It is close to St. Patrick's Day so I wanted to indulge my inner Irish and my love for reading so I randomly chose this one based on the blurb. It sounded exciting talking about a romantic adventure in medieval Ireland.
And did it live up to expectation? Oh yes! And then some. It is definitely a historical romance, but there was also a slight fantasy twist and a large dose of intrigue. As I advanced through the book, mysteries were answered as more were revealed. People were not always what they seemed.
The story begins with an English baron, Lord Rardove, who holds lands in conquered Ireland trying to exact answers the hard way from the leader of some Irish captives, Finian O'Melaghlin. The Irish leader refuses him and they play a little cat-mouse trying to figure out what the other knows.
Then the story shifts to a loan English woman, Senna, coming to see this same Lord Rardove about investing in some of her prize sheep and the wool industry.
Unbeknownst to her, she is the pawn in a far greater scheme. Everyone is after the recipe process to the secret dies created from the legendary Wishme mussels. The dye formula not only creates the most spectacular wool cloth, but it can be worked to create a powerful explosive weapon. Senna just happens to be the last in a long line of dye witches capable of creating the Wishme dyes.
Senna learns of her fate as soon as she arrives at Lord Rardove's castle. His cruelty toward her is secondary to the dread of learning he plans to force her to marry him and force her to make the dyes. Senna is fiery and brave, but she knows that he will have his way if she does not escape. She is ignorant of Ireland so makes the decision to free the handsome and courageous Irishman who wordlessly encouraged her and tried to come to her defense.
Finian and Senna escape and that is when the true adventure begins. They both have separate agendas, but Senna must rely on Finian. One harrowing moment after another mixed with one passionate moment after another bring the story to its exciting conclusion.
As I said before, I found the plot a very exciting read. Even having Senna, Finian, Will, and Rardove's point of view thoughts, there were still so many surprises. I love mystery, romance, history, and intrigue. It was all there. The descriptions of the settings were very well done. There was a historical feel without the heavier detail of a straight historical fiction. The only bit of description that got a little nauseating was the many times over description from Senna's perspective of Finian's fantastic physical traits. This was mostly during the first part of the book, but I really did get it after the first time that Finian had rippling muscles, strong thighs, and washboard abs. :D Okay, now I'm wondering why the repetition was annoying to me.
The characters were well drawn even the secondary ones. I am partial to Senna's younger brother, Will, who has a small secondary plot thread. Rardove's seneschal was a mysterious character that I enjoyed finally learning what was up with him. The main characters were exciting people that were well matched both opposite in their outlook, but alike in matters of the heart and shared sorrow for the past.
I enjoyed the pace of the story. The growth in Senna- she was no instant 'she warrior woman' and the budding romance between the two main characters was realistic. The action and passion were faster paced with moments of reflection.
Recommend for a nice historic romantic adventure!