I was actually introduced to this story in the novella of Once Upon a Haunted Castle anthology. I liked it then, and love it now!

I lean toward longer novels, so the longer the better. Although this one isn’t terribly long, it does flesh-out the characters much more, giving them a well-developed personality, and engages more snuggly than the novella. I fell upon the same quote I particularly liked in the novella and will share it here.

“Ye see, life is really only filled with the appearances of choice. The rest is simply our response."
From the first page the author has my heart racing. We know they are coming and Lady Amma Cam’beal, Elle’s mother, a warrior of Viking heritage, is scared. She knows she’s doomed and needs to save her children. Elle and her brother, Erik, age ten, don’t hide, for these monster Vikings would seek them out. Nay, they run and run as far as little Erik can.

So much happens in this scene—it’s terrifying and very well written. We learn the sword above the hearth is very important and lest it fall in the Vikings’s hands, Elle takes it. Elle’s da tells her the MacDougall clan will protect them and the sword is proof.

So I’m in--hook, line and sinker. The read was almost done in a single sitting, because I couldn’t put it down.

From terror, to only more terror. Elle has to leave her brother at a crofter she knows and trusts. Arriving at Dunstaffnage Castle, home of the MacDougall clan did not relieve Elle’s pain and heartache. Laird Beiste MacDougall is in a bad temper, sorrow wenches his gut – his da is dead, cut down, just that morning. Is it coincidence when Elle appears? Highly suspicious timing. Who is she and why does she ask for protection? He prefers to protect his clan against her and locks her in a chamber. Woe to the vanquished!

Eliza Knight keeps the tension building, coiling ever tighter throughout the story until they come! Yes, they are coming for her! It is simply riveting and quite the thriller! Can Elle trust Beist to honor his fathers promise of protection?

Beiste comes to terms with his da’s demise, he is the new laird and must protect his clan and those he is sworn to protect. Thank God for Elle and Erik! He is quite the passionate, safe harbor for Elle, and I simply fell in love with who he is.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about the rest of this series. It will take you to a world pockmarked with vengeance, and in the end, rendered safe through honor, love and determination. ( )