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Torridon #1
The Legend
Twin brothers. Two warriors. And the Highland prophecy that bound them both to battle, glory, and the two fiery women they dared to love. Now the adventure begins in Kathleen Givens's sensual, pulse-quickening tale of seventeenth-century Scotland.
It's a time of portents, when a tree split by the fiery crack of lightning foretells the history of a land. And two lovers have been chosen by destiny to make the legend come true. She is Ellen Graham, a highborn lass who swears never to marry except for passion. He is James MacCurrie, the mysterious Highlander with dark blue eyes who rescues her from the point of a sword. But the very fate that has brought them together also contrives to keep them apart. For this is also an age of brother fighting brother, when a warrior's cold will can still the warmth of his own loving heart
It's a time of portents, when a tree split by the fiery crack of lightning foretells the history of a land. And two lovers have been chosen by destiny to make the legend come true. She is Ellen Graham, a highborn lass who swears never to marry except for passion. He is James MacCurrie, the mysterious Highlander with dark blue eyes who rescues her from the point of a sword. But the very fate that has brought them together also contrives to keep them apart. For this is also an age of brother fighting brother, when a warrior's cold will can still the warmth of his own loving heart
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
3 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Givens
11 books113 followersKathleen Givens was born in New York City, but spent her early years living in the Northeast and Georgia before landing in Southern California at the age of ten. As a result, she is fluent in Valley Girl, Steel Magnolia, and Manhattanite.
From an early age, Kathleen was entranced by the history, legends and sagas of the people who mixed together to form Scotland, Ireland, England and later the United States. She likes to weave elements of their myths and legends into her work, to mix fictional and factual characters, and set them against turbulent backdrops of war and social and political upheavals. And then add a love story, of course.
Kathleen made her writing debut at the age of ten with a rewrite of Little Women, in which Jo marries Laurie and no one dies. It is not in print. In high school she and a friend wrote a dreadful 250-page play about an English rock group. Surprisingly, it is not in print either.
Her official writing career began in 1999 with the acclaimed Scottish historicals, Kilgannon and The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, the epic love story of an English woman who falls in love with a rugged Highlander. The series left her readers thirsting for more stories of the glittering streets of London and the misty Scottish Highlands.
In 2002, Givens launched her Torridon series. The Legend introduced the MacCurrie brothers, identical twins, whose birth and lives have been predicted by the Brahan Seer. The Legend tells the story of James MacCurrie and Ellen Graham, cousin to Bonnie Dundee, and is set in the late 17th century, when William of Orange has usurped King James, and rebellion is in the air.
The Destiny continued the adventures of the brothers who are fated to help determine the future of the thrones of England and Scotland, and tells the story of Eileen Ronley, granddaughter of Charles II. The Destiny won the coveted Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Long Historical of 2003.
Her latest book, On a Highland Shore, which was published in July, 2006, launched a new series that will follow three siblings and their descendants for 500 years. Set in turbulent 13th century Scotland, it tells the story of Margaret MacDonald, the oldest of the siblings the series will follow, and Gannon MacMagnus, the founder of the MacGannon clan we met in the Kilgannon saga. It has Vikings, invasions, and a war. What better backdrop for a love story?
Kathleen loves to travel, read, and study history, which makes writing historical fiction a perfect career. While she has traveled extensively, she's yet to find anywhere she could love more than California, where she and her husband live in a tragically flawed house with the neurotic and dictatorial cat formerly known as Miss Lily.
Kathleen can be reached at Kathleen@kathleengivens.com.
From an early age, Kathleen was entranced by the history, legends and sagas of the people who mixed together to form Scotland, Ireland, England and later the United States. She likes to weave elements of their myths and legends into her work, to mix fictional and factual characters, and set them against turbulent backdrops of war and social and political upheavals. And then add a love story, of course.
Kathleen made her writing debut at the age of ten with a rewrite of Little Women, in which Jo marries Laurie and no one dies. It is not in print. In high school she and a friend wrote a dreadful 250-page play about an English rock group. Surprisingly, it is not in print either.
Her official writing career began in 1999 with the acclaimed Scottish historicals, Kilgannon and The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, the epic love story of an English woman who falls in love with a rugged Highlander. The series left her readers thirsting for more stories of the glittering streets of London and the misty Scottish Highlands.
In 2002, Givens launched her Torridon series. The Legend introduced the MacCurrie brothers, identical twins, whose birth and lives have been predicted by the Brahan Seer. The Legend tells the story of James MacCurrie and Ellen Graham, cousin to Bonnie Dundee, and is set in the late 17th century, when William of Orange has usurped King James, and rebellion is in the air.
The Destiny continued the adventures of the brothers who are fated to help determine the future of the thrones of England and Scotland, and tells the story of Eileen Ronley, granddaughter of Charles II. The Destiny won the coveted Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Long Historical of 2003.
Her latest book, On a Highland Shore, which was published in July, 2006, launched a new series that will follow three siblings and their descendants for 500 years. Set in turbulent 13th century Scotland, it tells the story of Margaret MacDonald, the oldest of the siblings the series will follow, and Gannon MacMagnus, the founder of the MacGannon clan we met in the Kilgannon saga. It has Vikings, invasions, and a war. What better backdrop for a love story?
Kathleen loves to travel, read, and study history, which makes writing historical fiction a perfect career. While she has traveled extensively, she's yet to find anywhere she could love more than California, where she and her husband live in a tragically flawed house with the neurotic and dictatorial cat formerly known as Miss Lily.
Kathleen can be reached at Kathleen@kathleengivens.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 31, 2024
4 and 1/2 Stars - A Wonderful Story!
I am a devoted fan of Kathleen Givens's stories and I loved the Torridon duology about twin brothers from the Clan MacCurrie living on the Northwestern shore of Scotland at their family seat, Torridon.
Set in 17th century Scotland (and England), while perhaps not as good as On A Highland Shore or Rivals For The Crown, I did really enjoy it. Givens has a real talent for weaving true history into a story that captures the reader’s mind as well as the heart. Always her tales tug at my heartstrings.
The Legend and the sequel The Destiny) present the Clan MacCurrie and a legend told by the Seer about two brothers, twins Neil and Jamie, and their family. Their father, grandfather and great grandfather all died on their birthday--just as the Seer predicted. The twins were conceived the night the great oak tree, the clan symbol, was split in two by lightening. Yet each half of the tree lived. And the legend tells of the brothers going to war and then of 50 years of peace. The two brothers are very close, even communicating without speaking.
This first story is Jamie's and Ellen's and it begins as the Highland clans are gathering to consider if they will go to war to fight for King James' right to rule or accept William and Mary, the interlopers who have been declared co-regents. The twins decide that Jamie must attend the gathering in Neil's place so Neil can stay behind to lead the clan in a time of change. Since they are twins, they believe no one will know.
Ellen is the youngest daughter of a family in turmoil. While her two older sisters have married for love and are happy, her stepfather brought deceit and treachery to her mother's life and her own. Ellen learns of a plot to kill her cousin, Dundee, who has become the champion of the Highlanders, and she feels she must go to the clan gathering to warn him. On the way, Jamie will save Ellen from brigands.
If you love Scottish history and Highlander romance, you will find both in this tale. And for Neil's story, get The Destiny!
I am a devoted fan of Kathleen Givens's stories and I loved the Torridon duology about twin brothers from the Clan MacCurrie living on the Northwestern shore of Scotland at their family seat, Torridon.
Set in 17th century Scotland (and England), while perhaps not as good as On A Highland Shore or Rivals For The Crown, I did really enjoy it. Givens has a real talent for weaving true history into a story that captures the reader’s mind as well as the heart. Always her tales tug at my heartstrings.
The Legend and the sequel The Destiny) present the Clan MacCurrie and a legend told by the Seer about two brothers, twins Neil and Jamie, and their family. Their father, grandfather and great grandfather all died on their birthday--just as the Seer predicted. The twins were conceived the night the great oak tree, the clan symbol, was split in two by lightening. Yet each half of the tree lived. And the legend tells of the brothers going to war and then of 50 years of peace. The two brothers are very close, even communicating without speaking.
This first story is Jamie's and Ellen's and it begins as the Highland clans are gathering to consider if they will go to war to fight for King James' right to rule or accept William and Mary, the interlopers who have been declared co-regents. The twins decide that Jamie must attend the gathering in Neil's place so Neil can stay behind to lead the clan in a time of change. Since they are twins, they believe no one will know.
Ellen is the youngest daughter of a family in turmoil. While her two older sisters have married for love and are happy, her stepfather brought deceit and treachery to her mother's life and her own. Ellen learns of a plot to kill her cousin, Dundee, who has become the champion of the Highlanders, and she feels she must go to the clan gathering to warn him. On the way, Jamie will save Ellen from brigands.
If you love Scottish history and Highlander romance, you will find both in this tale. And for Neil's story, get The Destiny!
February 23, 2015
No le pongo 5 estrellas porque... quizá la historia peca un pelín de predecible y no tiene ese super elemento que haga que lo ame, pero estoy siendo mala, porque en verdad el libro me ha encantado.
No es apto para gente no romántica, porque este es de esos libros de escoceses de los de amor de verdad, declaraciones bonitas y 'ohhhh' en más de una ocasión. Además de una trama muy ambientada en la época.
Lo recomiendo TOTALMENTE.
No es apto para gente no romántica, porque este es de esos libros de escoceses de los de amor de verdad, declaraciones bonitas y 'ohhhh' en más de una ocasión. Además de una trama muy ambientada en la época.
Lo recomiendo TOTALMENTE.
January 18, 2011
I enjoyed this book a lot. Such a shame that she died before she wrote more. I love her characters.
April 9, 2010
K Givens is an author whose books I may read all of. The Scottish, Irish, English history is fascinating, well researched and the characters endearing. Her novels certainly contain stock "historical romance" elements, but she does it well with a dash of her own unique flavor.
July 28, 2011
ermmm.... uhhh... hahahaha... eeek!
September 2, 2012
I liked this book well enough to get the second one. It did not disappoint. Both are well written and fun to read.
July 9, 2013
This wasn't a bad book but wasn't a great one either. I think I enjoyed her Highland and Kilgannon series better.
June 30, 2013
Really enjoyed this historical romance. Especially after having been to some of the named places just recently.
August 6, 2016
Excellent read from start to finish!
March 2, 2017
Her writing doesn't suck, but it was a bit dull for me in the romance department. The love story wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been. Just alright.
July 23, 2017
Sometimes, I think I rate books too harshly. I enjoyed reading this, especially the historical bits, but the writing is (understandably) better in her later books and I could've done without the miscommunication (unnecessary to the story) between the two main characters.
July 24, 2017
Marvalous book, well written, I loved it.
July 26, 2020
Me pareció una historia bonita pero lenta. Es verdad que está muy enfocada en la sección de novela histórica además de romántica, pero hay veces que me resultó tediosa. Aun así me ha gustado
September 19, 2007
The Legend - G+
Kathleen Givens
Set during the late 1600s amidst the conflict between James II and William and Mary, a period that Givens (Kilgannon) is obviously at home with, this saga follows identical twins James and Neil MacCurrie as they lead their clan to war and then peace. Adeptly intertwining history with romance, this book, the first of two about the brothers, focuses on James, who takes Neil's place at a gathering of chiefs to discuss whether to go to war against William. En route to the meeting, James rescues plucky Ellen Graham from unknown attackers. Ellen must reach the meeting to alert her cousin of a murder plot she overheard at her stepfather's home. After delivering her warning, she agrees to travel with James to safety, but when they are accosted once again, he takes her to his home. While the chemistry between James and Ellen crackles, the relationship between the brothers is put to the test. At one point, Neil, jealous of Ellen's growing importance to James, encourages her to leave, but inevitably, James finds her and handfasts with her.
Not nearly as good as her Kilgannon books, but enjoyable with good, strong characters. Plot G+, Sex G+.
Kathleen Givens
Set during the late 1600s amidst the conflict between James II and William and Mary, a period that Givens (Kilgannon) is obviously at home with, this saga follows identical twins James and Neil MacCurrie as they lead their clan to war and then peace. Adeptly intertwining history with romance, this book, the first of two about the brothers, focuses on James, who takes Neil's place at a gathering of chiefs to discuss whether to go to war against William. En route to the meeting, James rescues plucky Ellen Graham from unknown attackers. Ellen must reach the meeting to alert her cousin of a murder plot she overheard at her stepfather's home. After delivering her warning, she agrees to travel with James to safety, but when they are accosted once again, he takes her to his home. While the chemistry between James and Ellen crackles, the relationship between the brothers is put to the test. At one point, Neil, jealous of Ellen's growing importance to James, encourages her to leave, but inevitably, James finds her and handfasts with her.
Not nearly as good as her Kilgannon books, but enjoyable with good, strong characters. Plot G+, Sex G+.
June 13, 2011
Good Scottish highlander novel, not as good as the other two that I read, First in the series, I will go on to read the second series, I like Kathleen alot because her books have just the right ratio of romance to actual plot for me. Sometimes historical romance can be pretty light on the plot, heavy on the romance to the point where I do not find it believable.
July 4, 2016
No me ha entusiasmado. Es ameno, pero nada novedoso (eso o ya leído demasiado de highlanders y cuesta sorprenderme). Me ha resultado demasiado almibarada, muy tierna la relación entre los protas pero he echado en falta ese "algo más". Además el inicio me pareció lento y con mucha paja realmente innecesaria para la historia.
Me lo pensare el leer el segundo o no.
Me lo pensare el leer el segundo o no.
February 17, 2008
Ellen Graham, rushing to warn her cousin of a murderous plot, is rescued by James MacCurrie, one of the twins of a prophecy.
Too historical, and not that much developing romance. It's a little sudden, and has too much going on.
Too historical, and not that much developing romance. It's a little sudden, and has too much going on.
June 27, 2009
Still reading .. so far I hate the heroine. The book is a dissapointment if you have read other books by this author.
Turned into a DNF. I could not stand this book. Ugh.
Turned into a DNF. I could not stand this book. Ugh.
May 10, 2010
a bit too predictable, but it's Scotland!
Read
September 11, 2012"Appena furono vicini Rory scese dal cavallo e corse verso di lei. Isabel si protese e in un attimo fu tra le sue braccia. Adesso tutto andava bene"
Read
April 10, 2015loved it
July 27, 2015
So disappointed comparing to other of her books.
November 9, 2018
Checked it out from the library first, then went ahead and bought it. This woman knows how to write! She really drew me in with the characters and story line.
This one I'll read again and again.
This one I'll read again and again.
July 23, 2013
beach book
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews