McClairen's Isle: The Ravishing One

Do not start reading Connie Brockway's latest release, McClairen's Isle: The Ravishing One, unless you don't have to be anywhere or do anything for awhile! The Ravishing One grabs your attention and keeps it for the duration of the story.The Ravishing One is the third installment of the McClairen's Isle trilogy, but can easily survive as a stand alone book. The back story is deftly woven throughout The Ravishing One, giving any reader a solid foundation.I would recommend The Ravishing One to anyone wanting a great read.

McClairen's Isle: The Ravishing One is Connie Brockway's energized finale to the trilogy and Ms. Brockway has steered the third installment with an excellent plot on Fia Merrick and Captain Thomas Donne to a grand finish. Fia Merrick is in silent angst - being ruthlessly manipulated like a social puppet in England, the Earl of Carr plans to secure his power using Fia as a boarding step. She is left devastated when she finds Thomas critical of her because of her position as a daughter to Carr. The Ravishing One shines - and Fia catapults the narration to one of strength and emotional intensity. Her affection towards Kay, her desperate escape into a quick loveless marriage makes her a passionate character. She is drawn into treachery when she realizes that Thomas is in fact McClairen who is intent on vengeance on the Earl of Carr for his betrayal towards his clan. The ending is heartbreakingly tender with Fia giving herself and Thomas a chance to be freed of the devious Carr, and learns the healing powers of love. Ms. Brockway stirs with her dialogue but falls short in saturating the book with Scotland Highlands charm; the descriptions are not too detailed enough to bring the rustic charms of Irish to life. This, however is compensated by her strength in spinning a galvanized tale and climaxes with a waxing finish - with a joyous reunion of the family with her brother Ash and Raine. Such committed and buoyant writing only leaves me to say that I am McClairen's Isle: The Devoted Reader.

Connie Brockway delivers her best with the third book in the McClairen's Isle Trilogy. "The Ravishing One" is a must read! From the glitter and glamour of 18th century London to the wild and untamed Scottish island know as McClairen's Isle, Ms. Brockway brings us Fia Merrick, daughter of the dispicable Ronald Merrick, Earl of Carr. Introduced in " The Passionate One," and again revisited in " The Reckless One," Ms. Brockway concludes this majestical trilogy with the best novel of them all. Fia Merrick is raised by her decadent father, Carr, to be nothing more than a high priced whore, or so Thomas Donne aka Thomas McClairen believes. Fia is devestated to learn his low opinion of her, since she fancies herself in love with him at the tender age of fifteen. Fleeing her home, Wanton's Blush, formerly known as Maiden's Blush, Fia hies herself off to London to elope with an aging low-lander Scot. Hoping to inherit his fortune upon his death, Fia is dismayed to learn (after her rather hasty marriage) that he has two heirs, Kay and Cora. When her husband does indeed die, not without some help from Carr of course, Fia is further dismayed to learn that Carr is now the owner of Kay's inheritance and that he has her dancing to his tune to regain it. A tune that Fia has no wish to dance to. Carr wants her to marry into a powerful family, much against Fia's wishes. Without much choice, she sets out to become London's most well known lady, a lady with a somewhat tarnished background known throughout society as "The Black Diamond". When Thomas Donne/McClairen sets eyes upon the lovely Fia Merrick after six years, he is dead set against her, blaming her for the many sins of her father, for she is his daughter after all. When his dear friend and business partner seemingly falls for her, Thomas knows he must do anything to prevent them from wedding. So he 'abducts' her, or tries to since she is rather willing, and sweeps her off to Scotland. To McClairen's Isle, where he is restoring the ruined Wanton's Blush to her former glory, Maiden's Blush. Much to his surprise, he soon finds that there is more to Fia than meets the eye. And Fia herself must learn to trust in Thomas, no small thing since she has never trusted a soul in her life. With heartwarming scenes and wonderful characters, Ms. Brockway makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time to the handsome rogues and beautiful ladies of old. With a surprise ending (involving Gunna and Carr), and all of the beloved characters from the previous books: Ash, Rhiannon, Raine, Favor, and Gunna, this series is a must read. When I turned the last page, after reading the author's note, I was actually sad that their story had come to an end. I am hopeful, however, that Ms. Brockway will take us once again to McClairen's Isle and back to all of our favorite characters. Thank-you Ms. Brockway, for a wonderful and heartwarming trilogy!

As a little girl, Fia Merrick's mother confronted her father for his betrayal of her clan. The Earl of Carr simply killed his wife, throwing her from a cliff. Avarice being his moral center, Carr killed off two more wealthy spouses. As an adult Fia fled her odious father by running off with an elderly aristocrat. Meanwhile, his daughter has learned one lesson from her sire and the only man she ever loved, Thomas McClairen: trust no one.Thomas returns to England after spending time overseas as an indentured servant due to Carr's tricks. As part of his vengeance, he disguises himself as a Dunne and kidnaps Fia. He takes her to McClairen Isle where he and Fia fall in love. Though he knows Fia is nothing like her public image of a depraved individual, he still cannot stop thinking that she is Carr's daughter. The third novel in Connie Brockway's McClairen isle trilogy is an exciting historical romance centering on the redemption of two wounded charcaters through love. The story line is fast-paced as the "quartet" plays out between the two lead charcaters, her father, and the seeming ghost of her mother. Fans who enjoyed the first two books will not be disappointed with the conclusion while new readers will seek the previous novels.Harriet Klausner

The last installment of Connie Brockway's McClairen's Isle trilogy is an exciting, passionate read. While reading this book, Ms. Brockway carried me away, and I visited that Isle, and its fascinating inhabitants--including that villian I love to hate, Lord Carr.While much of the action takes place in London, the last half of this book is back on the "Isle", when Thomas Donne "abducts" Fia, the ravishing one. Thomas and Fia, have a past, present, but will they have a future? Fia is a tormented heroine; she's very much like Ash. Because of her father, she doesn't feel deserving of good things. And Thomas, has an agenda that may make a romance between him and Fia seem impossible.I only put this book down when I had to, and when I finished it. And, I hated the fact that I may have taken my last trip to McClairen's Isle. In the Ravishing One, you get to revisit all the "special" inhabitants--Ash and Rhiannon, Raine and Favor, as well as Gunna and Lord Carr. With it's beautiful scenery, charismatic characters, grand adventure, and beautiful love scenes--this is one special read!