R. Garland Gray, Predestined

Predestined

R. Garland Gray

Almost two decades have passed since newborn Bryna was abandoned. Raised as a slave to the Romans, she has no family that she knows of and no friends except an ancient Druid Derina.

The Sorcerer has chained a Tynan to an ancient stone hoping that this one is the Dark Chieftain of Prophecy. Derina sends Bryna to help the prisoner; she starts by bringing water with crushed apples. Meanwhile Tynan hears voices of fairies crying to him to rescue them from the darkest lowest dungeon. He is the Dark Chieftain who will break the spell that binds the fairies in the pits beneath the keep. His only hope to escape rests in rescue by the territorial goddess not by a Roman slave even if he admires her courage and in spite of his predicament desires her.

PREDESTINED is a terrific Ancient Britannia romantic fantasy that grips the audience the moment that Bryna serendipitously provides water to the chained Tynan. This is more a fantasy than a romance though the latter is heavily imbued in the fast-paced plot. Tynan is a terrific champion seeking his ally the territorial goddess but ironically as he is attracted to his rescuer he fails to realize who she really is. For that matter the Sorcerer fails to comprehend who his slave is. While these two rivals seek the key female, readers have a fine time knowing what we know as R. Garland Gray provides a colorful historical tale that will elate fans of both genres.

Medallion, Jun 2005, $6.99, 350 pp.

ISBN: 193281552X

Harriet Klausner