What do you think?
Rate this book
The Truelove Bride: A Novel
The curse will last one hundred full years...
A notoriously fierce soldier, Marcus Kincardine wears his clan's tartan as a symbol of his heritage—and a reminder of the curse that haunts his kin. To rid them of this evil, the legend says, Marcus must wed a fabled warrior maiden with hair like an angel's halo, eyes the color of the rarest heather, and an extraordinary gift that makes her more formidable than any army. But first he must win the most desperate battle of his life...the one for her mind, her body, and her heart.
Lady Avalon d'Farouche can't deny she bears the telltale marks of the Kincardine legend, nor can she disown the strange, mystical intuition that allows her to see things others cannot. Yet Avalon believes she alone holds the key to her destiny—a future in which no man will own her. So when Marcus Kincardine seizes her for his own purposes, she never expects him to ignite a fiery passion within her. Still, she refuses to sacrifice her soul and fulfill the legend by surrendering to desire. But how long can she deny him...and how long will he let her?
A notoriously fierce soldier, Marcus Kincardine wears his clan's tartan as a symbol of his heritage—and a reminder of the curse that haunts his kin. To rid them of this evil, the legend says, Marcus must wed a fabled warrior maiden with hair like an angel's halo, eyes the color of the rarest heather, and an extraordinary gift that makes her more formidable than any army. But first he must win the most desperate battle of his life...the one for her mind, her body, and her heart.
Lady Avalon d'Farouche can't deny she bears the telltale marks of the Kincardine legend, nor can she disown the strange, mystical intuition that allows her to see things others cannot. Yet Avalon believes she alone holds the key to her destiny—a future in which no man will own her. So when Marcus Kincardine seizes her for his own purposes, she never expects him to ignite a fiery passion within her. Still, she refuses to sacrifice her soul and fulfill the legend by surrendering to desire. But how long can she deny him...and how long will he let her?
357 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
25 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Shana Abe
30 books2,001 followersShana Abé is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of seventeen books, including the acclaimed Drákon Series and the Sweetest Dark Series.
She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California, and currently resides in the mountains of Colorado with her very patient husband and a lot of pets.
She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California, and currently resides in the mountains of Colorado with her very patient husband and a lot of pets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 4, 2012
A really good read and probably a 4.5 but it is hard not to start rating an author's books against each other when you read a lot of them. I love stories set in Scotland, stories with a supernatural theme, legends and myths, romance without smut, strong major characters.....and Shana Abe's writing. This book has them all.
The story begins in London in 1159 where we meet lady Avalon d'Farouche who is having a very uncomfortable time at King Henry's court. Her Scottish blood and rumors that she is a witch makes her an outcast even though she is a noblewoman. Avalon is not a witch, but she does have an awareness of things, often things she does not want to see or know. She has been betrothed practically since birth to Marcus Kincardine who she has never seen since she was a small child. He has been far away in foreign lands fighting in a religious war and has had no contact with her. She knows why she was promised to him by her father. It is because of a curse with a history of over a hundred years, and both of their fathers believed the union of these two would break the curse on their people.
The curse began with a laird and his lady of Kincardine(with Avalon's unusual hair color and eyes) who were deeply in love. An evil faerie wanted her and tried many times to take her away from her husband. One day the lady was out gathering wool when the faerie came upon her, took her honor (as they said back then). and she died on the spot. The laird found her there and abandoned his faith and called on the devil to avenge what had been done. The devil came and turned the faery into a burnt and blackened rock and then demanded payment. The devil told him he did not want his soul but he would take his children and his children's children from him and his land would be barren as well as his animals. The curse would last one hundred years until a child was born with the "mark of the lady", a daughter of his clan, and she would wed the laird. The devil added, "And she will be a warrior maiden who will know your deepest hearts and thoughts. And she will hate your very name."
Thus our story begins to get interesting when Marcus Kincardine returns with his mystical Moor servant and a past as brutal and hurtful as Avalon's own has been. And I will say no more, but there are many twists and turns. Great story.
The story begins in London in 1159 where we meet lady Avalon d'Farouche who is having a very uncomfortable time at King Henry's court. Her Scottish blood and rumors that she is a witch makes her an outcast even though she is a noblewoman. Avalon is not a witch, but she does have an awareness of things, often things she does not want to see or know. She has been betrothed practically since birth to Marcus Kincardine who she has never seen since she was a small child. He has been far away in foreign lands fighting in a religious war and has had no contact with her. She knows why she was promised to him by her father. It is because of a curse with a history of over a hundred years, and both of their fathers believed the union of these two would break the curse on their people.
