On a Highland Shore (Paperback)

by Kathleen Givens (Author)
Key Phrases: dinna wish, doesna matter, dinna need, Rory O'Neill, Uncle William, King Alexander (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Breathtaking and absorbing...An adventure, a romance, a historical of epic proportions."

-- Marsha Canham, award-winning author of The Pride of Lions

"The Scottish Highlands have rarely been more inviting...."

-- Dallas Morning News

"Memorable and transporting."

-- Joan Johnston, New York Times bestselling author

"With unparalleled skill and an exquisite sense of time and place, RITA Award winner Givens (The Destiny) spins a violent, realistic tale of love, loyalty, and betrayal, breathing life into characters both real and fictional and vividly portraying the turbulence and intricate political machinations of 13th-century Scotland."-- Library Journal

Product Description
From acclaimed historical novelist Kathleen Givens comes a magnificently conceived, intricately detailed novel that brings to vivid life the tumult, adventure, and passion of thirteenth-century Scotland, when Norse invaders laid claim to the land and its people -- and an explosive clash of cultures, politics, and personal pride changed the world forever.

1263: On Scotland's western shore, the village of Somerstrath prepares for the joyous wedding celebration of Margaret MacDonald, the laird's daughter. But a dark storm of bloodshed and betrayal is closing in, as a merciless band of Vikings threatens the Highlands. Margaret is determined to hold the MacDonald clan together and to locate her abducted younger brother. But can she trust the noblemen from King Alexander's court, who insist that only by adhering to a betrothal conceived for political gain will she find safety? Or should she put her trust in an imposing half-Irish, half-Norse warrior? Gannon MacMagnus alone offers her hope of reuniting her family and vanquishing the barbarous Norsemen who would continue to rob her people of their God-given right to determine their own destinies. In whom should Margaret entrust the fate of the rugged, magnificent land she calls home?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416509909
• ISBN-13: 978-1416509905
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #389,830 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 1 in The Highland Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralled, July 22, 2006

By	M. Nix "Joyfully Reviewed" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Margaret MacDonald was a young girl when a seer told her of her future. The old woman said that she will have to choose the right man or she will perish. Although confused and slightly afraid, Margaret listened and remembered those words as she grew older.

Margaret had been betrothed to Lachlan Ross since she was a babe. She is very pleased with the match and Lachlan seems to be pleased with her as well. On the verge of marrying Lachlan, Margaret is betrayed by him and she now refuses to go through with the marriage. Her father gives her a choice; either marry Lachlan or be sent to a convent. Attempting to break her betrothal through the King, Margaret journeys to England with her sister Nell and her brother Rignor. Her pleas are ignored though. Margaret meets the seer again there and both she and Nell are told of their futures. Margaret feels helpless and lost. She doesn't know which path to take and the seer's visions just confuse her even more.

Returning form their journey Margaret and her siblings find their home in Somerstrath destroyed, the people either slain or missing. Their young brother Davey is among the missing. As they struggle to comprehend their loss, warriors arrive to help them. Gannon Magnusson is one of these warriors. Gannon and Margaret find themselves drawn to each other, which makes Margaret wonder if Gannon is the man the seer prophesied about.

They travel to a neighboring land after burying the dead and Gannon and Margaret get the chance to know each other while the men try to determine the name of the man responsible for the attacks at Somerstrath, and to other lands, including Gannon's home in Ireland. A Norseman is brutally destroying homes and killing innocents in his quest for power.

While the Norseman continues his savagery, the battle that Gannon and Margaret must wage to be free to love one another becomes increasingly more difficult. Lachlan will not give up his betrothed without a fight and Margaret refuses to be used as a pawn for uniting the clans through this farce of a marriage to him. Unfortunately, their search for Davey has been fruitless so far as well.

When the war is once again at their door, Gannon, Margaret and those left from their clans descend on the Vikings and fight for all they are worth. Will it be enough to stop this madman from destroying what's left of their people and their lands?

On A Highland Shore is breathtaking. Margaret is magnificent. She followed her heart and never faltered even under pressure. I admire her determination and strength. Gannon is a true hero. He is noble and strong. They make a glorious couple. The villain is perfect. He is ruthless and cold. His evil deeds captivated me. On A Highland Shore is both romantic and tragic. Nell`s and Davey's stories could turn this wonderful story into an epic series. I was enthralled with On A Highland Shore and I highly recommend it.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book depicts with startling clarity the raw beauty as well as brutality that existed throughout 13th century Scotland., January 27, 2007

By	C. Dionne "Chrissy Dionne" (Cloverdale, OREGON USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Margaret MacDonald is all set to marry her betrothed, Lachlan. The contracts have been signed, and the whole village is celebrating the match of their laird's daughter to the cousin of King Alexander. Until Margaret discovers that Lachlan has been indulging his carnal desires with her best friend Fiona. Margaret refuses to marry Lachlan despite her parents insistence that she will. Given the choice of joining a convent or marrying Lachlan, Margaret chooses a third option, she requests that the King dissolve the betrothal agreement.

Lachlan has the King's ear and convinces him to allow the contract to stand. Margaret barely gets to plead her case before she's whisked out of the King's presence. She's failed and the marriage contract stands. While residing at court, waiting to speak with the King, Margaret is approached by the old woman whom she had met as a child and had foretold her future. She still speaks in riddles that make no sense to Margaret. With her mind full of the old woman's words, Margaret along with her little sister and brother, Nell and Rignor returned home to Somerstrath. Their home and surrounding villages have been decimated, there's not a single person alive anywhere and their eight-year-old brother Davey is missing.

Gannon MacMagnus, a half-Irish, half-Norse warrior, arrives soon after Margaret finds the bodies of their parents and two brothers. Margaret, Nell, and Rignore mistake Gannon and his warriors as Vikings. Once they established that Gannon and his men are not there to do harm, they search the village for survivors but find none and don't find any sign of Davey anywhere. Gannon mentions that the Norse Vikings are known for selling women and children as slaves overseas. Margaret is determined to find her younger brother, but can she possibly trust Gannon to help her or is he responsible for the death and destruction that's befallen her home?

Fans of Kathleen Givens KILGANNON series will love her newest book, ON A HIGHLAND SHORE. It contains all the passion, mystery, and heartache that have made Ms. Givens books so popular. While I've tended to over romanticize Scotland in my mind, this book depicts with startling clarity the raw beauty as well as brutality that existed throughout 13th century Scotland. The characters are bold and stand up for what they believe in - no matter what it costs them. I'm very impressed with ON A HIGHLAND SHORE. I'm thrilled that there will be books to follow which will depict two of the siblings and their adventures as they find their way in life in a land full of turmoil.

Chrissy Dionne (Courtesy of Romance Junkies)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God, there are still good historical romance authors out there!, January 7, 2007

By	Abbie320 (St. Paul, Mn) - See all my reviews

Ms. Givens writes so extremely well. This genre has lost depth, emotion, historical interest in the last few years. In this book I found myself in Scotland, traveling and experiencing the land, the time period, feeling the emotional bonds of Margaret and Gannon. If you enjoy old Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught historical romances, you will love this book and the others of Ms. Givens. Not much PR about Givens, I am so glad I happened upon Kilgannon (if you read this, please make sure you also have Rose of Kilgannon, it is really part of the first book)at the library some years ago. Since then, I have purchased all her books. They are all keepers. I keep a watch out for new books by her on Amazon. Otherwise, I wouldn't know she has written a new book. A shame for others looking for good historical's. If you like Philippa Gregory, also, you would like Givens books. There is so much trashy, lust/porno, no story, no depth, writers now writing under the genre of historical romance that the genre has lost it's readers. Crossing over to Gregory, old books by Seton, or Plaidy books.
Ms. Givens gives us the historical romance, depth of romance, intrigue (nail biting), story and history. Her writing is so well writen, you feel every emotion, every vision. So, so good. What the old historical romance stories were all about.

I just loved this book. It is so hard to find good historical romance of quality. This has been the best I've read in a long while. I wish it didn't end. Cannot wait for Nell and Davey....and how about one about Drason, please? If you like Garwood, McNaught, Balogh, Woodiwiss, Brides by Feathers, Gregory, Seton, Kleypas, Lindsay, Kat Martin, you will love this book. A 10+++. And a definite keeper.