Lyon's Gift (MacKinnon Sisters, Book Two): Tanya Anne Crosby

"LYON'S PRIDE
"Piers de Montgomerie, known as "Lyon" for his fierceness in combat, accepts the challenge of the Scottish king, agreeing to quell a troublesome highland feud and to accept the disputed lands as payment. But his battle skills are no match for the flashing eyes and barbed tongue of "Mad" Meghan Brodie--the spirited wench he now holds hostage, who fires his blood with her heart-stirring beauty.
"LYON'S GIFT
"Distrustful of men and feigning madness, in truth Meghan is cunning as a fox--and far too loyal to her clan to be swayed by her arrogant captor's honeyed words and virile charms. She will make the Lyon pay dearly for the "gift" he has so brazenly stolen--even as her own traitorous heart begs her to surrender gladly to the one great love that can heal an injured land."

I was SO thrilled to pick up this book! I remember loving the first book in this series and couldn't wait to see what Crosby had in store for me this time.

Most authors who write series only briefly mention characters from earlier books. A lot of the time, there's little to no interaction. I've only found a few authors who take those extra few steps. What impressed me with Crosby was the fact that her whole setting was intertwined and there was more than one character from the first book that made an appearance. Though it's been nearly a year since I read the first book, I remember the characters so vividly that I can really appreciate all of the intermingling.

Again, I loved the dialogue. The Scottish brogues were awesome. It really submerges you in the work. I can really admire an author who's capable of doing such a thing.

Though this book wasn't nearly as dramatic as most of the other books I've read, it wasn't a bad thing. It actually might have made it more believable than others.

I love Crosby's works and I can't wait to get my hands on the next in this series!

The MacKinnon's Bride (MacKinnon Sisters, Book One): Tanya Anne Crosby

“THE WARRIOR’S VENGEANCE

“Fiercely loyal to clan alone, Iain MacKinnon will never be a slave to King or conqueror—even when his son, Malcom, is taken hostage by a lackey of the English-loving sovereign. Answering treachery in kind, the proud Scottish chieftain kidnaps the beautiful wild daughter of young Malcom’s captor—unaware that his prisoner’s father is well pleased to be rid of the troublesome wench!

“THE MACKINNON’S BRIDE

“He is the enemy—yet the fire that burns in Iain MacKinnon’s eyes kindles a passion in Page FitzSimon that she has never permitted herself to feel. But the bewitching hellion is determined to resist the MacKinnon, even as her body awakens—not knowing she has enchanted the true and guarded heart of a champion who now must protect and cherish her always.”

I’ve never read Tanya Anne Crosby before and I have to say that she now ranks up there with some of my favorite authors! As usual, I was excited about reading a new author, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Crosby, however, did not disappoint!

Her characters were FANTASTIC! The dialogue was some of THE BEST that I have ever read and I could hear their voices in my head. (I will say, however, that the Scottish dialogue might be a bit more difficult for others to comprehend if they do not have the time or imagination to put into it. I promise that it’s worth it though!) The plot itself was interesting and different. It kept me reading page after page and I just did not want to put it down. I am really, really looking forward to reading the second in the MacKinnon Sisters series!