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The Dragons of Challon #1

A Restless Knight

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Had the music stopped, or had she just ceased to hear it? All she could do was stare into the dragon green eyes. Drown in them. This man was her destiny. Nothing else mattered. He removed the netting from her grasp and then dropped it.

Shaking, Challon took her face in both hands. The hunger in his eyes rippled, tangible. So strong, it nearly robbed her of breath. With a need, tempered with reverence, he took her mouth with his. Lightly at first. Then deeper, more desperate, more demanding. The primitive male desire to mate unleashed. Beneath it all was his need for her—in ways she knew he did not begin to understand.

She smiled. He would.

Lost in the power, Tamlyn was not aware of the hundreds of other people around them or their celebrating. To her, the world stood still, narrowed, until there was nothing but the star-filled night.

And Challon.

“Deborah writes as if she’s been in Medieval Scotland and can somehow, magically, take you back there with her to stand amidst the heather and mist of another time. This is breathtakingly beautiful, award caliber writing.” — New York Times bestselling author, Lynsay Sands.

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2006

23 people are currently reading
562 people want to read

About the author

Deborah Macgillivray

48 books152 followers
Author with Montlake/Amazon Publishing; Kensington Zebra Historicals; Prairie Rose Publication; Dorchester LoveSpell; Highland Press; Droemer Knaur (Germany); Random House Kodansha Ltd (Japan); AST (Russia); Romances Nova Cultural (Brazil), writing Scottish Medieval Historicals and Contemporary and Paranormal Romances. She has seven books and fourteen novellas in print.

A member of Authors Guild; IWOFA - Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors http://iwofa.net. On Staff at for Paranormal Romance Reviews and co-host for PNR's The Haunt; former reviewer for The Best Reviews and Sensual Romance Reviews, and used to review for Rambles.com, a Celtic e-magazine. A former member of RIO Reviewers International Organization, and served as their Award of Excellence Chair (2003-2005), and was assistant editor of their monthly newsletter. She served as 2nd Vice President of Hearts Through History (2004-2005), an online RWA Chapter; was also Web Chair (2003-2005) and was editor of their monthly newsletter The Bard Scroll (2003-5). A member of RWA and History Fiction Writers of Britain.

She was resident historian at WAXING POETIC (1999-2001). She also had a joint company with artist Carmon Deyo called CLAN RAVEN LTD. She wrote tales of Pict-Celt lore or tales from her family; Carmon turns them into the most beautiful jewelry in silver and gold. Their joint effort ‘THE THREE FACES OF THE GODDESS’, a highly original look at the Pict-Celt Goddesses, won awards and impressed Barnes and Noble enough to sponsor a month-long show in Texas of the works in September 2000, launched with a cocktail party.

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5 stars
204 (42%)
4 stars
133 (28%)
3 stars
83 (17%)
2 stars
32 (6%)
1 star
23 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Vann.
39 reviews23 followers
June 20, 2010
i don't know, beside the good review i've read.. i've found this book very boring.. the historical side is good enough, but not that good to make me finish it..
Profile Image for Shannon.
3,109 reviews2,566 followers
will-never-read
January 7, 2012
Completely forgot about this one. Oh, how I don't miss the days when I used to read books with oily man-chests on the covers.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 15 books613 followers
July 25, 2010
I love this book! This is the first in the Dragons of Challon series and it is fantastic.
Tamlyn is a Scottish lass whose lands have always passed through her mother's side to the daughters. There are her two sisters (twins) and two cousins who all have claims to the Ogilvie lands. there is an air of ethereal and mythical qualities to Tamlyn's lands.
Julian Challon is a Norman knight who longs for a home. His king has gifted him the lands of Glenrogha, and the lady of the keep as well. but before he gets there, he comes upon some of his men trying to rape a girl. He feels an instant attraction to her, but he realizes he hasto marry the lady of the keep...perhaps he'll take this one to mistress?
One thing he doesn't count on, the wench he saves from being raped by his men turns out to be his future wife-even though she stubbornly refuses to tell him her name or relation to the lands. Her sharp tongue and his efforts wooing her make for an exciting time.
But we can't forget that she was almost raped...Sir Dirk and his brothers make sure that we won't forget their names any time soon.
The story itself is fantastic, but the pieces of history woven throughout are so cleverly done. I loved the writing, and I loved the portrayal of a time where England wanted Scotland's submission.
Quick side note: The second book In Her Bed runs parallel to this one, so the plots intertwine. it's the best I've ever seen done. There are similar conversations, but you don't feel annoyed at hearing the same words, instead you get to see the other sides of the conversations.
Profile Image for Jacquie.
Author 61 books198 followers
January 19, 2008
A Sweeping Debut!

There are book writers and there are storytellers. Deborah MacGillivray is a storyteller in the Auld Ways, and it shows. A Restless Knight is a masterfully-told story, drawing her readers into the Pictish tradition as if we were born there, and weaving a tale of high adventure and passionate romance. I found this book to be an entertaining and satisfying read on every level.

I will definitely urge my friends to read this wonderful story, and I'll be impatient for the release of Ms. MacGillivray's next book. Challon has some handsome and intriguing brothers, and I hope we can have their stories soon. Meantime, Deborah MacGillivray will go my autobuy list!
Profile Image for Tammie King.
Author 5 books733 followers
January 31, 2008
www.nightowlromance.com - Lady Tamlyn MacShane is a strong Scottish woman an Ogilvie. The Ogilvie are a bit different than other clans as the women inherit and they also get to choose their own husbands. Lady Tamlyn has not chosen a husband yet and turbulent times have befallen the whole country. The English have taken Tamlyn’s father and Julian Challon, aka the Black Dragon, has been sent to Scotland. The King of England has given him Lady Tamlyn as a bride, but Julian must find her first. Lady Tamlyn has pulled a small hoax on Julian. When he finds a woman being molested by his men he saves her, but Lady Tamlyn does not tell him who she is.

Julian needs saving from the horrors that he has experienced. One of his brothers is dead and he has been sent to Scotland. The King thinks that sending Julian to Scotland is a punishment, but to Julian it’s the best thing that could have happened. He sees the place as his destiny and a place to find peace for himself. When he meets a woman who makes him burn he falls in love. He knows he has to marry the Lady Tamalyn, but he wants to keep his love with him. There is a huge difference between duty and love and Julian just needs his woman to understand that. When Tamalyn hears this line of bull she gives it to him good. How will Julian deal with Tamalyn’s deception and can Tamalyn heal Julian’s soul.

This is another winner from Deborah MacGillivray. I loved the interaction between Lady Tamlyn and Julian. Tamalyn complimented Julian well and he provided her with the challenge she needed. Each of them had to come to terms that life together was better than life apart. Ms. MacGillivray made me want to visit Scotland again and relive that wonderful presence that just engulfs the whole country. Mystery and magic are inherent in Macgillivray’s work and her writing will sweep you away on your own visit to Medieval Scotland. So, get ready to be swept back in history.

This is the first book in a series and I read the second one first. Both, A Restless Knight and In Her Bed can be read alone. Each of the books takes place during the same time and interweave between each other. A Restless Knight deals with Tamlyn and Julian and In Her Bed deals with Julian’s brother Damian St. Giles and Tamlyn’s cousin Lady Aithinne Ogilvie. So, picking up both of these books at the same time will be a real treat for any reader.

Reviewer: Tammie King
© Night Owl Romance 2007-2008
11 reviews
July 7, 2008
I absolutely loved this book. Tamlyn MacShane is a woman who has lived under her own word. She is a titled lady, by her own right, but her world is about to change. War has come and Edward I has sent his might Black Dragon, Lord Julian Challon, to claim Glen Shane and the three holdings of Tamlyn and her sisters, Rowanne and Raven.

Tamlyn stuck me as headstrong, but not one of these heroines who hangs on to stubbornnes and ignores reason. She is gifted with the sight and it allows her to see into the wounded heart of Challon and understand the man and his need for healing.

Only these are troubled times. Tamlyn and Challon are just amazing characters that made me care. I was there, and felt like I was closing the cover on friends. I wanted to know more.

Fortunately, there is a delightful sequal where we get to see Tamlyn and Julian again.
Profile Image for ♡ hbp ♡.
46 reviews
bad-dog
January 19, 2012
If her posts in these two links are anything to judge her writing skills by, then I'm staying clear of her books, bad behaviour or no.
Profile Image for Mindy.
127 reviews
August 27, 2012
Wonderful story! So much history, romance and beauty. I could not put this book down. So well written.
Profile Image for Michelle.
631 reviews34 followers
February 7, 2019
*closes the book and feels rudely jerked back to the 21st century.*
Whew!! What a trip!! After a few moments to let go of reality and immerse myself in the Scotland highlands of the late 1200s, I also became a captive of the Dragon of Challon and didn't want to escape my captor. haha!

I loved how Deborah Macgillivray painted the world around me with her words - it was almost like standing there and watching the words grow and bloom a new reality all around me -- I could sense the heather and apple blossoms, see the waves of flowing grass, hear the startling cry from the crows, feel the cool misty fog enveloping around me... then add in the emotions of the characters and I was enraptured! Toss in the smallest touch of mystic and a knight who's armor is not shining because he knows how to use it, and I'm enchanted.

Tamlyn charmed my heart with how strong and brave and defiant she was, but at the same time, she held a regal vulnerability, a softness, a gentleness to her. I loved being in her head as she encountered Julian and fell for her man. She truly was the perfect compliment to him, giving him the peace and calm and healing he so desperately needed.

Julian - the Black Dragon of Challon - his intensity, power, loyalty, determination, and protectiveness, along with his scary roughness, physical strength, and mental fortitude, overflowed from the pages into reality, gifting me with my favorite kind of hero - just with a sword and armor. Oh, and the way he shows his love and affection and devotion to Tamlyn? Watching it grow from an interesting challenge to intense love made me swoon over and over again. And feeling his arms wrap around me..... er.. Tamlyn? I'll take more of that, please. (so will she, I'm sure!)

This felt like the perfect never-ending story (said with much love and appreciation) - there was so much to Tamlyn and Julian's story that it could keep going on and on... and in fact, I still found myself wanting more. Hopefully in future books in this series we'll get to keep tabs on the couple. I also enjoyed how some famous historic characters were weaved into the story, making this feel as it was a true piece of history, and not simply a tale to while away a winter storm.

If you're a fan of epic and beautiful medieval tales, this is one that'll sweep you away!
Profile Image for RomLibrary.
5,789 reviews
February 16, 2020
This is a debut novel. When a young Highland woman who is gifted with second sight is kidnapped by a Norman warrior, she casts her spell over him, yet becomes his captive in body...and soul. In Scotland's darkest hour, an English warrior dressed all in black has come for her. Blessed with the gift of foresight, Lady Tamlyn MacShane foresaw this day, when the ruthless Lord Julian Challon would conquer her land - and her heart. She is determined to resist him...but she is no match for his strength...or his sensuality...To Julian, the proud Scotswoman should be nothing more than a captive. Yet, Tamlyn's fiery beauty ensnares him, body and soul. Now, the warrior, known as the Black Dragon, is in danger of falling under a spell that cannot be broken - the spell of love...
Profile Image for Diane.
Author 18 books19 followers
July 9, 2009
DeborahAnne MacGillivray has the magic touch, and presents a realistic Scotland in the mists of time, characters that are magical and a hero that takes your breath away. If you like your heroes tough and tender, complex and driven, you'll love Challon. If you like your heroines intelligent and strong-minded, Tamlyn will thrill you. Wound through with ancient traditions straight from family lore, real Scottish myths and magic, A Restless Knight is my kind of historical!

Profile Image for Alison.
76 reviews
October 14, 2020
This is a great read for anyone who loves a Medieval romance! It's the first book in a series, which has me looking forward to the other three. Tamlyn MacShane is a fiery woman and the owner of the lands of Glenrogha. Julian Challon, a Norman, comes to her as a conqueror of those lands. I liked how the author wrote this book and how she made them fall in love. The way she wrote the story made me feel like I was there. I highly recommend this captivating novel.
Profile Image for Gardavson.
1,137 reviews12 followers
January 14, 2010
Nice read, more than what I expected since it was a special price bargain buy. Anyhoo, in this book the clan women inherit rather than the men. Julian is ordered to marry Tamalyn, and though the king thinks of this as a punishment, Julian sees it otherwise. Now it's up to Tamlyn and Julian to settle out their differences and decide on love.
Profile Image for Kimberly Rocha~ Book Obsessed Chicks.
584 reviews66 followers
September 13, 2011
This is definitely one of the best written Scottish historicals I have read. Deborah knows her history and the awesome explanation of pagan ceremony just was so good.
Both hero and heroine are strong characters... NO WHINY FEMALE!!!!!
If you like Scottish historical novels Deborah MacGillivray is a must read!!!
Profile Image for V.L. Stuart.
Author 4 books7 followers
January 27, 2021
A Restless Knight by Deborah Macgillivray is everything you want in a romance novel. Teasing, frightening, steamy.

Set in the Scottish hills in the 1100's, it sets a Pictish-Scott lady against the Normans – and one particular Norman. Rescued, hating her rescuer, she comes to love him. Rich, rhythmic and enchanting.
Profile Image for Rayoline A..
26 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2014
Enfim... Nenhum livro marcou tanto a minha vida a ponto de eu lê-lo uma vez por ano desde os meus 16 anos... Eu recomendo, pois tenho certeza que vocês irão se apaixonar por Julian e Tamlyn <3
335 reviews
April 24, 2022
Trite, predictable, knightly porn, stupid plot. Gave up after reading 100pp. Not worth my time. Sorry.
Profile Image for Readitnweep.
327 reviews12 followers
November 23, 2014
4 stars for the description and history the author took good time and effort to weave into her writing, which I very much appreciated.

Tamlyn was an interesting heroine, though the "kenning" power seemed a bit arbitrary at times, but I did like that she had visions and tried to figure them out. She was strong but not overbearing.

Julian was shorter than his men - someething I liked. So many alpha males in these books are too physically perfect, as are the women. I liked that he wasn't the tallest one. And that he had some demons chasing him which she helped with.

I'm sure Damian and Aithinne spin off into a book of their own. Usually, I find this annoying, but there was a good amount of angst and unresolved feelings between them. I enjoyed this book very much and wouldn't mind reading the one featuring them. I don't think I would carry over to read about Tamlyn's sisters, though, as I didn't find them or Julian's brothers interesting in the least, and I get bored easily with most series.

For the most part, I was very engaged in the story and the characters. I do think they got together too soon as I began to lose interest three quarters of the way through, but I also think several chunks of this book could have been cut out as it did drag in a few parts in the last half. Mostly, a very good and engaging read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maureen Feeney.
171 reviews15 followers
February 18, 2010
3.5 STARS.
The year 1296 and Julian Challon The Black Knight wants nothing more than a home, a wife, children after years of battles.The King awards him lands held by the McShane sisters in Scotland for his services.
Tamlyn, Countess of Glenrogha has second sight and knows that Julian is coming but she does not expect the Black Dragon to turn her world upside down.Tamlyn is a strong minded intelligent heroine ,while the dragons are breathtaking sexy heroes.Yes I said Dragons as Julian has kin,so more books in the series.Well worth a read.
This is first in the "The Dragons of Challon"series.
2="IN HER BED". 3="ONE SNOWY KNIGHT"
Profile Image for Wendy.
1,221 reviews13 followers
March 30, 2008
4 1/2 stars for this one.
I really enjoyed this debut novel. It had a bit of everything which I won't go into as other reviewers already have.
What stopped this from being a 5 star for me was I felt the "connection" between Tamlyn and Julian was a bit over-played in parts. I kept waiting for the author to get on with it. Also I felt the book had too many endings. It was a bit like a Lord of the Rings movie, just when you thought it was finished there was more.
Overall, though, this was a great story with far more great moments than not. I look forward to the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Shannon.
516 reviews7 followers
January 19, 2016
This book wasn't up to my taste. It featured a main male character who was too full of himself and who demanded that the main woman of the book bend to his will. Although it all turned out well in the end, that first part of conquering her keep and herself was a bit barbaric to me.
774 reviews
Read
May 14, 2007
This is about an English warrior that comes to Scotland to conquer land. This one was a quick read but it was good. I have ordered the next book that is being published by her.
Profile Image for Sassy Sipe.
6 reviews
June 1, 2008
THsi bok sizzles with tension. I LOVED IT. Read it twice.
24 reviews2 followers
Read
July 30, 2008
MY REVIEW, I loved this book. I made sure I read this one first. I didn't want it to end. But the sequel is even better.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS BOOK? I love Deborah's work.
LOL
Profile Image for Jolyn.
188 reviews17 followers
December 21, 2008
I loved this book. It was magical and wonderful. I put it in my read again bin so I can read it again in a year or so. LOVED IT !!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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