In The Border Hostage, a titillating combination of historical detail and breathtaking passion, perennial favorite Henley wields her magic yet again, this time setting her tale along the bloody borders of Scotland and England. When high-strung English beauty Raven Carleton runs into Heath Kennedy, the bastard son of a Scottish border lord, trespassing on her family's lands, she's lucky Heath only divests her of her favorite horse and the shirt off her back. But when Raven runs across Heath again while out riding with her betrothed, she doesn't get off so easily. Taken hostage and held for ransom by the rugged Scot, Raven vows to escape as soon as she can. But Raven fails to reckon with her own attraction to the fiendishly handsome Heath. Erotic visions haunt her as Raven attempts to deny her Celtic roots and the images her heritage brings--dreams of passionate embraces shared not with her fiancé, Christopher Dacre, but with the smug Scot Heath whom she cannot abide. Even worse, Heath's knowing grin makes Raven believe he can read her unruly mind. Machinations of the English court and Scottish loyalists threaten not only Heath and Raven's happiness, but their very lives. Those who wait for each new Henley title will not be disappointed. --Alison Trinkle


From Publishers Weekly
The territory fought over for centuries by English nobles and Scottish clansmen provides the setting for New York Times bestselling author Henley's 17th historical romance (after The Marriage Prize, etc.). She establishes the tone right away with a graphic and portentous mating scene between a mare and a stallion. Rugged, handsome Heath Kennedy, bastard son of the wealthy Lord of Galloway, is abducted by a renegade band of border prowlers who mistake him for his brother-in-law, Lord Ram Douglas. Though they try to drown him, he survives and encounters beauteous free spirit Raven Carleton downstream on her father's estate; despite her upbringing as a proper English lady, she's riding her horse bareback, alone, at dawn. Heath must find Ram and warn him of danger, so he "borrows" Raven's shirt and mount she's mortified, he's smitten. Thus starts a multifaceted plot involving Raven's betrothal to the shady Christopher Dacre, an English aristocrat favored by her parents, and her troublesome attraction to the intrepid Scottish thief who has an affinity for horses that matches her own gift for falconry. It turns out Dacre was behind Heath's kidnapping, and Heath soon returns the favor by abducting him and Raven, too. Raids, arson and a scheme to kidnap Scotland's infant monarch provide action and intrigue as Heath and Raven, who are of course destined for each other, fall into a love/hate relationship that includes perilous escapes and lubricious love scenes. Heath's reliance on the earth to renew strength as well as the supernatural gift of "the sight" Raven has inherited from her grandmother are only a few of many unusual details that enhance this 16th-century saga of political intrigue and tempestuous romance. (July)Forecast: This is more of the satisfying same for Henley's fans, as they will gather from a preview in the paperback edition of The Marriage Prize and from the predictable cover art, featuring a gloomy castle at dusk. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Raven Carleton is a medieval English beauty just starting to realize her power when she encounters the tattered but virile Heath Kennedy, who has just escaped his kidnappers. He takes Raven's pony and blouse so he can get back to Scotland, promising to return them. Raven is both outraged and intrigued, but her parents want her to marry a local nobleman, Christopher Dacre, who, it turns out, is Heath's enemy. Heath takes the couple hostage, carries them to Scotland, ransoms Christopher, and tries to romance Raven. The bastard son of a Scottish lord, he knows his rank is an impediment, but he fell in love with her at first sight and must have her. Raven finds herself as divided as England and Scotland: her heart wants to stay with Heath, but her mind tells her that she must return to England and her family. Henley deftly intertwines political machinations and passion in this lusty historical romance. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
“The territory fought over for centuries by English nobles and Scottish clansmen provides the setting for New York Times bestselling author Henley's 17th historical romance.... [M]any unusual details that enhance this 16th-century saga of political intrigue and tempestuous romance.”
-- Publishers Weekly


Praise for New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley:

“A master storyteller ... with each new novel, Virginia Henley tests her powers as a writer, and, as readers, we reap the splendid rewards.”
— Romantic Times

“No one sets fire to the page like Virginia Henley.”
— Christina Skye, author of Going Overboard

“A brilliant author whom we come to rely on for the best in romantic fiction.”
— Rendezvous

“Virginia Henley writes the kind of book you simply can’t stop reading.”
— Bertrice Small


Review
?The territory fought over for centuries by English nobles and Scottish clansmen provides the setting for New York Times bestselling author Henley's 17th historical romance.... [M]any unusual details that enhance this 16th-century saga of political intrigue and tempestuous romance.?
-- Publishers Weekly


Praise for New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley:

?A master storyteller ... with each new novel, Virginia Henley tests her powers as a writer, and, as readers, we reap the splendid rewards.?
? Romantic Times

?No one sets fire to the page like Virginia Henley.?
? Christina Skye, author of Going Overboard

?A brilliant author whom we come to rely on for the best in romantic fiction.?
? Rendezvous

?Virginia Henley writes the kind of book you simply can?t stop reading.?
? Bertrice Small


Book Description
Heart-stoppingly romantic, powerfully sensual, Virginia Henley's New York Times bestselling novels have captured the hearts of readers and the raves of critics everywhere. In her breathtaking new novel, the award-winning author once again brings us her trademark blend of historical intrigue and sizzling romance.

Here she transports us to medieval England and Scotland -- at a time when bitter border wars raged throughout the land -- to weave an unforgettable tale of a headstrong Englishwoman abducted by a Scotsman seeking passionate revenge....

Raven Carleton is every inch the English lady. But on this glorious morning, as she gallops along the seacoast -- her hair streaming behind her -- Raven is thinking about her freedom, not her imminent betrothal to aristocratic Englishman Christopher Dacre. Suddenly Raven is forced to draw rein when a man appears directly in her path. Silhouetted against the predawn sky, he is magnificent -- a darkly powerful stranger who will alter the course of her life.

Heath Kennedy is a loyal Scot who will defend to the death those he loves. After narrowly escaping his own death at the hands of highborn conspirators, he awakens on the banks of the River Eden ... and sees a creature of infinite loveliness riding toward him. Knowing that this wild English beauty can never be his, Heath devises a plan of revenge against his royal enemies. Raven will be the ultimate bargaining tool -- his exquisite ransom.

Yet from the moment he spirits her to his ancestral castle in Scotland, nothing goes as planned. Heath is irresistibly seduced by his headstrong captive, a woman who knows no fear and who calls him enemy ... even as desire flames between them.

In a land divided, there is nothing more dangerous than falling in love. But Heath Kennedy is a man beguiled. Risking the wrath of two realms, Heath does the unthinkable: He offers Raven her freedom. He asks only one thing in return....

Set against the passion and savagery of a tempestuous age, The Border Hostage captivates us with a truly unforgettable love story. It is yet another dazzling work of romance fiction from the incomparable Virginia Henley.



From the Inside Flap
Heart-stoppingly romantic, powerfully sensual, Virginia Henley's New York Times bestselling novels have captured the hearts of readers and the raves of critics everywhere. In her breathtaking new novel, the award-winning author once again brings us her trademark blend of historical intrigue and sizzling romance.

Here she transports us to medieval England and Scotland -- at a time when bitter border wars raged throughout the land -- to weave an unforgettable tale of a headstrong Englishwoman abducted by a Scotsman seeking passionate revenge....

Raven Carleton is every inch the English lady. But on this glorious morning, as she gallops along the seacoast -- her hair streaming behind her -- Raven is thinking about her freedom, not her imminent betrothal to aristocratic Englishman Christopher Dacre. Suddenly Raven is forced to draw rein when a man appears directly in her path. Silhouetted against the predawn sky, he is magnificent -- a darkly powerful stranger who will alter the course of her life.

Heath Kennedy is a loyal Scot who will defend to the death those he loves. After narrowly escaping his own death at the hands of highborn conspirators, he awakens on the banks of the River Eden ... and sees a creature of infinite loveliness riding toward him. Knowing that this wild English beauty can never be his, Heath devises a plan of revenge against his royal enemies. Raven will be the ultimate bargaining tool -- his exquisite ransom.

Yet from the moment he spirits her to his ancestral castle in Scotland, nothing goes as planned. Heath is irresistibly seduced by his headstrong captive, a woman who knows no fear and who calls him enemy ... even as desire flames between them.

In a land divided, there is nothing more dangerous than falling in love. But Heath Kennedy is a man beguiled. Risking the wrath of two realms, Heath does the unthinkable: He offers Raven her freedom. He asks only one thing in return....

Set against the passion and savagery of a tempestuous age, The Border Hostage captivates us with a truly unforgettable love story. It is yet another dazzling work of romance fiction from the incomparable Virginia Henley.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Bestselling author Virginia Henley knows just how to set the stage for a historical romance that sizzles with intrigue and sexual tension. The Border Hostage is a tale of mistaken identity, set on the disputed border between Scotland and England in the 16th century. At first, Heath Kennedy thought beautiful Raven Carleton was a wandering gypsy -- and lost his heart to her wild beauty. He soon finds the truth is nothing so simple. Raven, the daughter of a powerful and wealthy English family, and betrothed to a mighty English lord, thinks the rugged Scottish warrior is insolent...but she finds him absolutely unforgettable. And when he abducts her, he awakens a passion that makes them both forget that they're supposed to be enemies...and realize how hard it is to choose between loyalty and love.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley brings her trademark passion, power, and steamy sensuality to this dazzling work of romance fiction–an unforgettable tale of a headstrong Englishwoman abducted by a Scotsman seeking passionate revenge....

Raven Carleton is every inch the English lady. But on this glorious morning, as she gallops along the seacoast, Raven is thinking about her freedom, not her imminent betrothal to aristocratic Christopher Dacre. Suddenly Raven is forced to draw rein when a man appears directly in her path. Silhouetted against the predawn sky, he is magnificent–a darkly powerful stranger who will alter the course of her life.

When Scotsman Heath Kennedy first glimpses Raven Carleton, he sees a creature of such infinite loveliness, she takes his breath away. But in a land divided, Raven is about to become a pawn in the bitter border wars between England and Scotland. Abducted by Heath and held for ransom, Raven finds herself attracted to him in ways she never could have imagined...and Heath is utterly beguiled by his headstrong captive. Risking the wrath of two realms, the Scotsman does the unthinkable: He offers Raven her freedom. He asks only one thing in return.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The territory fought over for centuries by English nobles and Scottish clansmen provides the setting for New York Times bestselling author Henley's 17th historical romance (after The Marriage Prize, etc.). She establishes the tone right away with a graphic and portentous mating scene between a mare and a stallion. Rugged, handsome Heath Kennedy, bastard son of the wealthy Lord of Galloway, is abducted by a renegade band of border prowlers who mistake him for his brother-in-law, Lord Ram Douglas. Though they try to drown him, he survives and encounters beauteous free spirit Raven Carleton downstream on her father's estate; despite her upbringing as a proper English lady, she's riding her horse bareback, alone, at dawn. Heath must find Ram and warn him of danger, so he "borrows" Raven's shirt and mount she's mortified, he's smitten. Thus starts a multifaceted plot involving Raven's betrothal to the shady Christopher Dacre, an English aristocrat favored by her parents, and her troublesome attraction to the intrepid Scottish thief who has an affinity for horses that matches her own gift for falconry. It turns out Dacre was behind Heath's kidnapping, and Heath soon returns the favor by abducting him and Raven, too. Raids, arson and a scheme to kidnap Scotland's infant monarch provide action and intrigue as Heath and Raven, who are of course destined for each other, fall into a love/hate relationship that includes perilous escapes and lubricious love scenes. Heath's reliance on the earth to renew strength as well as the supernatural gift of "the sight" Raven has inherited from her grandmother are only a few of many unusual details that enhance this 16th-century saga of political intrigue andtempestuous romance. (July) Forecast: This is more of the satisfying same for Henley's fans, as they will gather from a preview in the paperback edition of The Marriage Prize and from the predictable cover art, featuring a gloomy castle at dusk. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews