This is a classic from a great author, one of my favorites. In a complex, lusty tale of feuding
Scottish clans during the time of James IV of Scotland and Henry VIII of
England, Henley serves up a story that will grab you from the first page and
will not let you go. I loved it. Henley has the ability to capture not only the
time period, but also the culture of the borderlands between Scotland and
England and the difficult but wonderful relationship between two stubborn, courageous
people. I highly recommend this one.
Set in Scotland in 1512, this is the story of clans Douglas, Hamilton and
Kennedy. Beautiful Valentina Kennedy, the oldest of the Kennedy daughters, was
known as Flaming Tina for her glorious red-gold hair and her feisty temper. She
was raised with her sister and brothers in Castle Doon in Ayr on the Southwest
coast of Scotland where her father ruled as the Lord of Galloway. Tina
despaired the lot of women that prevented them from enjoying male pursuits, and
she frequently joined her brothers in their activities.
When Tina turns 17, her father insists
she say yes to one of her many suitors. Tina thinks to marry the Hamilton heir
but is happy when a gypsy tells her there will be no wedding for her this year.
In a surprising turn of events, she is handfasted to her enemy, the powerful
Black Ram Douglas, who she considers a brute of a man. Tina intends to have her
revenge.
Henley develops some wonderful characters, including the ghosts of two
star-crossed lovers from the past (another Kennedy and Douglas pairing), who
constantly entertain. She paints vivid word pictures of the food, clothing and
castles that draw you in and help you experience the times--and she does it all
very well. In a fitting climax to the story, she superbly describes the battle
between the English and Scots at Flodden where Scotland experienced a terrible
defeat.
The second in the 2-book Clan Kennedy Saga is The Border Hostage and I recommend it, too!
