Eva MacArthur is desperate to protect her dispossessed clan and reclaim her island fortress from the evil lord who has stolen her heritage. To win she must take up a sword-and rely on the man she once loved. Blacksmith Lachlann MacKerron has sworn never to craft another weapon or give away his heart, but he cannot refuse Eva or the fire that burns between them. Bound by fate and passion, together … passion, together they must save a shining legend or lose all.
REVIEWS:
“Against the backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War, King deftly spins a mystical Highland romance.” Publishers Weekly
“Magic, myth and history blend to perfection… ” Romantic Times Book Club (Top Pick, K.I.S.S. Award)
“Bewitching… entrancing. Highly recommended ” The Romance Readers Connection
THE CELTIC NIGHTS, in series order
The Stone Maiden
The Swan Maiden
The Sword Maiden
Laird of the Wind
THE BORDER ROGUES, in series order
The Raven’s Wish
The Raven’s Moon
The Heather Moon
OTHER TITLES by Susan King
The Black Thorne’s Rose
more
This is the third book in the Celtic Nights Series, I find the author’s ability to weave a plot into myth and legend very intriguing. Eva MacArthur knows she has a purpose in life but all seems lost when she is betrothed to the dreadful Cambell, especially as her heart lies with Lachlann MacKerron, her childhood friend and companion. The background to the story is interesting, especially as Lachlann is the champion of not one but two strong women who will stand for what they believe. Parts of the book were very slow-moving and there was more technical detail on sword making than I found necessary, but ultimately the sword wins the day. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
While the other books in this series dealt with the war between the Scots and the English, this one primarily deals with the struggles of the Scottish rebels who disagree with King James of Scotland. Eva MacArthur was bequeathed the castle and Isle of Innisfarna through her mother and must protect it or, as legend says, Scotland will fall. Lachlann MacKerron is the village blacksmith and has been in love with Eva most of his life. Her father betrothed her to Sir Colin Campbell, an older man, before King James has him executed and imprisons her older brother, the heir to the MacArthur holdings. There are many twists and turns in this story: her younger brother Simon who leads a small band of rebels, Lachlann’s military service in France during the war against England and his subsequent return, Colin’s treachery in regards to their betrothal and his coveting of Innisfarna, the myth of faery swords, and more. Wonderful read! I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
A Light and Dark Middle Ages Tale
As she sees it, the fate of Eva’s clan is on her shoulders. However, her heart belongs to the one man who can never be hers.
As he sees it, the woman he loves is out of his reach, which is why he must leave.
The Sword Maiden is an intense and somewhat dark read that relies heavily on the beliefs and legends of fairy magic in fifteenth century Scotland. Although descriptive and well constructed, the story pace is bogged down a bit by too much thought-dialogue and internal angst. Also, Susan King liberally uses the barbaric practices of that period to keep the fear factor high and the reader on edge. The passion between Eva and Lachlann is born of friendship that has matured into a deep love. The fruition of their love comes full circle in the sweet and happy epilogue.
Content 411: This books contains very little swearing, however it does have a couple of moderately described sexually intimate scene.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I was hooked from the start and drawn into the lives of Eva and Lachlann and how they were destined for each other from the start. The lives of these two are deeply intertwined with their local legends and a healthy amount of skepticism that makes the story more realistic. The recurring theme in Lachlann’s life is ‘maidens with swords’ since he was also a protector to Joan of Arc while serving his required 3 years military service for Scotland. The story pacing gives you just enough information to understand each scene and then pulls you into the next piece of the journey. There are also a few unexpected twists that keep the plot from being too predictable.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Wonderful story. After almost 20 years I am still in love with Lachlann MacKerron character.