Book Review- A Promise Given

A Promise Given
Samantha James
Avon,
379 Pages,
Published Jan 1998
Scottish Highlands Historical Romance
ISBN: 0-380-78608-7

Synopsis:
A PROMISE GIVEN
The proud head of his Highland clan, Ian MacGregor has returned, cloaked in secrets, to the place where he spent many carefree years, in order to marry Margaret Kincaid--the lowlands lass to whom he has been betrothed since his youth. But it is the wild spirited and hauntingly beautiful Sabrina Kincaid who catches Ian's eye. And when Margaret mysteriously vanishes, he willingly accepts Sabrina as his bride in her sister's stead.


A PROMISE KEPT
Dutybound to honor her father's wish, Sabrina reluctantly agrees to wed the rugged chieftain--though she fears the rumors of Ian's dark past. . .and the whispers that now blame him for Margaret's disappearance. But her sensuous soul bids her to pay no heed to her doubts and mistrust, and to submit instead to the searing passions that burn within her. For Ian's stirring yet tender caress speaks of a noble, gentle heart. And if peril is Sabrina's fate, so be it--for she is determined to learn the truths that will set them both free and carry them aloft together on the wings of incomparable love.

My Review:
A Promise Given is one of the classics of Samantha James. Its a re-read for me, but its been a few years since I have read it. I wanted to read this one because I hadn't read it in a while, and I was in the mood for a love story among the highlands. Which is where this story takes place, when William Wallace and Robert the Bruce were fighting against England for Scotland(Samantha James Website). Its a turbulant time to be sure, it starts out in the 1300's.  Sabrina Kincaid is one of the daughters of her father, who is the Laird of the Kincaid Clan. Her father has always blamed her for her mothers death, her older sister Margaret her father has always favored. Sabrina has always been the one to be given tasks, and kept continually busy, and always criticized and ridiculed by her father and even at times her sister. When she takes a swim in the lake, she turns to find Ian Macgregor, who she knew when she was young. Both his father and his step mother have recently passed away and he has become the head of his clan. So he comes to the Dunvely Keep to honor the agreement of his marriage between Margaret and himself. When Margaret disappears however, Sabrina is put in her sister's place to be married to Ian. Sabrina is very against being married to Ian, she has just lost her sister, but she doesn't want to be forced into marriage. But she knows of her duty so she does, even though things between Sabrina and Ian are tense to say the least. But there is a stirring and rising desire between them, that cannot be denied. Where they will find tender and beautiful love that blossoms endure present dangers that could destroy it.

This was a beautiful and enchanting love story that will pull you in. I found that this was one of my favorites of Samantha James that I have read.  I have always loved the whole scottish theme to story, especially love stories. We have strong virile men, kilts, swords and filled with adventure. What more could a girl want in a good romance right? The only thing that I didn't really like about this book is the lack of trust between Sabrina and Ian. After their relationship develops and they start to fall in love with one another, their is a lack of trust. What is love without trust right? At least for me there is, but other than that it was a great enjoyable read. The writing was well written which flowed smoothly and drew me in from the first to the last page. A truly remarkable story that will endear the characters to your heart.

My Grade For This Book 
4.5 Blossoms