Historical
The Highlander's Sword
By Katherine Petersen
Mar 1, 2010 - 7:43:03 PM

Destined for the convent since she was a young child, Lady Aila Graham’s life takes an abrupt twist when her father informs her she will marry Sir Padwyn MacLaren who recently returned from fighting in France. Aila’s father needs more knights to defend his land and MacLaren needs money to rebuild his own property, devastated during his long absence, so the marriage is a win-win for both men. As with the times, they didn’t consult the lady on her opinion. Confused, unprepared and with a marriage still not consummated due to a lack of communication, Aila flees to the convent for advice from her favorite sister. But there are others who don’t want Aila to marry MacLaren. With her brothers dead in battle, she stands to inherit much land and money after the death of her father and there are some unsavory characters who covet her property and have plans to kill off MacLaren, her father or both.

MacLaren has little trust in women after a beautiful French countess to whom he was engaged, betrayed him to the English. Before he left the country to come home to Scotland, his rival for the woman tried to kill him, but MacLaren succeeded where the other mans’ blow failed. He plans to keep Aila at a distance until he realizes that maybe all beautiful women don’t think alike. Treachery, romance and adventure keep this thrilling tale moving forward and suspects abound to keep the reader guessing whodunit.

Amanda Forester has a talent for incorporating intrigue and romance in equal measure into a plot. She has clearly done her research as her language and descriptions of food, parties, beliefs and holidays brim with credibility at least as far as this reader’s knowledge goes. She picked an exciting, battle-filled time in Scottish history, and her fully-developed characters don’t disappoint. MacLaren is a battle-hardened, protective knight whose softer side is hidden beneath an outer shell. Aila, well-educated when it comes to the Bible and literature because of her promise to join the convent, has much to learn about more practical matters such as men, sexuality and sexuality and relationships, but once she begins to trust MacLaren, she’s a willing pupil. Forester will capture the hearts of readers, especially fans of anything Scottish, intrigue and historical romance in general. I hope she’s hard at work on another Scottish romance.