The Border Hostage: A Novel

I disagree with most of the reviews on this book. Having read most of Henley's books, I believe this is one of my favorites. Heath is such a compelling character. I just loved reading about him and wished the book could just go on and on. An added bonus is Ram and Tina. They were so wonderful is their own book, Tempted that I was glad to have them back as secondary characters.

I thought that Heath Kennedy and Raven Carlton made a lovely match. Heath is definitely one of my all-time favorite heroes in any romance novel. With his selflessness, sensuality, compassion and strength, you could not have asked for a better male character. Raven probably was a bit naive, but she came into her own and grew in character when she was around Heath. They both had many things in common and grew to love each other through those common bonds. They fit together as well as Tina and Ramsey do in "Tempted." It was a fantastic love story.

I do not know what book "St Augustine" read, but it could not have been this one. I thought it was OUTSTANDING - Henley out did herself. Heath was exactly what I want in a leading man! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

We first met the Kennedy's in TEMPTED when Flaming Tina Kennedy stole the heart of Ramsey "Black" Douglas set to the brackdrop of the Border turmoils of 17th century Scotland before the Battle of Flodden. Tina's half gypsy brother Heath plays an important role in helping his sister find her heart desire and was deserving of his own story.Well... in THE BORDER HOSTAGE, Ms Henley doesn't disappoint. Heath is living with his sister and her husband some months after the horrendous battle at Flodden which about distroyed all of the "Flowers of Scotland". Heath ignored by the rest of Kennedy Clan as their father's by blow, has found his place with the Douglas clan as a horse trainer. Thru his Celtic gift of magic he senses his sister, who is swollen with child, is in dangers and he rushes to her tower room. Here he is captured by border reivers who mistake him for his brother in law Ramsey" Black Ram" Douglas,and in true hero fashion he willing is captured to keep both Tina and Ram safe. Across the border in England, Raven Carleton has found her own unigue niche, she trains raptors, much to her mother's dismay. Seems mother sees titles/money/status in her daughter's future and will do everything to rise above her own meeker border beginnings. Including linking with a border family's who job is to secure peace on the Enlglish side of the Borders. But Raven wants to be left alone to make her own choices both in how she will act and who she will choose for a husband, despite her interest in local "catch" Chris Dacre. Yet, she has a magical link to her Celtic heritage when she is inducted into the CRAFT by her grandmother. When the couple first meet, it seems in a case of mistaken identity again as Heath has been taken across the border and left for dead. Yet, he survives and finds himself at the mercy of Raven who calls him a filthy Scots bastard. Yet in true Scots Revier fashion he gets her out her clothes only to take her shirt(one of her brothers she wasn't supposed to have on) and wears it to escape. leaving her virtue intact and her being in outrage. Thru this first encounter they share an inkling of a shared magical link, but both are too concerned with their own problems to delve into what the magic might hold for them. In Heath's determination to find out who wants Black Douglas dead, he meets with Raven head on as they clash over border disputes. Yet, thru this Celtic magical bond our couple to begin a journey of love and self discovery: a highly charged senual link as only Ms Henley can provide.What makes this such a fun read is the hero is a man of courage, honor and pride. To compliment him Ms Henley has given him a heroine who like the hero is searching for self and when she must, she listens to her heart despite what others expect of her: another Flaming Tina who can't obey when her man is in touble. Readers who have read TEMPTED will enjoy meeting up with the Kennedy Clan, as they too must share a journey of discovery, forgiveness

In 1514 in the Borders, six thugs abduct Heath Kennedy thinking he is Lord Douglas. He barely escapes, but soon meets Lady Raven Carleton, who is mulling over her expected marriage to Christopher Dacre, son of a Head Border Lord. Not withstanding her connections, Heath steals her horse anyway. Not long afterwards, Heath recognizes his own horse stolen by the thugs but now possessed by Christopher.As an act of revenge for the attack that he cannot prove, Heath kidnaps Christopher and Raven. He sends the former back for an insultingly low ransom, but decides to keep the latter with him a little longer because he already is falling in love with her. Heath knows that he must somehow persuade Raven that he is the right man for her in spite of his half-Gypsy blood. Raven is unable to resist her attraction to the dangerous Heath and neither can he to her, so they make love. However, a deadly conspiracy centering on the three-year-old King of Scotland plus the insulted Dacre clan make a permanent relationship between Heath and Raven seem impossible.THE BORDER HOSTAGE is the typical entertaining Virginia Henley historical romance with the twist of gypsy and Celtic powers to add depth. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action that paints the conspiratorial atmosphere of the times with fascinating colors. The lead couple is a fabulous duo while the royal machinations adds suspense and excitement to a very strong sixteenth century romance.Harriet Klausner