Rivalry Rising

MacDonald Clan Vendetta #2

by Violet Malvik

How much betrayal can a heart stand before it shatters? Shaken by Gregor’s news and ominous tidings, Isla tries to reason with the old man and avert another catastrophe among the clans. This time Arran is by her side, supporting her claims and vouching for her clan’s good intentions and honor. Gregor may seem appeased, but his troublesome claims are only the beginning… Hoping to form a strong, peaceful alliance, Isla and Arran are headed to clan Duncan, without much hope to earn the favor of their cold, dour Laird. But when they are attacked on the road by a group of bandits bearing the same, blue-arrowed messengers of death, the young Lairds know that someone is hot on their tracks and will stop at nothing until they are both slain. When tragedy plagues their clans once again as they both lose the last people they thought they could trust, the mystery around the attacks across the clans thickens. Arran and Isla share but a single moment of peace to process the budding tension between them before rivalry draws its poisonous claws on the relationship they have been building on trust and sacrifice. With her one and only friend of many years lost, and Arran still haunted by Lissa’s ghost, Isla feels her power as a she-Laird dwindling. How can she trust Arran when she sees the false claims against her taking root in his heart? With her position in the clan threatened by the lack of faith the MacDonald people show in her, the unresolved conundrum of her father’s death, and the clan wars reaching her doorstep, Isla fears the answer may be the one she has been dreading all she is to face the lion’s mouth alone. Don’t miss the second book in the new series from an exciting new voice in Historical Scottish Medieval Romance. Perfect for fans of Tanya Anne Crosby and Kathryn Le Veque .

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2022

Reviews

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

😳😳😳

On to the next book, can’t leave a person hanging like this 😂😂 I love this story so much. Wow!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[Cherie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Unusual Mystery:
This story and characters begin where the first book (Bad Blood) left off. The plot thickens as Isla and Aaron search for the archer with the blue feathered arrows. They are coming across more clues as they go but something dreadful is about to happen.
The story is to be continued where we will find out more with the She Laird and Aaron. Will there be romance or not? This is a cliffhanger.
No steam so far.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is just so much going on in this story! Mysterious murders by a tartan changing blue arrows shooting mystery person happening all over as Isla and Arran seek alliances. The story felt a bit topsy-turvey with the ongoing threat and no clear indication of who is the enemy or even who is trustworthy. An angry mob at Isla’s gate left the story in a cliffhanger. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues from Bad Blood, with the story adding more mystery as it lurches from one crisis to the next. Surviving enemies on every side whist trying to unite her clan, Isla faces a seemingly impossible task. Is Arran a friend, lover or enemy? The touch of romance only adds to this young girl's troubles as she claws her way through the mists and intrigues.

[Julie's Reviews]

I absolutely like the characters and the steamy bits which is what I like in historical romances sometimes. Another great book Mrs. Malvik.