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His Border Bride
Gavin Fitzjohn is the bastard son of an English prince and a Scotswoman. A rebel without a country, he has darkness in his soul.Clare Carr, daughter of a Scottish border lord, can recite the laws of chivalry, and knows Gavin has broken every one.
Clare is gripped by desire for this royal rogue-- could he be the one to unleash everything she has tried so hard to hide? These persuasive urges have stayed safely dormant--until now....
Clare is gripped by desire for this royal rogue-- could he be the one to unleash everything she has tried so hard to hide? These persuasive urges have stayed safely dormant--until now....
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Blythe Gifford
55 books64 followersAfter many years in public relations, advertising, and marketing, Blythe Gifford started writing seriously after a corporate layoff. Ten years and one layoff later, she became an overnight success when she sold her Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist manuscript to Harlequin.
She has since written medieval romances featuring characters born on the wrong side of the royal blanket. Now, she’s launching a new series set on the turbulent Scottish Borders.
The Chicago Tribune has called her work “the perfect balance between history and romance.”
Photo by Jennifer Girard.
She has since written medieval romances featuring characters born on the wrong side of the royal blanket. Now, she’s launching a new series set on the turbulent Scottish Borders.
The Chicago Tribune has called her work “the perfect balance between history and romance.”
Photo by Jennifer Girard.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 14, 2014
2.5 stars - Haddington, Scotland, 1356 / Adult Medieval Romance
If it weren't for the historical facts and the plot twist, I would flung this book to the wall and left it to be forgotten.
The heroine Clare is the stupidest, moronic, idiot person ever. She deserves all the curses imaginable solely for her childish behaviour and thoughts. Reading about her was such a burden, torture chore and I felt truly sorry for Gavin who's sometimes found himself in defeated whenever Clare's concerned.
Read on your own peril.
If it weren't for the historical facts and the plot twist, I would flung this book to the wall and left it to be forgotten.
The heroine Clare is the stupidest, moronic, idiot person ever. She deserves all the curses imaginable solely for her childish behaviour and thoughts. Reading about her was such a burden, torture chore and I felt truly sorry for Gavin who's sometimes found himself in defeated whenever Clare's concerned.
Read on your own peril.
January 13, 2022
Une romance historique que j'avais déjà lu mais qui ne m'avait pas marqué tant que ça, car c'est à peine si je me souvenais de l'histoire.
Une histoire intéressante mais aussi exaspérante de par la personnalité de l'héroine. En effet, elle est à la fois naïve et dure, au point d'avoir envie de la baffer!! Elle n'a pas vraiment réussie à me toucher, alors que le héros est touchant dans sa personnalité, entre deux pays constamment en guerre et une sinistre réputation. Quant à la fin, le revirement de l'héroine est un peu précipité.
Histoire qui se lit mais n'est pas inoubliable.
Une histoire intéressante mais aussi exaspérante de par la personnalité de l'héroine. En effet, elle est à la fois naïve et dure, au point d'avoir envie de la baffer!! Elle n'a pas vraiment réussie à me toucher, alors que le héros est touchant dans sa personnalité, entre deux pays constamment en guerre et une sinistre réputation. Quant à la fin, le revirement de l'héroine est un peu précipité.
Histoire qui se lit mais n'est pas inoubliable.
March 30, 2015
Gavin Fitzjohn is the son of an English prince and a Scotswoman who decides to return to Scotland where he finds shelter as a knight at the home of Clare Carr. They marry, but Clare fights between what she believes to be proper for a lady and what she wants while Gavin has his own border to cross.
Rating this book is difficult. I was quickly interested in the story and in the characters, but my interest did not last. The initial story - that Gavin is torn between two countries in the 14th century, was very intriguing. Motherless Clare, who feels her father abandoned her, is attached to her falcons. Unfotunately, the falcon becomes a very forced metaphor for the relationship between the two main characters, which okay at first but grew increasingly annoying.
They are forced to marry when her father decides Gavin is the best choice for Clare, after he beats out the man she had unrequited like for. As the story progresses, Clare is shown to be shallow and selfish in how she treats Gavin, how she acts towards other characters and how she tries to cling things that don't exist, such as her feelings for the Frenchman and her "ladylike" principles. These same principles also become annoying later on. Once she and Gavin grow together, it made no sense to me why she pulled back from him again. The conflict grew murky, and the ending was placed there without being a part of the story. Clare sends Gavin away and he goes, even though he's promised to be master of the tower, only for a simple talk from her father's paramour to convince Clare that she might have been wrong to turn him away. Not much of a climax.
There were things I liked here: some interesting description, the emphasis that battle and knights were not the flag-carrying romantic stuff Clare believed and the fact that her father did seem to care for her, even though Clare didn't see it. I appreciated that the author never resolved that part of their relationship but left it hanging.
But all these things made me give the book a 2 star rating, though parts of it were better and parts worse.
Rating this book is difficult. I was quickly interested in the story and in the characters, but my interest did not last. The initial story - that Gavin is torn between two countries in the 14th century, was very intriguing. Motherless Clare, who feels her father abandoned her, is attached to her falcons. Unfotunately, the falcon becomes a very forced metaphor for the relationship between the two main characters, which okay at first but grew increasingly annoying.
They are forced to marry when her father decides Gavin is the best choice for Clare, after he beats out the man she had unrequited like for. As the story progresses, Clare is shown to be shallow and selfish in how she treats Gavin, how she acts towards other characters and how she tries to cling things that don't exist, such as her feelings for the Frenchman and her "ladylike" principles. These same principles also become annoying later on. Once she and Gavin grow together, it made no sense to me why she pulled back from him again. The conflict grew murky, and the ending was placed there without being a part of the story. Clare sends Gavin away and he goes, even though he's promised to be master of the tower, only for a simple talk from her father's paramour to convince Clare that she might have been wrong to turn him away. Not much of a climax.
There were things I liked here: some interesting description, the emphasis that battle and knights were not the flag-carrying romantic stuff Clare believed and the fact that her father did seem to care for her, even though Clare didn't see it. I appreciated that the author never resolved that part of their relationship but left it hanging.
But all these things made me give the book a 2 star rating, though parts of it were better and parts worse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2020
I wanted to like this book, because of my obsession with Scotland, but I had a hard time getting through it. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, but the plot and characters kind of just plodded along throughout 95% of the pages. I liked the character of Gavin, and was interested in reading about a half-English half-Scottish royal bastard, but his attraction to Clare confused me. She was so naive, so annoying, unintelligent, and childish, no wonder that fancy French comte didn’t want anything to do with her. I suppose I could sympathize with her bitterness at being replaced by some random widow and her daughter in her father’s affections, but 1. he never remarried and 2. she outranked the “stepmom and stepsister” because in this time period inheritance was strictly about bloodlines, so she should have been more secure about that at least.
The only bits I did like reading about was the falconry, because I’ve always thought that was a freaking cool hobby that I’d like to pick up some day if I ever won the lottery.
The only bits I did like reading about was the falconry, because I’ve always thought that was a freaking cool hobby that I’d like to pick up some day if I ever won the lottery.
November 8, 2013
Pretty good story. I especially liked the falconry stuff. The hero was torn at the beginning of the story about who to show his allegiance to - England or Scotland. But, because of the relationship with the heroine, he was able to come to terms with his decision.
The heroine was sort of dense at times, but I forgive her because she had a way with the falcons she had and tried to do what was best in situations, though her reasoning wasn't always sound.
All in all, an interesting read and I would recommend this one.
The heroine was sort of dense at times, but I forgive her because she had a way with the falcons she had and tried to do what was best in situations, though her reasoning wasn't always sound.
All in all, an interesting read and I would recommend this one.
December 2, 2011
total pain in the a$$ heroine!! or utterly dumb!
July 30, 2010
Gifford crosses the border into Medieval Scotland with "His Border Bride." Gavin Fitzjohn has an English father and Scottish mother which divides his loyalties. Mistress Claire Carr is the daughter of a Scottish noble charged with holding a tower on the border. Can Gavin give Claire what she wants?
As the story opens, Gavin, the bastard son of an English prince, is given orders to burn a Scottish church by the king. He refuses to do it and leaves Edward's army heading north to Scotland.
Claire has gone out with a small party and her falcon to hunt. Claire adores her falcon, Wee One. She encounters Gavin and reluctantly, she allows him shelter in the keep. Despite the unspoken chemistry between them, Claire keeps Gavin at a distance.
The war is over for now, and Claire's father returns with his soldiers, including a Frenchman, Alain. Claire was fostered at his manor in France and knows the ways of lady-like behavior. She expects Alain to ask for her hand. Her father knows better, he gives her until Beltane for Alain to come forward.
Gavin proves himself to Claire's father. He's chosen between his divided loyalties and that choice is Scotland. When Alain doesn't speak for Claire, her father betroths her to Gavin.
Claire has many misgivings about Gavin. They do share a passion - falcons, but is it enough of a foundation to build a loving marriage on?
Gifford's plot flows well and never lingers. Her writing is sharp, yet a bit terse as she uses quick, short sentences. They impart a sense of urgency and apprehension to the reader, capturing the spirit of the times.
Gifford weaves in a falcon/hunting analogy into the story which is interesting. Her use of dialogue brings a convincing authenticity to the story. It's easy for the reader to picture the setting in their mind.
Both Gavin and Claire are dynamic leads. Gavin feels a duel nature within, being half-English and Scottish. He doesn't necessarily fit in either world so it is admirable he makes a decision to embrace, his Scottish heritage. He suffers from an ill-warranted reputation, but wear the stain with courage and nobility. Despite Claire's apprehension, he is loyal to her.
Claire, having been fostered in France, has certain high-minded ideals of what its like to be a lady and a knight. Gavin meets none of her knightly expectation, yet she can't deny that his attention excites her. After having her ideals shattered by Alain's lack of action, Claire has to learn to reconcile her upbringing to what reality is.
The novel has several love scenes between Gavin and Claire that are sensual. Overall, "His Border Bride" is a passionate escape into the past.
As the story opens, Gavin, the bastard son of an English prince, is given orders to burn a Scottish church by the king. He refuses to do it and leaves Edward's army heading north to Scotland.
Claire has gone out with a small party and her falcon to hunt. Claire adores her falcon, Wee One. She encounters Gavin and reluctantly, she allows him shelter in the keep. Despite the unspoken chemistry between them, Claire keeps Gavin at a distance.
The war is over for now, and Claire's father returns with his soldiers, including a Frenchman, Alain. Claire was fostered at his manor in France and knows the ways of lady-like behavior. She expects Alain to ask for her hand. Her father knows better, he gives her until Beltane for Alain to come forward.
Gavin proves himself to Claire's father. He's chosen between his divided loyalties and that choice is Scotland. When Alain doesn't speak for Claire, her father betroths her to Gavin.
Claire has many misgivings about Gavin. They do share a passion - falcons, but is it enough of a foundation to build a loving marriage on?
Gifford's plot flows well and never lingers. Her writing is sharp, yet a bit terse as she uses quick, short sentences. They impart a sense of urgency and apprehension to the reader, capturing the spirit of the times.
Gifford weaves in a falcon/hunting analogy into the story which is interesting. Her use of dialogue brings a convincing authenticity to the story. It's easy for the reader to picture the setting in their mind.
Both Gavin and Claire are dynamic leads. Gavin feels a duel nature within, being half-English and Scottish. He doesn't necessarily fit in either world so it is admirable he makes a decision to embrace, his Scottish heritage. He suffers from an ill-warranted reputation, but wear the stain with courage and nobility. Despite Claire's apprehension, he is loyal to her.
Claire, having been fostered in France, has certain high-minded ideals of what its like to be a lady and a knight. Gavin meets none of her knightly expectation, yet she can't deny that his attention excites her. After having her ideals shattered by Alain's lack of action, Claire has to learn to reconcile her upbringing to what reality is.
The novel has several love scenes between Gavin and Claire that are sensual. Overall, "His Border Bride" is a passionate escape into the past.
October 31, 2016
Už po první větě mi bylo jasné, že hrdinku nebudu mít ráda, ale netušila jsem, že bude tak moc otravná a pitomá.
s. 19 Zadívala se na malou tkanou dečku
Malá je relativní pojem, protože „přehoz byl míněn jako podložka na lavici“, „Clare ho rozprostřela na truhlu“ a na s. 21 se do „tkané dečky zabalil“ hrdina, aby mu v noci nebyla zima.
Nejsem si úplně jistá, že se ve středověku používalo oslovení „slečno“. A jestli použití slova „kavalír“ pro rytířské chování není v roce 1356 trochu mimo.
Celá zápletka se točí kolem toho, že si všichni myslí, že hrdina zapálil kostel i s lidmi. Což neudělal. Tedy na s. 7, ale na s. 6 a vladyka mu podal pochodeň. Gavin si ji vzal, už mnohokrát předtím to tak udělal...
s. 7 [Gavin] založil už mnoho ohňů.
Na s. 75 laškuje otec hrdinky se svou milenkou Murine, „vyšli z hradu a šli rovnou do Murinina domku. Dnes v noci už zase nebude spát ve vlastním loži, nýbrž v jejím.“
Hrdinka se rozběhla k hradu, a na točitém schodišti ji dohnal otec, který jí přišel připomenout, aby co nejdřív otěhotněla (vdaná nebo ne), pak ho odvedla do jeho komnaty, kde na něho ve dveřích čekala Murine. Proč šli tedy nejdřív k jejímu domku, když otec sotva lezl?
Ale potřeboval, aby hrdinka otěhotněla, protože majetek zdědí jeho vnuci. Proč o všem rozhoduje bezdětná hrdinka, potažmo její manžel, když je otec v plné síle, mi není úplně jasné.
Bylo tedy nutné, aby si vybrala ženicha. Hejsek ji nechtěl a druhého nechtěla ona. Ale na druhou stranu se „alespoň vyzná v sokolnictví“. Tak si ho vzala. To je tedy romantika. Ale rovnou mu řekla, že manželství bude jen formální, i když zjevně potřebovala dědice. Ale hrdinovi trvalo celých deset vteřin, než ji přesvědčil o opaku. Nebylo to tak nesnadné, protože oba zjevně měli v hlavně jednu jedinou myšlenku. A navíc, hrdinova chlouba je přirovnávána k „užaslému mladému jehňátku“ a „kovářské palici“.
A „nakonec na ni nasedl“.
Hrdinka, která celou knížku vyhlížela čápa, najednou projevila zkušenosti a invenci, že i hrdina, který žil ve Francii, se nestačil divit.
Pak na rok odjel a v jejím mozečku se vylíhly další teorie, které po roce shrnula do toho, že hrdina při vyjednávání o návratu zajatého krále selhal, protože krále sice propustí, ale budou chtít penízky. Hodně penízků.
Hrdinčin oblíbený sokol se jmenuje Wee One. No.
Pasáže o sokolech byly zbytečné a zdlouhavé.
s. 19 Zadívala se na malou tkanou dečku
Malá je relativní pojem, protože „přehoz byl míněn jako podložka na lavici“, „Clare ho rozprostřela na truhlu“ a na s. 21 se do „tkané dečky zabalil“ hrdina, aby mu v noci nebyla zima.
Nejsem si úplně jistá, že se ve středověku používalo oslovení „slečno“. A jestli použití slova „kavalír“ pro rytířské chování není v roce 1356 trochu mimo.
Celá zápletka se točí kolem toho, že si všichni myslí, že hrdina zapálil kostel i s lidmi. Což neudělal. Tedy na s. 7, ale na s. 6 a vladyka mu podal pochodeň. Gavin si ji vzal, už mnohokrát předtím to tak udělal...
s. 7 [Gavin] založil už mnoho ohňů.
Na s. 75 laškuje otec hrdinky se svou milenkou Murine, „vyšli z hradu a šli rovnou do Murinina domku. Dnes v noci už zase nebude spát ve vlastním loži, nýbrž v jejím.“
Hrdinka se rozběhla k hradu, a na točitém schodišti ji dohnal otec, který jí přišel připomenout, aby co nejdřív otěhotněla (vdaná nebo ne), pak ho odvedla do jeho komnaty, kde na něho ve dveřích čekala Murine. Proč šli tedy nejdřív k jejímu domku, když otec sotva lezl?
Ale potřeboval, aby hrdinka otěhotněla, protože majetek zdědí jeho vnuci. Proč o všem rozhoduje bezdětná hrdinka, potažmo její manžel, když je otec v plné síle, mi není úplně jasné.
Bylo tedy nutné, aby si vybrala ženicha. Hejsek ji nechtěl a druhého nechtěla ona. Ale na druhou stranu se „alespoň vyzná v sokolnictví“. Tak si ho vzala. To je tedy romantika. Ale rovnou mu řekla, že manželství bude jen formální, i když zjevně potřebovala dědice. Ale hrdinovi trvalo celých deset vteřin, než ji přesvědčil o opaku. Nebylo to tak nesnadné, protože oba zjevně měli v hlavně jednu jedinou myšlenku. A navíc, hrdinova chlouba je přirovnávána k „užaslému mladému jehňátku“ a „kovářské palici“.
A „nakonec na ni nasedl“.
Hrdinka, která celou knížku vyhlížela čápa, najednou projevila zkušenosti a invenci, že i hrdina, který žil ve Francii, se nestačil divit.
Pak na rok odjel a v jejím mozečku se vylíhly další teorie, které po roce shrnula do toho, že hrdina při vyjednávání o návratu zajatého krále selhal, protože krále sice propustí, ale budou chtít penízky. Hodně penízků.
Hrdinčin oblíbený sokol se jmenuje Wee One. No.
Pasáže o sokolech byly zbytečné a zdlouhavé.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2014
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I like the setting and the characters had a good foundation. The time period was very interesting and I liked how the hero and heroine were flawed and damaged. I thought the interaction between the hero and heroine was a little too combative. They had so much in common, I think they could have better bonded over losing their mothers. I also thought the the falconry symbolism went a little to far (it was interesting in the mews but not really the bedroom).
November 8, 2013
I'm a big Blythe Gifford fan, but I think this was my all-time favorite of her books. The relationships were complex and somewhat dark... just as some are in real life. I loved the way they both conquered their demons and faced their fears... as well as their genuine love and passion for each other.
July 11, 2011
Engaging, fast-paced Scottish romance. I particularly liked the parallels of characters and falcons. Mixing real historical characters with fictional ones, Ms Gifford neatly weaves Scots-English conflicts into this story. Fab bed-time reading!
June 5, 2011
An interesting tale from a historical perspective. Not much physical action, but alot of emotional turmoil. Worth a read.
October 3, 2016
A waste of time.
May 14, 2017
I did like it, but I thought that Clare was fighting for too long and didn't get his side of the story, before judging Gavin. Then there was her dad who is a little out there to say the least, as he wants to see the grandchildren and he doesn't care if his son in law is only half Scottish.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews