They never should have met. But they might be made for each other.
Feya Broon, a Scottish half-gypsy, knows what it is to go hungry. Trapped in the Edinburgh tenements with a father lost to his past and only the faded memory of her mother’s faith, Feya is desperate to provide for her siblings. When an ill-conceived plan leads to thievery, she finds herself in the last place she’d ever want to … want to be—captured by a palace guard. But there’s something about this man that tears at every preconceived notion she’s even had about the haughty English.
Alasdair Cairncross never dreamed he’d be forced to transport a gypsy woman halfway across the wilds of Scotland. The timing is disastrous, considering his fiancée’s imminent arrival and his father’s political goals. Not only that, but the fiery young woman threatens to lay bare secrets Alasdair would rather keep hidden. And yet the farther they travel together, the less concerned he finds himself with duty—both to the crown and to the plans his family has for him.
As their walls begin to crumble, Feya and Alasdair must fight to survive a decades-old feud, a Highland kidnapping, and the awakening of their own hearts.
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This book was different than I had expected in some very neat ways. I felt a bit confused at first, trying to get the lay of the land, so to speak, as I started the book, but as I read, that feeling faded and I was able to follow along more easily. There was so much I loved about this book. It’s unique in its plot and story line. Each character was unique and not like any character I’ve ever read before. I loved the way Ms. Vallance wove her characters and their stories together. I loved every aspect of Alasdair’s character and the journey back to the Lord that he is set upon by his encounter with Feya. I loved Feya and her journey to finding the truest of all loves. And I loved them together. Even as I started the book and felt some initial confusion as I tried to sort out characters and their roles, Ms. Vallance drew me into their pain, into their doubts, into their despair, into their searching for hope, for love. And I loved the deep spiritual truths woven throughout. Loved this beautifully unique story with its one of a kind characters that simply drew me in and melted my heart.
Brandy Vallance knocked my socks of with her debut novel The Covered Deep. Since that time, I’ve been following her on social media in eager anticipation of a sophomore novel. Within the Veil is here and (let me tell you!) it was soooo worth the wait. One of my favorite aspects of this story was how Brandy’s characters grapple not only with one another but also with their faith. By not shying away from the more difficult topics of discrimination, poverty, and sexual purity this historical novel has relevant applications for us today.
Readers are introduced to Feya as she’s slogging though life in the tenements of Edinburgh. Ever since her mother’s passing, her father has existed in a continual state of inebriation. With the absence of both parents, she’s forced to shoulder most of the responsibility for the care of three younger siblings. In a desperate effort to feed her family she makes a series of choices that are neither wise nor moral, though birthed out of a sacrificial love for the bairns. In time, the consequences of her actions led to a crisis of faith that both challenge and inspire me.
Alasdair Cairncross and Feya Broon would have had enough conflict just being cast into their roles as cop and robber, but Vallance doesn’t stop there! In virtually every way she’s made these two appear to be complete opposites. However, a secret from the Cairncross past could prove to be a bridge between their worlds. With more twists than a soft serve cone, you’ll want to devour this book over the summer!
I received this book from the author for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I swear that Brandy is a time traveler who spends half her time in Victorian England, and half her time here in our dystopian present writing about Victorian England. A great read!