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The Destiny

(Torridon #2)

Kathleen Givens

3.81 · Rating details · 190 ratings · 12 reviews

'The Legend' introduced the Highland prophecy that bound the MacCurrie men to battle, and the fiery women they dared to love. Now the adventure continues in this tale of strangers whose lives are destined to be entwined. ...more

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Paperback, 380 pages

Published April 1st 2003 by Forever (first published January 1st 2003)

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Average rating 3.81 ·

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· 190 ratings · 12 reviews

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Start your review of The Destiny (Torridon, #2)

Nov 18, 2012 Mary rated it it was ok

Shelves: hf-1600s, historical-fiction, highland-romance, read-2012, scotland

Neil MacCurrie, earl of Torridon, is trying to return to Scotland, but when he mistakenly believes that Ronley Hall is a safe-haven for Jacobites, he is captured and held hostage. Eileen Ronley, cousin to Queen Anne and Princess Mary, doesn't know his true identity, but because she feels a connection with him, she sets him free. From that chance encounter, their destinies entwine amidst the intrigue of the English court and the political turmoil of 17th century Scotland.

I suspect I might have en Neil MacCurrie, earl of Torridon, is trying to return to Scotland, but when he mistakenly believes that Ronley Hall is a safe-haven for Jacobites, he is captured and held hostage. Eileen Ronley, cousin to Queen Anne and Princess Mary, doesn't know his true identity, but because she feels a connection with him, she sets him free. From that chance encounter, their destinies entwine amidst the intrigue of the English court and the political turmoil of 17th century Scotland.

I suspect I might have enjoyed this more had I not recently read several of the author's other books. Her formula is apparent by this point, and the characters were very similar to those in previous books. I likely would not have even bothered with this one except that I'd requested it on inter-library loan ages ago and then felt obligated to read it after the trouble to get it here. Ah well, I'm willing to give anything about Scottish history a chance, I guess.

The author did a reasonable job outlining the politics of the time period and it was interesting to read about the dissension in London regarding King Williams's rule and the Glencoe Massacre; however, overall, I think this story suffered from lack of character development and complexity in the relationship between the characters. I can understand physical attraction between the characters - what hot-blooded woman wouldn't be attracted to a highland hunk in a kilt? - but real love is a more elusive thing, and frankly, there have to be some scenes that earn the repeated "I love ye" and the "And I you. You and no other." Otherwise, my eyeballs will roll right so far back into my skull that I won't be able to read any more.

Once again, this book was victim to the same stilted dialogue - even some of the same lines - I've come to loathe in the author's other novels, and peppering it with "ye," "hasna," "dinna," and "lass" did not improve anything, and for whatever reason, annoyed me more than usual. You know what else annoyed me? The ending. I won't spoil it with detailed complaints, but let's just say it was neither believable nor satisfying.

I'd recommend this only if you are a dedicated fan of highland romance. Otherwise I'd suggest Lady of the Glen or Corrag, both of which deal with the same time period in Scottish history (both are largely focused on the Glencoe Massacre) but happen to be better written novels than The Destiny. ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Sandra Walker rated it it was amazing

Excellent, Only very sorry for the series to end, the adventures of the Torridon Twins is intriguing. I would most definitely love to see more.

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Jul 30, 2017 Jennifer rated it liked it

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction

Enjoyable. I preferred the plot and characters (including the Highlands as a "character") in this 2nd installment, and would absolutely read Duncan's story, if Ms. Givens writes it. ...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Allison G rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

I like Kathleen Givens, and the story and historical setting was right up my alley. The only thing that bothered me about this book was that there were more interrogative sentences (questions) than declarative. It was as if the only way to know what was going through the characters' minds was for the author to have each character ask themselves a never-ending series of questions. This is not her usual writing style! While we all know that these kind of books have fairytale endings, this one had ...more

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Feb 16, 2008 Diana rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance, historical-romance

Neil MacCurrie, a Scottish lord trapped in a hostile England, is rescued by Eileen Ronley, who may be the rightful queen of England.

This wasn't a romance, it was a political science book with an incidental romance. WAY too much intrigue. I found myself skimming most parts. ...more

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Aug 10, 2008 Amber added it

I can't rate this book because even though I have read it I don't remember what it was about. I read it less than a year ago and even though I have read and reviewed books lately that I read over a year ago I can't remember this one at all. This is the only book I own I cant remember. ...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Heidi rated it liked it

Another solid historical romance, I enjoy Kathleen's writing, the historical parts are factualy and the fiction parts are interesting! ...more

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Feb 01, 2014 Tricia Lynne added it

She is an awesome writer.

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May 21, 2012 Cristina Contilli added it

"Dovrai affrontare i draghi." Mary sorrise. Li aveva affrontati e aveva vinto
...more

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Jan 11, 2010 Gardavson rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical-romance

Too much politics for my taste, with a tad of romance thrown in. Not enough devotion to character to put up with the political agendas. Just not my cuppa.

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About Kathleen Givens

Kathleen Givens

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Kathleen Givens was born in New York City, but spent her early years living in the Northeast and Georgia before landing in Southern California at the age of ten. As a result, she is fluent in Valley Girl, Steel Magnolia, and Manhattanite.

From an early age, Kathleen was entranced by the history, legends and sagas of the people who mixed together to form Scotland, Ireland, England and later the Uni Kathleen Givens was born in New York City, but spent her early years living in the Northeast and Georgia before landing in Southern California at the age of ten. As a result, she is fluent in Valley Girl, Steel Magnolia, and Manhattanite.

From an early age, Kathleen was entranced by the history, legends and sagas of the people who mixed together to form Scotland, Ireland, England and later the United States. She likes to weave elements of their myths and legends into her work, to mix fictional and factual characters, and set them against turbulent backdrops of war and social and political upheavals. And then add a love story, of course.

Kathleen made her writing debut at the age of ten with a rewrite of Little Women, in which Jo marries Laurie and no one dies. It is not in print. In high school she and a friend wrote a dreadful 250-page play about an English rock group. Surprisingly, it is not in print either.

Her official writing career began in 1999 with the acclaimed Scottish historicals, Kilgannon and The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, the epic love story of an English woman who falls in love with a rugged Highlander. The series left her readers thirsting for more stories of the glittering streets of London and the misty Scottish Highlands.

In 2002, Givens launched her Torridon series. The Legend introduced the MacCurrie brothers, identical twins, whose birth and lives have been predicted by the Brahan Seer. The Legend tells the story of James MacCurrie and Ellen Graham, cousin to Bonnie Dundee, and is set in the late 17th century, when William of Orange has usurped King James, and rebellion is in the air.

The Destiny continued the adventures of the brothers who are fated to help determine the future of the thrones of England and Scotland, and tells the story of Eileen Ronley, granddaughter of Charles II. The Destiny won the coveted Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Long Historical of 2003.

Her latest book, On a Highland Shore, which was published in July, 2006, launched a new series that will follow three siblings and their descendants for 500 years. Set in turbulent 13th century Scotland, it tells the story of Margaret MacDonald, the oldest of the siblings the series will follow, and Gannon MacMagnus, the founder of the MacGannon clan we met in the Kilgannon saga. It has Vikings, invasions, and a war. What better backdrop for a love story?

Kathleen loves to travel, read, and study history, which makes writing historical fiction a perfect career. While she has traveled extensively, she's yet to find anywhere she could love more than California, where she and her husband live in a tragically flawed house with the neurotic and dictatorial cat formerly known as Miss Lily.

Kathleen can be reached at Kathleen@kathleengivens.com.
...more