Title: Scottish Thistle
Author: Cindy Vallar
Published in 2001 by Amber Quill Press
Genre: Historical
ISBN-10: 1-59279-629-X ebook and ISBN-10: 1-592729-712-1 paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1-59279-629-8 ebook and ISBN-13: 978-1-59272-712-7 paperback
Laird Rory MacGregor is the heart and soul of the Clan MacGregor. Outlawed as a clan, it has been scattered and separated, and its members branded as traitors and thieves. It has been a struggle to survive, but Rory has found ways to improve their lot, and to that end, Thistle was born. Rory is the glue that binds the clan, but the darkness shows that all is well, and as the small band of smugglers rest, images flash and Rory awakens with an uneasy sense of forboding. Drawing the rest of the men into the night, Rory goes to meet destiny. As a smuggler, Thistle is a force to be reckoned with, and a law unto himself....Rory is that smuggler, and what only the clansmen and a very few others know, Rory is a woman.
Blessed, or cursed with the Two Sights, she has seen a man being attacked by thieves in her territory. Even though outlawed, the thievery from those she protects and supports is something she will not stand for and most stay away. On this night however, profound changes will take events out of her realm of knowledge and lead her down a very different path than the one she has marked out for herself. The times ahead shown to her, and the doubts that are raised will prove to be her biggest challenge. The only questions are is there real love involved, and does she truly posess the strength that others think?
Duncan Cameron is a man on a mission. He is the messenger of a Highland Laird and his second in command. He is friend, guard, and 'adopted' son to Laird Donald Cameron, and he is about to be wed if things go well enough. The latter is debatable though. Duncan really doesn't want a wife, he hasn't thought about it Either, but the laird says he is to marry, So he must. Duncan follows Donald because of respect, and a very deep and abiding friendship. He cannot know what Donald's decree is bringing, nor is he entirely aware of the events that will shake his life and beliefs to the core.
He has a problem though. His bride is a member of a disgraced clan, the MacGregors, and as a whole, they have been persecuted and are very wary of strangers. He really doesn't know if and what acceptance he will find when he gets there. But one thing is certain, he is not expecting to be attacked by thieves, and never thinks that he would be rescued by a smuggler. Nor does he expect to wake up...where? The first thing he must do is to recover from this wound...then find and woo his bride...
This is only the beginning for Duncan and Rory. The Scottish Thistle leads us through the broad sweep of one of the most infamous periods in Scottish history. England has taken Scotland, and the the life under England's heel is cruel. The Scottish Insurrection is at hand. The coming of Bonnie Prince Charlie is the true tragedy of Scotland, for England uses the harshest of all tactics to quell the rebellious Scots and decimates the country as a whole. Capped off by the the Battle of Drumossie Moor, more widely known as the Battle of Culloden, the English forces soon destroyed the land and the people. The clearances soon followed.
Of the Scots left, most were women, children, and oldsters, and many of them were actually sold as slaves and sent to the colonies. The few rebel men that were left were taken off as slaves, executed or fled into exile. Cindy Vallar's story brings into perspective the wide swath that was cut through Scotland during these years of rebellion, and highlights and defines the many reasons leading to the strife. It is a precious and poignant view of what the clans in the higlands went through, and brings an understanding of the spirit behind the drive for freedom from English rule. The plight of the Clans MacGregor and Cameron are the tip of what happened there, but through Rory and Duncan's story, you get an intimate, exciting, and riveting review of events. The passion of two people, not only for each other, but for their Clans and country as well, gives this book an unparalleled depth of emotion on many levels. Scottish Thistle is an epic Romance, an exceptional Adventure, and even with the allowed author manipulations, a Historic masterpeice. Congratulations Cindy, for this book gets very high marks in the telling of the tale and in revealing the passions of the times. If you want a 'sexy novel', do not look here, but if you want an all-around passionate story...this is definitely for you. This book is available from Amber Quill press in both paperback and ebook formats, so go check it out today.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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