From New York Times Bestselling Author Madeline Martin comes the final steamy, suspenseful Borderland Ladies full-length novel… SHE IS DESTINED TO LOVE HIM… set apart from her sisters—not only in appearance, but also by the visions that haunt her. In a world where fear and superstition rule, her gifts may cost her everything, including her life. But when she has a premonition of the great pestilence, she knows she will not be able to turn her back on the sick and dying. Not even after she sees her own death at the hands of the man she is fated to love.
HE IS DESTINED TO KILL HER…
After his father was cursed by a witch and died, Niall Douglas devoted himself to living an honorable life, one of such ferocity and determination that he became known as the Lion. As Deputy to the Keeper of Liddesdale in the debatable lands, he swore to protect the people. When rumors circulate that a witch is responsible for causing the great illness, nothing will stop Niall from bringing her to justice. However, once he has arrested Lady Leila, he finds her to be an incredible beauty with admirable strength and spirit—a woman who consumes his thoughts and turns his blood to fire.
WHICH DESTINY WILL THEY CLAIM?
With desolation and death surrounding them, will terror and fallacy tear them apart, or will their passion overcome prejudice and prove that love is enough to save them all?
more
This was such an emotional conclusion to an amazing series. It was expected that Leila’s story would be an emotional one with all the visions she has had throughout the series. Then there is the fact that the story involves The Black Death and the fact that Leila has seen her own death, at the hands of the man she loves no less! Wow! So much to take in! Niall, The Lion was totally swoon worthy. He was such an honorable warrior and a perfect fit for Leila. What these two go through throughout the book is so emotionally draining it took a box of tissues to get me through it. I just can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this story and am so sad to see the series finished, however I am looking forward to the Borderland Rebels series coming next. I highly recommended this book and if you haven’t read The Borderland Ladies series do so, you won’t be disappointed.
Lady Leila Barrington is different, the youngest of the Barrington Sisters, she has long known that she is not the Earl’s blood daughter and that she is the result of a violent attack on his beloved wife which ultimately resulted in her death. In addition to being dark when her sisters are all fair, Leila also has the ability to see visions of the past and the future, but unfortunately doesn’t always see the complete scenario or understand the meaning of the vision. And for as long as she can remember she has had two reoccurring visions, the Black Death descending on England and her death at the hands of the Lion – the man she loves.
The plague has come to Werrick and Leila is in the village helping Isla tend the plague victims when she finally meets the Lion, he has come to Werrick seeking the witch who brought the plague upon his people…Leila. She sends him off by playing on their fears, but not before she recognizes him.
Niall Douglas is the deputy for the Earl of Armstrong, the Keeper of Liddesdale, he is brave and loyal and has been dubbed the Lion, he was sent to Werrick to find the witch that has cursed them with the plague. He is sure that the woman in the village is Lady Leila and plots how to capture her. His plan have to wait as he has learned that she has contracted the plague – he and the Earl of Armstrong believe it is a ruse to protect herself from prosecution, but it won’t work, they will arrest her an put her on trial.
Leila is lured away from the village and taken by Niall and his men, despite being a prisoner, Niall treats her with respect and insists his men do the same. When the Earl demands that she be paraded thru the streets for the villagers to mock and abuse, he protects her from the brunt of their scorn. When her father comes, Niall allows him to see her and takes care to protect her when she is returned to the keep.
As they spend more and more time together, Leila begins to fall in love and that love is returned, Niall no longer believes she is a witch, but soon learns it doesn’t matter – Armstrong doesn’t care about the truth, he just wants to pacify his people and Leila’s guilt or innocence is not relevant and she is sentenced to death and Niall is charged with carrying out the sentence. Can there be a happy ever after? Can love survive death?
This is the perfect ending to a wonderful series, it is a well written, emotional, steamy, suspenseful story that leaves you turning pages as fast as you can to find out what happens, and while it is a serious and heartfelt tale, it never devolves into a dark, depressing read. I was sucked in from the first page and held in thrall until the last word was read, I laughed, cried, sighed and had to fan myself while reading this book and in the end I know it is definitely a story that I will not forget! This book can be read as a stand-alone title, but I would urge you to start the series at the beginning with Marin’s Promise, it will just make this book so much more potent and if you have read the complete series – OMG the epilogue in this book is going to blow you away!!!!!!
Proper preparation is a requirement for reading this book – you need a comfy chair, a full box of tissues and your bottle of digitalis to revive you after your heart stops. This is a story that stays in your heart and on your mind long after you’ve read the last word and closed the book. I think this was my favorite book in the series and was the perfect wrap-up. Everything was tidily completed with no loose ends. All of the villains got their just desserts, all of the heroes and heroines got their Happily Ever After and the reader gets a wonderfully sweet and contented feeling to last a long, long time. The epilogue – OMGoodness – the epilogue – heart palpitations! We even got a couple of wonderful nuggets that I had hoped for but didn’t actually expect. I don’t usually gush over books – but – gush, gush, gush!
Lady Leila Barrington has always known that she was different from her sisters in more ways than one. She looks different – they are very blonde and fair and she is small and dark-haired – and – she has visions – terrifying visions usually. She sees the past on occasion, but usually it is the future she sees. All of her life, she has been plagued with visions of her death at the hands of the man she loves. Now, the pestilence that Leila had long foreseen is spreading across the land and the people are dying. Leila knows her time is coming nearer, but she cannot hide in the castle, she has to help nurse her people as long as she can. Once she meets the man, The Lion, can she stop herself from falling in love with him? How could she possibly love someone who will take her life?
Niall Douglas, Deputy to the Keeper of Liddesdale, hates witches. He has hated them since one caused the death of his father – and now one is bringing death across the land. It is his job to find her and bring her back to Liddesdale for trial. Niall is the honorable man that Lord Armstrong, Keeper of Liddesdale, and his son Alban are not. Niall is fierce, loyal, steadfast, and determined. He is determined to find the witch and to see her tried for the damage she has caused. Then, when he does find her, he cannot believe this small, beautiful, kind, and caring creature is a witch. How can he save her? Surely the priest who is coming from Edinburgh to try her will be able to see that she isn’t a witch.
Niall is in for some rude lessons about his employer. He’d always believed the best of the man and thought that one of the reasons Armstrong employed him was that he was honorable and Armstrong would listen to him. Niall quickly learns that everything he thought he knew isn’t so. Now, he isn’t sure he can save Leila or himself.
I highly recommend this book and this series! However, I wouldn’t read the book as a stand-alone. You really need to read the other books in the series to understand the full impact of the series. If you don’t read the other books, at least read the first one, Marin’s Promise. BTW – we met some of the Armstrong’s in Ella’s Desire, and I was a bit unhappy that the Armstrong’s didn’t pay a high price for what they did.
I absolutely cannot think of one thing that would have made this book better – it was perfect just as it was. The author gave us some beautiful memories and some heart-stopping suspense and a romance that was to-die-for (literally). The only thing I wonder about is how things went at Liddesdale in the aftermath of everything. There were some good people there and I had to wonder if Lady Davina married and she and her husband took the lead there – that is how I’m going to think about it anyway.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 1349 England
What if you had the gift to see the past but more importantly the future? Might it turn into a curse if you knew there was a beast lurking that would change and destroy lives in an instant?
Leila, had grown up with her visions and now they were coming daily. Two were for certain. The Black Death and her own death by the man she will love…the Lion.
The youngest of her sisters and so vastly different, Leila bore a heavy burden. For her birth was the result of violence against her mother and her visions do not always tell the complete story.
But she is determined to help those who are suffering and is helping Isla tend to those in the village.
The Lion was Coming…
Niall Douglas, deputy to the Keeper of Liddesdale was to hunt down the witch that brought the fearful disease to the land and he knew her name. He was “The Lion”, fierce, brave, honest and loyal, and everything he had worked toward. Lady Leila, daughter of the Earl of Werrick was the witch and his first meeting with her consisted of a dagger being thrown near his head. Thus their journey begins
There is so much I can say about this story but it would take me pages to put all my feelings into this review. To say it wrapped around my heart and squeezed as well as soothed is putting it lightly. Madeline Martin has only gotten stronger in her magical writing with each book in this series. Leila’s Legacy has reached the emotional pinnacle that has put me through all the paces of sadness, fear, hope and the strongest of all love and a will to survive.
This is a story I will think about for awhile and go on my list of favorite books read this year.
Perfectly perfect… a story of the heart.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I know I say this every time, but this is actually the best book in this series. Leila and Niall make my heart swoon! Those are the characters I read books for! Madeline Martin is an exceptional author. She is great at creating three dimensional characters that you care about and love, plus you like it when they all make reappearances in other books. Long review short, if you enjoy history with romance and strong female character, buy and read this book today. You won’t be disappointed!
Leila’s Legacy by Madeline Martin is book 5 in the Borderland Ladies Series. This is the story of Niall Douglas and Leila Barrington. I have read the previous book (and Loved it!!) but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Leila knew from a early age that she was the result of a violent attack which has always been in her mind but she was accepted as the Earl of Werrick daughter along with her sisters accepting her. But Leila has special abilities that she knows is dangerous to her if other people learn of them but she can’t help but help others. With this Leila has known that her death will be done by someone she is to love, so there is a lot she has to deal with. Niall has been sent to find the witch that may be the cause of certain deaths and bring the witch in. When he gets Leila he finds that there is more to her than he knew and that he might not be able to turn on her.
I Love Ms. Martin’s writing and of course this book and series!! Hope to read more from her soon!
Leila’s Legacy (The Borderland Ladies Series Book 5) by Madeline Martin
This historical romance is intense, exciting, and powerfully moving.
Leila is the youngest of 5 sisters who have always greatly loved her as much as her over dotting father.
Despite the obvious difference of her black hair and her sister’s fair hair, she has also been cursed with the sight of the future and of the past. With that she has learned the dark and ugly truth her loving family had worked so hard to protect her from. Leila’s visions have never been wrong so having seen her own death, she knows she doesn’t have much time left. This story is an emotional ride which made it even sweeter! The gripping storyline is beautifully written with steamy romance and a great cast of characters that will touch your heart and warm your soul!
Happy Reading
Adult Content Note: Steamy and explicit open bedroom scenes.
I’m just going to say you have to read this series! Leila’s Legacy is #5 in The Borderland Ladies by Madeline Martin. The books before were all exceptionally good but, she saved the last sister, for the best in the series. This is Lady Lelia and Niall Douglas’s story. It was so heart wrenching that it literally brought me to tears several times. I could not put it down I became so engrossed in their story. It is a historical romance lovers delight full of danger, guilt, betrayal, illness, accusations of witchcraft, and love. The characters were so well written, hero and heroine, secondary characters as well, that I am awestruck. Her writing is magnificent. I encourage and highly recommend this book and all by Madeline Martin. You WON’T be sorry. I was gifted this book and am voluntarily reviewing. I would give it a million stars if I could but, since I can’t I gladly give it five stars.
Though she has always known she is loved by her family, Lady Leila Barrington has always felt as if she doesn’t truly belong with her four sisters. These feelings are partly caused by the circumstances of her birth, but also by the visions she is plagued with. Her unwanted gifts may cost her life in this superstitious, unsettled world of the English/Scottish border. Even knowing the risks, she still leaves the safety of Werrick Castle during the outbreak of a great pestilence in an effort to aid and heal those afflicted, even after she has a vision of her own death at the hands of the man she knows she will also come to love.
Niall Douglas changed his devilish ways after his father’s death by a witch’s curse. Now Niall has developed a reputation of honor and loyalty and has earned the nickname “The Lion.” He is Deputy to the Keeper of Liddesdale in Scotland’s debatable lands near the English border, dedicated to protecting its people. When he learns that a witch is said to have caused the pestilence, Niall makes it his mission to bring her to justice. But once he has Lady Leila in his custody, Niall comes to know her as a lady of courage, strength, and beauty, someone to be admired. Not to mention the fact that she consumes his thoughts, even his dreams. However, in such a turbulent time, the people want someone to blame for their suffering. Even Niall’s changing feelings and growing love for Leila may not be enough to save either of them.
I have been both looking forward to and dreading this book, firstly because I don’t want this lovely series to end, but mostly because I knew this book was going to tear at my heartstrings. And it really did and yet I loved it. I think Leila and Niall are one of my all time favorite couples now. It was lovely to see them both reevaluate their views on life and what they’d always believed to be true and I loved seeing them stick together and fight for each other. This was a fabulous happy ending for the series and I loved seeing everyone all together again. Now I need Drake’s story and spin-off series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lady Leila Barrington is the youngest daughter of the Earl of Werrick. When she has a premonition of the great pestilence, she knows she will not be able to turn her back on the sick and dying, even though one of her visions shows her own death at the hands of the man she is fated to love.
After his father was cursed by a witch and died, Niall Douglas devoted himself to living an honourable life, one of such ferocity and determination that he became known as the Lion. As Deputy to the Keeper of Liddesdale in the debatable lands, he swore to protect the people. When rumours circulate that a witch is responsible for causing the great illness, nothing will stop Niall from bringing her to justice.
The fifth & final book in this outstanding series, whilst it could be read on its own I’d highly recommend reading the books in order. With each book I think it can’t be as good as the previous ones & each time I’m proven wrong. I once again found it very hard to put down as I was so drawn into the story from page one. So once again clear the decks before you start it & don’t start this book late at night if you want to sleep. I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions I laughed (heifer’s piss) I cried several times, so have plenty of tissues on hand. The characters have plenty of depth & are well portrayed. The pace of the book never lags & at times there is so much tension that I was holding my breath. Leila has grown into a loving, caring, compassionate woman. Niall is strong, honourable, ruthless when needed but also gentle & caring. Together they make for a lovely love story. The epilogue was so beautiful & satisfying not only did it give a lovely conclusion to Leila’s story it gave a wonderful ending to the series. I’m sorry this unputdownable series had to end.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another wonderful story that took me on a fantastic journey for a few hours of enjoyment.
This story is so compelling along with the characters.
A disturbing beginning that starts this extremely tense story.
A sign of the times when the horrible injustice of women who were accused of being a witch.
This is a true love story not to miss. You might need the tissue box close like I did.
Leila’s is an extraordinary woman of strength and Niall is an honorable warrior and their love story is filled with every emotion you could imagine, A vial villain or two, some daring escapes, sizzling heated intimacy, trust, witch trial and so much more.
I cried a couple of times and laughed a few times.
A delightful epic story to finish off a wonderful series.
I can always count on this author to deliver a terrific story that takes me away for awhile.
Heartfelt epilogue was such a joy.
Mature Reader.
Intimacy Level. 5 out of 5
A young girl is born with a miracle or is it a curse? The gift of sight becomes a death sentence for her when growing up. Her future husband will become her executioner after being declared a witch. Facing many adversities, good and bad, finally brings Leila and the Lion together. A true love story that overcomes lies, deceit and archaic beliefs, finally brings this couple together. After the “sight” is now gone, What will become of these two lovers in deciding their future. This book will really hold your interest, so please read i.
Leila has had “visions” since she was a child. She has known how she was going to die. By the hands of the man she loves. The Lion. Leila knew she was not the true daughter of the Earl of Werrick. But he has loved her and treated her like his daughter.
After the pestilence came and ravaged the land, Lord Armstrong wants to lay blame on someone.
Leila is said to be a witch who was responsible for the outbreak. So Lord Armstrong sends The Lion to capture her and bring her to be tried and sentenced to death. He falls in love with her, so how can he follow through with Lord Armstrong demands to kill her.
Can he help change Leila’s vision of her death.
Okay… Whenever I read one of this series I thought, “okay, this is my favorite”. It was no different for Leila’s Legacy. It read so quickly. I loved Leila’s spirit, like I did with her sisters’. They made me want to be a part of their family and share their dad. The male characters were again strong loving without being too over the top. I normally respond well to books that I can picture the scenes and characters vividly while reading. Although, I do feel that there could be more descriptions regarding the locations and or places, the story kept my interest so much so, that I didn’t really mind it while I was reading and was still able to create my own little movie in my head. I am very sad to see the series end. I am still thinking back to which of the sisters was my favorite. I look forward to reading many more stories by Madeline Martin.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Leila’s Legacy is the fifth and last book in the Borderland Ladies series. I was so glad to read Leila’s story when it came out, then sad because there won’t be anymore books in the series! The series is based on the Earl of Werrick’s five daughters. The entire series was wonderful, and it is one of those series that I will reread over again.
Leila was the youngest sister, but she was not the earl’s real daughter. She had always felt guilty for the circumstances of her birth and her mother’s death and never really felt like part of the family. Not only is she different in appearance, but she has visions of the future. When she sees the great pestilence and the death that will occur in the future, she knows she must warn her family. Her warning put her life in danger due to the superstitions and fear of the people. They believe she has cursed them with the illness. Even though she puts herself at risk, she insists on aiding the sick and dying people. She has seen a vision of her future and knows she will not die from disease. She will die by the hands of The Lion, the man she is fated to fall in love with.
Niall Douglas, known as The Lion, believed that his father was cursed and killed by a witch. When he is tasked by Lord Armstrong to find the witch that has caused the pestilence and to bring her to Liddesdale, he is determined to find her. After capturing Leila, Niall slowly begins to doubt the rumors about Leila and comes to the realization that Lord Armstrong was using her for the purpose of easing his people’s fear. He tries to save her but in the end her vision for the future comes true.
It is hard to pick a favorite book from the series, but I think this would have to be my favorite. I loved Leila’s spirit and courage she had to face her future, even knowing that the man she loves will kill her. This was a very emotional book and I shed a lot of tears while reading. The author was able to draw the reader in and engage their emotions. I’m sad to see the ending of the series but so glad to see all the sisters happy in the end. I can’t wait to read the Borderland Rebels series the author has announced will be next. I look forward to seeing Drake and his family’s stories. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A thrilling, exciting, tantalizing look at love in the Borderlands.
Leila is the youngest and final daughter of the Earl or Werrick to live at home. She is special, not only is she dark haired compared to her blond sisters, but she has the gift of sight. Since she was a child, as long as she can remember she has seen the future, as well as many events in the past. So in tune to what happens she can see, hear, and even smell the location of the events. She has forecast the pestilence that is sweeping the nation, and she has also seen her own death at the hands of a man known as the Lion. A warrior that she knows that she will come to love, and a warrior, that she knows will eventually kill her. This is their story, it will pull at all of your emotions, you will feel happy,excited, angry and sad, and during love scenes, you will feel hot and bothered. (Dont read those scenes in public. Fan comes out…)
If you have not read the previous four books, I highly recommend that you read them, you will be a Madeline Martin fan for life.
Never feeling worthy of a family’s love, being a result of rape of her mother and the death of her at Leila’s birth made Leila a person filled with guilt. Her whole life, she knew she was different, from the fact that she had black hair when all of her sisters were very blonde and the visions she had from the time she could remember anything endorsed that fact.
You can feel the despair she has when she is captured to be held for trial as a witch.
Naill, also known as the Lion, is determined to make the witch stand trial.
He hates witches ever since his father was cursed by a witch and died within a day of the curse.
Madeline Martin has once again woven a tale that will grip you and make you turn the next page to find out what happens next. Don’t start this book until you know you can finish it!! You will not want to stop reading, it will give you chills, make you angry and make you cry for Leila and Naill!