Ashblane's Lady

Northwest England, close to Scotland’s borders in September 1358, this story of dark forces and vengeance begins. From the first to last chapter, this tale was spellbinding and a book any historical romance reader will enjoy.

Lady Madeleine Randwick and her page Jemmie, watch the end of yet another battle. She has a notorious reputation as whore, witchcraft, murder and luring men to her bed. She never refutes these claims, despite most of it being untrue and is often called ‘The Black Widow,’ because of it. Desperate to get away from her brother and his friends, she waits her chance when the battle ends.

Laird Alexander Ullyot is a Highlander, and the bastard son of a royal father who will not claim him. He is always known for his cruelty, callousness and his bravery in battles as he fights to keep his clan safe and guards the border from his keep, named Ashblane.

Madeleine is a powerful healer and shocked to see such emotion shown by such a man, as he mourns his clansman, Ian. Alexander senses he is watched and returns quietly after his dead are taken away for burial. When she creeps closer to see if any of the warriors are left alive and needing her help, she is surrounded and captured, with her page Jemmie. They are taken to Ashblane Keep to be held for ransom, where awareness turns to admiration as the Laird watches her interact with the clan, who were so afraid of her originally. It was a perilous existence for the weak, who soon fell by the wayside in royal courts filled with treachery. As a last resort, Alexander and Madeleine journey to England to see her grandmother. She has a letter that in the wrong hands and its contents made public; could mean death and destruction for many of those people they are protecting.

The journey to love in ASHBLANE’S LADY is a perilous one, filled with physical hardship and danger. The plot is filled with intrigue and hidden agendas, as rich men covet what is not theirs. From Kings to Barons, they all have an agenda and will not stop until they are rewarded. The story is a rich tapestry of life during the reign of Edward on the English throne and David monarch of Scotland.

ASHBLANE’S LADY is filled with deep emotion and dark pasts that haunt the hero and heroine in this interesting tale. The characters are very vivid and fit into the plot beautifully. They each have much to offer the other and secondary characters are an essential part, enhancing this page turning tale. To fulfill their vows they will have to survive the many dangers that follow them, and also threaten the lives of their family and followers. The evil Noel Falstone was different in many aspects to the usual villain with an unusual life style. The uses of the magic which would have been used from ancient times was intriguing. The healing of wounds and uses of herbs in keeping infection away was researched well. The surroundings and way of life helped keep the reader in the setting, and was so intriguing this reviewer kept turning the pages. Politics was played out between the courts and formed a rich tapestry in the background of the drama. The kings were true to life, cruel and manipulative, with a strange sense of justice, which saw only the gold that would pour into their coffers. A great story with plenty of conflict and an interesting plot.

March 2007