Book: The King’s Favorite
By Tanya Anne Crosby
Series: Daughters of Avalon, Book 1
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
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Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
Heat Rating: Sweet, loving and passionateš„
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
Heat Rating: Sweet, loving and passionateš„
Overall rating: 5 Stars/ 5 Kilts
Llanthony Priory, Wales
Late summer, 1148
I have been waiting for this novel since 1992 just needed Malcom to grow up. This novel ties in with (The MacKinnon Bride book) #1 in the {Highland Bride Series}. As the swoon worthy hero is all grown up now. He was a young child who had been kidnapped by his Grandsire and King Henry in The MacKinnon’s Bride Book. Now Malcom Scott, son of Laird Iain MacKinnon is all grown up and has inherited his own property. This is through his step-mother Page the only mother he has ever known. He got his evil dead Grandsire’s title and castle through Page his only living heir.
This series the daughters of Avalon is also about five Pendragon sisters Elspeth, Rhiannon, Rosalynde, Seren and Arwyn. All who have been living in exile most of their lives. They are all King Henry’s illegitimate daughters. Due to their jealous, powerful, spiteful and extremely hateful mother Morwen. In addition they all have inherited some form of witchcraft. Yet they know they must keep this secret or it could end badly for all of them. As this is the time where people still fear witches, supernatural female beings, by burning at the stake or worse.
Of course their evil mother has just been biding her time, to make matches to powerful evil men who will support their sister, the powerful empress Matilda. A mother who betrayed her own sweet mother and stole their Blackwood inheritance has rarely seen them since abandoning them and basically making them prisoners of the priory. Plus it is so isolated with all the religious creepy clergy who fear and detest the sisters and their supernatural powers. Now the first match was decided for eldest sister Elspeth. It is to a horrific, evil influential man who is no more than an assassin. Yet he is the new lord of Blackwood. Yes it would give Elspeth a title but not the life she wants.
The sisters all decided Elspeth must runaway! She decides to steal Merry Balls yet is captured by Malcom in Wales. She and her sisters realize she needs a champion too. Yet the attraction soon grows, stronger though Malcom knows Elspeth is running away away and has many secrets. Yet she is an answer to betrothal problem he has too. What will he do once Elspeth truth is revealed? Abandon Elspeth or protect her? Plus the relationship between Malcom and his father is extremely abominable and wretched! As Malcom has bent his knee to an English King and slaughtering his own people in battle. He and his father Iain haven't spoken in a decade which is absolutely heartbreaking too!
This book is a complete masterpiece from start to finish. It has all the elements Scottish historical readers love. Plus it weaves true royal historical figures in history with a fictional sweet caring and loving couple. Fast paced, non-stop action, delightful adventure, family feuding, enchanting romance plus magical spellbinding origins. The setting left me breathless, the dialogue was brilliant and the plotting and characters was absolute perfection! Showing love is the answer to true magic.
I highly recommend “The King’s Favorite” by Tanya Anne Crosby as I have been reading her novels for over 26 years. I still find her books exciting, exhilarating and phenomenal! A total masterpiece and a great reality escape for me personally. I can't wait for the next book in “The Daughters of Avalon” series.
I was gifted this ARC from the author. I voluntarily agreed to read, give honest review and blog this book. All opinions, ideas, words and thoughts are my own.
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Oh, sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteIts so good think you will like it. Make sure you read The MacKinnon’s Bride first when Malcom was a young boy first. It will make more sense in my opinion. Thanks Kim.
ReplyDelete