Raven Carleton is busily trying to get herself betrothed to the fictional son and heir of the historical Thomas Dacre, who “romantically” abducted Elizabeth Greystoke and made her his bride (and "incidentally" made himself heir to her father’s barony and lands). We get the impression that the Dacre menfolk take what they want, and that they don't like being challenged.Half-gypsy bastard Heath Kennedy (his father is laird of the Kennedys, and while it’s rumored the man handfasted with Heath’s mum, the old fart isn’t admitting it) is mistaken for his brother-in-law Ram Douglas and abducted by some outlawed Scots. At first he assumes it’s for ransom but he learns they plan to kill him. They also steal his prized horse herd. His abductors leave him floating in a river, but he turns out to not quite be dead. When he awakes, he encounters Raven, steals her horse, and heads out to recover his own herd and figure out who wants Ram dead. Oh, and while he's at it, abduct the girl of his dreams and engage in some "rough wooing."Woven into the story is a good deal of intrigue surrounding a number of inheritance issues, as well as bits of the story of Archibald Douglas and Margaret Tudor (the mother of the infant King James V). Add in the infamous border conflicts between England and Scotland, which were quietly encouraged by Henry VIII. Once again, the actual history seems to be revised where convenient—for example, Margaret’s “escape” into England took place under quite different circumstances.Not a bad story, though my emotions weren’t fully engaged. 3 stars.
Been rereading this today and I found myself enjoying this again. I find myself falling in love with the characters again. The revenge, jealousy, redemption, pride and stuff. Still refreshing as the first time I read it as a teenager (and here's to folks defending physical book so much, my copy broke apart, literally. Probably because the glue hardened and became less flexible). A story of a forbidden romance between an English lady and a Scottish Gypsy bastard. Unlike the title, the tone of the story doesn't carry those "stockholm syndromes" criteria as a lot of historical romances with similar plot do. I enjoyed the part with the Dacre's animosity towards the Douglas and Kennedy which evolved into a much serious plot that follows the events in the previous book. Neither of the characters are quite one dimensional. The antagonists have great reason to hate the other, plot twist at the right part of the book. I like the part where both main character complement each other as soulmates. Although Tina and Ram are more erotically charged than the couple in this book, I find this book withstood the test of time in my case.
Do You like book The Border Hostage (2002)?
The Border Hostage - OkVirginia HenleyWhen high-strung English beauty Raven Carleton runs into Heath Kennedy, the bastard son of a Scottish border lord, trespassing on her family's lands, she's lucky Heath only divests her of her favorite horse and the shirt off her back. But when Raven runs across Heath again while out riding with her betrothed, she doesn't get off so easily. Taken hostage and held for ransom by the rugged Scot, Raven vows to escape as soon as she can. But Raven fails to reckon with her own attraction to the fiendishly handsome Heath. Erotic visions haunt her as Raven attempts to deny her Celtic roots and the images her heritage brings--dreams of passionate embraces shared not with her fiancé, Christopher Dacre, but with the smug Scot Heath whom she cannot abide. Even worse, Heath's knowing grin makes Raven believe he can read her unruly mind. Machinations of the English court and Scottish loyalists threaten not only Heath and Raven's happiness, but their very lives.Definitely not one of her best.
—LJ
