UNDER THE HIGHLANDER'S SPELL

Author: Donna Fletcher ISBN: 9780061375446 10/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Medieval Scotland

A Thrilling Rescue. . . Highland warrior Artair Sinclare would do anything to find his missing brother. But the only woman who can help him is about to be burned at the stake! Zia, a talented healer, has been branded a witch by vicious local villagers. Swooping in to save her at the very last moment, Artair swears to protect her . . . even if the only way to keep her safe is to pretend to be her beloved husband. A Tempting Alliance. . . Marry this savage stranger? Never! Yet the beautiful and determined Zia soon realizes that she needs Artair's help to proceed with her life's work. She submits to their risky charade, growing closer to Artair all the while. Hunted by treacherous enemies, they escape to a wild, wooded place deep in the Scottish Highlands, where unexpected desires ignite . . . and Zia finds herself utterly, wholly under the Highlander's spell.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Donna Fletcher sets her historical romance, UNDER THE HIGHLANDER'S SPELL (the second in a series about the Sinclares), in medieval Scotland when the church regularly goes on witch hunts and Zia, first born daughter of a line of first born daughters, is a healer who is so passionate about her work that a village decides that she must be a witch. Thankfully, she is saved from nearly being burned at the stake by Artair Sinclare, because he's heard she knows where his brother (wounded and missing from battle) is and she can lead him to her healing village to find him. Unfortunately, when they arrive at the village, Ronan has already left. Fortunately, Artair decides to put Zia under his protection and takes her to his home keep, where his family can help them stand up to the witch hunt. In order to travel safely, they pretend to be married. Zia will only really marry for love, and Artair is a very cool-headed, sensible man, unused to acting passionately. Will he be able to save Zia as well as keep her?

Fletcher truly crafts a place that is genuine in its time, setting and people. The universal struggles of belief versus disbelief, men and women, practicality versus passion, and the myriad reason two people can find to define love, are strongly represented. Artair is a good man, despite being a warrior, and Zia has a reckless side to her, in spite of being a healer. As with women through the ages, she wants him to declare his love for her. He sees the practical side of marrying a pretty woman, who is smart, funny, and a healer and decides that love will follow. It takes an entire castle of family and friends to convince him of the love written all over his face. Although there are several episodes of passionate ardor, they are tastefully written (and isn't it all more convenient when he only needs to lift his plaid?).

UNDER THE HIGHLANDER'S SPELL is a wonderfully told story even though it is quite predictable. It is that feeling of knowing what's coming next that makes it a comfortable read for a cozy afternoon. It is a nice romance with a soupcon of danger, a little suspense and a nice flavoring of bed sheet tangling.

Susan Barton