Veena’s review of A Sword Upon The Rose by Brenda Joyce
Historical Romance published by HQN 24 Jun 14
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed historical romances by this author in the past and was very pleased to run across this one almost by accident. This is a period romance of richness and depth that fans of the Scottish historical genre will enjoy. From the first scene where he appears, I visualized Iain of Islay as Mel Gibson from the movie Brave Heart, though happily Iain does not suffer the same end as William Wallace. That in itself should have been enough to rock this book, but it’s Alana who stole my heart with her courage and boldness. A thoroughly modern type of miss, even if she loved and lived in medieval Scotland.
The story is set during the time when Robert the Bruce is consolidating his leadership and right to rule. Iain of Islay is a fierce warrior in service to the Bruce. He’s a third son fighting not just for honor and glory but to gain titles, lands, and wealth.
Alana lives in a time where women are considered disposable assets by their male relatives. Abandoned by her father after her mother’s death and feared as a witch due to her ability to see the future, the only love she has in her life is her grandmother. Now with war approaching, her ability has made her a valuable commodity to her uncle and guardian.
She runs across Iain of Islay first in a vision and then in real life as her vision comes to fruition. She saves his life, even though he’s the enemy. Like a game of tag, a few days later she’s imprisoned in her uncle’s castle for failing to deliver visions on demand when he attacks the castle and frees her. Iain is a strong, powerful man in control of his destiny and has no qualms about slaking his lusts with Alana, but with his powerful ambitions that’s all she can be to him.
I really feel for Alana when she hears plotting on both sides of the fence about matching one of her stepsisters with Iain for the titles, land, and wealth they can bring him. I do, however, admire her pragmatism when she makes the choice to save Iain, and, therefore, Bruce by default, from a trap that’s being set for them and in return asks for her independence with free, unfettered ownership of her mother’s dower castle for the duration of her lifetime. Love’s a luxury, but land and independence is a fierce desire for her.
The twists and turns of the story bring Alana face to face with her father after years of abandonment, but, unfortunately, instead of the love that she’s hungered for all her life, all he wants is safety and security for his legitimate daughters. A lesser person might have turned them away to fend for themselves, but she has a great heart. She stands up for herself and eventually wins everything she desires because she’s not willing to compromise.
It is great to step back into the pages of history and see Alana and Iain’s story come alive.
Grade: B
Summary:
New York Times bestselling author Brenda Joyce takes you back to the Highlands, where the battle for land, liberty and love rages on…
A bastard daughter, Alana was cast away at birth and forgotten by her mighty Comyn family. Raised in solitude by her grandmother, she has remained at a safe distance from the war raging through Scotland. But when a battle comes close to home and she finds herself compelled to save an enemy warrior from death, her own life is thrown into danger.
Iain of Islay’s allegiance is to the formidable Robert Bruce. His beautiful rescuer captures both his attention and his desire, but Alana must keep her identity a secret even as she is swept up into a wild and forbidden affair. But as Bruce’s army begins the final destruction of the earldom, Alana must decide between the family whose acceptance she’s always sought, or the man she so wrongly loves.
No excerpt available.
