken from medieval history, the legendary Lee Penny, WARRIOR'S LADY takes the reader right into the medieval period with its legends and conflicts and above all with a hero and heroine whose hearts heal one another with a power just as great as the Charm Stone itself. Combining action, dynamic conflicts and depth of emotion, WARRIOR'S LADY is an impelling tale of medieval love and freedom. WARRIOR'S LADY grabs from the initial prologue and doesn't let go until the last page. This reader would relish the expansion of the this captivating series beyond a trilogy!

Russell writes a fantastic, yet relatable, story of two strong characters drawn together into an exciting story line. Her historical research is evident as she paints a vivid picture of the daily life and politics of 14th century Scotland. As a fan of women's fiction, I love being transported into the world Russell creates. The story builds beautifully until its surprising - and satisfying - ending.

In 1377, Clara Lockhart is accused of witchcraft by the Bishop for using the healing powers of the Charm Stone brought back by her late spouse's family from the Holy Land Crusades. Clara expects to die, but begs Mother Agnes to protect her hidden young daughter Violet and the stone. The Bishop demands Clara hand him the Charm Stone, but she refuses though he threatens Violet.

At about the same time that the Bishop interrogates Clara, Camden finds his brother and six others dead, victims of the ruthless Ruthven clan who massacred them at Lee Castle. He vows vengeance aginst all of Ruthven blood and hires mercenaries to kill his enemy while he searches for his sister in law Clara and niece Violet.

Following a horrific beating from her brother Dugal, Rhiannon Ruthven takes shelter at the abbey run by Mother Agnes. However, Agnes believes the young woman is the answer to her prayers; someone to escort Violet and the Charm Stone to the child's Uncle Camden. Rhiannon agrees to escorts Violet to Camden. When she does, he intially does not trust her as she is a Ruthven, but observes her lioness protection of the orphaned cub Violet. As they fall in love, Camden still wants to destroy the blood thirsty Ruthven, but risks his life to keep Rhiannon safe from his hired guns as much as from her siblings.

Gerri Russell's third medieval "Warrior" romance (see THE WARRIOR'S BRIDE and THE WARRIOR TRAINER) is an exciting paranormal historical. The star-crossed lovers share in common several things starting with a need to keep little Violet safe and leading to love between them. The story line is action-packed from the onset when Clara knows she will die in spite of her innocence. Ms. Russell provides another fresh fourteenth century Scottish romance.

Harriet Klausner