The Border Hostage Book

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.