One to lead them, one to heal them…

Keeper of the Hearth (Three Sisters MacBeith #2) by Laura Strickland     

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Mists swirl around the MacBeith’s lands in Glen Bronach.  Land they’d held for generations, raided and harried by the MacLeods who claimed the other end of the Glen across the river.

Over the years the groups had reived and harassed each other, but not escalating much beyond that. When both old chiefs died, Rory MacLeod decided to bring to fruition his plans of conquering the MacBeith’s, claiming their holdings.

Rory’s plans hit a roadblock when his best friend Farlan became MacBeith’s Chief, Moria’ MacBeith’s lieman. Despite being banished from his clan, and the fierce opposition and continuing denigration from her people, Farlan stayed by Moira’s side. Now it seems Rory’s other boyhood friend Leith has been wounded and captured. That Rory cannot allow.

Severely wounded, Leith opens his eyes in the aftermath of the battlefield and beholds an angel. Not an angel but the one of the MacBeith’s healers and sister to their chief, Rhian.

What starts out as caring for the wounded escalates into something rich and strong. Under dire circumstances the two find solace and magic in each others arms.

When Leith is taken back to his people, each feels the desolation. Theirs has been a magical and mystical union, founded in the reality of their love and desire.

What happens, what leads them to this place is a fascinating tale with an otherworldly overarching flavor.

Quite a story!

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.