Knight in Highland Armor

 

I am a bit mixed in my feeling about Knight in Highland Armor. I will say that after reading the number of these historical romances that I have read lately and as you all know most of them being about Scottish Highlanders there are certain things that I have become a bit jaded about. This book has all of the elements that I enjoy; romance, intrigue with plenty of historical accuracy thrown in.

Grieving from the death of his wife, Lord Colin Campbell listens to the cries of his newborn son whilst penning a missive to the king. With no marriage prospects, Colin petitions his majesty for help in finding a stepmother. Never again will he fall in love—the death of a woman brings more pain than losing a whole contingent of men on the battlefield.

Feisty, quick tongued and smart, Margaret Robinson is delighted when her father receives a messenger from the king…until she discovers what news he brings. In a sennight, she will wed the notorious Black Knight—her life is about to end.

Tension builds during the wedding and deteriorates from there…until an accident draws them together. Just when their love begins to blossom, a dire request arrives from the Pope. Colin must join the Crusades at once.

Their fragile love is forced to withstand the seductions of hell—Margaret tempted by a scoundrel laird—Colin courted by Satan himself. Aye, the war for Christendom could very well ruin their dreams forever.

Colin and Margaret both stubborn and get on each other’s nerves. He is simply looking for a woman to care for his son while she is looking for a husband who will love and cherish her while not pushing her to the back of the shadows, so to speak. Then something happens and they realize just how much they love one another. The story is sweet and wonderful and just when they finally begin to get a little bit of happiness Colin has to join the Crusades.

They are separated for a lengthy amount  of time. We are talking years people!! They give one another “tokens” to be sent to the other in case one should die. No one knows of these items and each is always on the look out for the token to arrive. Years pass and Margaret will not believe that the worst happened since she hasn’t received anything. Just as she is about to do something she truly doesn’t want to do but feels she must Colin gets her attention rather dramatically. I am going to say that it is very theatrical and perfect. When I said I was of two minds about this story is because when the Crusades are happening it can get a bit drawn out. For me those parts, though historically accurate as there truly was a Lord Campbell with a wife named Margaret, were just too much history rather than romance. However that is just a personal preference and it doesn’t really take anything away from the story.