Suzan Tisdale

Scotland, 1354. Hebuilt walls around his heart ... she has built walls around her own ... fate will bring those walls tumbling down.

Rowan's Lady

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Rowan's Lady is the first book in the duo series of Clan Graham. I was first introduced to Rowan in "Frederick's Queen" which was my first book to read from this author and we see this pair after they find their HEA, and I just fell hard for them both. And of course we have the delightful narration that Brad Wills always tends to delivers for us. And he did a superb job in telling this beautiful love tale.

This wonderful love story, starts with out hero, Rowan. The black death has been sweeping through the country, and it has swept through his clan killing more than 30 of his people including his wife. They have a baby daughter, and he makes a promise to her as she is dying, that he will open his heart to another one day. Now it is four years later, and Rowan hasn't been able to forget his wife and the love he had for her until he meets a strong willed woman full of courage. Lady Arline, has entered another arranged marriage. This is her third arranged marriage and she still has  a hope that it could be a love match one day. But on her wedding day, she learns the true nature of her husband. Who only wants a year, and then will anul their marriage so he can marry another. So for the past year, Arline has been kept locked in her room, with only herself for company. But then when her husband kidnaps a young child for ransom, she risks her life to go below and protect the child. Her husband informs her that she will take care of the child until her father gives him the ransom. And soon Arline falls in love with this precious four year old, who is precocious and endearing. She plans very carefully, because she knows that as soon her her marriage is anulled in less than two weeks, that her life will be at risk from her husband who is cruel. But on the night that her marriage is anulled, her husband beats her horribly when she tries to see to the care of the child, Lilly, and as she is sent to her room to pack her things, she runs into three highlanders, one of them....Lilly's father...Rowan. What shocks them all is that they know each other. Years previous we learn that Arline saved the lives of two of their closest friends who had been framed for treason and turned in her own stepson and grandson who were the real traitors. We also get a hint of the Shadow walkers who were a secret team that followed the orders of Robert the Bruce. Which was an interesting twist for sure.

As Rowan, Arline and Lily and the men with them travel back to Rowan's keep and home, it gives Rowan and Arline a chance to reconnect slowly. Arline is finally free to live her life and free her sisters of their father who has only used her as a pawn all of her life. But when she gets an invitation to live at Rowan's home for a time and work as Lily's governess, she leaps at the opportunity, not wanting to say goodbye to either Rowan or Lily. But when they return, there comes into the story a complication of a jealous woman, Beatrice. Beatrice, wants Rowan for herself, so she gets the servants to help her and deceived both Rowan and Arline in an effort to drive a wedge between them. But they both learn the truth when Arline confronts Rowan about his "treatment" when it was really Beatrice. Arline at this moment, only wants to leave. She doesn't feel wanted or needed but Rowan is falling in love with Arline and wants a chance to win her heart.

I found this book to be a whirlwind of emotion in only the way that Suzan Tisdale can write a story. I was swept away by this story, especially upon meeting Lily. I know not everyone likes seeing children in romance, but I do like it especially when they are written well into the story. I did find this book to be heartbreaking at times. Especially with seeing how Arline's father has used her for his own purposes and using the love and affection she holds for her sisters against her. We also get some true villains in the story that add some intensity to the plot. The romance is sweet and warm and very light in the steam. Most books I have found from this author are, but I love them. I loved seeing the focus being the emotional intimacy and there is still some great sexual tension but the actual "love scenes" are hot or steamy at all...super light just as a warning for those that prefer more steam in their romances.

I found this to be another delightful romance that Tisdale has written, and I couldn't put this one down, its a romance that is packed with emotion, great variety in characters, a perfect narration, and a love story that sweeps you off your feet!!! PURE DELIGHT!





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Rowan's Lady

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