The MacKinnon's Bride Missing Epilogue - please note, this is a not a stand-alone novel. It is a "super epilogue," written to complement The MacKinnon's Bride and is best read after reading the entire series.
Eleven years later, Hugh FitzSimon is a broken man. He is forsaken, alone, a wretch left to wallow in his grief. A scrooge to rival Ebenezer, he is visited by the ghost of his dead wife, who has come to reveal what life has been, what it could be, and where it will end if the candle burns out before FitzSimon has made amends.
Meantime, in the Highlands, the MacKinnon clan faces their darkest hour. With their village destroyed by fire, and winter on the way, how can they rally when whispers of war have already begun? A very unexpected "ghost" may help them find their way.For years fans have asked for a MacKinnon's Bride epilogue and here it is, a short story to lend a little cheer for the holidays.
Tanya Anne Crosby is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty novels. She has been featured in magazines, such as People, Romantic Times and Publisher’s Weekly, and her books have been translated into eight languages. Her first novel was published in 1992 by Avon Books, where Tanya was hailed as “one of Avon’s fastest rising stars.” Her fourth book was chosen to launch the company’s Avon Romantic Treasure imprint. Known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters Tanya is an award-winning author, journalist, and editor, and her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She and her writer husband split their time between Charleston, SC, where she was raised, and northern Michigan, where the couple make their home.
I hate to be a Scrooge, but this Christmas Carol retelling didn't appeal to me. It was nice to see many of the characters from the Highland Bride and Guardians of the Stone series, but that was pretty much the draw. The suspense part of the plot was lacking and end was odd.
I promise, I read all the books in the Mackinnon series, not so much the Guardian of the Stone and I got so confused about who was who and what book they were from. This was a cluster***k of characters from previous stories in a relatively short book. It was a tad overwhelming for me. I liked how this started, with Page's dad getting the whole "ghost of Christmas past" treatment and thought it would just go from there. But then we introduce the drama of Malcolm, Constance gets married, we catch up with all the old characters and that on top of the reason everybody gets together, a bonfire destroys the village and its stores. I felt like this either needed to be longer or much more streamlined - fewer plots and whatnot. I would have been PERFECTLY happy if this had just stuck to Page, Hugh and maybe Malcolm. And when it came down to it, it rather felt like things didn't really get wrapped up in the epilogue because Malcolm never did chat with his dad after he proved something was really going on and how on earth could he be feeling better about himself or more confident in his future now that he And for such a short story, there was a lot of information packed into this that was difficult to get through. I'm sorry to be in the minority here, but this didn't work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Been reading this spectacular author for close to 25 years and her books are still one of my favorites on the planet making me cry, laugh, melting my heart and always leaving me breathless....Ms. Cosby is one of those rare few authors that captures you right from that start until the very last word of the epilogue or last chapter. Always on my keeper shelf as all her books are. Impossible for me to put her books down so talented is this amazing short story revisited by all our favorite characters from both The MacKinnon's Bride's and Guradians of the Stone series, Tanya Anne Cosby is such a fabulous story teller!
Just a little history:
Northumbria was under Scottish rule when King David of Scotland was crowned King when King Henry I died on December 1, 1135 due to his close relationship with King Henry so I found this interesting that this story begins five days after King Henry 1st death.
Also the man Hugh FitzSimon this fictional character is Page FitzSimon MacKinnon ( the MacKinnon's Bride) father who always believed Page was the bastard child of his unfaithful wife and King Henry I. Of course anyone reading the Mackinnon's Bride know this is not true as Page was being mistreated and mentally abused by her father her entire life! This is due to her father's jealousy and where both she and her mother were mistreated and no truth to his accusations as we all know he is her natural father. This is the reason she has been estranged from him for the past eleven years where this epilogue/ short story begins.
Northumbria, Aldergh Castle, December 6, 1135 Northumbria is now northern England and south-east Scotland
At first I thought this was going to be a version of the Christmas Carol after reading the prologue as fans of MacKinnons Bride of course in the role of the cruel Scrooge was to be Page FitzSimon'scruel father Hugh as his dead wife visited after receiving word of her death. He lives alone and with guilt for never telling Page the truth even after he realizes all had been due to his unfounded jealousy of the king. Hugh always believing the worse, even though his wife had been faithful and loved him, as Page was not illegitimate but his natural child. Why had he not told Page the truth after all these years? He does not even know why sadly and now it was too late. The evening he gets the message of his wife's passing he gets a visit from her ghost. As she does come to warn him to change his ways or he can pretty much expect eternal damnation for his future and eternity! Now does old Hugh change and listen to Page's mothers ghost whom he exiled and never ever even told Page she was alive. Page and he have been estranged for eleven years now and a lot has changed.
This epilogue which was more of a short story or novella to me as it is a lot longer then the average epilogue in my opinion. It brings you up to date on all the clans of this series and fans will see and hear about all our favorite characters from The Highland Bride series and her new Guardians of the Stone series. This was a double treat in my opinion and I loved seeing some of my favorite's like Laird Ian MacKinnon, Broc the Blond and Aiden dun Scotti, Gavin Brodie and more! A lot in this book centers on Malcolm MacKinnon, the young son who was kidnapped all those years ago by Page's father and the reason for Iain to kidnap Page the best thing that ever happened in Page's life! A father who made her feel worthless an abductor who showered her with love and made her feel worthy and special but let her make decisions herself.
Destruction has hit The MacKinnon's village as a fire burned everything to the ground! Now with the help of other clans all from the previous books, it is really touching how all these friends and relatives by various marriages - each book in this series come to aid The MacKinnon's! Malcolm MacKinnon, Iain and Page's son who is very mistrusting of strangers and other due to his kidnapping as a child, but has also has a bit of the sight too and feels all is not well. He is correct in this, as there is a villain in the mist who has murder on his mind, and the murder of who is Malcolm's stepmother the only mother he has ever known and the one he loves more then life. The ending really surprised and shook my and touched by heart! Yep an emotional ending so have those Kleenex ready! You will have to read this wonderful story to find out!
I highly recommend this exceptional epilogue and of course I highly recommend both series The Highlanders Brides and Guardian of The Stone series both are spectacular as I am looking forward to the next book in the third and forth and upcoming Guardians of the Stone series. I having been reading this author for close to twenty-five years and hope to keep reading her marvelous books for another twenty-five as her books pretty much rock my world and have always captured my heart in her riveting plotlines! I can't recommend Tanya Anne Crosby enough if you love book about adventure, Scottish history, mystery, honor,highland lore, conflict, mayhem and of course love then check all of Tanya Anne Crosby spectacular books! I guarantee it will melt your heart and soften your soul as I know her books do that to me.
I was getting choked up as this book is near and dear to my heart as I have read and reread The MacKinnon's Bride five times it is one of my favorite books on the planet. Loved Mackinnon's Hope by Tanya Anne Cosby
Book Lists:
The MacKinnon's Bride Series by Tanya Anne Crosby
1. The MacKinnon's Bride 2. Lyon's Gift 3.On Bended Knee 4. Lion Heart 5. Highland Song 6. MacKinnon's Hope
Guardians of the Stone Series by Tanya Anne Crosby
1.Highland Fire 2.Highland Steel 3.Highland Storm.. To be released February 2016 4.Highland Fury....Release date TBA
Whatever charm the other books in this series had is totally missing in this one. It is a mishmash of Scot history with a touch of where are they now. The author obviously thought of a way to make a quick buck on her book The MacKinnon's Bride. And it's not worth half that. She said her reader's were begging for an epilogue for MB and while that may be true I doubt this is what they had in mind.
Spoiler: Would her father have been able to construct an entire village of huts in the dark while the villagers slept nearby? Not one man women or child was awakened by the noise. Ridiculous. Do we really care about a couple of horny teenagers who are forced to marry. Hardly. Would Paige's stepson Malcom who seems to be suffering some type of PTSD and kill's her father be handed his title and estate because Paige wanted him to have it. I doubt it.
It's 87 pages of filler. Between 1 and 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a great story which starts as a kind of Scrooge tale.
There is a spirit, there's clan camaraderie and there is forgiveness.
And as with all Tanya's books you are swept into it all. I've always loved Iain MacKinnon and Page's story The MacKinnon Bride and I was glad that we get to have an epilogue and revisit them and the other members of the family and clans. I can't wait for Mals story and of course the other stories in the Guardians of the Stones series.
This story is really a "novella" or an "addendum" to the original story of "The MacKinnon 's Bride", as mentioned above. But to be able to "read it and understand" what happens, as well as all of the characters, you "MUST" read all of the books in their sequential order (but only if you care and are as invested in this author 's books as I am). You will get to read and catch up with all of the characters from the previous books in this series. This was my favorite part; finding out what everyone 's "Epilogue" was. If you don't read the other books in this series, in their sequential order, then it won't be as an enriching "reader" experience (IMO), then it would be if you don't. Not to mention that you will be floundering to try to figure out why the book ended up being marketed as it was; as well as who is with who and what is going on at this point in their lives (12 years later!!) That is all that I really wanted to say, other than "better late than never" Tanya. Great job. I just wish it was longer (who doesn't??)... Sigh...I will say that Paige, Ian, and Malcolm are the "main" characters. Paige finally gets to see her father one last time and it explains about Malcolm, how and what kind of man/warrior he turns out to be, as well as what turns out to be his destiny. What a twist!! If I say anymore, it's "spoiler alerts" and no reader worth his/her salt "likes" spoilers. If you're still on the fence about purchasing this book, then just download "a free sample" and make up your mind, after you read that. Cheers!! I am on to the next book in the new series (Highland Jewels ?)....I do hope this helped and that you understand why I worded my "review" this way, after you read the book. It's cherry -topper for this dessert. Readers from age 14+ due to content. There were a few punctuation errors, but other than that...
MacKinnon’s Hope is a short story epilog for MacKinnons Bride version of the Christmas Carol role of the cruel Scrooge was to be Page FitzSimon's cruel father Hugh. His dead wife visited after receiving word of her death. Hugh always believing the worse, even though his wife had been faithful and loved him, he never believed Paige was his natural born daughter so he was very cruel to her and now it’s too late to make amends. The story of Paige FitzSimon’s is continued on in MacKinnon’s Bride Mackinnon’s Bride Iain MacKinnon captures your heart from the first page. He loves his son beyond all others and when he is kidnapped by a minion of the English king he vows nothing will stop him from getting his son and exacting his own revenge. Page Fitzsimon the daughter of an English earl in Northumbria who kidnapped young Malcom. Iain has kidnapped Page thinking to exchange her for the boy only to learn her father doesn’t want her back; Paige is not an easy woman to get along with she’s quite the shrew. What to do when he learns her father doesn’t want her back? Ian and Paige definitely have a sizzling chemistry between them, but both experienced hurt and must learn to trust each other and find the one traitor whose helped to kidnap his son. A great story filled with mystery, romance and adventure!!! This a grand 20th anniversary gift includes a reader's companion book to the Highland World of Tanya Anne Crosby. It includes character profiles, family trees to make it for any reader to enjoy and be able to connect the books. I voluntarily read this book and these is my honest opinions.
It helps if you've read the first 4 books in the series. This is a novella that takes place during Christmas 12 years after Page & Iain's story.
Basically it catches you up on everyone's lives. How many children they have, ect. Page's father, Hugh has spent 12 lonely years by himself. Now, with the winter solstice approaching, he gets a letter telling him of his wife's death. It gets pretty far out with her spirit visiting him & telling him what he must do to make amends & not die alone. Now I'm not opposed to some paranormal in my romance, but it just wasn't sitting right with me. I liked parts of this story, but most of it wasn't that interesting.
I always enjoy it when one can revisit characters from other books in the series and see how their lives are coming along years later. As the author has noted, this is not a stand alone story, you pretty much have to read the other books in the series to understand what went on in the past and who all the characters are, otherwise you'll be a bit lost! I enjoyed this epilogue, I thought it was well written and gives closure to Page's relationship with her father, Hugh FitzSimon.
This was pure fan service for readers who had read the previous books in the series. Since I am not one of those readers, for me it was a hot mess. It consisted of long bouts of boring exposition interspersed with confusing, chaotic action. I have no idea who did what to whom and even less interest in the answer. Don't read it if you haven't read the rest of the series.
I loved reading Page's story years ago. It did not disappoint. I have been waiting to see if there would be an aftermath. Malcolm has finally become a man. It is wonderful that Page realised her father loved her and great that through Page,Malcolm will become Lord of her father's keep. Great read.
MacKinnon's Hope Highland Brides book 6 by Tanya Anne Crosby
Another absolutely marvelous addition to this fantastic series!💖Her characters are amazing and thourghly engaging with plenty of everything that you would want to read about!😍 I'm going to absolutely recommend that you check out this entire series!
More intrigue and suspense. The key characters from Book 1 are back--stronger, more mature, and still the same individuals. Romance, challenges, pulling together in community, and personal maturation are again explored witha deft hand. This is a satisfying ending for Book 1 and definitely worth reading if you enjoyed Book 1.
Swords, seekers bad seekers. All infuse this highland tale with stealth and intrigue. It's good to see so many favorite characters settled and living and living happily ever after..
This was a great end to the Highland Brides series. Along with favorite couple Iain and Page, many other major characters appear. It was nice to see Page finally have closure in the difficult relationship with her father. I loved this series!
The novel took me to my family history to the deMornay occupation of Scotland and the reign of King David. As the story unfolds I learn more about how the DECLIFTONS became gypsy!Loved the fictional depiction that was so similar to records of the past!
I totally enjoyed this series! I am also starting the daughters of Avalon next. Cant wait to see where all the characters you meet in this series might go and what happens to them!
DNF - Isn’t this the grandfather that Malcolm skewers with a sword and then takes over his holdings? I can’t get behind a story that tries to make Fitz-"whatever his name is" a sympathetic character. Not to mention the rip-off of A Christmas Carol. Just don’t have the stomach for it.
I'm sad this series is done. I have enjoyed every book in the series. The characters in the series were interesting and exciting. Ms. Crosby has woven a world that pulls you into it and allows you to enjoy their world. Don't miss this series!
Not bad if you've read the other book, but if you haven't read the first books in the series don't bother with this one. It's too confusing and while it ties up loose ends if you haven't read the other books it will make no sense whatsoever
It was good to see Page's father do good in the end and that he really loved her. Everyone needs the love of their parents. Looking forward to the other series.