Prisoner of the Flames

As an infant, Robert Mack, now the Laird of Berwickshire was almost killed in a fire which horribly scarred the left side of his otherwise handsome face. He'd lived with his disfigurement by wearing a helm designed to cover the scars which either induced gasps of horror and/or feelings of pity - both of which Robert hated. For many years he has sought a miracle to minimize his disfigurement. Hearing of the renowned healer Nostradamus Robert travels to the unsettled and dangerous Paris, France of 1562 looking for a miracle. While there he saves the life of Violette Cherier, a blind flower girl who helps him to `see' while making a few friends and unwillingly becoming embroiled in the power struggles between the warring factions. *** What a completely engrossing tale! From the very first pages of the prologue I was caught in what I knew would be an inspiring and emotional tale. Of course, it helped knowing of Dawn MacTavish's (aka Dawn Thompson) exceptional talent of weaving together original and unusual fictional characters with famous historical personages. The author's research of incidents occurring within the timeframe is always impeccable and brings delight and genuine interest to the genius of Ms. MacTavish's stories. The one element I've always found in this author is the ability of having the reader totally invested in the outcome of her characters. Robert is a strong warrior, a leader, with a generous heart and these aspects completely overcome in my mind his disfigurement. I point this out because as I read I generally have a mental image of what my characters look like and while reading this I never really let his disfigurement come out. What I saw was a beautiful human being, the same way that the young blind girl, Violette saw only the beauty of the man, even though with her hands she could `see' his scars. The miracle of showing Robert how to `see' along with their love story was an emotional and beautiful experience. Episodes of Robert's interactions with Nostradomus and the boy king of France were as highly interesting, as the power hungry and bloody Religious War villains who sought their own power over the upheaval of the times. Bottom line: Ms. MacTavish once again wrote a dynamic and vital story that captured my imagination from the first page to the last. PRISONER OF THE FLAMES is absolutely fabulous and highly recommended. Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

In 1533, Scotland, an infant was harmed when his room accidently went up in flames. The nursemaid was killed for her negligence. Twenty-nine years later, Robert Mack, the young Laird of Berwickshire, is a seasoned warrior. Few have seen his true face. Beneath the half-mask helmet he wears, the right side of his face is untouched; his left side looks as though it has melted, scar tissue narrowed the eye and pleated the corner of the mouth beneath. The young man now yearns for a wife and a family to call his own. Believing no female would ever wish to wed such as him, Robert has but one hope left. Word has reached Robert's ear of Doctor Nostradamus's healing talents. Since the doctor resides in France, Robert must seek out his uncle, Aengus Haddock, a monk of Mount St. Michael Abbey. Robert then goes, with his uncle's letter of recommendation, to seek out Michel Eyguem, seigneur de Montaigne, in Paris. In Paris, before Robert even find Montaigne, he spies two drunkards accosting a flower girl. Of course, Robert dispatches of the men. The lovely girl is named Violette Cherier and she is blind. She has barely thanked Robert for the help when he is arrested. Returning the favor of rescue, Violette goes to Montaigne for help. These are dangerous times in France. The king is a lad of twelve and his mother rules France. The country is in the middle of a bloody civil war between the Catholic Royalists, and the French Protestants - the Huguenots. Though Montaigne frees Robert from prison, they find that their troubles have only just begun. Doctor Nostradamus is unable to cure Robert's scaring, but is able to give some prophetic advice and a vile-tasting substance to help keep from catching the plague, which has been spreading like wildfire. The most important piece of advice is to learn to trust his instincts (senses) and that fire will always be around during any of his life-altering events. Robert and Violette are soon being hunted by both sides of the civil war. It will take a lot of faith in God and in love for the pair to reach safety in Scotland. **** For any fan of France's history this story will pack a punch. The author, Dawn Thompson, obviously did a lot of research about France's turbulent years. However, due to the necessity of explaining to readers why things were happening around the country, which affected the two main characters' travels, the author was unable to show the romance blooming between the two main characters as much as I would have liked. This made the romance seem very rushed to me. Yet other than that, this historical romance is full of chase scenes and rescues (much like any television drama) and will keep readers well entertained. A very nice addition to a memorable lady's writing legacy. **** Reviewed by Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.

When he was a baby, Robert Mack survived a fire though he would take exception with the word survive. The left side of his face was left scarred from the flames. Anyone who sees his visage either shows pity or horror. Robert loathes both so he wears a helm to hide his severely marked face. Unable to cope any longer with the reactions, in 1562 as the Laird of Berwickshire, Robert travels to Paris to persuade renowned healer Nostradamus to mend his face so he can go out in public or even in his home without wearing a mask. However France is a divided country on the verge of a religious civil war in which the teenage King Francis II seems to weak to prevent. In that milieu, Robert saves the life of blind flower girl Violette Cherier, which leaves him with powerful enemies who want the foreign Good Samaritan dead. This is a superb historical romance starring two wonderful protagonist who have physical problems that threaten as much as the French Religious War to keep them apart. The action-packed story line uses real persona and a period of dangerous unrest as a backdrop to the excellent love story. Robert and Violette are fully developed with each used to coping with their handicap, but neither knows what to do about their attraction. However, even with a top rate romance that moves the Phantom of the Opera to the sixteenth century, it is the history and the protagonists who make PRISONER OF THE FLAME one of the sub-genres top novels of the year. Harriet Klausner