What do you think?
Rate this book
Scottish Clans #2
The Raven's Moon
Mhairi Macrae felt danger all around her. Her twin brother, Iain, had seen a vision of a tall Border rider galloping his dark horse through a storm, calling Mhairi's name. Now lain had been unjustly arrested, and Mhairi had done the only thing she could: become an outlaw to intercept the messenger bringing his death warrant.
Despite his own notorious past, Border officer Rowan Scott had reformed and pledged to enforce the law. And it was clear that the raven-haired, silvery-eyed girl who attacked him was a thief, a Highlander. Yet what she stole from him that dark night was his heart, leaving him torn between his duty to imprison her and his passion to embrace her. She had thrust him into the secret intrigues of her life, intrigues that could destroy him. But in a way she had also freed him, making him a man ready to take any risk, ready to lay down his life for the woman he loved. For Mhairi.
Despite his own notorious past, Border officer Rowan Scott had reformed and pledged to enforce the law. And it was clear that the raven-haired, silvery-eyed girl who attacked him was a thief, a Highlander. Yet what she stole from him that dark night was his heart, leaving him torn between his duty to imprison her and his passion to embrace her. She had thrust him into the secret intrigues of her life, intrigues that could destroy him. But in a way she had also freed him, making him a man ready to take any risk, ready to lay down his life for the woman he loved. For Mhairi.
369 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1997
About the author
Susan King
57 books111 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 27, 2021
With the line between friends and foe very faintly drawn, Mairi and Rowan have a hard time determining the truth. I found this dramatic Scottish romance very busy and at times the plot was swamped by the dialogue. Mairi is an unusual woman, willing to do whatever was necessary to free her brother. Rowan is intrigued by her but with the information at his disposal, he has a hard time working out her motives. I did enjoy this book, although the plot moved very slowly at times. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
April 25, 2021
Love in search of the truth
Rowan is on a mission for the crown. If he fails, he dies. So, who can be trusted? Not his brother. Not the local officials. Not the thieving woman dressed as a man....and definitely not his heart.
The Raven's Moon is a hard-hitting tale of trust and betrayal, honor and deception, all within life or death moments. The rough borderlands between Scotland and England are not for the faint of heart. Neither is this absorbing read.
After a slow start, I became so caught up in Rowan Scott and Mairi's Macrae story that I could not put down my e-reader. Both of the leading characters have strong and passionate personalities, and the backdrop for their emerging love story is perilous. Susan King has a descriptive writing style, which leans toward too much detail, but in this book it works to give some supporting players their on-stage moments. The happy ending is hard won, but worth the effort.
All in all this is an entertaining read with nail-biting chapters.
Content 411: In addition to some mild secular and religious swearing, this book also features a couple of mildly described sexually intimate scenes.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Rowan is on a mission for the crown. If he fails, he dies. So, who can be trusted? Not his brother. Not the local officials. Not the thieving woman dressed as a man....and definitely not his heart.
The Raven's Moon is a hard-hitting tale of trust and betrayal, honor and deception, all within life or death moments. The rough borderlands between Scotland and England are not for the faint of heart. Neither is this absorbing read.
After a slow start, I became so caught up in Rowan Scott and Mairi's Macrae story that I could not put down my e-reader. Both of the leading characters have strong and passionate personalities, and the backdrop for their emerging love story is perilous. Susan King has a descriptive writing style, which leans toward too much detail, but in this book it works to give some supporting players their on-stage moments. The happy ending is hard won, but worth the effort.
All in all this is an entertaining read with nail-biting chapters.
Content 411: In addition to some mild secular and religious swearing, this book also features a couple of mildly described sexually intimate scenes.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
February 26, 2018
Mairie firmly believes that her brother is innocent of the charge of treason that has been brought against him. To prevent his execution, she rides the roads at night, stealing documents from the king's messengers- until she stops the wrong/ right one.
I love the way history and romance were woven into this story, and loved how the relationship developed between the two.
I love the way history and romance were woven into this story, and loved how the relationship developed between the two.
April 24, 2016
"I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review."
I've always enjoyed hisorical romances. (It's basically how I passed my history classes in high school. They're much more interesting than reading dry history books, and you get the historical information needed to pass history exams.)
Scottish history has always intrigued me, with reivers part of the culture in the borderlands. Cattle and sheep thieves stole from neighbors, enemies, and were stolen from in retribution.
This story has it all, historical fact, romantic fiction, a paranormal object, spies, thieves, murderers and traitors.
Loyalty to family and to one's friends is emphasized in this story. A protective twin, whose other half is in prison unjustly, almost kills a deputy warden on his way to deliver her brother's death sentence decreed by the English and the Scottish privy council. Who would guess that Mairi (the female twin) and Rowan (the appointed deputy warden) had their futures already planned by destiny, as shown in the Raven's Moon?
What's the Raven's Moon, you ask? That's the paranormal object wanted by all, and worth killing, incriminating innocents, and betraying one's country for.
This is a rousing story of a culture not-forgotten, but very contradictory value-wise, where destiny awaits those who never suspect it. Destiny, and love, prevail in the end.
Of course, the events that precede the epilogue are just too amazing to anticipate. Enjoy! I certainly did!
I've always enjoyed hisorical romances. (It's basically how I passed my history classes in high school. They're much more interesting than reading dry history books, and you get the historical information needed to pass history exams.)
Scottish history has always intrigued me, with reivers part of the culture in the borderlands. Cattle and sheep thieves stole from neighbors, enemies, and were stolen from in retribution.
This story has it all, historical fact, romantic fiction, a paranormal object, spies, thieves, murderers and traitors.
Loyalty to family and to one's friends is emphasized in this story. A protective twin, whose other half is in prison unjustly, almost kills a deputy warden on his way to deliver her brother's death sentence decreed by the English and the Scottish privy council. Who would guess that Mairi (the female twin) and Rowan (the appointed deputy warden) had their futures already planned by destiny, as shown in the Raven's Moon?
What's the Raven's Moon, you ask? That's the paranormal object wanted by all, and worth killing, incriminating innocents, and betraying one's country for.
This is a rousing story of a culture not-forgotten, but very contradictory value-wise, where destiny awaits those who never suspect it. Destiny, and love, prevail in the end.
Of course, the events that precede the epilogue are just too amazing to anticipate. Enjoy! I certainly did!
April 26, 2016
Thank you to eBook Discovery for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Not having read book one of the series and never having read any of Susan King’s book I was hoping for an interesting historical romance set in Scotland – and – that is just what I found in this novel.
Mairie Macrae’s brother Iain was captured, accused of treason and is being held in jail. Mairie is determined to keep Iain from the hangman’s noose and is willing to break the law to do so. With reivers, thieves and others out to thwart her her task is not simple. When she waylays Rowan Scott, newly dubbed deputy to the warden holding her brother, she realizes she might be in over her head. She does her best to get Rowan on her side but he is dealing with his own issues so does not make it easy. Rowan and Mairie are drawn to one another but with spies to find, brothers to save, Spanish gold gone missing, a child to bring home and a magic mirror to deal with they are definitely kept busy.
This book reminds me of other historical romances set in this time period and location. Both Mairie and Rowan are strong characters who will do what needs to be done. I enjoyed the story and felt the conclusion was well handled. I do have to say that this book is more fantasy than fact based reality but it was an enjoyable way to spend the day.
Not having read book one of the series and never having read any of Susan King’s book I was hoping for an interesting historical romance set in Scotland – and – that is just what I found in this novel.
Mairie Macrae’s brother Iain was captured, accused of treason and is being held in jail. Mairie is determined to keep Iain from the hangman’s noose and is willing to break the law to do so. With reivers, thieves and others out to thwart her her task is not simple. When she waylays Rowan Scott, newly dubbed deputy to the warden holding her brother, she realizes she might be in over her head. She does her best to get Rowan on her side but he is dealing with his own issues so does not make it easy. Rowan and Mairie are drawn to one another but with spies to find, brothers to save, Spanish gold gone missing, a child to bring home and a magic mirror to deal with they are definitely kept busy.
