Scottish Bride

The Scottish Highlands are a fitting backdrop for the strong characters portrayed in Hanchar's (Swan Necklace) medieval tale of clan betrayal. Kidnapped from her home by Red Rafe, the chieftain of the rival Clan MacLeod, nine-year-old Lillias McGinnis is to be forced to marry Red Rafe's son, Iain, and thereby cement an alliance. But Iain, ""the Black Beast of Cullayne,"" is a respected warrior in his own right who doesn't agree with his father's brutal ways. Outraged, Iain leaves Scotland and his bride, not returning until nine years later when news of his father's death brings him home to his birthright and a Lillias who has changed from a brave if frightened girl to a willful young woman. Replete with cleverly written battle scenes and a good dose of historical detail, this is a fast-paced story. (Mar.)