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Anam Cara
Branwyn ap Owen knows it's appointed for men "once to die, then the judgment," but his hell is to live again and again until he rights an ancient wrong. Unlike other such souls caught on a karmic wheel, he remembers the past, and he always remembers her. Liza of Carlisle knows nothing of the vow trapping her in Bran's judgment, yet when he walks into her inn, their instant connection is unnerving. She fights the inevitable, knowing instinctively this wanderer could destroy the life she loves. Determined to repair the damage of his first betrayal, Bran uses the knowledge of a thousand years to woo Liza. Yet just as he regains her heart, a fresh betrayal threatens their last hope for love.
327 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 7, 2015
Righting an ancient wrong - is it possible or are we doomed to repeat the same mistakes?
To say Bran Ap Owen is a medieval bard or even a minstrel doesn’t quite do justice to this wonderfully complex character. He’s a remnant, a man whose people have mostly dispersed and been watered down, but in him the power runs true. Like most vestiges of power, there are pros and cons. The downside of his power is his recurring vision of his brother’s death.
Bran is determined to prevent Aedan’s death, even at great cost to himself.
In a time where monks and abbots are in favor and all powerful, Bran masquerades as a bard to travel the country. A month ago he kidnapped his brother from a monastery, and he’s been spending his days teaching his brother his trade. Aedan is naturally talented in music, with the ability to sing with perfect pitch and play instruments with no formal training.
At an inn not far from his ancestral roots, Bran finds the woman he’s been searching for. At first he recognizes her as the woman from the vision of his brother’s death, the woman who can help him save Aedan. Then he realizes this is the love of his many lives, and that they always end up at cross purposes.
A delightful story, rich in historical detail, this is a many-layered book to savor. I’ve read another Keena Kincaid book so I was already a fan. This book made me remember how much I enjoy her writing. I can’t wait to see what she writes next time!
Maggie Toussaint, also writing as Rigel Carson, for Muddy Rose Reviews
To say Bran Ap Owen is a medieval bard or even a minstrel doesn’t quite do justice to this wonderfully complex character. He’s a remnant, a man whose people have mostly dispersed and been watered down, but in him the power runs true. Like most vestiges of power, there are pros and cons. The downside of his power is his recurring vision of his brother’s death.
Bran is determined to prevent Aedan’s death, even at great cost to himself.
In a time where monks and abbots are in favor and all powerful, Bran masquerades as a bard to travel the country. A month ago he kidnapped his brother from a monastery, and he’s been spending his days teaching his brother his trade. Aedan is naturally talented in music, with the ability to sing with perfect pitch and play instruments with no formal training.
At an inn not far from his ancestral roots, Bran finds the woman he’s been searching for. At first he recognizes her as the woman from the vision of his brother’s death, the woman who can help him save Aedan. Then he realizes this is the love of his many lives, and that they always end up at cross purposes.
A delightful story, rich in historical detail, this is a many-layered book to savor. I’ve read another Keena Kincaid book so I was already a fan. This book made me remember how much I enjoy her writing. I can’t wait to see what she writes next time!
Maggie Toussaint, also writing as Rigel Carson, for Muddy Rose Reviews
January 17, 2019
Read this romance about 9-10 years ago. Set in medieval times. Met the author and she in lived in Keswick (where the novel is set).
June 15, 2009
Keena Kincaid weaves a love story that spans the centuries in “Anam Cara.” Anam Cara means soul friend, and that’s what Bran ap Owen has found in Liza, his soul friend that he’s traveled the centuries with. Unfortunately for Bran, no matter what he does to right the wrong that put him on the karmic wheel he’s on, Liza’s headstrong nature threatens to derail him. Full of angst and longing, Anam Cara tells a mesmerizing tale of soul friends and their journey to find love.
The story begins with Bran having a memory as a Roman soldier and the event that put him on the karmic wheel, his betrayal of Liza. Several centuries later, it is 1161 and Bran is a mistral, traveling with his younger brother, Aedan. They encounter an inn run by Liza. The moment Bran sees Liza, he feels an immediate connection. She’s the inn’s alekeep and while she accepts the mistrals, she’s not fond of them. Bran and Aedan reveal they have roots in Duncarnoch,nearby land, and have the ability to read each other’s thoughts. It’s something they keep to themselves. Duncarnoch isn’t far away from the inn.
While at the inn, the local nobleman, Michael Wakefield, attacks Liza’s daughter, Tess. Bran and Aedan stop it, but the nobleman has gone to the sheriff seeking retribution for being attacked. The sheriff does his investigation and recommends the case to the Earl of Duncarnoch. The Earl is gone for a bit, so the sheriff allows Liza to stay at the inn with Bran watching over her.
Tess and Aedan soon fall in love and she gives her heart to him. They make love in the fields. They don’t tell Liza because Liza is very protective of Tess and they worry that she’ll hurt Aedan. As Tess and Aedan get closer, Bran is making headway with Liza. Liza soon relaxes around him and the couple becomes lovers.
The Earl has returned to Duncarnoch and the sheriff sends for Liza and Bran. Bran is cousin to the Earl’s wife, Kathryn, and is well received in Duncarnoch. The Earl hears Liza and Wakefield out. He also “outs” Liza’s secret – she’s a high born noblewoman. The Earl, Richard, rules on the side of Liza. Wakefield, upset, kidnaps Tess. Aedan goes after Tess and almost dies at Wakefield’s hand.
The novel engages an interesting concept, karmic love throughout the ages and I read the book interested in how the author would explore the topic. Bran is a very likable character. The reasons for his motivations are fleshed out well. Liza has been so hurt over the ages, she’s developed a thick “skin,” but eventually warms to Bran. The supporting cast is interesting. The plot is credible and the pace of the novel was just right. Kincaid’s love scenes are tasteful and sensual. The author’s love of medieval history shines in the story. Bran speaks with an accent throughout the novel. This brings authencity to the character, but I found it hard to read at times, and it did slow me down as I stopped to figure out what he was saying at times.
Overall, I found this compelling read. “Anam Cara” proves that love does last forever.
The story begins with Bran having a memory as a Roman soldier and the event that put him on the karmic wheel, his betrayal of Liza. Several centuries later, it is 1161 and Bran is a mistral, traveling with his younger brother, Aedan. They encounter an inn run by Liza. The moment Bran sees Liza, he feels an immediate connection. She’s the inn’s alekeep and while she accepts the mistrals, she’s not fond of them. Bran and Aedan reveal they have roots in Duncarnoch,nearby land, and have the ability to read each other’s thoughts. It’s something they keep to themselves. Duncarnoch isn’t far away from the inn.
While at the inn, the local nobleman, Michael Wakefield, attacks Liza’s daughter, Tess. Bran and Aedan stop it, but the nobleman has gone to the sheriff seeking retribution for being attacked. The sheriff does his investigation and recommends the case to the Earl of Duncarnoch. The Earl is gone for a bit, so the sheriff allows Liza to stay at the inn with Bran watching over her.
Tess and Aedan soon fall in love and she gives her heart to him. They make love in the fields. They don’t tell Liza because Liza is very protective of Tess and they worry that she’ll hurt Aedan. As Tess and Aedan get closer, Bran is making headway with Liza. Liza soon relaxes around him and the couple becomes lovers.
The Earl has returned to Duncarnoch and the sheriff sends for Liza and Bran. Bran is cousin to the Earl’s wife, Kathryn, and is well received in Duncarnoch. The Earl hears Liza and Wakefield out. He also “outs” Liza’s secret – she’s a high born noblewoman. The Earl, Richard, rules on the side of Liza. Wakefield, upset, kidnaps Tess. Aedan goes after Tess and almost dies at Wakefield’s hand.
The novel engages an interesting concept, karmic love throughout the ages and I read the book interested in how the author would explore the topic. Bran is a very likable character. The reasons for his motivations are fleshed out well. Liza has been so hurt over the ages, she’s developed a thick “skin,” but eventually warms to Bran. The supporting cast is interesting. The plot is credible and the pace of the novel was just right. Kincaid’s love scenes are tasteful and sensual. The author’s love of medieval history shines in the story. Bran speaks with an accent throughout the novel. This brings authencity to the character, but I found it hard to read at times, and it did slow me down as I stopped to figure out what he was saying at times.
Overall, I found this compelling read. “Anam Cara” proves that love does last forever.
April 21, 2010
Bran Op Owen is a hero to spend time with. He's passionate, determined, artistic, well-built, a bit of an enigma at times, and a visionary. On top of it, he's lastingly loyal to his soul mate, Liza.
Liza is an inn owner in the days of Medieval Scotland with a past she's hiding. She's strong, competent, intelligent, and a single mother of a young woman coming into her own.
Anam Cara is a gorgeous love story, but not only love between a couple. A large part of the story is the mother-daughter relationship. Having a daughter of my own who is in that age range, I found it fully realistic and was fully empathetic with Liza's need to protect her child from dangers not even the child can see yet. Anyone who has not had to feel so protective of a daughter may not quite understand why she fights against Bran as hard as she does. In context, though, it would be unrealistic if she didn't, or possibly selfish of her. Her child comes first. That put me fully on her side.
On the other hand, Bran does the same with his much younger brother. That puts me on his side.
It's a clash of protection and passion, full of sumptious realistic detail, enjoyable with each paragraph, well-written, and very well worth the time to read. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if Goodreads allowed.
As I finished, I wanted to immediately move on to the next, Ties That Bind, and will do so very soon.
Liza is an inn owner in the days of Medieval Scotland with a past she's hiding. She's strong, competent, intelligent, and a single mother of a young woman coming into her own.
Anam Cara is a gorgeous love story, but not only love between a couple. A large part of the story is the mother-daughter relationship. Having a daughter of my own who is in that age range, I found it fully realistic and was fully empathetic with Liza's need to protect her child from dangers not even the child can see yet. Anyone who has not had to feel so protective of a daughter may not quite understand why she fights against Bran as hard as she does. In context, though, it would be unrealistic if she didn't, or possibly selfish of her. Her child comes first. That put me fully on her side.
On the other hand, Bran does the same with his much younger brother. That puts me on his side.
It's a clash of protection and passion, full of sumptious realistic detail, enjoyable with each paragraph, well-written, and very well worth the time to read. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if Goodreads allowed.
As I finished, I wanted to immediately move on to the next, Ties That Bind, and will do so very soon.
September 26, 2017
Soulful, deep and wise.
I think I first started to fall in love with the hero, Bran, because he was the personification of a recurring dream that I've always believed was a past life memory. Interestingly, the story even takes place in the same time period as my dream - during the high middle ages, NOT when you'd expect to find a Druid.
By the time he appears in control freak innkeeper Liz's life with his younger brother in tow, his character and motivations are so beautifully developed that you understand why he can't resist her, even though you might want to take her aside and shake her frequently, as I did.
What's really intriguing is that even though I felt I understood him thoroughly, he kept surprising me with layers of secrets all through the story, right up to the end.
This is a magical story, beautifully told and deeply emotional.
And, by the way, if you want all that PLUS more political intrigue, danger, debauchery and drama, just move right on to the next book in the series, the story of Bran's younger brother Aiden in Ties That Bind. Wow! And THEN rush right on to the keep-you-up-all-night climax and series conclusion, which has even more danger, intrigue, and magic - Enthralled.
This a great series for lovers of medieval historicals, high fantasy, fantasy, medieval romance, and paranormal.
I think I first started to fall in love with the hero, Bran, because he was the personification of a recurring dream that I've always believed was a past life memory. Interestingly, the story even takes place in the same time period as my dream - during the high middle ages, NOT when you'd expect to find a Druid.
By the time he appears in control freak innkeeper Liz's life with his younger brother in tow, his character and motivations are so beautifully developed that you understand why he can't resist her, even though you might want to take her aside and shake her frequently, as I did.
What's really intriguing is that even though I felt I understood him thoroughly, he kept surprising me with layers of secrets all through the story, right up to the end.
This is a magical story, beautifully told and deeply emotional.
And, by the way, if you want all that PLUS more political intrigue, danger, debauchery and drama, just move right on to the next book in the series, the story of Bran's younger brother Aiden in Ties That Bind. Wow! And THEN rush right on to the keep-you-up-all-night climax and series conclusion, which has even more danger, intrigue, and magic - Enthralled.
This a great series for lovers of medieval historicals, high fantasy, fantasy, medieval romance, and paranormal.
February 6, 2017
Feel the Magic
This author has captured what it means to be sidhe, how it feels, the good, the terrifying. Combined with an honorable hero who has stayed true to his quest across centuries, this book makes you long to be the recipient of his gift. If you could only bear it. I could read 50 books by Ms Kincaid and only want another.
This author has captured what it means to be sidhe, how it feels, the good, the terrifying. Combined with an honorable hero who has stayed true to his quest across centuries, this book makes you long to be the recipient of his gift. If you could only bear it. I could read 50 books by Ms Kincaid and only want another.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews