Historical Fiction > Ireland
5th-8th Centuries
Riona
Back of the Book:
Kieran, the proud warrior-king of Gleannmara, great-grandson of Queen Maire and King Rowan, was once rejected by Riona of Dromin. But this time the willful lady will have no choice. Kieran promised his dying best friend, her brother, to protect Riona as her lord and husband. She must give up her absurd dedication to a fickle God who lets the good die while the vile go unpunished. Kieran’s sword and lifelong love is all she will need.
When Riona takes to heart three orphans, she begs God for guidance. What of her plans to join the church? Besides, how can she adopt a family without a husband? But when the arrogant Kieran of Gleannmara rides through the abbey gate, Riona cannot believe this is God’s answer! She could never accept his swaggering arrogance—or his anger at God.
Kieran is framed for murder. Suddenly the prideful king becomes a fugitive, fleeing for his life. His only hope? The faith and wit of a would-be nun, her prodigal band of homeless waifs—and the very God he has so fiercely denounced.
These unlikely cohorts are joined in an adventure of faith, hope, and love—an adventure that, for Kieran, can have only one end: acquittal…or death.
My Review:
It was refreshing to have the tables turned from the last book. This time it’s the woman who is a believer and the man who is not. I thought Linda did an excellent job of showing both sides in this book and the one before it (Maire).
The action and adventure was fun and believable. Sometimes I thought things moved a bit slowly, but it was usually necessary for the main characters to connect on a personal level.
The events of this book showed that God is in control, even when it doesn’t look like it. Everything happens for a reason. Kieran’s framing for murder was unfortunate, but he may not have given in to God without the events of his fleeing. It was refreshing to see his heart warm to the children throughout the book. While I didn’t learn much except the reinforcement that God is in control and works things out for the best, I did enjoy reading this book. It was a great sequel to Maire.