This book reminds me of other historical romances set in this time period and location. Both Mairie and Rowan are strong characters who will do what needs to be done. I enjoyed the story and felt the conclusion was well handled. I do have to say that this book is more fantasy than fact based reality but it was an enjoyable way to spend the day.
September 1, 2022
Mhairi Macrae is a Highlander living in the Middle March with her sister-in-law and brother. Her twin brother has been out reiving with Alec Scott and is captured and held for treason. Alec escapes. Trying to track down Iain, Mhairi starts robbing royal messengers of their messages. Alec's older brother Rowan is taken down by Mhairi. He's now a warden and thinks Mhairi, Alec and Iain are part of the Spanish spy ring he's been sent to uncover. Mhairi tries to convince him Iain is innocent. They get married unexpectedly and fnally discover the real culprit. Good story though long. Minimal sex.
May 3, 2021
What a wonderful book.! !
Susan King is Master Storyteller.
Apart from being an accomplished writer , Susan King weaves a Mystical, Love Story.
Full of intrigues, treachery, betrayal and Scottish feuds.
The book takes you into the old world of Scottish Borderlands, revieing ,and clan loyalty.
When British overlords ruled the lands.
The Beautiful Scottish Heroine,who is gifted with second sight,vailiantly fights to save her twin Brother from rogues.
Unfortunately her choices must make her choose between her Twin Brother, and the Devastatingly Handsome Deputy Who has come to hang him .
Amongst the twists and turns ,the mystical and old Scottish beliefs, that leave you fascinated,the fierce loyalty of Scotts makes you yearn to be a part of the Clan, and ,an almost impossible Courage in the face of danger ,and undying faith in one's family.
Transforms this Story into a compelling saga of True Love that truimphs despite every hurdle ,open enemies, brutal attacks and setdowns.
The Climax takes you to the very edge ,holding your breath till the very end ....and does not disappoint.
I would have given 5 stars ....but I was hungry for more.
I was given this free book by Ebook Discovery , I have written this review by myself.
This is my honest review.
Susan King is Master Storyteller.
Apart from being an accomplished writer , Susan King weaves a Mystical, Love Story.
Full of intrigues, treachery, betrayal and Scottish feuds.
The book takes you into the old world of Scottish Borderlands, revieing ,and clan loyalty.
When British overlords ruled the lands.
The Beautiful Scottish Heroine,who is gifted with second sight,vailiantly fights to save her twin Brother from rogues.
Unfortunately her choices must make her choose between her Twin Brother, and the Devastatingly Handsome Deputy Who has come to hang him .
Amongst the twists and turns ,the mystical and old Scottish beliefs, that leave you fascinated,the fierce loyalty of Scotts makes you yearn to be a part of the Clan, and ,an almost impossible Courage in the face of danger ,and undying faith in one's family.
Transforms this Story into a compelling saga of True Love that truimphs despite every hurdle ,open enemies, brutal attacks and setdowns.
The Climax takes you to the very edge ,holding your breath till the very end ....and does not disappoint.
I would have given 5 stars ....but I was hungry for more.
I was given this free book by Ebook Discovery , I have written this review by myself.
This is my honest review.
October 4, 2019
Despite the slight hint of mystique in the title, this is missing the thrill and mystery of her other books... the same is true with the first book of this series, The Harvest Moon. There was something missing in the first as in this one... something more that one would expect from this author. Nevertheless, as she is truly a Storyteller, and as a reader, I could not discount her technique and her research as well as her concepts. The drama, conflict and romance were all there but then they seem to be lacking in the usual spark of excitement that I usually connect with this author... it took me two days to finish it instead of just one.
April 17, 2021
This historical romance pulls you into the Scottish hillsides, old castles and cottages, and the lives of Mairie and Rowan. Loyalty. love for, and faith in your family is prominent in this story. It is well written and needs to be on your must-read list. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
February 16, 2020
Talk talk talk bit of action talk talk sorry couldn't get into it
June 28, 2022
ame esta novela.
April 4, 2016
~Review in English at the bottom~
Nachdem das letzte Buch ja eher eine durchwachsene Erfahrung war, wurde ich diesmal wieder mit einem wunderbaren Buch belohnt, das ich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite genossen habe! Es ist wunderschön geschrieben, unwahrscheinlich spannend und wartete mit faszinierenden Charakteren auf. Außerdem mochte ich die Art und Weise, wie die Politik der schottischen Grenz- Marken sowie die schottisch/englische Politik im allgemeinen hier eingebracht wurden. Man kann nachvollziehen, dass das Leben damals hart war und trotzdem spürt man hier auch immer wieder die positiven Dinge, die das Leben dennoch lebenswert erscheinen lassen wie etwa die Loyalität und die Liebe für die Familie und alle die ihr angehörten. Einfache Vergnügungen, harte Arbeit und ein ausgeprägter Sinn für Ehre und Stolz waren damals ein ganz fester Bestandteil des Lebens der Menschen.
Ob ich mit Mairi Macrae auf der Straße nach Lincraig ritt, berüchtigten Viehdieben begegnete, gefährlichen Boten, verräterischen Mark-Warten oder dem stolzen Laird der Blackdrummond Scotts - ich konnte das Buch einfach nicht aus der Hand legen! Immer wieder passierte irgendwas, da mir den Atem verschlug und mich um Mairi, Ian, Christie oder irgendeinen der andern Charaktere fürchten ließ, die mir sehr schnell ans Herz gewachsen waren.
Ich mochte auch die Nebenfiguren sehr, ob es nun Tammie the Priest und sein Bruder Thomas the Mountain oder Archie Pringle und Geordie Bell sind oder.... egal wer. Sie sind alle toll ausgeführt und in ihrer ganzen Art sehr authentisch.
Und dann war noch dieser Touch des Mystischen, ein kleiner Hauch von Vorsehung, von Vorahnung, der einfach unwahrscheinlich gut zur ganzen Atmosphäre des Buches und der Gegend, in der es spielt passte.
Ich habe auch den Schreibstil sehr genossen, den ich als wirklich schön und manchmal fast schon als melodieartig empfand. Schade fand ich aber, dass sich doch unabhängig von allem Dialekt und dergleichen, der dort im Buch gesprochen wird, etliche kleine Rechtschreibfehler eingeschlichen hatten. Hier hätte ich mir ein besseres Korrektorat gewünscht. Allerdings muss ich zugeben, dass ich bei so etwas extrem kritisch bin, vermutlich wird es die meisten Leser eher weniger stören.
Davon abgesehen, war es ein unwahrscheinlich tolles Buch, das ich mit Sicherheit nicht zum letzten Mal gelesen habe!
----------------------------------------------------------------
A thrilling story about loyalty, betrayal, a lost treasure and the love of a courageous woman
I really really loved this book! It drew me in from the forst page on and kept me glued to its pages till the end! It was fast paced, beautifully written and its characters were amazing! I also loved the way it dealt with the complicated political situation of the Marches and the Scotland/England politics in general of that time. Life in that time was hard but nevertheless there were always positive things as well like the loyalty and the love for their kin. Simple pleasures, hard work and a great sense of honor and pride were part and parcel of people's life in those times.
Riding the Lincraig road with Mairi Macrae, meeting notorious reivers, dangerous messengers, traitorous wardens and the proud Laird of Blackdrummond Scoots, I couldn't put the book down. Every now and then something happened that took my breath away and made me fear for Mairi, Ian, Christie and all those other characters who had become very soon very dear to me.
I also loved the minor characters like Rowans grandparents and people like Tammie the Priest or Thomas the Mountain or Archie Pringle and Geordie Bell and.... well, you get the point.
And of course there was also this touch of something mystic, some premonitions that fit right in with the atmosphere of the story and the place.
