Highland Treasure: The Firebrand: 5

This is the best of the trilogy. There are a few gaps in the story and a few issues left unresolved, such as Gilly. He started out being an important part of the story and just sort of drifted out of the story line. The end of the story is also rather abrupt in light of having to read through three books to get to it. It is almost as if the authors were burned out of ideas. Despite these little gaps and despite the stretch my immagination,it was an enjoyable read. I feel it could be read as a single self contained book as it covers the entire trilogy background of the plot and characters. I recommend it as excellent entertainment.

In 1535, following the King murdering their father, their mother Nicola Perry exiles her three daughters to different remote parts of Scotland for their safety. Catherine goes to Balvenie where she married her host John Stewart (see THE DREAMER). Laura travels to St. Duthac where she weds her protector William Ross (see THE ENCHANTRESS). The wildest one Adrianne drives the Abbess of Barra in the Western Isles crazy with her defiance.Eventually, Wyntoun MacLean, master of the Isle, arrives and takes Adrianne away with him when he leaves. His seemingly altruistic motive disguises his effort to obtain the Treasure of Tiberius for the Knights of the Veil. At his father's castle, Adrianne and Wyntoun agree to marry in order to rescue her mother, now held hostage, and to attain the treasure without jeopardizing her now married and pregnant siblings. As they work together, Wyntoun and Adrianne fall in love, but any meaningful relationship remains in jeopardy from a traitor and the individual who abducted her mother.THE FIREBRAND, the conclusion to the Perry siblings Highland trilogy, is an exiting, well-written historical romance filled with suspense and intrigue. The story line is fun as the lead charcaters struggle with an unknown enemy and their growing love for one another. The return of the stars from the previous tales adds to the overall pleasure of the plot. Though the story line requires some acceptance by the audience, May McGoldrick attains her third gold medal with this triumphant novel.Harriet Klausner