January 10, 2000
The second entry in Brockway's Scottish Trilogy (after McClairen's Isle: The Passionate One) begins in 1760 France as Raine Merrick, abandoned by his evil father, the Earl of Carr, escapes an unjust imprisonment by participating in a plot involving beautiful and innocent Favor McClairen. Although Raine and Favor share a twisted past tormented by the enmity of their families, neither recognizes the other when fate rejoins their lives. Years before, Favor had unknowingly betrayed her people--a misstep that has haunted her since; in an attempt to regain her honor, she turns up at Lord Carr's castle, reluctantly trying to win his hand in marriage in order to recover her family's ancestral home. Soon Raine arrives incognito, seeking a cache of hidden jewels that should enable him to start life anew. Favor is mesmerized by Raine's charm, and he finds himself reassessing what he wants out of life. Although the climax shifts into melodrama, and a nonstop series of twists and turns may occasionally confuse, readers will enjoy the excitement and passion.
November 15, 1999
Sprung from a brutal French prison only to be betrayed by his lovely rescuer, Raine Merrick eludes his pursuers and eventually makes his way home to McClairen's Isle--and, amazingly, finds that his duplicitous savior is a guest in his father's castle. He now realizes that he knew the woman as a child and that she has every reason to hate him. Deception, vengeance, and a legendary treasure combine in this tale of romance and intrigue, which continues Brockway's "McClairen's Isle" trilogy (e.g., McClairen's Isle: The Passionate One), and is sure to delight her waiting fans. Brockway is an increasingly popular writer of sensual historicals and lives in Edina, MN.
Copyright 1999 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.