cover image Wildsong

Wildsong

Catherine Creel. Ivy Books, $5.99 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-449-18320-5

For faithful service to the King, Sir Brian Devereux, knight of the realm, is given Ballymorna Castle, an ancient crumbling ruin situated in the heart of a hostile Irish countryside. As an English stronghold, Sir Brian is to keep the peace and demand obedience to English law. Although the honorable Brian longs for a peaceful coexistence, he quickly learns that the Irish villagers have little use for or trust in English conquerors. When Brian encounters the beautiful Ceara Brennan, daughter of revered Irish hero, he loses his heart and is determined to have her for his wife, but by English law she is forbidden. Tension builds when Brian and Ceara unite to face an angry King, lifelong friends and a scorned suitor who was betrothed to the lass and is obsessed with getting her back. A good story, but Creel (Westward Angel) waits too long to bring her plot to life, and, consequently, all the tension and excitement are in the last 100 pages. (Oct.)