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ONE LAST HOPE…

Beautiful Skena MacIain, Lady of Craigendan, is on the verge of losing everything she holds dear. With her husband killed at the battle of Dunbar, and the men of Craigendan slain or captured, her small holding is protected by only the women, young boys, and old men who are left. A neighboring chieftain has set his sights on Skena, and she fears that he’ll take Craigendan by force during this coming Yuletide season. Skena needs a miracle, a wish-come-true granted by Cailleach, the Lady of Winter…but things are never so easy as just making a wish…

A WISH GRANTED…

When Skena’s young son and daughter find a wounded knight in a blinding snowstorm, she fights against the hope she begins to feel. They’ve wished for a protector—but can Noel de Servian be that man? As Skena nurses the handsome warrior back to health, even she begins to believe he might be the salvation for her little keep…and more, he might hold the key to her heart.  In a season of joy, Skena soon learns he carries a dark secret that could shake her home—and her heart—to the very core...

"A sexy captive/captor romance. . .well done!" —Romantic Times on In Her Bed

"Like a bard of old, Macgillivray spins a tale of knights and ladies, myth and magic." —Romantic Times on A Restless Knight

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

15 people are currently reading
228 people want to read

About the author

Deborah Macgillivray

48 books153 followers
Author with Montlake/Amazon Publishing; Kensington Zebra Historicals; Prairie Rose Publication; Dorchester LoveSpell; Highland Press; Droemer Knaur (Germany); Random House Kodansha Ltd (Japan); AST (Russia); Romances Nova Cultural (Brazil), writing Scottish Medieval Historicals and Contemporary and Paranormal Romances. She has seven books and fourteen novellas in print.

A member of Authors Guild; IWOFA - Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors http://iwofa.net. On Staff at for Paranormal Romance Reviews and co-host for PNR's The Haunt; former reviewer for The Best Reviews and Sensual Romance Reviews, and used to review for Rambles.com, a Celtic e-magazine. A former member of RIO Reviewers International Organization, and served as their Award of Excellence Chair (2003-2005), and was assistant editor of their monthly newsletter. She served as 2nd Vice President of Hearts Through History (2004-2005), an online RWA Chapter; was also Web Chair (2003-2005) and was editor of their monthly newsletter The Bard Scroll (2003-5). A member of RWA and History Fiction Writers of Britain.

She was resident historian at WAXING POETIC (1999-2001). She also had a joint company with artist Carmon Deyo called CLAN RAVEN LTD. She wrote tales of Pict-Celt lore or tales from her family; Carmon turns them into the most beautiful jewelry in silver and gold. Their joint effort ‘THE THREE FACES OF THE GODDESS’, a highly original look at the Pict-Celt Goddesses, won awards and impressed Barnes and Noble enough to sponsor a month-long show in Texas of the works in September 2000, launched with a cocktail party.

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5 stars
97 (45%)
4 stars
64 (30%)
3 stars
33 (15%)
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13 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Lindsay.
360 reviews71 followers
April 8, 2012
You would think that a love formed by magic would be...well, more magical. I liked the characters, the setting, and most of the plot, but the characters just didn't seem to have any chemistry together in spite of the "pagan magic" of the heroine "witch." In addition, it was a little hard to read because of the attempted vernacular.

After thinking about it some more, I realized that the major problem of the book was lack of conflict. Usually in a romance the conflict is either 1) between the main characters, keeping them from falling in love or being together or 2) situational, in that something outside of the main characters is keeping them from being together. In this book there is neither. The book attempts a situational conflict, but doesn't achieve the tension necessary to make a good romance. The situation doesn't keep the hero and heroine from falling in love, having sex, living together, or getting married. The situation in no way threatens their happiness.
Profile Image for TeflonPanties Jamie.
4 reviews21 followers
November 23, 2009
One Snowy Knight by Deborah MacGillivray

Reviewer Note: One Snowy Knight is actually the third book in the Dragons of Challon series, preceded by A Restless Knight (Book #1) and In Her Bed (Book #2). However, each book stands alone, and though it might enrich your reading experience a tad – you absolutely do not need to read the series in order for it to make sense.

I chose One Snowy Knight for my first review for a couple of reasons. One, I loved the first two books in the series and had been eagerly awaiting the third. Two, One Snowy Knight is set in the Christmas season, and I wanted something to help get me in the mood. And three, the cover is gorgeous. If I hadn’t already been slobbering for the book and knew nothing of it, the cover would have easily lured me across the bookstore.

Lady Skena Maclain has all but given up on wishing. A newly made widow due to the loss of her husband in a battle at Dunbar, not only does she now have to fend for her two young children, Annis and Andrew, but for the citizens of Craigendan as well. Their food stores are low, their gates aren’t what they used to be, and they’re suffering from a severe lack of capable men to defend their little slice of Scottish heaven. But what Skena lacks in age and experience in regards to being a leader, she easily makes up for with sheer determination and a brazen willingness to put herself in danger to defend who and what she cares for most. Yet, little does she realize as she searches for her missing children, that lying blanketed in the snow is the very answer she’s been secretly wishing for.

Injured and battle weary, Noel De Servian, an English knight in service to King Edward Longshanks, wants nothing more than to reach Craigendan Keep and lay claim to his new home. But when a blinding snowstorm relieves him of his trusty steed in a rather unceremonious fashion, and he wakes up staring into the concerned eyes of a beautiful Scottish Lady, a home isn’t the only thing he wants to lay claim to. Noel knows winning Skena over may take a little time, but as the days pass, he also begins to understand that while he hopes to be the solution to her troubles…he may very well be the unforgivable cause.

Between the pages of One Snowy Knight, Deborah MacGillivray has crafted a touching, though sometimes heart wrenching, story of two strong-willed people who are afraid to want what’s in front of them. Her knowledge of the time period she’s chosen to set this series in is dead on, lending a refreshingly believable quality to the characters that brings them to life page after page. The love scenes between Noel and Skena are tender but surprisingly hot at times, which perfectly suits their complex characters and the way their relationship unfolds. And although some of the same plot threads often found in historical romance are present in this novel, Ms. MacGillivray easily spins them into something new and wholly unique to her style.

Read the entire review HERE!
Profile Image for Katya.
825 reviews
December 25, 2011
4.85 Stars

What a sweet story. The heroine, Skena (name?) is a young widow who has two small children, a run down castle to run with deserting knights, no protection, food or hope of surviving a day or two and everyone is depending on her to do something.

Along comes our hero, a soldier, who after years of fighting is being rewarded with a keep in the Scottish highlands of his own. He travels there in a blinding snow storm, never really having a home to call his own, eager to get settled.

He is attacked and left for dead and rescued by the children of the heroine. It is a gamble to bring this strange man (obviously a soldier) into the keep but does and nurses him back to health. He has come here to take her property, but ends up falling for her and wants to marry her. Will this secret and another blockbuster secret he has about who he is ruin their relationship?

I just enjoyed this story from the very first few pages. I loved the heroine who was strong but realistic and I really felt the love and devotion she had for her children and those folks in the castle who depended on her.

I felt her anger at being left behind by her now dead husband unprotected and without any way to feed and protect the people who live there. I also felt for the hero, for his want and need to belong somewhere that was his-a real home, a family. Their developing feelings for each other was intense and believable.

These two little children have faith that their mother loses in the face of such impending doom. She fights to hold on to a thread of hope when the hero walks into their lives and changes everything.

This is the third in a trilogy stand-alone about a tender love story between two people who need each other in so many different ways. Even though it is not promoted as a Christmas story...it is centered around Christmas and contains what the children proclaim is their "Christmas Miracle." I will definitely keep it on my re-read shelf!
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 15 books613 followers
February 25, 2010
I'm a big Deborah MacGillivray fan, so it's no surprise that I gave it 5 stars...Nathan Kamp on the cover doesn't hurt either :)
Really, though, this is a beautifully-written story that fits in the same time-line as A Restless Knight and In Her Bed. Another of the Dragon of Challon is awarded a Scottish stronghold...and its woman. Lady Skena, doesn't know this, however when she rescues her knight one snowy night (ha ha bad pun). Noel got lost in a snowstorm when Brishen (his horse) was spooked, and Skena's children found him. Skena, went searching for her twins during the storm when she came upon a half-frozen Norman knight. She nursed him to health, fell in love, and as soon as we think there's a HEA in sight...her dead husband comes back!
But it's not him, it's his brother intent on stealing back the keep and Skena is just a sweet part of the bargain. Can Noel save her in time? Can he figure out that it's not a ghost, but the brother of a man he killed in battle? Read and see what can happen on one snowy night.
4,130 reviews11 followers
March 5, 2016
Not very good -- filled up quite a few pages with descriptions of the hero and heroine having sex. Not very interesting descriptions. Story was highly unlikely, even for the 11th century. I think the author could do better.
Profile Image for Sophie.
63 reviews9 followers
October 28, 2016
Actual rating 2.75 stars. The leading lady could be incredibly annoying at times just saying the same phrases over and over again. Otherwise it was just a so so historical romance.
Profile Image for Barbara ★.
3,510 reviews288 followers
November 26, 2016
Like the others in the series, I greatly enjoyed this medieval romance set in 1296 Scotland. Skena MacIain is a strong heroine who does what she must to keep her clan and family alive. Noel de Servian is a King's man who is gifted with Skena's keep as payment for his service. Standard fare in these times.

I liked how Skena and Noel handled the situation. Noel is truly knight material and it showed in his every action. I loved the twins and was glad that Noel showed Annis what a father's love is supposed to be like. All in all a very romantic story.
Profile Image for Cosmos.
43 reviews36 followers
February 6, 2017
It was much better than I was expecting! You truly can't judge a book by it's cover, because I absolutely disliked the cover of this book, but I was looking for a seasonal read and I thought the story was very sweet. I had a hard time putting it down with the mystery elements as well.
Profile Image for Stephanie Burkhart.
Author 44 books417 followers
April 20, 2010
"One Snowy Knight" is excellent storytelling, full of wishes, hopes, and romance. Macgillivray sets her story in 1296 against a lush Scottish yuletide. "One Snowy Knight" is book three in the "Dragons of Challon" series, but stands alone well.

The story beings with Sir Noel de Servian traveling to Craigendan to claim his Scottish fief that Edward I has given him. The snow storm is harsh and he's thrown from his horse.

Noel is found by Lady Skena MacIain's children. Lady Skena is a widow and in charge of Craigendan. Skena sends the children back to the keep and watches over Noel until help arrives. Help comes finally, but not before Noel is injured from the cold. Skena brings him to her room and immediately embarks on saving his life. Skena possesses a "sixth" sense, a "kenning" which has never been strong in her, but as she heals Noel, the "kenning" flares between them, allowing the couple to emotionally bond.

Guilliame Challon, a neighboring lord and Noel's foster brother, arrives to check on Noel. Despite their initial misgivings of each other, Guilliame and Skena works to save Noel's life.

As Noel gains his strength back, he announces he's the new lord of Craigendan. Skena has doubts. She's had to hold the crumbling keep together by ingenuity and her wits. Complicating matters, Skena's half-sister Dorcas, disapproves of Noel's presence in the keep. Skena is also "haunted" by visions of her dead husband. Can Noel break through Skena's weathered battlements, win her love, and keep the community of Craigendan safe?

Macgillivray's writing is crisp and sharp. The novel's stormy opening and threat to Noel immediately grabs the reader's attention. The plot flows well, keeping the reader turning the page.

I loved Macgillivray's wonderful descriptions. They weren't drawn out or lengthy. I could easily picture Craigendan, Skena's room, and the other surroundings of the story.

The characters were rich and vivid, full of passion and complexities. Noel is heroic, and noble, yet he's missing something he desperately desires – a loving wife and family. Skena has had her full of adversity, meeting every challenge best she can, but it's also hardened her heart. Noel has his hands full as he tries to bridge Skena's defenses. The supporting cast is also a delight to get to know.

"One Snowy Knight" is "sophisticated" for romance readers. The love scenes capture the rich sensually that belongs to Noel and Skena. Macgillivray has blended history, romance, and suspense effortlessly making the story a captivating read.
Profile Image for Michelle.
631 reviews33 followers
January 3, 2021
Give me a knight in battle-scarred armor with a dream he refuses to give up, and I'll be his damsel.

There is so much going on from the first pages of the story, you can feel the overwhelming burden that lays on Skena's shoulders and empathize with her struggles to keep hold of her dreams and desires. However, just like any true warrior woman, despite the mounting struggles, she refused to give up and give in. I adored her as a mother, and melted with her as she fell for her knight, and identified with her as a strong woman.

Noel de Servian survived years of war clinging to his humanity and future wishes, only to find his own weighty burden from the last battle may destroy all he clings to. However, just like any true warrior, the moment he sees the opportunity presented before him, he goes above and beyond to lay claim to his reward of family and home and peace. I loved his confidence in claiming Skena and her children, and his powerful desire to protect and provide for them... no matter the enemy.

So much was happening in the story with all the adventure, adversaries, worries, and intrigue, but through it all you could also clearly discern Noel and Skena's deep desire grow beyond their instant attraction and solidify into something strong and beautiful. All the trials served their purpose, to meld the two together stronger than before. Noel loving on Skena's children was also shown in a variety of ways that left little doubt just where he stood with them, and it's always heartmelting to see a big strong man be gentle with little ones. Another thing that stood out to me was the family bonds with the Challon men. Brotherhood like theirs was something unique, and they cherished and nurtured it like the treasure it is.

I savored my time back in Scotland with the Dragons of Challon and I'm looking forward to discovering who's story is up next. In the mean time, I have some novellas to check out.
2,000 reviews38 followers
April 17, 2010
A historical romance set in Scotland. Heavier on the romance than the historical if you ask me, but it's not a bad read. Take William Wallace's Scotland, add a widow with a couple of kids, a wounded English knight, a spiteful half sister and a greedy brother-in-law and you have all the makings of an intrigue filled romance novel. Throw in a bit of Scottish folklore and a half pagan Christmas celebration and you've enough plot to keep the pot simmering cuz even in a love story you can't stay in bed forever.
Profile Image for Diane.
Author 18 books19 followers
July 9, 2009
Deborah MacGillivray, for Kensington: One Snowy Knight

September 2009

Ms. MacGillivray spins a lovely tale of one woman's desire and one man's dream. Each wants love, companionship and a quiet homelife. She needs a man to aid her in holding her keep. He needs a family--and holdings--to give his life purpose.

This story will thrill you as the author weaves her magic once more. If you liked A Restless Knight and In Her Bed, you will adore this book.

I give it 5 stars!
1,271 reviews2 followers
August 22, 2011
I liked this story which was not the story I was expecting. Skena and Noel just kinda came out of nowhere. I expected the last in the series to be about Simon, Guillaume, Raven and Rowanne. But it is good sometime to not get what you were expecting. I would still especially like to her whatever became of Guillaume and Rowanne.
Profile Image for Kendra.
1,542 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2009
Scottish lass rescues injured knight, heals him, and finds out he's to marry her and take over the fortress. They get along pretty good from the beginning, and while there's some fighting, it's not irritating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Karen.
630 reviews
January 2, 2011
Noel De Servian, an English knight in service to King Edward Longshanks, is the kind of man that warms your heart. I really enjoy reading this author's tales and highly recommend this series as a 'must read'.
Profile Image for Misfit.
1,638 reviews354 followers
did-not-finish
November 27, 2009
I yield at page 55. I just canna do this. It's too painful.
Profile Image for Cherie.
1,153 reviews20 followers
December 31, 2015
I've read this story several times and I do love it.
Profile Image for Bradley.
Author 4 books2,411 followers
December 23, 2012
Pretty good for a historical romance. Others might enjoy this one more than me. =)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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