Review: Historic, Heroic, and Romantic!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 19, 2013
I picked up Thistle and Flame without knowing a whole lot about early modern Scottish history. All I knew is that I wanted a good 18th century romance. I was pleased to find a book that drew me in with its lifelike characters and fabulous historic atmosphere.Through Gavin, Kenna, and a host of other colorful characters, Ms. Karin brings the period to life in a way everyone can appreciate. This book hit it right on all fronts. It's romantic, historically rich, and adventurous.The girl who finds her love years later is an old theme, but it's by no means stale. This novel is proof of that. The lovely connection between Kenna and her Highland Hero transcends time and space. The love between these two characters burns bright, but so do their individual charms. Gavin is a bold warrior with a deep devotion to his people, while Kenna has an unusually gentle heart in defeated Scotland's very harsh environment.I was surprised to find that Thistle and Flame's villains are equally vivid. Lord Macdonald is a worthy opponent driven by his own selfish interests, and Edinburgh's Sheriff is a good symbol of English repression. Hero and heroine clash with these men as people, but also with the forces they represent: aristocracy, foreign repression, and plain old wickedness.I appreciate the way Gavin and Kenna are drawn back together over the years too. What begins as an innocent childhood crush is made stronger by absence. When they finally meet again and plan their escape, it's in a plausible plot with a good dash of destiny thrown in. Karin uses history to her advantage to spark romance, without making it seem forced or overly contrived.Like any good romance, there are a lot of barriers in the way of Gavin and Kenna's love, but the journey is definitely worth it! This is a great debut historical romance from this author, and I'm looking forward to more from her in the future.