To restore peace in the Borders between Scotland and England, two kings have betrothed Lady Hilaire Eliot to a cursed, thrice-widowed knight known as The Dire Dragan. Headstrong Hilaire will do anything to escape that fate, even confront her fear of the dark by fleeing her besieged castle through an ancient tunnel. Her bridegroom, Giric mac Leod, is just as determined to claim his rightful bride. But when he storms her fortress, his reckless actions trap him in an underground rockslide. The dispirited knight welcomes death's embrace…until he hears the one sound he can't ignore—the call of a maiden in distress.
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GLYNNIS CAMPBELL is a USA Today bestselling author of swashbuckling "medieval action-adventure romances," mostly set in Scotland, and a charter member of The Jewels of Historical Romance--12 internationally beloved authors. She has over two dozen books published in eight languages. Glynnis once rocked in an all-girl band called The Pinups on CBS Records, did voiceovers for the MTV animated series, "The Maxx," Diablo and Starcraft videogames, and Star Wars audio adventures, and is married to a rock star. She loves to transport readers to a place where the bold heroes have endearing flaws, the women are stronger than they look, the land is lush and untamed, and chivalry is alive and well!
I loved this story. Hilaire is fleeing marriage to the feared Giric, the Dire Dragan, by taking the tunnel under the walls of her father's castle. Giric is sapping the castle, trying to claim his betrothed without resorting to fighting her father and his men. He wants no blood shed, but he intends to claim the bride the Kings of Scotland and England promised him. The tunnels they are in both collapse, but Giric hears Hilaire's cries for help and digs to the adjoining tunnel to try to save her. Both are trapped in complete darkness and are forced to rely on each other in their last moments of life. This is a story of learning to trust and overcoming prejudice and perceived fears on Hilaire's part, and allowing another to come close on Giric's. But will they live long enough to enjoy their newfound companionship? The enforced solitude enables them to get to know one another without really knowing who the other is. I gave this story 5 stars for the emotion and soul-searching each did separately and the enforced togetherness they came to cherish as they faced death.
This sweet little short story is simply a conversation between the principals as the two are trapped in a cave-in. She was attempting to flee the castle via an underground tunnel while he was trying to dig under the curtain wall to storm the castle to claim her. They revealed their authentic selves and while I thought the declarations of love were a bit premature, I think that about most romances. But then I am a cynic at heart. Campbell conveys the essence of her characters neatly and reveals the full person succinctly, leaving the reader (and the characters) to recognize and solve the obstacles themselves. No deus ex machina here, just satisfying growth.
This is a novella with a lot of heart. It always amazes me when an author can write so much with so little words, if that makes any sense:) Much of the story takes place in a collapsed tunnel in which Hilaire and Giric find themselves believing that their death is imminent as the air runs out. Not knowing each other and not being able to see an inch in front of their faces, a bond develops between them and it truly touched my heart how two people find beauty and love amidst the disaster that surrounds them.
A Wonderful & Romantic Novella. The Dire Dragan (Giric Mac Leod) was gossiped about, people said he murdered his 3 wives. Hilarie decided to flee once The Dire Dragan was taking siege on her home. As Giric decided to tunnel into the castle ended up making the tunnel collapse around him. After hearing Hilarie crying, he fought to find her. This Story was so Wonderful, I couldn't put the Book down.
The king has betrothed Lady Hilaire to Sir Giric MacLeod also know as The Dire Dragan. He's a three time widow and as the stories go, it is said he is the one that killed them all. Determined not to marry him, Hilaire tries to escape her father castle through the tunnels. Determined to claim his bride, Giric decides to dig under the wall. When the tunnel Hilaire is in collapses she finds she isn't alone in the dark.
I loved this story as I do all of Glynis Campbell’s books. This was different as the main characters were trapped together in a small space that was completely dark. Without seeing each other and only talking they got to know the real other person. In the darkness there was no prejudice or persuasion by their beauty.
What was it about Giric that just gripped me by the heart and squeezed so hard? I don't know if it was the hopeless situation or his tragic past. I think their meeting in the dark tunnel and their honest conversation made this story so intriguing. I could have done with much more of their story but this book will stay with me for a long time.
This novella was smart, poignant, and sweet. I always find, no matter which book of Glynnis Campbell's I get in paperback, it never lasts long enough for me. I read them so quickly, but I love them so much. Please have more of them printed in paperback!! I absolutely love her books!!
When she trie’s running from her betrothed both he and her end up underground in a landslide. As she learns to know how she realizes he is not the monster she imagined. When rescued they find their hea
An amazing story wove of fright, dread, longing and yes love. You could feel it all. It was the best thing that could have happened to them so that they could find themselves.
Glynis does it again… another tale that captured me from the first page. The only problem was that it ended much too soon. It definat Lu left me wanting more.
A really wonderful story told in a very different way with just one scene for the whole story. It was enchanting and I could not stop reading the story.
This is a short read but by no means is it lacking in depth of emotions.
Giric mac Leod is the feared Dire Dragan a man that has served his king nobely, he’s also a man that has garnered a fearsome reputation as a fierce warrior but also that of a cursed man, a man that has married three times and all of his wives were doomed to death. Behind his wicked reputation hides a man steeped in sorrow, his heart broken he’s vowed to never allow his heart to love ever again. He’ll do his duty to his king by honouring his edict and marry the Lady Hilaire Eliot....but first he needs to storm the castle that has been barricaded to him.
Lady Hilaire Eliot feels she’s too young to marry a monster even if the King has decreed it. She doesn’t want to be doomed to death surely that’s what will happen if she marries The Dragan. The only option is fleeing through an ancient tunnel. The fates have other plans when she’s barricaded unbeknownst to her with non other than the man she’s fleeing from Dire Dragan!
A finely crafted and wholly descriptive tale of two people that found each other in a situation that had one outcome and that was death. Confined in a small space in total darkness and no way out has Hilaire listening with her heart and not with what the rumours she knew. In the darkness Giric was able to share pieces of his heart and allow his vulnerable self to be seen, knowing that they would never escape he exposed himself.
A highly enjoyable read literally had me breathless and on edge, I despise small spaces and darkness my heart went out to our hero and heroine. Glynnis Campbell did an amazing job in her description of the tunnel, I was transported there with them and I felt their emotions vividly! This short read is a gem which hit the spot nicely. You can never go wrong with a Glynnis Campbell story she’s a master storyteller that weaves magic and transports you to a world of adventure and swoon worthy heroes and feisty heroines.
I recieved a complimentary copy from the author. This is my unbiased opinion.
Giric mac Leod better know as The Dire Dargan to his contemporaries has been married three times with disastrous results each time has decided never to marry again. No woman in her right mind would ever want to be his wife. But Lady Hilaire Eliot has no choice since the King has decided they should marry to bring peace to the region. She refuses to obey this command and decided to run away. She uses an old tunnel that has not been opened for years. Giric has gotten impatient with the siege at the castle and decided to go under the wall to get this over with. His digging and her opening a disused tunnel undermine the support of the wall causes a collapse burying both of them. Neither realizes they are both there and when they dig out the separating portions of dirt and rock even though they can't see each other they are grateful they are not going to die alone. She reveals her reason for fleeing so he knows she's his Intended. She on the other hand thinks he is just a Knight doing his duty. In the situation with them both expecting to die they open up their honest feelings and fears. She eventually figures out who he is and that he is a victim of circumstances and not an evil man. The emotions and feelings they expose because they can't actually see each other cause them to be real with one another and the barriers of society aren't there to get in the way. It's not about looks, age or prestige. It's about truth and they build a relation that would not have happened otherwise so when they are rescued they have something to build on. This was a story that makes you think how much is lost by not really knowing that other person and how better life might be if we did.
OH Wow what a wonderful love story... this is the prelude to the new series, "The Warrior Daughters of Rivenloch." I wish I had read this one first, but it is still a wonderful tale of how gossip, and rumors even in the 1136 could ruin lives. Lady Eliot Hilaire is fleeing thru a hidden tunnel from her father and her betrothed. The king has arranged marriage to the Dire Dragan, Giric mac Leod. She has never met him, but the rumors and gossip is he has killed three wives already !! People say he is cursed. She doesn't want to be the fourth. So Hilaire and her nurse take to the tunnels but unknown to them is that Giric/Claw is also using the tunnels as a way to enter the castle and get his bride. Neither of them thought about how old the tunnel is so as Claw tries to tunnel in and she out they cause a cave in leaving them both buried under tons of rock and dirt. Claw feels this is his due, till he hears Hilaire's cries for help. Hilaire has always been claustrophobia, and is in desperation now being alone in the dark. She trust him to get them out and feels safe as long as Claw is near and she is not alone in the dark. There is attraction and desire for both of them as they try to find away out, as they learn each other secrets in the dark and gloom. This is a lovely story of hope, faith and redemption. The only bad thing about this book was it was way too short. This is a love story you don't want to miss. After reading this one you will really want to read The Fire Bride, and then the short Christmas story, A Rivenloch Christmas.... both are simply wonderful Glynnis has done it again....enjoy..
When I came across this novella I thought it was part of the Maids of Rivenloch series, but then I realized that there was a change in the series title and notice that Ms. Campbell is starting a new series with the children of the characters of the Maids of Rivenloch. This story is centers around the period of the Maids of Rivenloch, but with focus on the parents of one of the future characters that I believe is going to be part of this new series. The characters are Giric who is chosen to marry Hilaire by the king's orders. Giric goes to her keep demanding for his bride by digging into the fortress and at the same time Hilaire is planning her escape through a tunnel in which Giric causes to collapse, trapping both of them inside. They both meet each other without even seeing each other and discover each other's identities in the process and fall in love. Very sweet short novella.
This book is a bit different as a romance builds slowly in a collapsed tunnel. Hilaire was ordered by the king to marry Giric macLeod. She heard that he is devil of a man and out of fear tries to escape by running into an underground tunnel. Meanwhile Giric is digging under the wall to enter the castle. The tunnel collapses and both of them are trapped. It's dark so they can't see each other. As they talk and try to get out they find out who each of them are. Hilaire and Giric both learn that one shouldn't believe everything they hear about a person. This turns into a sweet romance. I felt sorry for Giric and at times I felt angry with Hilaire. However I had to remember at what time in history took place and that people were at the whims of the king. They're choices were limited. This book is well worth reading.
Lady Hilaire Ellot was ordered by the king to marry The Dire Dragan whose previous three wives died. When The Dire Dragan storms her castle, she decides to flee through the underground tunnel with her maid. Unfortunately the tunnel collapses and Hilaire is separated from her maid and trapped in darkness. Ciric, a.k.a., The Dire Dragon tried to enter the castle from the other end and was also trapped in the collapse in the dark. Now Hilaire's worst nightmare was about to come true! As the two of them worked to free themselves, Hilaire discovered that "Sir Claw" an honorable man. What will she think when she discovers his true identity?
Another excellent story from this author, who is one of my favorites.
OMG! What an amazing book. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. Never have I cried so much while reading. My heart broke for Giric and his gut-wrenching story. So much pain. I just wanted to reach out to him and tell him that everything would be alright. And Hilaire's fear of the dark reminded me of an incident in my youth where I felt the same way. The dark closing in on you. The inability to breath. The panic. It's been a while since I have read a book that brought out so many emotions in me. Ms Campbell has done an outstanding job with this book. I urge you all to read it but don't forget the tissue. You'll need it.
I am voluntarily submitting my honest review after receiving an ARC of this ebook from the author.
I really enjoyed this quick read. Campbell's vivid descriptions and finely-honed storytelling keep the tension steadily building in this sweet, romantic novella. The depth of the bond established between the two main characters is astonishing given the short length of the work, and the pacing of the story is absolutely spot-on. This is a really well-written, fun story of surprising emotional depth that fans of historical fiction won't want to miss.
Enjoyed this book very much as I found myself totally engrossed in the story. The intended English Lady of a feared Scottish Knight decides to flee in the underground passage of the castle to avoid marriage. Finding the castle closed against him, The Dire Dragen decides to dig under the castle wall. As the wall collapses, he finds himself buried in a tomb with the woman he is to marry. Their thoughts of death bring them together in an attempt to grab at life, but will a secret keep them apart. Very intense with a resolution. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC in exchange for a free copy.
The story takes place primarily in a collapsed cave with dialogue only between the hero and heroine. Two strangers betrothed but not known to each other except by reputation. Facing their fears as they wait die . I thoroughly enjoyed this well written and unusual story. Kudos to Glynnis Campbell for her originality. It takes real strength as a writer to carry off a story with only two characters and one setting. Even a short story. I'll definitely be looking into her other in this series.