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Book Review By plnorth
The Border Hostage by Virginia Henley

Raven Carleton lives in England on the Scottish borders, but not a typical English maiden. She loves to breed and train falcons and loves nature. She also has a grandmother who has taught her about herbal remedies, etc and initiated her into the "Craft". One day she comes across swarthy looking arrogant young man who "borrows" her horse and takes the shirt off her back to cover himself and leaves her to return home. A few days later the same man kidnaps her and her fiance to be and takes them to the castle of his brother, Laird of Clan Douglas in Scotland. He ransoms her fiance to be for his stolen horses and an insulting low amount of money but keeps Raven as his guest in the castle. His sister and brother in law welcome her with open arms recognizing his actions as that of a man in love. Raven is just begining to learn of special gifts and how to follow her instincts.

Heath Kennedy is the bastard son of the Laird of Galloway and a gypsy woman who died giving birth to him. He was raised by his gypsy grandmother and had to fight for everything he had. He has a stallion and some brood mares that he keeps with his brother in law Ram Douglas,Laird of Clan Douglas. He longs for land and a home of his own. He has talents of his own in that he can read emotions and call people to him.

Together Raven and Heath use their special abilities to unravel the thefts of livestock, attempted murder of Ram, and attempted kidnapping of the 2year old King of Scotland. They are pitted against the powerful and wealthy Dacre's of England and Archibald Douglas, Ram's uncle. This story is complete with a missing will to be found that gives Heath the land he always wanted, and a confession to be made that restores his birthright to him and make him the Laird of Galloway. There are 2 weddings, both of which are Raven and Heath's and twin babies to be born and a lot of humor and love making.


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Action/suspense subplot? Yes
Action:
If one lover chases another... - they alternate

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Age/status: - 20's-30's
If magical/mental powers:
Sex makes him

Main Female Character
Profession/status:
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
Effect of sexing
Unusual characteristics:

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting - castle

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related? - 50%
How explicit is the sex? - descript of kissing - touching of anatomy - licking - actual description of sex - Boob talk - Weiner talk
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 5-9 sex acts
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