And I enjoyed the writing as it is really beautifully written and felt sometimes like some kind of melody setting the pace of the story. What I didn't enjoy was the fact that it should have been edited a bit better. There was quite a number of typos that disturbed the flow a bit, not the obvious thing that represent the dialect but missing vowels, missing words that definitely should have been there. I'm very very critical though when it comes to typos and their likes so I presume that many others wouldn't mind.
Apart from that it was an amazing read that I will definitely read again soon!
*I received this book from ebook Discovery in exchange for an honest review*
Nachdem das letzte Buch ja eher eine durchwachsene Erfahrung war, wurde ich diesmal wieder mit einem wunderbaren Buch belohnt, das ich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite genossen habe! Es ist wunderschön geschrieben, unwahrscheinlich spannend und wartete mit faszinierenden Charakteren auf. Außerdem mochte ich die Art und Weise, wie die Politik der schottischen Grenz- Marken sowie die schottisch/englische Politik im allgemeinen hier eingebracht wurden. Man kann nachvollziehen, dass das Leben damals hart war und trotzdem spürt man hier auch immer wieder die positiven Dinge, die das Leben dennoch lebenswert erscheinen lassen wie etwa die Loyalität und die Liebe für die Familie und alle die ihr angehörten. Einfache Vergnügungen, harte Arbeit und ein ausgeprägter Sinn für Ehre und Stolz waren damals ein ganz fester Bestandteil des Lebens der Menschen.
Ob ich mit Mairi Macrae auf der Straße nach Lincraig ritt, berüchtigten Viehdieben begegnete, gefährlichen Boten, verräterischen Mark-Warten oder dem stolzen Laird der Blackdrummond Scotts - ich konnte das Buch einfach nicht aus der Hand legen! Immer wieder passierte irgendwas, da mir den Atem verschlug und mich um Mairi, Ian, Christie oder irgendeinen der andern Charaktere fürchten ließ, die mir sehr schnell ans Herz gewachsen waren.
Ich mochte auch die Nebenfiguren sehr, ob es nun Tammie the Priest und sein Bruder Thomas the Mountain oder Archie Pringle und Geordie Bell sind oder.... egal wer. Sie sind alle toll ausgeführt und in ihrer ganzen Art sehr authentisch.
Und dann war noch dieser Touch des Mystischen, ein kleiner Hauch von Vorsehung, von Vorahnung, der einfach unwahrscheinlich gut zur ganzen Atmosphäre des Buches und der Gegend, in der es spielt passte.
Ich habe auch den Schreibstil sehr genossen, den ich als wirklich schön und manchmal fast schon als melodieartig empfand. Schade fand ich aber, dass sich doch unabhängig von allem Dialekt und dergleichen, der dort im Buch gesprochen wird, etliche kleine Rechtschreibfehler eingeschlichen hatten. Hier hätte ich mir ein besseres Korrektorat gewünscht. Allerdings muss ich zugeben, dass ich bei so etwas extrem kritisch bin, vermutlich wird es die meisten Leser eher weniger stören.
Davon abgesehen, war es ein unwahrscheinlich tolles Buch, das ich mit Sicherheit nicht zum letzten Mal gelesen habe!
----------------------------------------------------------------
A thrilling story about loyalty, betrayal, a lost treasure and the love of a courageous woman
I really really loved this book! It drew me in from the forst page on and kept me glued to its pages till the end! It was fast paced, beautifully written and its characters were amazing! I also loved the way it dealt with the complicated political situation of the Marches and the Scotland/England politics in general of that time. Life in that time was hard but nevertheless there were always positive things as well like the loyalty and the love for their kin. Simple pleasures, hard work and a great sense of honor and pride were part and parcel of people's life in those times.
Riding the Lincraig road with Mairi Macrae, meeting notorious reivers, dangerous messengers, traitorous wardens and the proud Laird of Blackdrummond Scoots, I couldn't put the book down. Every now and then something happened that took my breath away and made me fear for Mairi, Ian, Christie and all those other characters who had become very soon very dear to me.
I also loved the minor characters like Rowans grandparents and people like Tammie the Priest or Thomas the Mountain or Archie Pringle and Geordie Bell and.... well, you get the point.
And of course there was also this touch of something mystic, some premonitions that fit right in with the atmosphere of the story and the place.
And I enjoyed the writing as it is really beautifully written and felt sometimes like some kind of melody setting the pace of the story. What I didn't enjoy was the fact that it should have been edited a bit better. There was quite a number of typos that disturbed the flow a bit, not the obvious thing that represent the dialect but missing vowels, missing words that definitely should have been there. I'm very very critical though when it comes to typos and their likes so I presume that many others wouldn't mind.
Apart from that it was an amazing read that I will definitely read again soon!
*I received this book from ebook Discovery in exchange for an honest review*
May 5, 2016
Mystery, Magic and LOVE in the Highlands! A MUST READ!
Another Amazing novel by Susan King! Thank you Ebook Discovery for introducing Susan to me!
What to say that hasn't already been said. Susan is a gifted author who puts historical knowledge in just the right places to make the story more magical. Her intimate descriptions are enough to allow your mind to wander but not enough to make you skip them to get to the real story!
I LOVE this magical tale between Mhairi Macrae and Border officer Rowan Scott. Both are seeking justice but in a different way. Can they find a way to find that justice while walking the same road?
You don't want to miss the action and adventure in this novel! A+++++++++
I received an Ebook Discovery copy for an honest review. However, this does NOT affect my review in any way.
Another Amazing novel by Susan King! Thank you Ebook Discovery for introducing Susan to me!
What to say that hasn't already been said. Susan is a gifted author who puts historical knowledge in just the right places to make the story more magical. Her intimate descriptions are enough to allow your mind to wander but not enough to make you skip them to get to the real story!
I LOVE this magical tale between Mhairi Macrae and Border officer Rowan Scott. Both are seeking justice but in a different way. Can they find a way to find that justice while walking the same road?
You don't want to miss the action and adventure in this novel! A+++++++++
I received an Ebook Discovery copy for an honest review. However, this does NOT affect my review in any way.
August 28, 2016
Rowen & Mairi's Story
Susan King is a marvelous story writer. Rowen, tall, dark and handsome with a past that becomes intertwined with Mairi's life when he is released from prison and her brother is scheduled to die. Mairi would do anything to clear her twins name while Rowen had a bone to pick with his brother. He was released from prison with a promise of bringing his brother and Mairi's brother to justice. Mairi is a strong heroin character with a definite feminine side. The steam that builds between Rowen and Mairi builds as their relationship grows. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think other adult readers will too.
Susan King is a marvelous story writer. Rowen, tall, dark and handsome with a past that becomes intertwined with Mairi's life when he is released from prison and her brother is scheduled to die. Mairi would do anything to clear her twins name while Rowen had a bone to pick with his brother. He was released from prison with a promise of bringing his brother and Mairi's brother to justice. Mairi is a strong heroin character with a definite feminine side. The steam that builds between Rowen and Mairi builds as their relationship grows. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think other adult readers will too.
August 1, 2016
A complex, richly rendered historical romance, but there were TONS of typographical errors in this book. It was incredibly frustrating. The story itself was so captivating and well told, but every few pages I would be jerked out of the moment by a glaring typo. It would be so easily fixed by the author, and if it were, this would be a near-perfect story in my opinion.
June 14, 2013
My second erotica book!!!! And of course, it holds a special place in my heart. I still read it and squeak like a teenage girl... I loved this book, I love the story, the characters, the plot... everything about it!!!! I totally recommended this book, you are going to love it.
April 17, 2016
When you start to read this book, you'll never want to leave it. The story is well written and full of surprise.
A book for anyone that loves strong character and a bit of mystery.
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
A book for anyone that loves strong character and a bit of mystery.
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2022
Las dosis de romance y la irrupción del personaje de Jamie 😍 han compensado el aburrimiento que me ha provocado la trama política (y eso que el contexto histórico (Escocia versus Inglaterra en el siglo XVI me interesa) desde el principio... 🙄
March 19, 2016
3.5
October 14, 2012
Los libros de Susan King tienen su encanto, ciertamente. Me gusta mucho esta autora.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews