THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Author: Jackie Ivie ISBN: 0821780123 10/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: KENSINGTON ZEBRA
Time Period: Scotland 1455

A RELUCTANT HUSBAND Caught in a furious blizzard, battle-weary Myles Donal has only two options: die alone in the snow, or make his way home by order of his sire to marry a woman known as the Harridan of the Highlands. The warm glow of light in a small croft will only delay his fate... A REBELLIOUS BRIDE Kendran is not about to share her hard-earned shelter with anyone, especially not a man! Running away from an arranged marriage was her only chance for freedom - and she'll not forfeit it to another arrogant male...even one as devilishly attractive as Myles Donal... A WEDDING TO REMEMBER Snowbound and equally stubborn, Myles and Kendran engage in a battle of wills that quickly becomes a passion too fiery to ignore. "Wedded bliss" may be an abhorrent concept to both of them, but true love is not so easily denied...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Whenever I am reviewing a book for an author that is just superb, I always wonder if she can make that magic happen again with her next book. Well, guess what, folks? Jackie Ivie can—and did. After TENDER IS THE KNIGHT, Ms. Ivie would have been hard pressed to convince me that she could do even better than that, and I am happy to say that she has.

When Myles Donal is caught in the midst of a horrible blizzard, all he can think is that he is going to die. He is going to die and leave his shrew of a would-be bride with no husband and a father that is thoroughly displeased with him. Being literally beaten into submission by his father and his own men, he is now on his way to meet this bride of his that is said to have a sharp tongue and an ugly, plain-looking face.

Kendran has decided that she needs a break. She has made herself a little shelter from the storm in a cozy little cottage and she has everything that she needs. Kendran never dreams that a man will literally come falling through her front door—especially not such a fine looking one. The things she says and does when Myles first ends up on her doorstep are just hilarious, giving Kendran a great sense of depth. I got a real glimpse into Kendran's character in that first meeting.

Myles is the equivalent of everything that girls dream about in their fantasies. He is a big hulk of a man with a wonderful sense of humor and sex appeal oozing off of him that could make a nun weep. He is wonderful and so good for Kendran; he made tears fill my eyes on more than one occasion.

Kendran is beautiful and headstrong, and while she does have a tongue that could cut glass, it is for a good reason. She is determined that no man shall ever treat her as her mother was treated, and deep down inside, in a part of her that may not even realize it, she is terrified of being hurt. Kendran does what she does out of pure self preservation, but somehow Myles has a way of making her forget her stance, and she finds herself letting go of old hurts and living in the moment with him.

Jackie Ivie is a woman who obviously has a lot of great stories to tell. Her books are filled with magic and love so deep, they take my breath away. THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is another keeper to add to my ever-growing shelf of Jackie Ivie books.

Kristal Gorman