Rose in the Mist (Irish Eyes) [Mass Market Paperback]

Cat and her friend Bobby are determined to thwart John and Niall's efforts for peace and they hatch a treacherous plan that results in Niall being charged with a crime he did not commit and both Niall and John are imprisoned in the Tower. Their lawyer, fellow Irishman and friend, the flamboyant and sly Truly Fitzpatrick reveals to John and Niall that Cat is not only a deceitful liar, she's also a rebel spy and the daughter of Lorcan O'Malley and that all they have to do to free themselves is to expose this spy to the Queen. Surprisingly both Niall and John object to endangering Cat but for very different reasons. Niall's is obvious - he's infatuated with the lovely Cat. But John shows more of a fatherly interest where Cat is concerned and all wonder why. But Truly ignores his clients wishes and soon John and Niall are released and Cat is now the one imprisoned. What none count on is the unpredictable Queen herself, whose fondness for Cat leads her to a decision. Cat and Niall will marry, return to Ireland and thus, Cat will become Niall Riordan's problem.

And so, Cat O'Malley and Niall Riordan are married by royal decree, but will the initial attraction they had felt be able to over come the lies, deceit and treachery of Cat's actions? Can he ever trust her again, and will she choose love over vengence? And where has John Black gone off to, what's this "investigation" he is conducting and what is his connection to Cat O'Malley?

I must say, I was not particularly sympathetic to Cat for a good part of the book. Niall was so sweet, kind and lovable that it made her deceit that much worse. I could see why Niall's brothers refused to trust her and fully understood Niall's reserve and confusion. I wanted more remorse from Cat and that's why I could not rate this at 5 stars. But still another good read from a consistently good author.

Though the late sixteenth century is the backdrop of a googol of novels, Ana Seymour successfully keeps her historical romance fresh through two delightful lead characters. Niall knows the cost of war and will do what it takes to protect his country's liberty even if it means brokering a peace with the enemy. Catriona is his opposite who sees war as inevitable through her hate filled eyes that only love will cleanse. The subplot of someone desiring Catriona's death is exciting and ties back to the main sixteenth century theme, but also takes away from the turmoil caused by the extreme differences on the English question between the stars. A ROSE IN THE MIST is a colorful tale that readers will enjoy and want to see more novels like this one from this talented author.

Harriet Klausner