The Laird of Kinfairlie has unmarried sisters, each a gem in her own right. And he has no choice but to see them all wed in haste.
Like a heroine in an ancient tale, Vivienne waited in the highest chamber of Kinfairlie's tower for her fated lover. In the darkness he came for her, cloaked and hooded so that she would not see his face. He loved her sweetly, thoroughly...and Vivienne knew she had met her destiny.
But in the morning light, her dream is shattered. Erik Sinclair of Blackleith is no romantic hero but a disinherited warrior who arranged her abduction to regain his own legacy. Outraged by Erik's insistence that he needs her solely to beget a son, yet ensnared by the passion he awakens, Vivienne realizes that there is more merit in her taciturn spouse than he would admit. Erik is skeptical of her growing faith in his honor and her desire to recapture his stolen birthright.
Little does he suspect that his rare gem of a bride intends to capture his barricaded heart as well.
This novel was outstanding. Claire Delacroix's writing creates such a vivid description of the scenes in the novel that the reader can't help but feel they are wrapped up in the story. Her storytelling is beautifully done, both in the novel itself and in the delightful tails that the characters enjoy recounting to each other during the novel. The Rose Red Bride is a combination of storytelling and modern day writing at it's best. The story is both moving and enchanting.
Vivienne Lammergeier is reluctant to marry. Not that she isn't eager to be a wife and mother, but none of the suitors she has met has held her attention. Her brother, Laird of Kinfairlie, Alexander Lammergeier is eager to marry Vivienne as he has several younger sisters to care for and with the dwindling accounts for his lands, one more sister settled and one less mouth to feed is crucial. After learning the woes of auctioning a sister to marriage in the earlier novel in this series, Alexander tries to be patient and to let Vivienne choose a suitor, but as time passes the situation grows more desperate. When an old flame from Vivienne's past reappears and asks Alexander for her hand in return for coin for Kinfairlie, Alexander is thrilled at the prospect. Perhaps Vivienne's reluctance to marry has to due with her harboring feelings for a beau from her past.
Vivienne is eager to meet a man that will captivate her senses, a man like she has heard of in tails of princes come to find their one true love. After a particularly moving story of a fairy prince who comes through a secret portal, Vivienne is eager to see if some truth lies behind the tail. When she is awakened in the night to a strange visitor her heart leaps at the prospect of her dreams coming true. It's only in the early morning light that she soon realizes that everything may not be what it seems in the shadows of the night. In fact, her whimsical yearnings may have put her in greater danger than she could have ever imagined. Danger that may cost her her life, or perhaps her heart.
Erik Sinclair of Blackleith will do anything to reclaim his land and more importantly his two young daughters who are all but lost to him. With the betrayal of his younger brother, Erik is left for dead and everything he once cherished has been taken. The only hope Erik has of reclaiming his land is to have an heir of unquestionable lineage in order to get a neighboring leader to back Erik in his quest to recapture what should be rightly his. In order to have that heir, Erik is in need of a woman. A woman who can bear him a son quickly. A woman whose family is eager to find her a mate. A woman like Vivienne Lammergeier.
What follows is a remarkably beautiful tail of love, betrayal, trust, and sacrifices. Vivienne is hoping for a prince but instead encounters a scarred, damaged man desperate to win back his children. Erik, who has learned not to trust others, seeks a woman for nothing more than an heir with no commitment made, but instead encounters a woman whose strong determination, steadfastness, and resilience will leave him battling with himself over the nature of his growing feelings. The chemistry between the two is potent and intoxicating. Their interaction and dialogue will leave the reader on the edge of their seat to see where things go next. Sometimes one finds exactly what they were looking for in the place they least expect it, and sometimes one finds what they could have never imagined right in front of their eyes.
The book is complimented by an array of interesting and delightful characters. The plot is interesting with twists to keep the reader guessing what will happen next.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Sassia Maarleveld who absolutely perfected this novel. With her beautiful voice and her enchanting accent this audiobook made you want to close your eyes and listen with all your attention. The narration was excellent and added even more depth to the story and the characters. The pace was perfect and the language clear. A brilliantly done narration to be sure!
NARRATED: SASKIA MAARLEVELD
LENGTH: 13 HRS AND 13 MINS
SERIES: THE JEWELS OF KINFAIRLIE, BOOK 2
RELEASED DATE: 02/10/2015
PUBLISHER: DEBORAH A COOKE