Destiny (Lochinvar) [Mass Market Paperback]

"The Destiny" is laird Neil's story and opens with Neil returning from a meeting with exiled King James in France. Posing as a French Huguenot, he arrives at what he has been told is a safehouse and there he meets Eileen Ronley. She has been asked to translate French to English so that it can be determined who he is and why he has come. During the exchange, Eileen comes to doubt that he is, indeed French, since he seems to know of her Scots mother. Neil is stunned to discover that Eileen is the long lost cousin of his own cousin Duncan. They begin to feel an attraction to one another immediately. When Neil is imprisoned, Eileen helps him to escape and he leaves her with a kiss and the words "I will see you again".

Eileen is the granddaughter of King Charles II. Her father was the king's illegitimate son, but there are rumours that Charles did, in fact marry Jane Ronley. If that could be proven, Eileen would then be the rightful queen. This makes life quite dangerous for Eileen (which worries Neil even more than Eileen) and creates most of the intrigue and conflict in this story. Will Neil return to London and find her? Will Eileen pursue her claim to the throne? Are Neil and Eileen each other's destiny?

If you need to have hero and heroine constantly together and having sex, you likely won't enjoy this book. Neil and Eileen are seperated often, but there are enough sweet, romantic encounters along the way that turn your heart to mush and keep the romance alive for Neil, Eileen and the reader. Though I liked "The Legend" better, this is still recommended and I hope that Duncan will get his story next. :)

Eileen Ronley first meets Neil MacCurrie disguised as a Frenchman seeking shelter and a safe place to stay at her father's home. Unfortunately her father has mysteriously died several years earlier along with her mother, and the house is now owned by Milford, a man who is both suspicious and weary of this strange visitor to the Ronley home. Neil is on dangerous ground and his true heritage must not be discovered. Knowing this he answers untruthfully the questions set before him by Milford and he is taken prisoner. Eileen suspects he is not what he seems but regardless of this bravely helps him escape. Neil and Eileen feel a compelling and strong attraction and share a kiss farewell. They meet again in the royal courts of King William III and Mary II, a dangerous place for any Scot. There they fall in love and just might find their 50 years of peace.

THE DESTINY is a sweeping grand tale of political intrigue, personal ambition and romance that should not be missed!

Disguised as a Huguenot, Jean Paul Belmond, Neil seeks sanctuary at the home of Ronley only to learn that the Earl is dead, his daughter Eileen a "guest" with no prospects, and the keep run by Milford. The new earl imprisons Neil, but Eileen helps him escape. After getting home, Neil goes back to retrieve Eileen only to learn she is staying with her cousin Princess Ann in London. Pretending to be Jean Paul, he struggles to keep Eileen safe as evidence has surfaced that she is the legitimate claimant to the throne even as he falls in love with her.

The sequel to THE LEGEND, THE DESTINY is an exciting seventeenth century romance that hums with real persona augmenting the love story between the lead characters. The story line is filled with intrigue and non-stop action, as it seems every major player has an agenda. Kathleen Givens gives her fans a rousing sequel that brings perspective to the early days of the reign of William and Mary (with a few fictional twists) that make for a fun time.

Harriet Klausner