Donna Fletcher, The Daring Twin

The Daring Twin

Donna Fletcher

Avon, Jul 2005, $5.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060757825

In 1558 Scotland Fiona tells her twin Aliss that she refuses to marry Tarr, head of another clan. The twins agree to pretend to be each other although Fiona is a known warrior and Aliss a highly regarded healer as Tarr wants to wed only the "strong" one because of her potential breeding. When Tarr learns that his enemy Raynor has attacked his keep, he leaves taking both women with him. Once he determines which one is Fiona he will wed her.

On the trek back to Tarr's keep, Raynor and his men attack. With the help of the twins, one fighting and the other healing the wounded of both sides, Tarr's forces win, no one dies, and he captures a wounded Raynor. At the keep that suffered no damage, the twins keep up their ruse although Raynor finds he is attracted to one more than the other; however whether she is Fiona he does not know and for the clan's sake he must have the 'strong" one while he struggles with "attacks" on his keep that make no sense.

THE DARING TWIN is a terrific historical romance that stars a superior cast especially the lead frustrated male and the twins. The exciting storyline combines a terrific romance with an amusing "subterfuge" subplot involving how the twins keep the hero alert trying to figure out who is who with the difference in their appetites serving as the prime identifier. Aliss' paranormal healing abilities are used to foster the plot and the mysteries of who the twins really are and why the attacks on the keep make for a fine sixteenth century Scottish tale although the villain seems obvious.

Harriet Klausner