The curse began with a laird and his lady of Kincardine(with Avalon's unusual hair color and eyes) who were deeply in love. An evil faerie wanted her and tried many times to take her away from her husband. One day the lady was out gathering wool when the faerie came upon her, took her honor (as they said back then). and she died on the spot. The laird found her there and abandoned his faith and called on the devil to avenge what had been done. The devil came and turned the faery into a burnt and blackened rock and then demanded payment. The devil told him he did not want his soul but he would take his children and his children's children from him and his land would be barren as well as his animals. The curse would last one hundred years until a child was born with the "mark of the lady", a daughter of his clan, and she would wed the laird. The devil added, "And she will be a warrior maiden who will know your deepest hearts and thoughts. And she will hate your very name."
Thus our story begins to get interesting when Marcus Kincardine returns with his mystical Moor servant and a past as brutal and hurtful as Avalon's own has been. And I will say no more, but there are many twists and turns. Great story.
April 30, 2017
La prometida Es de esos libros que hablan sobre la época de los reyes y reinas, una historia ambientada en la época medieval, de nuevo fue uno de esos libros que me salieron económicos y que la compre no solo por el precio si no por que la sinopsis prometía una buena historia, y asi fue aunque le faltaran muchas cosas que yo en lo personal busco en un libro.
Conocemos la historia entre Marcus y Avalon dos personajes que caen bien y que fueron bien construidos pero sin embargo creo que les falto mas drama, es decir mas acciones para que sintieras que de verdad estaban dentro de la historia.
Avalon: Es una chica fuerte, de esas que están dispuestas a luchar por todo lo que quieren, me gusto mucho este personaje por que a pesar de que las historias que he leído sobre este tiempo no es lo típico en donde es toda inocente y nunca hace nada hasta que es el chico quien siempre interviene de manera fuerte. Avalon es una chica que tiene un pasado triste un poco fuerte para una niña, pero es ese pasado que la hace como es en el presente sea como es, me gusto mucho que no cediera rápido a los encantos de Marcus y que se hiciera la fuerte.
Marcus: Woa este personaje de verdad que me sorprendió, cuando leí la sinopsis pensé que seria de esos típicos personajes que tienen siempre la razón que son duros y que siempre se hace lo que ellos dice, para nada es así Marcus, este chico es perfecto, a pesar de que siempre le da su espacio a Avalon también es cariñoso y es que también lo que le toco vivir es como Woa, Me gusto mucho este personaje y podría decir que hasta mas que el de Avalon pero solo un poco mas.
Recomendable: Es una buena historia para pasar el momento pero no es de las historias que te impactan demasiado es decir si la tienes en tus manos alguna vez no dejes de leerla es buena y te enamoras de Marcus, pero siento que le falto mas drama, ese drama que hace que sientas que el corazón se te saltara de su lugar, ademas creo que fue un poco predecible entonces eso le resto mucho. 3 ESTRELLAS si bien la pasas bien tampoco es que sea de las historias que marcan tu vida, me gusto la manera en que también esta escrita rápida sencilla y sin complicaciones, creo que si hubiera sida lenta la hubiera abandonado, pero no fue así.
No puedo hacer una gran reseña de este libro por que tampoco me da para mas sin dar spoiler, la historia es muy básica pero de las básicas que te entretienen.
Conocemos la historia entre Marcus y Avalon dos personajes que caen bien y que fueron bien construidos pero sin embargo creo que les falto mas drama, es decir mas acciones para que sintieras que de verdad estaban dentro de la historia.
Avalon: Es una chica fuerte, de esas que están dispuestas a luchar por todo lo que quieren, me gusto mucho este personaje por que a pesar de que las historias que he leído sobre este tiempo no es lo típico en donde es toda inocente y nunca hace nada hasta que es el chico quien siempre interviene de manera fuerte. Avalon es una chica que tiene un pasado triste un poco fuerte para una niña, pero es ese pasado que la hace como es en el presente sea como es, me gusto mucho que no cediera rápido a los encantos de Marcus y que se hiciera la fuerte.
Marcus: Woa este personaje de verdad que me sorprendió, cuando leí la sinopsis pensé que seria de esos típicos personajes que tienen siempre la razón que son duros y que siempre se hace lo que ellos dice, para nada es así Marcus, este chico es perfecto, a pesar de que siempre le da su espacio a Avalon también es cariñoso y es que también lo que le toco vivir es como Woa, Me gusto mucho este personaje y podría decir que hasta mas que el de Avalon pero solo un poco mas.
Recomendable: Es una buena historia para pasar el momento pero no es de las historias que te impactan demasiado es decir si la tienes en tus manos alguna vez no dejes de leerla es buena y te enamoras de Marcus, pero siento que le falto mas drama, ese drama que hace que sientas que el corazón se te saltara de su lugar, ademas creo que fue un poco predecible entonces eso le resto mucho. 3 ESTRELLAS si bien la pasas bien tampoco es que sea de las historias que marcan tu vida, me gusto la manera en que también esta escrita rápida sencilla y sin complicaciones, creo que si hubiera sida lenta la hubiera abandonado, pero no fue así.
No puedo hacer una gran reseña de este libro por que tampoco me da para mas sin dar spoiler, la historia es muy básica pero de las básicas que te entretienen.
April 15, 2019
It started out okay and then seemed to just drag on and on and on.. The heroine Avalon was supposed to be some kind of warrior woman but there was never a scene wherein it showcased her warrior talents except for a push here and there- nothing that led me to believe she was this awesome fighter with paranormal powers.. oh well.. but the one good thing about this book was, it caught me off guard who the real villain was.. I didn't see that coming.. so praises for that!
August 23, 2018
I have a soft spot of sorts for paperback romances, especially ones with those realistic painted photo covers of couples (I will never be on board with the stock photo muscled ab trend so many romance novels want to push, sorry, they have no aesthetic) because they remind me of my mom who, ironically, read these for the history and not the romance lol.
Now, there are two ways of approaching books of this nature. 1) pure entertainment value 2) literary dissection. I'm a little bit of both on this one. For one, I got through the whole book in a single night (I started at like 6 pm and was finished around midnight) and I was quite taken by Shane Abe's writing style. Very polished and flowing and proper. I think the biggest quality this book has is in the writing quality itself; very easily immerses you and makes the story flow by.
But what wasn't all that good about this book was that the story felt underdeveloped. The whole "must marry a woman to get rid of a curse" plot was... not very well fleshed out. It felt more plot device-like than anything substantial. I was expecting more of a fantasy element from it. I also felt like the stakes weren't especially great; I never felt any urgency or conflict. It was mostly just Avalon saying that marrying Marcus would ruin her dreams without really explaining what her dreams were. In fact, a lot of the book's parts didn't seem wholly fleshed out. The ends on a lot of things were loose or they simply didn't go anywhere or contribute anything.
It was a nice little casual read, but I feel like a lot of these elements could have been expanded upon to make for an even better book. I give this one a 3 star overall for keeping me engaged despite the underdevelopment of the plot.
Now, there are two ways of approaching books of this nature. 1) pure entertainment value 2) literary dissection. I'm a little bit of both on this one. For one, I got through the whole book in a single night (I started at like 6 pm and was finished around midnight) and I was quite taken by Shane Abe's writing style. Very polished and flowing and proper. I think the biggest quality this book has is in the writing quality itself; very easily immerses you and makes the story flow by.
But what wasn't all that good about this book was that the story felt underdeveloped. The whole "must marry a woman to get rid of a curse" plot was... not very well fleshed out. It felt more plot device-like than anything substantial. I was expecting more of a fantasy element from it. I also felt like the stakes weren't especially great; I never felt any urgency or conflict. It was mostly just Avalon saying that marrying Marcus would ruin her dreams without really explaining what her dreams were. In fact, a lot of the book's parts didn't seem wholly fleshed out. The ends on a lot of things were loose or they simply didn't go anywhere or contribute anything.
It was a nice little casual read, but I feel like a lot of these elements could have been expanded upon to make for an even better book. I give this one a 3 star overall for keeping me engaged despite the underdevelopment of the plot.
February 2, 2020
If historical romance with a hint of the magical or fantasy is your thing, you'll love this one. I liked our hero Marcus quite a bit! Our heroine on the other hand bugged me with her stubbornness, but still I enjoyed this book. Entertaining and romantic read.
March 25, 2025
Avalon is a highly sought-after women, a highly sought bride. For the d'Farouche family, she is
wanted for her riches, all of her diamonds and jewels and lands. When her cousin summons her home, she expects it's because he wants to keep her close to him and out of the hands of anyone else who may want to use her estate for their own. She wishes it's because he is family, wanting to welcome her back to the home she hasn't seen since her the murder of her family and the destruction of the castle when she was but a small child. Sadly, Avalon does indeed find herself betrothed almost immediately to her cousin but never in a million years will she marry that slob of man or any man. She is her own woman she is fully able to taking care of herself.
On the night she is to be married, Avalon's plan of escape goes horribly wrong and she finds herself
in the hands of yet another man whom she's been promised. This man is by far more dangerous though, for the Kincardine family doesn't want her for her wealth. They need her because she is the promised bride and the means to end a century old curse which has plagued the clan.
Marcus needs the promised bride because she does have the ability to end the curse and bring peace
to the clan but that doesn't mean he intends to force Avalon into anything. He's never been that
type of man, the type of man his father was. He needs Avalon yes, but also wants her fiercely.
He's fallen in love with not just what she is but who she is. And he needs to make her see that.
I certainly did find truelove with this book. I was in love with everything from start to finish.
Avalon was stubbornly ignorant of her gifts and the curse but she was never disrespectful or
mean spirited to anyone, Marcus included. This was because I believe she knew Marcus was a good man. Marcus in turn was a tortured man from his years in the holy land but he was kind and extremely patient. He wanted Avalon to marry him not the curse, the very same desire Avalon had for him. It took a long time to get them to see if but I appreciate a long game. I like a story set over
months not a weekend, it means it’s a hard-fought love and one that's more meaningful.
wanted for her riches, all of her diamonds and jewels and lands. When her cousin summons her home, she expects it's because he wants to keep her close to him and out of the hands of anyone else who may want to use her estate for their own. She wishes it's because he is family, wanting to welcome her back to the home she hasn't seen since her the murder of her family and the destruction of the castle when she was but a small child. Sadly, Avalon does indeed find herself betrothed almost immediately to her cousin but never in a million years will she marry that slob of man or any man. She is her own woman she is fully able to taking care of herself.
On the night she is to be married, Avalon's plan of escape goes horribly wrong and she finds herself
in the hands of yet another man whom she's been promised. This man is by far more dangerous though, for the Kincardine family doesn't want her for her wealth. They need her because she is the promised bride and the means to end a century old curse which has plagued the clan.
Marcus needs the promised bride because she does have the ability to end the curse and bring peace
to the clan but that doesn't mean he intends to force Avalon into anything. He's never been that
type of man, the type of man his father was. He needs Avalon yes, but also wants her fiercely.
He's fallen in love with not just what she is but who she is. And he needs to make her see that.
I certainly did find truelove with this book. I was in love with everything from start to finish.
Avalon was stubbornly ignorant of her gifts and the curse but she was never disrespectful or
mean spirited to anyone, Marcus included. This was because I believe she knew Marcus was a good man. Marcus in turn was a tortured man from his years in the holy land but he was kind and extremely patient. He wanted Avalon to marry him not the curse, the very same desire Avalon had for him. It took a long time to get them to see if but I appreciate a long game. I like a story set over
months not a weekend, it means it’s a hard-fought love and one that's more meaningful.
May 13, 2022
"Viveva ogni giorno solo per vedere lei, ogni notte solo per far l’amore con lei, ogni mattina solo per svegliarsi accanto alla sua splendida purezza."
Primo libro dell'autrice ad approdare nelle nostre edicole, mi ha lasciata un po' perplessa XD Non me la sento di sconsigliarlo in assoluto ma in tutta onesta mi ha lasciata insoddisfatta e delusa, mi aspettavo di più (troppo?) mentre non sono riuscita ad immergermi nella storia come volevo. La parte paranormale è molto aleatoria, non ben definita: strane "entità" che abitano nei protagonisti, e bisbigliano, e ci regalano qualche visione....lo ammetto ad un certo punto ho pensato fosse solo una presa in giro, come se l'autrice stessa non sapesse bene dove parare XD Marcus mi è piaciuto di più rispetto ad Avalon, che alternativamente avrei voluto prendere a schiaffi XD Troppo ombrosa, un po' infantile, ma anche guerriera orgogliosa, leggenda incantevole e chi più ne ha più ne metta...meno bipolarismo=carattere più apprezzabile XD Comunque non mancano i colpi di scena, sopratutto nella seconda parte e si arriva alla fine senza (quasi) punti morti...Piccola nota di merito per il personaggio di Balthazar, Moro e mago, roccia incrollabile sempre pronto a dare amichevoli suggerimenti all'amico Marcus o a mentire a chiesa e re per coprire Avalon XD Non so se l'autrice abbia pensato/scritto un libro per lui ma sicuramente sarebbe un'eroe alquanto intrigante! *ç*
Primo libro dell'autrice ad approdare nelle nostre edicole, mi ha lasciata un po' perplessa XD Non me la sento di sconsigliarlo in assoluto ma in tutta onesta mi ha lasciata insoddisfatta e delusa, mi aspettavo di più (troppo?) mentre non sono riuscita ad immergermi nella storia come volevo. La parte paranormale è molto aleatoria, non ben definita: strane "entità" che abitano nei protagonisti, e bisbigliano, e ci regalano qualche visione....lo ammetto ad un certo punto ho pensato fosse solo una presa in giro, come se l'autrice stessa non sapesse bene dove parare XD Marcus mi è piaciuto di più rispetto ad Avalon, che alternativamente avrei voluto prendere a schiaffi XD Troppo ombrosa, un po' infantile, ma anche guerriera orgogliosa, leggenda incantevole e chi più ne ha più ne metta...meno bipolarismo=carattere più apprezzabile XD Comunque non mancano i colpi di scena, sopratutto nella seconda parte e si arriva alla fine senza (quasi) punti morti...Piccola nota di merito per il personaggio di Balthazar, Moro e mago, roccia incrollabile sempre pronto a dare amichevoli suggerimenti all'amico Marcus o a mentire a chiesa e re per coprire Avalon XD Non so se l'autrice abbia pensato/scritto un libro per lui ma sicuramente sarebbe un'eroe alquanto intrigante! *ç*
January 14, 2019
I've had this book in my posession since 2007 or so, and I absolutely love reading it whenever I'm in a reading stump. I've since moved on to having acquired it on my Kindle to carry with me whenever I go. I just love the historical aspects, the magic, and the way the H has to work hard to win the love of the h due to a curse. The prose of course is on point, as expected of Ms. Abe, and has this otherwordly quality that cannot be translated (I've read works of this author in two different languages and it comes off as dull and tediously long). It's one of those earlier books I've read back when historical romance was so new to me that I was rather impressionable and absolutely ended up liking any I came across, but this one always held a special place in my mind and heart. Not only was this especially difficult to acquire, but that cover... I don't think my younger self had any sense of guilt taking it out in public.... Anyway, the cover doesn't convey the actual plot as well as it should, but I wish sometimes that I could wipe away my memory so I can read it fresh again and be captivated by it. I highly recommend it to those that love a little bit of magic in their historical romances, but it doesn't completely overwhelm the reader with it.
February 27, 2012
I really want to love this book. But I just can't. I can understand what the main female character must have gone through as a young child. But I really couldn't understand her adamancy throughout the book of not wanting to marry the hero just because she vowed to hate him due to his father. Seriously, when you feel something for him to.
I expected a lot from this book with the legend of curse and all but it was just okay read. Do not read this book especially after reading drakon series. Drakon series is just amazing.
I expected a lot from this book with the legend of curse and all but it was just okay read. Do not read this book especially after reading drakon series. Drakon series is just amazing.
October 4, 2023
Después de mi dosis de dark romance🖤 necesitaba un poco del romance histórico. Nunca falla 😌
Esta vez tenemos una una historia ambientada en la época de la Escocia medieval, pero al tratarse de lairds y clanes no podía faltar una que otra leyenda.
Lady Avalon d'Farouche (h) está comprometida, prácticamente desde su nacimiento, con Marcus Kincardine (H), el laird de su clan. Y es que sus padres creían que la unión de estos dos rompería la maldición de más de cien años.
Ella ha vivido en la corte del rey Enrique por un tiempo, desde su llegada a sido acusada de ser una bruja (cuando claramente no lo es). Entonces cuando su primo la llama a casa (que no ha visto desde el asesinato de su familia y la destrucción del castillo cuando ella era solo una niña pequeña) ella considera que es la única salida de ese compromiso que nunca ha deseado. Lamentablemente, es toda una trampa para Avalon.
Marcus no puede perder a su prometida, la única mujer que puede poner fin a la maldición. Él la NECESITA. Por lo que decide salvarla/raptarla y mostrarle lo que juntos podrían hacer para el clan.
Tardaron algo de tiempo para llegar al castillo del amor, sobre todo Avalon, pero llegaron.
Eso si, con un par de plot twists y no podemos olvidar la parte mítica de todo esto.
Esta vez tenemos una una historia ambientada en la época de la Escocia medieval, pero al tratarse de lairds y clanes no podía faltar una que otra leyenda.
Lady Avalon d'Farouche (h) está comprometida, prácticamente desde su nacimiento, con Marcus Kincardine (H), el laird de su clan. Y es que sus padres creían que la unión de estos dos rompería la maldición de más de cien años.
Ella ha vivido en la corte del rey Enrique por un tiempo, desde su llegada a sido acusada de ser una bruja (cuando claramente no lo es). Entonces cuando su primo la llama a casa (que no ha visto desde el asesinato de su familia y la destrucción del castillo cuando ella era solo una niña pequeña) ella considera que es la única salida de ese compromiso que nunca ha deseado. Lamentablemente, es toda una trampa para Avalon.
Marcus no puede perder a su prometida, la única mujer que puede poner fin a la maldición. Él la NECESITA. Por lo que decide salvarla/raptarla y mostrarle lo que juntos podrían hacer para el clan.
Tardaron algo de tiempo para llegar al castillo del amor, sobre todo Avalon, pero llegaron.
Eso si, con un par de plot twists y no podemos olvidar la parte mítica de todo esto.
June 24, 2025
I had a blast diving into The Truelove Bride by Shana Abé, a historical romance that’s got heart and charm in spades. The story weaves a captivating curse through its plot, keeping you hooked. The female main character is a fierce, willful standout, and the male main character? Total swoon material—lovestruck, sappy, and all-in for her, like the dream guy I wish I could snag. He’s almost too perfect, and that mushy devotion might feel overly sweet for some, but I ate it up. Abé’s writing is smooth and engaging, and the plot flows beautifully without dragging. If you’re worried about steamy scenes taking over, don’t be—there’s just a touch of romance, and it’s done with such tasteful finesse that it feels like a warm hug rather than a spicy overload. This book’s a gem for anyone craving a well-crafted historical romance with strong characters and a magical vibe. I’m giving it 4/5 stars for its enchanting story and dreamy leads, though the sap might not click for everyone.
Recommended for: Fans of historical romance who love strong heroines, devoted heroes, and light, tasteful romance
Recommended for: Fans of historical romance who love strong heroines, devoted heroes, and light, tasteful romance
February 13, 2023
This was...weird. I have so many questions. Why was Marcus so mercurial? What was the ~snake inside of him? What was Avalon's gift? Why did she change her mind about marrying him so abruptly? Why were the people of Marcus's clan so believing and nosy?
This was just a strange little book. The characters started out having chemistry but it was sacrificed due to their spending no real time together before suddenly developing feelings. Like, why should I, as a reader, believe in their love as anything more than a mere fulfilling of prophecy if it's not shown to me? Also...more body betrayal symptom. We hate to see it! Blah.
Also, listen...were they related lol?
This was just a strange little book. The characters started out having chemistry but it was sacrificed due to their spending no real time together before suddenly developing feelings. Like, why should I, as a reader, believe in their love as anything more than a mere fulfilling of prophecy if it's not shown to me? Also...more body betrayal symptom. We hate to see it! Blah.
Also, listen...were they related lol?
February 12, 2019
Avalon & Marcus are fated by legend and lore to wed to lift a curse. It seemed to me the whole of the original Laird's and his Lady's lives were relived with a new twist. Meet, fall in love, marry, fight an evil person and possibly live to love for the rest of their lives. All in all Shana did a wonderful job writing this story. There is one contradiction. When the wizard, Balthazar asked Avalon if she remembered her previous life and the epilogue of the original Laird and Lady are finally at peace. You can have one idea, but not both imo.
April 5, 2021
I Enjoyed this book very much! I really liked the main characters and thought the book was well written.
I would have rated it 5 but I didn’t like the reason the main characters went back. I know the author had to wrap up the ending, but I wish she had did it a different way. Overall a 4.5.... this is the first book I have read by this author and plan on reading more. I highly recommend this book!
I would have rated it 5 but I didn’t like the reason the main characters went back. I know the author had to wrap up the ending, but I wish she had did it a different way. Overall a 4.5.... this is the first book I have read by this author and plan on reading more. I highly recommend this book!
September 6, 2021
3.5 stars
I like Shana Abe's storytelling. Her books are a little more slow burn but very romantic. It felt like this heroine took a little too long to come around and give in to the hero. The hero was sweet and I liked him more than the heroine.
I like Shana Abe's storytelling. Her books are a little more slow burn but very romantic. It felt like this heroine took a little too long to come around and give in to the hero. The hero was sweet and I liked him more than the heroine.
September 23, 2019
Good story! I would recommend reading this book if you enjoy stories about legends! 👍
January 18, 2013
This is a historical romance with a hint of paranormal.
Avalon is a just a child when her family is killed in front of her. She is saved by a Scottish laird, his own son being her betrothed from early childhood, as he and his clan believe that she is the key to a long ago family curse,. Assuming she is dead, her cousin claims her home and properties. Years later it is discovered that she survived and is brought into the London life. When she is old enough to claim her inheritance she is summoned back home by her cousin, who has plans to break her Scottish betrothal and marry her to his brother to keep her wealth in the family. Of course her true betrothed comes along and kidnaps her to Scotland, wanting her to marry him and bring an end to the century long curse. Well, this is a historical romance, so lots of heavy breathing, intense stares, passionate kissing ensues. Plus lots of "we're fighting, but he all of a sudden kisses me really hard so naturally I forget what we are fighting about and stop being mad at him even though I had every right to be mad because he was being domineering or stubborn or stupid or condescending." There are a couple twists along the way. Who hired the Picts that raided and killed her family? Will she marry her betrothed, Marcus even though she vowed long ago to never marry him to spite his abusive father? Will she embrace the secret power she has as a gift instead of the curse she has viewed it as? Etc etc. Again, as a historical romance, it's pretty predictable, some parts hard to follow, descriptive sequences don't always make sense, but that's to be expected. In all, a decent book, easy read. The characters, despite the paranormal aspect, are pretty relate-able. Though if this was part of a series, I don't think I would continue reading.
Avalon is a just a child when her family is killed in front of her. She is saved by a Scottish laird, his own son being her betrothed from early childhood, as he and his clan believe that she is the key to a long ago family curse,. Assuming she is dead, her cousin claims her home and properties. Years later it is discovered that she survived and is brought into the London life. When she is old enough to claim her inheritance she is summoned back home by her cousin, who has plans to break her Scottish betrothal and marry her to his brother to keep her wealth in the family. Of course her true betrothed comes along and kidnaps her to Scotland, wanting her to marry him and bring an end to the century long curse. Well, this is a historical romance, so lots of heavy breathing, intense stares, passionate kissing ensues. Plus lots of "we're fighting, but he all of a sudden kisses me really hard so naturally I forget what we are fighting about and stop being mad at him even though I had every right to be mad because he was being domineering or stubborn or stupid or condescending." There are a couple twists along the way. Who hired the Picts that raided and killed her family? Will she marry her betrothed, Marcus even though she vowed long ago to never marry him to spite his abusive father? Will she embrace the secret power she has as a gift instead of the curse she has viewed it as? Etc etc. Again, as a historical romance, it's pretty predictable, some parts hard to follow, descriptive sequences don't always make sense, but that's to be expected. In all, a decent book, easy read. The characters, despite the paranormal aspect, are pretty relate-able. Though if this was part of a series, I don't think I would continue reading.
September 7, 2014
On va dire un 3,5/5
Dans l'ensemble le livre est prenant et se lit bien.
Mais il y a plusieurs petits détails qui m'ont gêné en particulier tout le côté mystico-surnaturel qui enlève de la cohérence au récit. Par moment on s'y perd un peu. Je n'ai vraiment rien contre le surnaturel mais là on dirait que l'auteur a eu peur d'aller au bout de sa démarche. Du coup le rendu est bancal et le côté surnaturel n'apporte rien, il embrouille le récit.
Ensuite je suis pas hyper fan de ces héroïnes qui piquent la vedette au hero en mode c'est moi qui commande. J'ai du mal avec les héroïnes castratrices.
Dans l'ensemble le livre est prenant et se lit bien.
Mais il y a plusieurs petits détails qui m'ont gêné en particulier tout le côté mystico-surnaturel qui enlève de la cohérence au récit. Par moment on s'y perd un peu. Je n'ai vraiment rien contre le surnaturel mais là on dirait que l'auteur a eu peur d'aller au bout de sa démarche. Du coup le rendu est bancal et le côté surnaturel n'apporte rien, il embrouille le récit.
Ensuite je suis pas hyper fan de ces héroïnes qui piquent la vedette au hero en mode c'est moi qui commande. J'ai du mal avec les héroïnes castratrices.
April 12, 2016
I really, really wanted to like this book. Actually I kinda do, it was sweet, sincere but oh so dreadfully boaring. I had to hype myself up just to finish it. It took me somewhere between 5 to 7 days to get to the end. You know how in some books, usually the first half is a drag and then somewhere in the middle it starts to pick up? Yeah, well this was a drag all the way through. I loved both the heroine and the hero although I did want to smack Avalon upside her head frm time to time. Marcus was sweet, understanding even though I felt like he shoulda smacked Avalon upside the head frm time to time. I guess it was just too damn slow for me.
August 10, 2015
I liked the book initially and it kept me hooked for a while but somewhere from the moment she is brought to Scotland and the marriage of the characters the story began to pall. Began to lose interest. Their internal conflict just seemed to drag. Otherwise I loved the two characters. The heroine most of all. She is strong but very human.
However I wish some of the secondary characters were developed more. Overall an enjoyable read but would not pick it up for reading again.
However I wish some of the secondary characters were developed more. Overall an enjoyable read but would not pick it up for reading again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2015
Ik heb de in het Nederlands vertaalde versie gelezen : Strijd om haar hart - Candlelight Historische roman 649 .
Het is een leuke mix van fantasy en een hist. roman . Sommige reviewers zijn erg lovend over de schrijfstijl van S.Abe maar ik kon er niets bijzonders aan ontdekken - misschien is er bij het vertalen iets verloren gegaan ?
Het is een leuke mix van fantasy en een hist. roman . Sommige reviewers zijn erg lovend over de schrijfstijl van S.Abe maar ik kon er niets bijzonders aan ontdekken - misschien is er bij het vertalen iets verloren gegaan ?
March 29, 2015
Beautiful story
This story was very well done. The legend was interesting and the characters were relatable and lovable. The internal doubts and confusion of both were so human and so real that they felt like real people more than fictional characters. I lived it. Shana Abe is an amazing writer and I can't wait to read the next one.
This story was very well done. The legend was interesting and the characters were relatable and lovable. The internal doubts and confusion of both were so human and so real that they felt like real people more than fictional characters. I lived it. Shana Abe is an amazing writer and I can't wait to read the next one.
June 5, 2024
2011
Très beau livre, il est très touchant. Les personnages étaient vraiment génial, bien que j'ai trouvé Avalon un peu trop tétu par moment mais à part ça ce livre est vraiment bien. J'ai adoré la rencontre entre Avalon et Marcus, j'ai adoré leur dialogue, les dispute, leurs amour... tout, quoi !
Vraiment, c'est un livre à lire, à dévorer pour être précise !
Très beau livre, il est très touchant. Les personnages étaient vraiment génial, bien que j'ai trouvé Avalon un peu trop tétu par moment mais à part ça ce livre est vraiment bien. J'ai adoré la rencontre entre Avalon et Marcus, j'ai adoré leur dialogue, les dispute, leurs amour... tout, quoi !
Vraiment, c'est un livre à lire, à dévorer pour être précise !
September 16, 2009
While I enjoy her Drakon series, I think I expected too much from this book. It was a great start to a story line, but by the end there was so much "thrown in" that it read more like a bad news session, then a novel. The secondary character Bal the "wizard" was absolutely superb and well written!
September 24, 2012
I read this in 2009 during a terrible winter. It made my ride on the lite rail very pleasant. This is a great romance worth buying. I got it along with Intimate Enemies (which was better) for only $4.99 each. A good deal for 2 excellent romances
July 28, 2015
Really liked this story. Lady Avalon was interesting and Marcus was intriguing. I loved how he stole Avalon from her home and took her to his keep in Scotland. I have always liked Scottish Highland stories.
August 27, 2016
I think Ms Abe writes beautifully and her words flow easily. I didn't like this quite as much as A Kiss At Midnight but it was good.
May 12, 2018
half star
September 22, 2009
This is the first book of hers that I ever read. This is the story that got me hooked on her books. Love the way she writes.
February 7, 2011
loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews