A woman running from her past. An outlaw determined to triumph over his. The twisted clan-chief who hunts them both. Redemption and healing wounded hearts in Medieval Scotland.
Sister Coira has a secret. She once worked in a brothel and was the favorite plaything of the MacKinnon clan-chief. But since fleeing the hardship of her old life, she has made a new one for herself—as a nun.
… made a new one for herself—as a nun.
Unfortunately, the past has a way of catching up with you.
Coira’s new identity is put in peril the day the leader of an outlaw band, turns up badly hurt at the abbey. The clan-chief has put a price on his head, and although she can’t turn an injured man away, Coira knows his presence at Kilbride will put them all in danger.
Craeg MacKinnon has tainted blood. He’s the clan-chief’s bastard brother. Driven by vengeance, Craeg has become a thorn in his half-brother’s side—stealing from him and giving his wealth to the poor.
Despite that she knows she shouldn’t, Coira finds herself irresistibly drawn to the outlaw. Likewise, Craeg can’t keep away from the enigmatic yet alluring healer who has saved his life—a woman who is forbidden to him.
But as the clan-chief closes in, and the Black Death ravages the Isle of Skye, both Coira and Craeg’s lives will be changed forever.
FALLEN is the heartfelt conclusion to The Sisters of Kilbride—a Scottish Medieval Romance series in 14th Century Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Preorder your copy of FALLEN now and it will be delivered to your Kindle on May 28, 2020!
The Sisters of Kilbride series:
1. Unforgotten (published February 2020—available now)
2. Awoken (April 23 2020—currently available on preorder)
3. Fallen (May 28, 2020—currently available on preorder)
4. Claimed (Epilogue novella: June 4, 2020—currently available on preorder)
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Fallen is book 3 of The Sisters of Kilbride series by Jayne Castel.
This was a heartfelt Scottish medieval romance set in the 14th century. A well paced story with romance and good action in between.
Craeg MacKinnon a clan-chief’s bastard brother is an outlaw on the run who finds solace and love with Sister Coira who is hiding from her past. They have a great chemistry and understanding and overcome a lot of obstacles to claim their future happiness.
Every time I read a new story by Jayne Castel, I am in awe of her magical words that create scenes and characters that come alive, as if you are there with them. She never fails to grab my heart from the very first page and invest my imagination for hours.
Coira has survived a hard life since she was orphaned at ten years old and had survived or rather endured torture from a beast of a man, until she finally was able to escape and took refuge in Kilbride Abbey to serve as a nun and healer.
Now ten years later the past seems to have invaded her sanctuary, Craeg McKinnon, known as Craeg the bastard due to being the bastard brother of the Evil Laird McKinnon, landed at their gate, almost dead and the nuns took him in for sanctuary and healing. Craeg was known to the people for taking from his brother and the rich and giving to the poor or those in need and thought highly of for his good deeds. He was hunted by the Laird who was out to kill him and almost had.
Two souls who had endured so much are brought together and it is wonderful to see it unfold. There is a journey they will take that may seem insurmountable, but I could only sigh at the end..
This is book three in the series and like the others it is a great read. It will keep your attention from the start to the end. There is action and adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There is just something that I love about the way Jayne Castel writes. She does have a way with words and this has been a fantastic series! I love everything about it starting with the Prologue which gives the reader an interesting background to the main character, Coira. Then there is the Epilogue which is also a very nice touch.
The author starts chapter one 10 1/2 years into the future of this character. Coira is tending an elderly man who fears he may have the plague. But, he only has the grippe. The plague has not reached this area yet. After helping the man, Coira goes home to the abbey and is greeted by a novice nun with the news that there is an injured man .
Craig the Bastard, the outlaw leader, is injured and finds himself at the abbey where Coira, a healer helps him recover from his wounds. I loved the way they interacted with each other. There is a lot of chemistry between these two characters. But also a lot of obstacles they must conquer.
Duncan McKinnon, the clan chief is Craig’s half brother. He is an evil man who hates Craig and will do anything to get what he wants and has a past with Coira.
The battle between Craig and his half-brother, Duncan the rightful heir and ruler of the area was epic with a surprise ending. I held my breath while reading every word.
Mother Shona, the abbess of Kilbride Abbey is a great character with many surprises. She teaches the women under her care some very interesting skills.
I am sorry this series has ended but will find her other books to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good ultimately triumphs over evil in this book, the third in the series. Duncan MacKinnon, the clan-chief who has harmed his people, is taken down. His outlaw half-brother, Craeg, leads the clan against his rule.
The love story of Craeg and Coira is emotionally touching and beautiful. I especially liked the way Coira dealt with the Black Death, healing some of the victims.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Coira and Craeg’s story
An outlaw and an ex prostitute nun healer. A strange match, but it works.
This story is not just about the two main characters, the plaque, several villains and a battle, but also the side characters. Several characters lives are opened up to us while moving the story along smoothly. Completely enjoyable read.
Fascinating story that brings the story of the MacKinnon clan and Kilbride Abbey to a satisfying conclusion. Along the way, the reader will learn a bit of the horrors of the bubonic plague as experienced in medieval Scotland/Isle of Skye, that actually makes one feel lucky to only be dealing with COVID-19! The depiction of the disease course, signs and symptoms, and “treatments” of the day are accurate—-be prepared to learn! The human experience aspect is, however, ever the focus of the story, with a love story the theme around which all else occurs.
Our heroine, Sister Coira, and our Hero, Craeg MacKinnon, are both people born at the bottom of society. Hard work and having strength of character with an unselfish commitment to helping their fellow men and women, set wonderful examples of what one can do with such humble beginnings. Although adult material appears near the end, I was able to skip over it and finish the book. In all, a very good series which was well worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is so exciting, I was hooked from the start. Part of it is so real cause of what is happening today. I loved how strong Coira is, she went through so much, and never expected to end up how she did. Loved the action, suspense, twists, and drama. Just wish it hadn’t ended, I will get to revisit with the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, this is a wonderful book in the Sisters of Kilbride Series. Sister Coira has not always been the sweet nun she is today but once a time she worked as a whore where Duncan, Chief of MacKinnon, was a regular visitor and he was brutal to the girls. She ran away to the Abby never wanting another man to treat her the way he did. Duncan is a bitter man because he knows that his father’s son birthed by a whore is a better man than he. Craeg MacKinnon vowed to fight Duncan to his dying breath because he and his friends beat him when they were all younger and left him to die and now Duncan is tracking him down. Loved this suspenseful story with a romance between Coira and Craeg.
The third book in The Sisters of Kilbride series a well written story with a very good storyline, I was not putting this book down until I had finished reading it. Sister Coira has a very sordid past she meets outlaw Craeg MacKinnon when he comes to the abbey when he is badly injured. What a story! I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Absolutely, perfectly amazing! Two people who are totally imperfect, one illegitimate and one a former brothel worker, find love during a pandemic while taking down one of the most horrid and evil villains I have ever read about. There is no down time for the characters or the readers because Jayne has crafted an exemplary plot that pulls everyone (characters and readers) through emotional and physical highs and lows.
Once I started reading, I could not stop. This is one of those books that you ask yourself, do you really need that snack from the kitchen (the answer is no, so grab everything before you begin reading) and even though I am only at 22% do I really need to use the restroom (again, the answer is no, so go before you start).
When I finally read the last word, I literally sighed with almost 100% contentment, it was like 99%, but the next book due out in two weeks takes it to 100%. This was such an amazing, brilliant, breathtaking story that I cannot urge you enough to read it. You will not be sorry you did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved this book! There is rough back stories for both the Hero and Heroine but they are good people that you are pulling for them to find an HEA. Action, reflection, strong characters – both good and villains- all combine to make a great escape read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Just finished Fallen! Oh my!
This is the third book in the series. Definitely a more dramatic and grim setting. It takes place during the time of the plague. With all that is going on in our time period it made the book and situations more realistic or understandable for me. Cleaning, sanitizing, covering with scarfs….
The sensitive nature of the relationship that builds in this book was done very well. Coira’s upbringing leads her to a place and time in her life that she’d rather leave it behind- and it’s clear for a while she was safe. Life threatening circumstances lead her to Craeg, who also has a past which links them, and from there their budding relationship begins. Healing, trust and unconditional love are four words that come to mind while reading this book. It was very well written and was a great third book to the series! I loved it!
I did receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Two individuals damaged both physically and mentally find each other after many years of trying to find peace for their tormented lives. Craeg McKinnon, Craeg the Bastard as he is commonly known, is a man who has tried to do right to all that have been tormented by his half-brother Duncan McKinnon. Duncan McKinnon rules with an evil and vindictive hand. Coira a woman who has spent her many years as a whore has never known love and kindness and is badly mistreated as Duncan McKinnon’s favorite whore. She escapes this life and takes refuge at Kilbride Abbey for many years. Craig has been badly wounded during an attack by Duncan McKinnon. He is brought to the Abbey in hopes the nuns will be able to save him. Coira is the healer at Kilbride and takes over the care of Craig.
The chemistry between Craig and Coira is beautiful. Craig realizes the damage done to Coira and is patient, loving and kind. Their journey together is so well written by Jayne Castell. Another Kilbride Abbey story brought to life as only she can write it. This journey will bring tears.
This story takes place during the Black Plague which resembles the Corvus-19 virus we are now fighting. Their attempts at avoiding and controlling. This book should not be missed and I enthusiastically recommend it!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The final battle between the brothers. Craeg has shown up at the abbey and Coira is healing them. He looks so much like his half-brother that at first Coira was scared. But only good things have been told about the outlaw and what he has done to help the people his brother has hurt. But while hiding him in the abbey, Father Cameron shows up, always ready to find fault with Abbess Shona. As soon as he is able they get Craeg out, but then his half-brother shows up, and now Coira is in danger from both Father Cameron and the MacKinnon. The abbey is surrounded by men. How can she escape? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Fallen: A Medieval Scottish Romance (The Sisters of Kilbride Book 3) by Jayne Castel.
Fantastic Writing! One of the best I’ve read this year! 5 Stars
Well Done! Highly Recommended Read!
This medieval historical romance has it all! The story grabbed my attention right from the start and didn’t let go until well after the very emotional ending. There’s multiple exciting plots with great world building, and an unbelievable cast of complex and endearing characters I just loved. While the people of Kilbride face uncertain times with their constant struggle to survive against the growing evil acts of the Clan-Chief, a new threat has arrived at their shores. The “Black Death” begins slowly waging fear and panic through the villages with a disease no one understands or knows how to fight or contain. The author has masterfully created such a heart-wrenching and beautifully written story that is gripping, engaging, and emotional with a romantic balance I find amazingly well done! I feel I can’t give this story enough justice in my review. I’m sad to see this series end but, wow, what an ending! This book can definitely be read as a stand alone, but in my opinion it’s better to read in order of the three book series.
Happy Reading
Content Notes: Adult content. Steamy open door romance with some explicit details. Mention of rape (the act or details were not described).
Oh WOW! Jayne Castel sure delivered with this book!!! What a fabulous finale for the Sisters of Kilbride trilogy! Best book ever!!! And I don’t say that lightly! This author’s books are always well written with well-developed characters that just come alive on the page. She enables you to see, smell, taste, and almost touch the world she creates. She understands and writes of the feelings and anguish of the broken, afraid and vulnerable but through their inner strength and perseverance they can triumph over any obstacle and ultimately find true love.
This is the poignant and heartwarming story of Coira and Craeg, two people with tortured backgrounds who are brought together by fate. They face the Black Death too which I found very profound as we are dealing with our own modern day plague right now! They also deal with Craeg’s half-brother, clan-chief Duncan, who is an evil, nasty piece of work who has tormented the heroines in all three books. He finally gets what he deserves in this one!
I loved the whole trilogy but this book is icing on the cake! They are standalone stories but I recommend reading the other books to get the full scope and backstory of these wonderful heroes and heroines as they are all intertwined and are all gems. I also loved how they were all brought back together again in the Epilogue. Great touch, Ms. Castel! I rated this 5 Stars although it deserves so much more! I look forward to reading whatever books she has in store for us in the future. Please give us more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Though her faith is indeed strong, Sister Coira has ulterior motives for joining the Abbey of Kilbride. She once worked in a brothel where she drew the unyielding notice of Duncan, Chief of the MacKinnon clan. Taking the veil was the best way to escape his cruelty and Coira has never looked back.
Coira’s identity has already risked revelation given MacKinnon’s increasing interest in the Abbey and its inhabitants. When Craeg MacKinnon, the chief’s illegitimate brother and an outlaw with a price on his head, arrives grievously wounded at the Abbey, Coira knows she can’t turn him away, even if it puts the sisters in more peril.
Craeg has always known himself to be inferior and ever since an attack from MacKinnon in their youth nearly killed him, he has been after revenge. He has spent years taunting his half-brother, stealing the clan Chief’s ill-gotten gains and returning them to the poor. Craeg knows she is forbidden, but he cannot help the intense pull he feels toward Coira and she struggles with similar feelings for her handsome patient. With the arrival of the Black Death on the shores of Skye and Duncan MacKinnon’s increasing fervor in his search for Craeg, there is every chance life will drastically change for both Coira and Craeg and their futures are far from certain.
This was a lovely conclusion to the series. I loved seeing women who were strong without being shrewish and a hero who was valiant and brave but also vulnerable. These two were lovely together and I’m looking forward to the epilogue novella as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A heart pounding suspenseful romance.
Although some pasts are more colorful than others, everyone has one. What really matters is what truth one learns from his or her past experiences.
Before making her escape and entering the order at Kilbride Abbey, Sister Coira never dreamed of having a safe and serene life. Now that she has enjoyed the protection from her past, Coira will do whatever she must to secure a safe future.
Before escaping an ambush and taking refuge at the Kilbride Abbey, Craeg could only dream of exacting his revenge against his evil brother, Duncan MacKinnon. Now that Craeg has healed enough to leave the abbey, he still intends to do whatever he must to rid Dunan of its oppressive laird.
The fourteenth century was a hard and unforgiving time. Within the pages of Fallen, Jayne Castel has build a world that is the perfect backdrop for Coira and Craeg’s heart pounding and suspenseful love story. Filled with historical events, this well written and engrossing read has several close calls and a number of surprises. With all the odds stacked against Coira and Craeg, they will need to be both courageous and resourceful if they are to have a chance at a happy ever after. Thankfully they are up for the challenge and their ever after is a satisfying one.
Content 411: Although there are no vulgarities, this book does allude to abusive behavior, catastrophic illness and some moderately described sexual intimacies.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
Fallen is the third book in a medieval historical fiction series about three nuns who come to the convent of Kilbride to escape painful events in their past and in the process, find peace and friendship with their sister nuns. That is, until their past catches up with them. All three stories are excellent, and though they can be read as stand alones, reading all three is more satisfying and definitely worth it.
Fallen is Sister Coira’s story and, in my opinion, is the most poignant and heartwarming of the three. She meets Craeg when he staggers into the convent nearly dying from a wound, inflicted by his half-brother, Duncan. In the course of nursing him he finds a kindred spirit in Coira, who also suffered abuse in the past from Duncan.
Circumstances bring them together and although Coira fears men, Craeg helps her overcome her fear, just as she helps him see that he is a worthy person, in spite of his lowly origins.
I loved this book, and the epilogue brought the three former sisters and their husbands together for a heartwarming ending. Jayne Castel is one of my favorite writers so I asked if I could review an ARC of Fallen. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.