Terri Lynn Wilhelm
Wilhelm, Terri Lynn - HIDDEN MAGIC, A (Harper - 1996) (4)
Lady Cicely decides to sell Cranwick Abbey manor, the home that her late husband left her, so she can travel and see the sights. There's only one problem—Cranwick Abbey is haunted. Alsadair, the resident ghost, is a mischievous sort, too. Unable to leave this earth until the curse that was put on him is lifted, he haunts the manor and frightens everyone away. Everyone except
for Lady Cicely, that is. Alsadair has taken a liking to the beautiful widow.
Cicely sells Cranwick Abbey to Griffin Tyrell, a war-weary soldier with a wounded soul, who just wants a peaceful existence and a home of his own. Our heroine is aware of the ghost, of course, but she hopes to be abroad when Griffin moves in. He thwarts her plans and visits the manor, however, and comes face-to-face with Alsadair. Once Griffin gets over the scare and realizes Cranwick Abbey was sold to him under false pretenses, anger takes over and he goes looking for Lady Cicely. He intends to make her return and rid the manor of the ghost—and he will not allow her to leave until the feat is accomplished!
As the story continues, we watch the relationship between these two lonely people develop and gradually turn to love. Through many circumstances and trials, and with the help of Alsadair the ghost, the hero and heroine overcome their differences and past troubles, and move forward to a loving, peaceful future together. I thought the story development was superb. The author delivers an entertaining love story, with a pleasing mix of fantasy and humor. ~Robin Peek for Bookbug on the Web
Wilhelm, Terri Lynn - HIGHLAND JEWEL (Topaz - 5/99) (4+)
After being raised in a loving, well-to-do London home, Hero Fraser is devastated when her mother and new stepfather abandon her. Selling everything she can, she hires a guide to take her to her aunt's home in the wilds of northern Scotland. Along the way, the guide unknowingly leads her into Glen Ceathach, a haunted valley of damned souls. He becomes frightened and deserts her after he realizes where they are. Dragging her mule
behind her, Hero comes to the dark skeleton of a ruined church, where a tall man springs from the shadows and places the tip of his sword to her neck.
Holding that sword is Ciaran MacLoarn. Pursued and wounded by members of the MacDubhair clan, Ciaran has sought refuge in Glen Ceathach. He recently returned to Scotland from a visit to the new North Carolina colony, only to find that most of his relatives had been slaughtered by the MacDubhairs and that he was the only warrior of his clan still alive. Inside the ruined church he met a man by the name of Finlay Hillow of Aberfeldy, who also seems to be hiding from someone or something.
These three lonely people, thrown together by fate, work with one another to survive in this hostile place. Hero wants Ciaran to take her to her aunt's home, but he refuses because he has his own goals—to rescue his female kin from forced MacDubhair marriages and to discover the reason for his clan's slaughter. But this trio's place of refuge becomes endangered when the MacDubhairs find the courage to venture into the haunted valley. Hero, Finlay, and Ciaran realize they must flee. They go in search of Hero's aunt, whom they discover is unwillingly married to a MacDubhair, and they try to uncover the reason for the destruction of the MacLoarn clan. During their journey, Hero and Ciaran become interested in one another. However, this would-be couple knows their attraction can go no further because Ciaran is certain he will not live much longer, and Hero doesn't need a loving husband—only the freedom to live as she wants.
HIGHLAND JEWEL is a captivating, sensual romance and an intense Scottish adventure about two lost souls searching for freedom and vengeance. The two main characters are clearly portrayed and quite likable. Ciaran is a fighter, determined to kill as many MacDubhairs as he can before they kill him, but he is also compassionate and protective of Hero and his surviving female relatives. Hero is an independent woman who has learned to fend for herself. She is searching for a home and freedom from want—but not for love. The many secondary characters vividly enhance the story, especially Finlay, whose humorous antics provide some light moments. I highly recommend HIGHLAND JEWEL to readers who enjoy Scottish historicals with a gothic tone. This is not a light read, but definitely a very satisfying one. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Wilhelm, Terri Lynn - MOON LORD, THE (Signet - 10/99) (4+)
Setting: England, 1194
In return for his bravery, King Richard I grants Tancred de Vierzon the chance to vanquish the estate of Wynnsef. Tancred,
a prisoner of the Saracen fortress of Bab Al-Muhunnad, manages
to open the gates of the castle to allow the Crusader forces to enter and retake it. He and the other Crusaders had been betrayed by Wynnsef's lord, Arnaud Bourton, and taken as prisoners—enduring hardship, torture, and death for his treachery. Tancred wishes to exact revenge on Bourton
by stripping him of everything he owns.
Tancred easily proves himself to be The Moon Lord, using tactics learned in the Middle East and conquering Wynnsef through nocturnal stealth. Bourton is absent, leaving the defense of the estate to his sister, Rosamund, and a handful of knights. Now the physically and emotionally scarred Tancred faces his truest battle: earning the trust and respect of Wynnsef's residents and villagers...and that of Rosamund, the beloved Green Witch of Wynnsef, herbal healer extraordinaire and future novice for the convent.
The Moon Lord and Rosamund are greatly attracted to each other, but both are reluctant to give in to their hearts' desires. Tancred must first overcome the horrendous horrors of his imprisonment and his past, and the fact remains that Rosamund is destined for the convent. Unable to believe in her brother's treachery, she cannot give her heart to the man who took Bourton's patrimony from him; and she has always looked to the convent as the answer to finding peace and purpose in her life. While they fight their own personal battles, Tancred and Rosamund must also battle against their growing desire for each other...and confront their true destiny.
Sensually provocative and rich in period detail, THE MOON LORD is sure to please discriminating romance readers. Part of this book's appeal is the complexity and novel motivations of Tancred's character, as well as Ms. Wilhelm's fresh perspective on the doubts and questions of the faithful against the so-called infidel. The author has done her research, unearthing a fact about medieval English abbatial practice with which some historians might argue yet this reviewer found fascinating. THE MOON LORD marks Terri Lynn Wilhelm's foray into medieval romance, and she delivers a first-rate, compelling read. ~Debora Hosey for Bookbug on the Web
Wilhelm, Terri Lynn - STORM PRINCE (Harper - 1997) (4+)
In STORM PRINCE, the author weaves a wondrous tale that blends poignant romance with pure fantasy to create a story whose characters linger long after the book is finished. Torcuil MacCodrum is the stuff of Celtic legend. He bursts onto the scene in all of his glory (naked, that is) and sets about saving Verity Alford and her nobleman father from highwaymen. Mistaking him for a Highland prince, Verity decides that Torcuil will make the perfect bodyguard for her injured and vulnerable father. Torcuil is on a mission of his own, but he's drawn to the lovely, headstrong Verity and decides to accompany the pair to London. It is in London where the missing brother he is seeking was last known to be.
STORM PRINCE is peopled with delightful characters, both human and mystical. With a writing style that flows with beautiful imagery, inventive dialogue, and on occasion, outright humor, the author slowly reveals the hidden world of silkies, faeries and broonies. The story did lag somewhat at times, especially in the first third of the book, but it was soon spinning along toward an exciting conclusion. Although there was little in the way of graphic sensuality in STORM PRINCE, the love story between Torcuil and Verity was very beautiful and oh, so touching. This is the third book that I've read by Ms. Wilhelm and I really like her style. She has gained a place on my "automatic buy" list and I look forward to whatever comes next. ~Connie Ramsdell for Bookbug on the Web
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