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Scottish Clans #3
The Raven's Wish
Elspeth Fraser, a beautiful Highland seer, has a sudden vision of a handsome stranger's death.
Then he rides into her life.
Duncan Macrae is the Queen's lawyer, sent north to end the feud between Elspeth's wild Highland cousins and a neighboring clan.
Determined to save his life, Elspeth resists her strong attraction to the queen's handsome and mysterious lawyer, and tries to send him away
Duncan ignores the vibrant Highland lass and the stormy passion she invokes. The Queen's mission must be completed.
But then, a dangerous enemy threatens all Duncan and Elspeth hold dear. They must face their shared destiny—for if the prediction holds true, they will lose all... including the powerful love that could save them both.
Then he rides into her life.
Duncan Macrae is the Queen's lawyer, sent north to end the feud between Elspeth's wild Highland cousins and a neighboring clan.
Determined to save his life, Elspeth resists her strong attraction to the queen's handsome and mysterious lawyer, and tries to send him away
Duncan ignores the vibrant Highland lass and the stormy passion she invokes. The Queen's mission must be completed.
But then, a dangerous enemy threatens all Duncan and Elspeth hold dear. They must face their shared destiny—for if the prediction holds true, they will lose all... including the powerful love that could save them both.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1995
About the author
Susan King
59 books112 followersSusan King, née Longhi, is a multi-published, bestselling, award-winning author and a former art history lecturer. She holds a B.A. in art and an M.A. and most of a Ph.D. in art history, with postgraduate work in medieval studies. Her books are widely praised for historical detail and a lyrical writing style, and she has won multiple honors and awards for her novels written as Susan King, Sarah Gabriel, and Susan Fraser King. Susan visits Scotland as often as possible for research and relaxation, and lives in Maryland with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 24, 2018
Cuando comencé a leer este libro me sentí emocionada porque amo el romance medieval, pero conforme avanzaba en el tuve altos y bajos, unos capítulos muy lentos y otros extremadamente buenos y adictivos, la historia en si es bonita, un romance medieval entre una salvaje chica de las Highlands y un abogado de la corona, aderezado con ajustes de cuentas, brujería y robos, pero confieso que ya no soportaba una palabra mas de el.
January 10, 2011
The characters I cared about were the cousins, and they didn't get much page-age.
April 9, 2021
Loved it!
Duncan Macrae is the new laird of Dulsie Castle in Kintail. He’s also one of the queen's lawyers and as such was sent north by the queen's Council carrying an important document for Clan Fraser. Elspeth of Clan Fraser foresaw his arrival but the vision also showed her something that would never ever allow her to fall love with Duncan. Not that Duncan doesn’t feel the pull but he simply doesn’t believe in visions ... Do they have a chance and what about their common enemy ?
Absolutely rewarding read! The atmospheric descriptions of the Highlands were the perfect background against which the storyline unravelled. The book was generally rather slowly paced, which left plenty of room to elaborate the twists of the plot perfectly. I appreciated very much that Duncan met Elspeth as equal although he didn’t fully accept her “abilities”. An interesting set of subcharacters supported the plot perfectly.
And just a few words regarding the “paranormal elements”: I’m not a big fan of these components, consequently I had my doubts regarding the book, especially because the “paranormal” played a significant role in the storyline. In any case, I have to admit that these element were well integrated into the plot and didn’t really “bother” the storyline at all - on the contrary!
Duncan Macrae is the new laird of Dulsie Castle in Kintail. He’s also one of the queen's lawyers and as such was sent north by the queen's Council carrying an important document for Clan Fraser. Elspeth of Clan Fraser foresaw his arrival but the vision also showed her something that would never ever allow her to fall love with Duncan. Not that Duncan doesn’t feel the pull but he simply doesn’t believe in visions ... Do they have a chance and what about their common enemy ?
Absolutely rewarding read! The atmospheric descriptions of the Highlands were the perfect background against which the storyline unravelled. The book was generally rather slowly paced, which left plenty of room to elaborate the twists of the plot perfectly. I appreciated very much that Duncan met Elspeth as equal although he didn’t fully accept her “abilities”. An interesting set of subcharacters supported the plot perfectly.
And just a few words regarding the “paranormal elements”: I’m not a big fan of these components, consequently I had my doubts regarding the book, especially because the “paranormal” played a significant role in the storyline. In any case, I have to admit that these element were well integrated into the plot and didn’t really “bother” the storyline at all - on the contrary!
April 15, 2021
Life, Love and Survival
Mid-sixteenth century Scotland, both the northern and southern regions, required some serious survival skills. What with clan against clan and court politics, keeping ones head was the difference between life and death. To survive and find true love, well that's what The Raven's Wish by Susan King is all about.
Although rather lengthy, this well written read uses a lot of descriptive detail to build a world that is all about surviving. The plot is well constructed, and the bit of seer influence softens the rough edges and adds a bit of mystery. The lead characters are both strong, and they are supported by some interesting personalities.
Content 411: In addition to some mild swearing, this novel contains passionate kissing and a sexually intimate scene that is moderately described.
Mid-sixteenth century Scotland, both the northern and southern regions, required some serious survival skills. What with clan against clan and court politics, keeping ones head was the difference between life and death. To survive and find true love, well that's what The Raven's Wish by Susan King is all about.
Although rather lengthy, this well written read uses a lot of descriptive detail to build a world that is all about surviving. The plot is well constructed, and the bit of seer influence softens the rough edges and adds a bit of mystery. The lead characters are both strong, and they are supported by some interesting personalities.
Content 411: In addition to some mild swearing, this novel contains passionate kissing and a sexually intimate scene that is moderately described.
April 15, 2021
Life, Love and Survival
Mid-sixteenth century Scotland, both the northern and southern regions, required some serious survival skills. What with clan against clan and court politics, keeping ones head was the difference between life and death. To survive and find true love, well that's what The Raven's Wish by Susan King is all about.
Although rather lengthy, this well written read uses a lot of descriptive detail to build a world that is all about surviving. The plot is well constructed, and the bit of seer influence softens the rough edges and adds a bit of mystery. The lead characters are both strong, and they are supported by some interesting personalities.
Content 411: In addition to some mild swearing, this novel contains passionate kissing and a sexually intimate scene that is moderately described.
Mid-sixteenth century Scotland, both the northern and southern regions, required some serious survival skills. What with clan against clan and court politics, keeping ones head was the difference between life and death. To survive and find true love, well that's what The Raven's Wish by Susan King is all about.
Although rather lengthy, this well written read uses a lot of descriptive detail to build a world that is all about surviving. The plot is well constructed, and the bit of seer influence softens the rough edges and adds a bit of mystery. The lead characters are both strong, and they are supported by some interesting personalities.
Content 411: In addition to some mild swearing, this novel contains passionate kissing and a sexually intimate scene that is moderately described.
May 24, 2021
I really liked this book. What I liked most was the loyalty. Everyone, even the rival clan that everyone despised, had loyalty to their kinfolk. That only exists in books these days. I also liked that the author decided to use more English-sounding names for the reader’s benefit. I read the passage at the end where she talks about her inspiration and name choices. I like the name choices simply because it would have been too much to take in along with the language, which is beautiful. I would love to learn a little at some point. There was plenty of action, romance, and much more in this book.
June 23, 2021
The Raven’s Wish is an entertaining Scottish period romance about a lawyer who comes to barter peace between feuding clans and a girl who can see the future.
Contains graphic sec scenes.
"I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
Contains graphic sec scenes.
"I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
June 28, 2023
Cumple todos los puntos de una novela romántica y aun así logra que la historia de amor se sienta posible alejándose de decisiones inverosímiles. La magia que impregna la historia y las costumbres de la época la hacen adorable
January 23, 2023
As lawyer to the queen, the hero has been tasked with an assignment to see a bond signed by the Fraser clan to cease their conflict with the MacDonalds by royal decree. Born a Highlander but living as a Lowlander, it's been some time since he's returned to the north and he vows to see his mission completed in good time so he may return to his comfortable life. But of course nothing to do with the Fraser's is ever easy. The heroine is a wild women. The only female born in a family of more male cousins can she can count, she has always had a freedom rarely bestowed on her sex. As a Seer she is also revered and respected among her clan and her visions are never wrong. When she sees the hero...she sees death. His death. The dark side of her gift has always been the burden of seeing the unhappy future but being unable to do anything to change it. Regardless, with the hero she decides to try. Something about the lawyer come to the clan has captivated her and the idea of being responsible for this death ways heavily on her. So she tries to persuade him to leave but goes about it in her typical brash manner so he doesn't believe her. Despite being a highlander by birth, he doesn't put any faith in visions or magic of any kind and the heroine could very well just want him gone so the peace bond doesn't have to be signed. Her clan refuses to sign the bond and the hero is frustrated with having to remain...especially when the Fraser reside so close to his own keep and all the dark memories it holds. Upon the advice of a friend, the hero tries to befriend the cousins, reacquainting himself with his highlander roots. He even goes cow raiding and give pointers to better the missions. All the while, all the time spent in the castle, the hero grows closer and closer to the heroine whom both frustrates and intrigues him. The heroine tries again and again to see him leave the Highlands but the man stubbornly refuses. Pressured to many a disgusting man from the rival clan in a bid to unite the clans without the peace bond, she refuses but she knows it's only a matter of time before she is commanded to wed by her cousin and chieftain. But she never imagined that she would be kidnapped and forced to marry the hero. Angry beyond words but the betrayal and the soul wrenching fear that her presence in the hero's life will result in his death, she begs for him to leave once again. But the dead is done and they are married. The connection between them is deep and all powerful and as the heroine was once warned to accept the hero's proposal of marriage when offer, she still fear for the future and vision of death she has seen. When she is kidnapped by the enemy clan and leave to die as a witch for spurning the man her clan wanted her to marry, the hero is once again possessed by the fury and the action of a Highlander. He rushes to save her and in the process fights and kills the enemy suitor thus breaking the peace bond. He is arrested and convicted of murder. The heroine is devastated but she's willing to do anything to save the man she loves. Never before has she felt the passionate need to change a vision but somehow and someway she will change the future and save her husband.
I enjoyed this book but I found it such a hardship to read and I don't know why. I liked the characters, I liked the plot. There was nothing that said it should be anything other than a great historical paranormal romance. But I felt a disconnect somewhere. Maybe it was the fact that I read it on the weekend and my heart wasn't 100% invested but I struggled to finish this book. It wasn't fast paced or over exciting but I felt the deep emotional connection between the characters and the language was lovely and historically accurate as far as I was concerned. But that didn't stop me from skipping pages here and there or thumbing through the remaining pages wondering when I would be done. I don't think I gave this book the chance it deserves and will return at a later date to retry.
I enjoyed this book but I found it such a hardship to read and I don't know why. I liked the characters, I liked the plot. There was nothing that said it should be anything other than a great historical paranormal romance. But I felt a disconnect somewhere. Maybe it was the fact that I read it on the weekend and my heart wasn't 100% invested but I struggled to finish this book. It wasn't fast paced or over exciting but I felt the deep emotional connection between the characters and the language was lovely and historically accurate as far as I was concerned. But that didn't stop me from skipping pages here and there or thumbing through the remaining pages wondering when I would be done. I don't think I gave this book the chance it deserves and will return at a later date to retry.
November 3, 2015
I enjoyed The Raven’s Wish by Susan King, though not for the reasons I enjoy most formulaic historical romances.
Technically speaking, the book was exceedingly well written. Though there was a handful of small typos, including missing spaces, missing words, and a mistake in tense, most of them were small and easily navigated around. I never felt bogged down or confused with what I was reading—they were only small hiccups. The pace, though slow at times due to the language the characters were forced to use (historical books often have flowery, drawn out language), most of the time I didn’t mind. I enjoyed the beautiful and often clever descriptions in the narrative. The only time it became a problem was during the sex scenes, where the flowery language and vague language sucked the steam right out of the bedroom and seemed to make the sex drag on for ages. It was pretty—but didn’t convey the amount of lust/steam I was expecting. Most of the time, I opted to skim over the sex scenes.
The characters themselves were a delight—I loved Elspeth and Duncan, both as individual people and as a couple, though Elspeth was definitely my favorite of the two. I love characters with a spark of stubborn defiance and joy in them. That isn’t to say that the characters were perfect, however. Other than Elspeth and Duncan, the characters honestly didn’t seem that fleshed out. Despite having 80 or so ‘cousins’, a lot of time wasn’t spent on the other characters in the book outside the main character, and most of them could have been used interchangeably. I wish they had been more complex, that there had been more depth… but I also recognize that this is a romance book, and it’s pretty par for the course to keep the focus on the main couple (as it should be), and that often means that the minor characters aren’t as well fleshed out.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. For a romance, it was better written for most—the language and the descriptions were beautiful, but again, it was a formulaic romance. The book didn’t break any molds, and it was fairly predictable. Still, I liked it, and I’m glad to have read it. If you’re looking for a strong, well written historical romance full of beautiful descriptions and fun characters, I’d suggest you give this a try. If you aren’t a fan of formulaic romance with happy endings, this may not be for you.
Technically speaking, the book was exceedingly well written. Though there was a handful of small typos, including missing spaces, missing words, and a mistake in tense, most of them were small and easily navigated around. I never felt bogged down or confused with what I was reading—they were only small hiccups. The pace, though slow at times due to the language the characters were forced to use (historical books often have flowery, drawn out language), most of the time I didn’t mind. I enjoyed the beautiful and often clever descriptions in the narrative. The only time it became a problem was during the sex scenes, where the flowery language and vague language sucked the steam right out of the bedroom and seemed to make the sex drag on for ages. It was pretty—but didn’t convey the amount of lust/steam I was expecting. Most of the time, I opted to skim over the sex scenes.
The characters themselves were a delight—I loved Elspeth and Duncan, both as individual people and as a couple, though Elspeth was definitely my favorite of the two. I love characters with a spark of stubborn defiance and joy in them. That isn’t to say that the characters were perfect, however. Other than Elspeth and Duncan, the characters honestly didn’t seem that fleshed out. Despite having 80 or so ‘cousins’, a lot of time wasn’t spent on the other characters in the book outside the main character, and most of them could have been used interchangeably. I wish they had been more complex, that there had been more depth… but I also recognize that this is a romance book, and it’s pretty par for the course to keep the focus on the main couple (as it should be), and that often means that the minor characters aren’t as well fleshed out.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. For a romance, it was better written for most—the language and the descriptions were beautiful, but again, it was a formulaic romance. The book didn’t break any molds, and it was fairly predictable. Still, I liked it, and I’m glad to have read it. If you’re looking for a strong, well written historical romance full of beautiful descriptions and fun characters, I’d suggest you give this a try. If you aren’t a fan of formulaic romance with happy endings, this may not be for you.
September 28, 2014
Elspeth Fraser has the Sight, but when she foresees a stranger’s death at the beheading block, she never dreams he’ll become her husband. How can she fall in the love with the man who’s come to her Highlands clan to make them sign a pact promising not to raid their sworn enemy? Yet when he joins them one night and knows more about what he’s doing than her cousins, she grows curious about his Scottish origins. As Duncan gets deeper involved, can he avoid the vision she’s seen from becoming real? He can’t prevent his fate, but without Elspeth, his life has no meaning. How can she save him from the block? This engaging Highlands romance will sweep you away to an ancient land with ill-fated lovers.
April 17, 2015
How interesting, do Ravens actually have a wish?
Apparently, according to seer Elspeth Fraser, they are hanging around for something and they seem to be associated with the Queen's counsel, Duncan Macrae's past, present and future! However, Duncan was sent by the Queen's Privy Council to issue a caution against hostile actions between the Fraser and McDonald clans! The irony is Duncan has his own personal animosity towards the McDonald's and matters aren't helped by throwing Elspeth Fraser's half brother, with his desire for power and self-advancement sets out to destroy Duncan! The question is can Duncan and Elspeth cheat the fate which the ravens appear to foretell? Ms. King weaves a tale of romance and adventure that captures you to the very end.
Apparently, according to seer Elspeth Fraser, they are hanging around for something and they seem to be associated with the Queen's counsel, Duncan Macrae's past, present and future! However, Duncan was sent by the Queen's Privy Council to issue a caution against hostile actions between the Fraser and McDonald clans! The irony is Duncan has his own personal animosity towards the McDonald's and matters aren't helped by throwing Elspeth Fraser's half brother, with his desire for power and self-advancement sets out to destroy Duncan! The question is can Duncan and Elspeth cheat the fate which the ravens appear to foretell? Ms. King weaves a tale of romance and adventure that captures you to the very end.
February 25, 2015
I enjoyed the story but thought the book was too long. I normally do not complain about length of novels but this one seems like it could have been shorter and I would have gotten the same out of it.
There is a lot of things going on and much character development. The story is written well and I enjoyed the "magic" aspect of the book.
There is a lot of things going on and much character development. The story is written well and I enjoyed the "magic" aspect of the book.
February 23, 2026
First book in the Border Series/Scottish Clans series, not the last one.
March 28, 2012
Review soon @ thefaeryromanticlibrarian.blogspot.com
April 4, 2013
3 stars... not amazing but not too bad either. I wouldn't read it again.
February 8, 2015
Is a great book to read forever
February 19, 2015
Great Story!!!
Great story full of action, mystery , intrigue, and passion.!! I finished it in two days!! I was hooked from page one!! Great read!!
Great story full of action, mystery , intrigue, and passion.!! I finished it in two days!! I was hooked from page one!! Great read!!
April 20, 2015
This is just an "okay" read. Nothing horrible, no great mysteries, no attachment to characters. A little too long of a book, considering.....
Read
June 16, 2015I finally finished it! It took me so long I don't think it would be fair to rate it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews