The Linnet

by Elizabeth English

Book Overview

On the deadly border between Scotland and England, the ancient feud between the Darnleys and the Kirallens threatens the love between a woman trapped by fear and the man determined to free her.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425193888
• ISBN13: 9780425193884
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Another wonderful romance by Ms. English

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques Lady Maude Darnley is known for her sharp temper and often, harsh treatment of others. What no one, save her father and an old healer know, is that she lived through a terrifying act of brutality seven years previous... one, that were people to find out about, she'd be scorned by all. She had once been a happy young lady who went out of her way to extend kindness to others. That traumatic event changed her in such a way that she was an entirely different person. Ronan Fitzgerald is a roaming minstrel and healer who loves his lifestyle. He'd never be happy confined to one place all his life. When he made a promise to his dying mentor, he never realized how much that would change his life. When he headed to Aylsford Keep, all he had been told was to serve Lord Darnley and help Maude, with no idea of what that would entail. Ronan discovered, upon arrival at Aylsford, that he may be getting more then he bargained for. He knew nothing of what he would be doing or how to help. Upon meeting Maude, he knew something was different about this woman, and that underneath her harsh demeanor, she held some dreadful secret. He did what he could to help her, until she felt able to trust him with her secret horror. Now, they can begin the real work of her healing, out of which grows a tender love that turns to a fiery passion neither can deny. As the feud grows strong once again, can their love be enough to overcome treacheries of the past? Once again, Ms. English has proven her skill at weaving a complex story full of passion and adventure, with characters the reader will love. This reviewer was doubtful as to whether or not Maude could be redeemed enough to become a believable heroine, but as it turns out, there was no reason to wonder. Maude's portrayal is beautifully rendered, and the reader can't help but understand and feel for this emotionally scarred woman. It was also delightful to see Ronan finally get a story of his own, after the role he played in Laird of the Mist. These two people are fated to be together, for only then could they both reach their full potential. Of course, as to be expected in a story by this author, the plot is rich and full of depth. It progresses at a good pace, and every character plays an important role in the tale. It was nice to see the heroes and heroines from the previous two stories in this series as well. They too, add to the story, and one never feels as though they were just added for the sake of a cameo or two. Emotions of every kind are brought into play. Readers will feel Maude's terror as she lives the horror of that fateful day, and her frustration when she tries to finally remember, but can't. There will be happiness as she comes into her own again, passion as Ronan and Maude discover their love, and finally peace when all is resolved and calm returns to the characters. One thing that this reviewer felt was never resolved was Maude's recurring dream and why she has it.

Not a WOW but a good read!

Setting - Scottish Borderlands, Chevron Hills, 1379 --- Beginning with a descriptive prologue the reader will at once see that Lady Maude Darnley has reason to have acquired her reputation as being cold, difficult, and despising the male species. Fergus, the healer who found and nursed her physical body back to life, now seven years later, lay dying and disturbed with the knowledge that he hadn't completed the healing. Fergus knew he had no choice but to send his apprentice, the minstrel Ronan Fitzgerald to complete the task he'd left undone and without telling him exactly what he had to heal after having sworn an oath to Lady Maude's father that he would never reveal to another living soul that Maude had been violated. Ronan Fitzgerald had been a traveling minstrel, with a gift for healing and promised Fergus that he would go to Lord Darnley and do what was asked of him. His introduction to Lady Maude was less than auspicious as with her cutting tongue she did her best to drive him away. Ronan saw beyond the rapier sharp tongue and having an innate sense that made him such a good healer, he saw beneath the bravado and recognized her terror by listening, really listening to the music he heard her play. As he came to care deeply for her, and with the clans ready to annihilate one another at the least provocation, Ronan would have to reach her before her terror would drive her completely over the edge and her father calling an all-out war against the Kirallen's.THE LINNET is a powerful story of bitter rage and survival. Maude who was depicted in the previous novels (BORDER BRIDE and LAIRD OF THE MIST) as cold and self-centered, in this last of the trilogy is fully exposed and dissected. Ronan, the wandering minstrel, whose loyalties were with the Kirallen's is forced by his oath to Fergus to go to the Darnley's where he happily discovered that there is more to the Lady Maude than most people knew. Intrigued, even though at first attracted by her beauty, he fell in love with her strength and bravery and prays that what skill he has can show her the way to love and trust. While the author does an admirable job with the characterizations and motivations in this book I, didn't find as much action and adventure in this as the first two novels. What I thought might prove to be a key suspense and motivational factor of a proposed betrothal between Maude and a neighboring laird, it was never developed and just lay there. However, the love story with Ronan was lovely, as Maude learned to trust again, but unlike the first two novels of this series, it does not rate a WOW but simply a good read. --- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com --

A WONDERFUL BOOK

I really enjoyed this book. I must say, you should read "Border Bride" first. This is where, you first meet Lady Maude (who is horrible to her stepsister, Alyson) Now I Know Why!!! In her next book "Laird of the Mist" we meet Ronan. All of the characters from "Border Bride" and "Laird of the Mist" are in "The Linnet.""The Linnet", is another fantastic book by Elizabeth English. I hope she writes another sequel.

A Great Story of Love and Healing

Elizabeth English isn't a run-of-the mill romance writer. Her stories have a power and depth that many "standard" romances just don't offer. Not afraid to take chances,in The Linnet Ms. English explores the character of Lady Maude, revealing why her heroine is distant and cold while showing us how love can heal even the most broken of hearts. This book brings the characters Ms. English introduced in The Border Bride full circle in a satisfying conclusion. You'll want to read this one in a single sitting--and you'll be sorry to put it down once you're done.

Not your average romance! My impressions of why it's not! :)

This is a book whose characters will stay with me for a long time. (I appreciate the other reviewer saying that some of these characters are also in Elizabeth's other books -- which now I'll have to go get! And a sequel to these main characters would even be nice- they're that intriguing to me!) Most romance novels that I have read are wondrous "brain candy" and I eat them up with great relish & speed and then move on to the next one. This book gets 5 stars from me because it wouldn't let me read it fast.. it made me want to savor the experience.. and because I won't forget these characters even after I move on to the next book. The heroine's courage and the hero's selflessness were very moving and I appreciated their examples very much.I saw this book, "The Linnet" in the store and was hooked by the page I saw that has the hero starting out in a cave! The author writes convincingly and tackles a hard-on-the-heroine subject matter not usually found in romance novels. This is a story guided by truths and truths are sometimes hard to take but this author does it well and with grace. By that I mean that she does not shy away from her painful subject matter and instills it with the romance of finding a way back even after hard events in life. The hero and heroine are both people that you want to make it. I loved how the author wove such depth and complexity of her characters in with the historical setting of border feuding, between Scotland and English land owners, that would have allowed such complexity. I'm sorry for not giving more details of the story line. Besides knowing that other reviewers will do that if that's what you want-- I just don't want to give too much away-- as it's really an experience to read the story for itself and let it unfold as it goes along. Suffice it to say, that the hero and the heroine both have things to overcome and that they help each other through these things, which gives hope that even those who are emotionally and physically scarred can find a lasting and tender love. What better feeling than for an author to give us such a sweet hope.In many romance novels the story ends with the heroine and the hero happily with or planning their children. I must say that I applaud this unconventional ending!! I was truly moved by the last line of the book (can't remember the last time a romance novel ending left me with such a feeling of poetic satisfaction and so I was inspired to immediately come and write a review.) :)I for one, am very glad that I purchased this book. I plan to share it with friends rather than trade it in. Thank you for reading my thoughts on it. May your day be as good as a romance ending...especially this one! :)