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MacDonald #1
Clandara
Set in 1745, in the time of feuds between the Clans and the Scottish support for the Old Pretender, Katherine Fraser falls in love with James MacDonald, and despite the family feuds which separate them, their love never dies.
She was Katherine Fraser, the stunning, flame-haired daughter of the mighty Fraser clan. masters of the great castle of Clandara.
HE was James Macdonald, a nobleman notorious for his lurid past, and the scion of the family whom the Frasers had fought for centures.
She was as proud as she was beautiful. He was as violent as he was handsome. They broke every taboo to come together -- and not even a conflict that tore all Scotland in two could keep them apart....
She was Katherine Fraser, the stunning, flame-haired daughter of the mighty Fraser clan. masters of the great castle of Clandara.
HE was James Macdonald, a nobleman notorious for his lurid past, and the scion of the family whom the Frasers had fought for centures.
She was as proud as she was beautiful. He was as violent as he was handsome. They broke every taboo to come together -- and not even a conflict that tore all Scotland in two could keep them apart....
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
11 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Anthony
118 books96 followersEvelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 3, 2015
A chance meeting in France between two members of opposing Highland clans (sworn enemies for generations) leads to an unlikely romance. Boy do the sparks fly! Rich historical detail and great story-telling come together in this fantastic Highland romance. This one really may deserve 5 stars. There wasn't a likable character amongst the many characters and plotlines, but that really didn't bother me. These characters were driven by vengeance. This is 1740's Scotland after all! For me, the ending came too quickly. There is a sequel The French Bride I will read.
February 25, 2015
"The twelfth century was just beginning when the first of the Frasers built his great fortress at Clandara at the top of the sweeping hillside that overlooked Loch Ness."
Clandara is set in Scotland during the Jacobite rising of '45, and I won't go into that too much - you either already know your history and don't need another rehash, and those new to it are better off reading for themselves.
The story is focused on two clans with a long, bloody history of hatred and feuds, but that didn't stop James Alexander of the MacDonald clan falling head over heels with Katherine of Clan Fraser. They plan to marry, but things happen to tear the pair of lovers apart.
I won't say more, but while I enjoyed the story immensely, there isn't a likeable person in the lot, expect perhaps Katherine's maidservant Annie. I'd also caution potential readers that these Highlanders are a brutal, blood lot and the violence might be a bit much for the more squeamish readers.
Clandara is set in Scotland during the Jacobite rising of '45, and I won't go into that too much - you either already know your history and don't need another rehash, and those new to it are better off reading for themselves.
The story is focused on two clans with a long, bloody history of hatred and feuds, but that didn't stop James Alexander of the MacDonald clan falling head over heels with Katherine of Clan Fraser. They plan to marry, but things happen to tear the pair of lovers apart.
I won't say more, but while I enjoyed the story immensely, there isn't a likeable person in the lot, expect perhaps Katherine's maidservant Annie. I'd also caution potential readers that these Highlanders are a brutal, blood lot and the violence might be a bit much for the more squeamish readers.
November 6, 2018
A powerful, at times brutal book about two families of rival Highlanders, their love and hatred for each other, and the Prince who inspires them to fight for him.
I hesitated between a 4 and a 5 - it it a vivid and exciting story but the rapes, gratuitous beatings, and vicious killings were too much for me.
I hesitated between a 4 and a 5 - it it a vivid and exciting story but the rapes, gratuitous beatings, and vicious killings were too much for me.
September 2, 2015
Enthralling Story of Star-crossed Love Amidst the Jacobite Uprising of 1745
Set in 1745, in the time of feuds between the clans and the Scottish support for Bonnie Prince Charlie, this is the story of Katherine Fraser who falls in love with the eldest son of her family’s enemy—the MacDonalds. James MacDonald had a horrible reputation of cattle stealing, killing and debauchery when he met the lovely, flame-haired Katherine Fraser. For love of her, he changed. Neither family wanted the marriage but agreed to a betrothal when they could see the pair was determined.
