The Border Hostage [Mass Market Paperback]

Heath is living with his sister and her husband some months after the horrendous battle at Flodden which about distroyed all of the "Flowers of Scotland". Heath ignored by the rest of Kennedy Clan as their father's by blow, has found his place with the Douglas clan as a horse trainer. Thru his Celtic gift of magic he senses his sister, who is swollen with child, is in dangers and he rushes to her tower room. Here he is captured by border reivers who mistake him for his brother in law Ramsey" Black Ram" Douglas,and in true hero fashion he willing is captured to keep both Tina and Ram safe.

Across the border in England, Raven Carleton has found her own unigue niche, she trains raptors, much to her mother's dismay. Seems mother sees titles/money/status in her daughter's future and will do everything to rise above her own meeker border beginnings. Including linking with a border family's who job is to secure peace on the Enlglish side of the Borders. But Raven wants to be left alone to make her own choices both in how she will act and who she will choose for a husband, despite her interest in local "catch" Chris Dacre. Yet, she has a magical link to her Celtic heritage when she is inducted into the CRAFT by her grandmother. When the couple first meet, it seems in a case of mistaken identity again as Heath has been taken across the border and left for dead. Yet, he survives and finds himself at the mercy of Raven who calls him a filthy Scots bastard. Yet in true Scots Revier fashion he gets her out her clothes only to take her shirt(one of her brothers she wasn't supposed to have on) and wears it to escape. leaving her virtue intact and her being in outrage. Thru this first encounter they share an inkling of a shared magical link, but both are too concerned with their own problems to delve into what the magic might hold for them.

In Heath's determination to find out who wants Black Douglas dead, he meets with Raven head on as they clash over border disputes. Yet, thru this Celtic magical bond our couple to begin a journey of love and self discovery: a highly charged senual link as only Ms Henley can provide.

What makes this such a fun read is the hero is a man of courage, honor and pride. To compliment him Ms Henley has given him a heroine who like the hero is searching for self and when she must, she listens to her heart despite what others expect of her: another Flaming Tina who can't obey when her man is in touble.

Readers who have read TEMPTED will enjoy meeting up with the Kennedy Clan, as they too must share a journey of discovery, forgiveness and acceptance, but this clearly Heath Kennedy's story. Although each book stands alone, if the reader hasn't read TEMPTED, buy it now along with THE BORDER HOSTAGE, you won't be disappointed. It was a delight for this reader to see Ms Henley return to her classic historical romances. The pace is measured and the story is exceptional with loves discovery at the forefront and history in the background giving it depth, until the final page,

Here is hoping we readers get Duncan's story in the near future. THE BORDER HOSTAGE is worth the hardcover price and is classic historical romance.