Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Only for a Knight

Only for a Knight

Sue-Ellen Welfonder

In 1344 after staying away from home for ten years to avoid marriage to Lady Ephemia Macleod, Robbie MacKenzie heads home to Kintal because honor demands he weds the woman. At the same time, the mother of Juliana MacKay is dying, but she insists that her daughter pay back the debt they owe Duncan "Black Stag" MacKenzie. Although Juliana does not believe Duncan deserves a cent, she gives a death bed vow to do so.

Robbie rescues Julian from drowning in a loch. She does not remember who she is and why she is traveling. He assumes she is a peasant due to her rough hands, but a thief too because she carries a cache of coins. As they journey together, they fall in love. However, at Kintal, as Juliana regains her memory, besides honor, Robbie learns that even if Duncan willingly risked the wrath of the Macleods, he explains to his son he cannot marry his beloved because they are first cousins.

Sue-Ellen Welfonder's latest medieval romance is a terrific tale starring a star-crossed couple whose love for one another seems helpless because of alliances and blood. The story line is filled with a feel for the era, but is driven by the cast including the return of the Mackenzie clan. Although the rival fianc e is too nasty to matter even if the affronts by her future spouse and her future mother-in-law are blatant, fans will take delight with this fine tale that clears up many of the threads from previous novels.

Warner, Jul 2005, $6.50, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0446613827

Harriet Klausner