Then came Charles Stuart and the call to arms all over Scotland. Having lost all in the earlier rising in 1715, Katherine’s family declined to go. Their enemies, the MacDonalds, were in the forefront of the clans supporting the prince. In one horrible act, James tears asunder the love that bound him to Katherine and sealed forever the enmity between his clan and hers.
This is a poignant love story very well told. Anthony vividly portrays the emotions of the Scots at the time of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 and her description of the English slaughter of the Scots on Culloden Moor was brilliant and detailed. By the time you get there, you are so invested in the characters and the clans, your heart is racing.
The romance is an unusual one as James and Katherine are separated for much of the story, yet ever in each other’s mind. I loved them both but Katherine really shined as a woman trying to do the right thing under dismal circumstances. The ending is a bit like jumping off a cliff and I found I wanted more of the two of them.
If you like well researched, detailed history in your historical romance, and you can’t get enough of Scotland at this time, then you will love this one. Highly recommended.
Set in 1745, in the time of feuds between the clans and the Scottish support for Bonnie Prince Charlie, this is the story of Katherine Fraser who falls in love with the eldest son of her family’s enemy—the MacDonalds. James MacDonald had a horrible reputation of cattle stealing, killing and debauchery when he met the lovely, flame-haired Katherine Fraser. For love of her, he changed. Neither family wanted the marriage but agreed to a betrothal when they could see the pair was determined.
Then came Charles Stuart and the call to arms all over Scotland. Having lost all in the earlier rising in 1715, Katherine’s family declined to go. Their enemies, the MacDonalds, were in the forefront of the clans supporting the prince. In one horrible act, James tears asunder the love that bound him to Katherine and sealed forever the enmity between his clan and hers.
This is a poignant love story very well told. Anthony vividly portrays the emotions of the Scots at the time of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 and her description of the English slaughter of the Scots on Culloden Moor was brilliant and detailed. By the time you get there, you are so invested in the characters and the clans, your heart is racing.
The romance is an unusual one as James and Katherine are separated for much of the story, yet ever in each other’s mind. I loved them both but Katherine really shined as a woman trying to do the right thing under dismal circumstances. The ending is a bit like jumping off a cliff and I found I wanted more of the two of them.
If you like well researched, detailed history in your historical romance, and you can’t get enough of Scotland at this time, then you will love this one. Highly recommended.
September 25, 2015
A re-read after many decades, and not as good as I remember it from my youth. The hero and heroine were pretty insufferable people, and physically perfect specimens. Blah, what a horrible combination IMO.
I guess I need more realism in my romance characters the older I get :)
I guess I need more realism in my romance characters the older I get :)
October 27, 2011
This is the first Highland Romance book I read back in the late 80s. The book was twenty years old even then, having been written in 1963. This may explain why Clandara (along with Highland Rose by Catherine Linden) tops my "Favorite Highland Historical Romances" list and is in my top 10 list of "All Time Favorite Books". I have come to realize that I like this style of writing best. This was a writing era where there was as much historical detail as there was romance. And where the author thoroughly researched the subject with a creativity that seems to have disappeared. Writers such as Anthony were not afraid and did not succumb to the dictates of modern day feminists who cry foul if a writer choses to write about the reality of the times, whether it be (what is now termed as) bodice rippers, rape, violence, abuse, or blatant chauvinism, etc. There was a seriousness and depth to the writing that gave it an epic feel. Not like all this robotic fluff stuff, put out in recent years by the ever rushing (I have deadlines to meet) new pseudo-writers that are a dime a dozen.
Clandara has all the things that make a historical romance novel exceptional. It has the well-researched and realistic portrayal of family life and feuding of true highland clans. It has the court intricacies of suspense and betrayals that made up the politics of the time. And it has the classic battles scenes written with a realism that is breath-taking. The secondary characters and storylines are equally well developed. There is such intensity to Anthony's writing and yet she manages to write a believable romance into this epic story.
This is a must read book for anyone who loves a well-written highland romance packed with rich history and a sweeping and detailed love story.
Clandara has all the things that make a historical romance novel exceptional. It has the well-researched and realistic portrayal of family life and feuding of true highland clans. It has the court intricacies of suspense and betrayals that made up the politics of the time. And it has the classic battles scenes written with a realism that is breath-taking. The secondary characters and storylines are equally well developed. There is such intensity to Anthony's writing and yet she manages to write a believable romance into this epic story.
This is a must read book for anyone who loves a well-written highland romance packed with rich history and a sweeping and detailed love story.
March 1, 2023
Okay, so this is my first Evelyn Anthony book, and I don't know how to describe what I feel about this book. I get that the book is set in the mid 1700s and Highlanders were definitely the rough and tough type of men but there were so many points in the book where I wanted to hit the H, James, for being so dense , how is it Honour to kill (or help to) your betrotheds brother? Especially a man who was kind to you and then expect to be forgiven. And how is it love to fall into another woman's bed soon after. I didn't like the OW drama (H finds himself a mistress, and frankly i feel i had more insight into their relationship than between our H and h)
Coming to our h, Katharine the beautiful feisty red head who just came across spoilt most of the time, I get her unwillingness to forgive the H for killing her brother but to marry someone else later and ruin everyones happiness just because you don't think through things. Also of note is the side characters, sadly not a single one of them is nice, didn't know why the author had to make them all so flawed.
And let me not start on how abruptly the book ends
Coming to our h, Katharine the beautiful feisty red head who just came across spoilt most of the time, I get her unwillingness to forgive the H for killing her brother but to marry someone else later and ruin everyones happiness just because you don't think through things. Also of note is the side characters, sadly not a single one of them is nice, didn't know why the author had to make them all so flawed.
And let me not start on how abruptly the book ends
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2020
I have mixed feelings on this historical novel. It details the Scottish fight for independance during the early 1700.’s. The history is great. The love interest between a man and woman of warring clans is....pretty lame. They lock eyes across the room and instantly declare their love forever. He is a scoundrel and a ruthless one but is putty in her gentle hands. Many times the action is rushed such as when the Macdonalds attack Clandara and Katherine spies her loyal maid lying in the floor among people who have been killed. She gasps but James hurries her past explaining he only knocked her out and “likely she’ll escape” as the castle burns and the fighting continues. That’s the last we hear of poor Annie.
The battles of Prestonpans and Culloden are very well done, and fairly historically accurate, although I thought the author gave more credit to Prince Charles as a leader than he deserved. But perhaps she was depicting him through his followers eyes. This is available through hoopla at The Duncan Public Library.
The battles of Prestonpans and Culloden are very well done, and fairly historically accurate, although I thought the author gave more credit to Prince Charles as a leader than he deserved. But perhaps she was depicting him through his followers eyes. This is available through hoopla at The Duncan Public Library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
Story telling at its best! Ms. Anthony is a master at building suspense. The gruesome battlefield scenes are not for the faint hearted but necessary to tell this story of the failed attempt of Prince Charles to win Scotland and reign like his grandfather did. Four solid stars.
March 17, 2019
Uck uck and uck
Horrible book, not fit for any library. The author must be delusional to think she can actually write a book some would enjoy reading. UCK!!!!
Horrible book, not fit for any library. The author must be delusional to think she can actually write a book some would enjoy reading. UCK!!!!
November 3, 2016
Not a bad read, but the ending is embarrassingly awful. You killed my brother, you killed my father, you killed my beloved servants, you burned down my house with all my possessions and animals, but, darling, I love you so and would flee my country with you. Puke-worthy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2011
18th century love story set in Scotland.
January 23, 2018
Same time period and setting as Outlander, but much more chaste and without time travel.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews