Touched By Thorns

Radcliffe #3

by Susan Bowden

For seventeen idyllic years, lovely, strong-willed Katherine Radcliffe had led a charmed existence on her family's estate in Yorkshire. Suddenly, in one night of shattering tragedy, her beloved Radcliff Manor is lost to her, and her betrothed betrays her. Vulnerable, frightened and devastated by sorrow, Katherine swears a solemn oath to her dying grandfather, a fateful vow that will one day threaten all she holds dear.

Betrayed, then imprisoned, she is rescued by the handsome, mysterious Captain Brendan Fitgerald, a distant cousin and now rightful heir to Radcliff Manor. Mesmerized by Katherine's uncommon beauty and fiery disposition, he falls deeply in love, and strikes a marriage "bargain" to which she reluctantly agrees, determined to regain Radcliffe at any cost. Slowly, almost against her will, she finds herself succumbing to Brendan's tenderness and the fierce passions she senses lie just beneath the surface of his gallant demeanor. But, by joining their lvies, they unwittingly become pawns in a dangerous game of intrigue between Queen Elizabeth and her deposed cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots - a deadly rivalry that forces Katherine to fulfill the terrible promise that has haunted her for so many years. Only Brendan can save his wife - and with her the house and land of Radcliffe Manor he has grown to love.

Genres: British Literature, Historical Romance

391 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Susan Bowden was born in 1936 in Dorset, England and currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Susan's formal university training was interrupted by a writing career. She primarily works in the genres of historical and suspense fiction, although she has written romance novels and a young adult novel. Susan has been a speaker at conferences for the Manitoba Writers' Guild and the Canadian Authors Association. She has also served as a mentor in the Manitoba Writers' Guild mentorship program. She has done several interviews with Peter Gzowski on "CBC Morningside," and on "Arts Tonight" with Eleanor Wachtel. She has appeared as a regular opera quiz panelist on CBC's "Saturday Afternoon at the Opera."

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't be buying this one based on that cover and think you're going to get wall to wall sex, this is more a historical novel then a romance. That said, this is not the greatest book ever written either. Touched by Thorns begins in 1581 and continues the story of the Radcliffe family Bowden began with In the Shadow of the Crown and The Divided Heart. Phillip's granddaughter Katherine (Kat) is sixteen and has always planned on marrying Edward Carlton, but the Catholic Church calls him to a higher duty leaving a broken hearted Kat in the lurch. When Radcliffe Hall is left suddenly without a male heir to inherit the estate (which is entailed through the male line only), a distant *cousin* of the Radcliffe's is found and Kate finds herself married to, Brendan Fitzgerald - although she still pines for Edward.

Brendan soon returns to service in unsuccessfully subduing the Irish rebels while Kate and her mother Alysa remain at odd over who is mistress of Radcliffe Hall. A trip to Buxton Baths bring Kate in contact with the always charming Mary Queen of Scots and remembering her promise made at her grandfather's deathbed of loyalty to the queen she soon gets herself involved in treason. Can Kate keep her secret dealings hidden from her ever vigilant mother? Will Kate be able to forget Edward and learn true love in Brendan's arms?

As I said, this is not the greatest novel ever but it is still a refreshing break from the constant parade of mediocre Tudor novels the publishing industry continues to spew on an almost daily basis. The Radcliffe's are fictional, but the events surrounding them are based on historical facts and people, including Mary Q of Scots, a brief appearance from Queen Elizabeth, Walter Ralegh and more. Three stars.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good English history, and relationship struggles. Katherine is an interesting, rather clueless heroine! I did not realize this is the third in a series, but it didn't seem to matter.