Series: Isles/Templar (Book 3)
When a dashing Scottish nobleman meets an impetuous beauty under treacherous circumstances, they discover something more irresistible than the fabled Templar treasure that they seek...
To Lady Isobel Macleod, marriage is a prison and husbands irritating encumbrances. Her domineering father and ferocious brother-in-law have proven as much to her. But when she comes upon Sir Michael St. Clair, master of Rosslyn Castle, being beaten by vicious strangers, she flies to the knight's defense, helps him escape, and flees with him into the rugged Highlands and beyond to the misty Isles. Alone under the stars with the man whose gaze holds her spellbound, Isobel ponders her long-held prejudices. But as their relentless enemy pursues them, she faces a new danger -- surrendering her freedom to this fearless yet tender man... and linking her fate forever to the treasure that stirs mankind's greed and imagination to this very day.
This was a fun, adventurous story with the added bonus of a good romance. Isobel is nineteen-years-old, willful, independent, feisty, stubborn, and perhaps a little bit naïve. Chafing under the rules that govern a "lady's" behavior, Isobel escapes whenever she can. On this occasion, she rode out alone and stumbled upon a man being beaten by strangers. Rather than go for help, she rushed in to try to help. Instead, she was also captured. Her naivety showed in her belief that just telling them who she was would make them stop. Her stubbornness also showed in her refusal to sit back and accept whatever would happen. I enjoyed her take-charge attitude as she engineered their escape, and wondered a little at the rather docile attitude of the man she rescued.
Michael is a knight from a powerful family. He is strong, brave, intelligent, and determined. While visiting a friend, Michael indulged in one of his passions - exploring caves. He went out early one morning and was attacked by men who believed that he knew something about a long lost treasure. His prospects for survival don't look good. He was stunned by the arrival of and attempted interference by a beautiful woman. It was fun to see his surprise as Isobel found a way to free them both and managed their escape. I found it interesting that he seemed content to let her do so, making only a few mild suggestions.
I enjoyed how the development of Michael and Isobel's relationship was intertwined with the adventure of Templar treasure. There were sparks between them from the start. Isobel tried to ignore them, as she was determined that she would never marry. Her observations of marriage led her to believe it was more prison than pleasure, something that did not suit her independent nature. Michael was intrigued by Isobel and her independence, and also frequently frustrated by her actions. He also found himself increasingly protective of her. When they reached the safety of her brother-in-law's home, matters became more complicated. To protect her reputation, Michael proposed marriage but had to overcome several obstacles before she would agree. There were several instances when I really wanted to shake Isobel because she was only thinking of herself. She had almost succeeded in keeping her freedom until a stupid decision on her part sealed her fate, and she discovered a different side to the previously mild-mannered Michael. I liked seeing them get to know each other. Both had some issues with trust, and I loved seeing how they handled those problems. There were some terrific scenes that showed the growing depth of their feelings and the way they showed them. The conclusion was quite intense, and I loved how they expressed their feelings at the end.
The adventure part of the story was very good. I enjoyed the concept of the missing Templar's treasure and the conflict between those who wanted it. It was clear from the start that Waldron would do anything to get his hands on it, and Michael was equally determined to keep it safe. The problem was that no one knew where it was, and the race was on to see who would find it first. Adding further complications was the impending installation of Michael's brother Henry as the ruler of the Orkneys. I loved the involvement of Isobel's family and connections in protecting both Isobel and Michael. There were some fantastic scenes with Hector and Lachlan as plans were made and carried out. The sea battle was exciting and gave a hint of what was to come. I loved the group's arrival at Henry's and the conversation among him, Michael, and Isobel regarding the treasure. I especially enjoyed that it was Isobel who discovered something that neither of the men had noticed about the letter that Henry had. Waldron's deviousness was evident in his actions here, and there were some tense moments before it was all over. I was on the edge of my seat as Michael and Isobel arrived at Rosslyn and continued their search for the treasure. Waldron's reappearance was not unexpected, and this confrontation reminded me of the one at the beginning of the book. I loved Isobel's method of self-defense and her presence of mind as she dealt with each threat. There was assistance from an unexpected source and a very satisfying ending.
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