L.A. Kelly, Return to Alastair

Return to Alastair

L.A. Kelly

Revell, Jan 2006, $12.99, 368 pp.

ISBN: 0800731166

In the town of Alastair, Tiarra Loble has been brought up on stories about her father and brother, Tahn Dorn, who helped his father kill their mother, before the father was killed and her son scarred by burning hot water tossed on him by villagers before he escaped with his uncle. The truth is he was taken when he was four years old, and his mentor was an evil sadistic monster who beat him and brought young orphans into his criminal organization. After saving Lord Trilet's family from a nobleman's envy, Tahn broke free of his master and took the children to the estate of the nobleman he saved, and where he became the chief guardsmen.

Although he is treated as a son by Lord Trilet, and everyone expects him to marry Netta the daughter of the house, Tahn needs to go back to Alastair to see if he can find out the truth about his past. The townsfolk revile him, especially his sister, calling him a killer as he goes about asking questions. The bandit leader he once knew wants him dead, as Tahn embarrassed him, and Lord Trent wants him and his sister dead because they have a very real claim to his title, wealth and estates. Tahn is content to leave his fate in God's hand.

RETURN TO ALASTAIR is an exciting romantic fantasy with a protagonist that is easy to love, as he proves that evil has no power over goodness once one chooses to accept salvation. As he suffered untold cruelties as a child, a teen and an adult, Tahn has the faith that leads him to leave the dark path to that of purity and decency. There is so much action and fantastic character development that readers will hope for a future RETURN TO ALASTAIR.