2nd in Garnethill Trilogy
346279
Denise Mina has become a favorite of mine. No spoilers here.

Her female lead is a flawed protagonist who does make mistakes at times. All characters have depth..no stereotypes here.

Her descriptive language is perfect...not flowery, but direct and often humorous. It rolls with the flow of someone's real thought.

This might stand alone, but is really best read in the order written with the other books. Really good writing, does not sacrifice character or dialog for plot.
3432475
This is the second book in the second trilogy set in Kurlands Nine Kingdoms fantasy world. I read the first book of the trilogy, A Tapestry of Spells, several years ago (probably 2010) and don't remember it very well. At the end of it, though, Ruith and Sarah had escaped the downfall of the castle where his half-brothers had been holding them, and Sarah was captured while Ruith was separated from her. After a sojourn in the underground kingdom of the dwarves, they go hunting scraps of a spell created by Ruiths father that had been scattered over a wide area. Lots of adventure, and the attraction between Ruith and Sarah is becoming stronger and stronger as the book goes along.
3894005
The language of this trilogy is deliberate and paced, with very detailed descriptions of life in 9th Century England.  The characters are three-dimensional -- there is no outright villain, and our protagonist is no "Mary Sue." You slowly enter the world of Ceridwen, and you will not want to leave.
565662
Set in Regency England, "Dawn at Emberwilde" is the second installment in the Treasures of Surrey trilogy. The story centers on a simple young woman by the name of Isabel Creston who teaches at a school called Fellsworth. Isabel, very much a Jane Eyre-esque figure, has spent the majority of her life at Fellsworth  first as a student and later as a teacher. Consequently, Lizzie, Isabels younger sister is currently a pupil at Fellsworth and both of them seem to enjoy the regimented lifestyle of the school. While Isabel has known nothing but a life of austerity and her only prospect is to become a governess for a well-to-do family.

Everything changes for the penniless Isabel and Lizzie when a stranger arrives at Fellsworth. Mr. Langsby, the superintendent of the school, calls her into his office and immediately introduces her to a startlingly handsome young man by the name of Mr. Bradford. Much to her surprise, Isabel learns that she has a wealthy aunt (her mothers sister) by the name of Mrs. Ellison who desires for her to come live with her at a manor called Emberwilde. At first, she is reluctant to go live with some aunt she doesnt know but Mr. Langsby soon makes it clear to her that she has no alternative. He explains that she is blessed with opportunity and wealthy relatives, and if she stayed, she would lessen the chances of other young women to find positions as governesses. Deciding that its her best choice, Isabel agrees to go to Emberwilde and takes Lizzie with her.

In the forest around Emberwilde, Isabel meets her uncle, Mr. Ellison and the local magistrate, a young man by the name of Colin Galloway. While Isabel is very much taken with Mr. Bradford, Mr. Galloway cannot help but stare in awe of Mr. Ellisons lovely niece with her flaxen hair and blue eyes. Not long after, Isabel and Lizzie meet Mrs. Ellison who is a pretentious snob of a woman and her daughter, Constance, who is something of a piano-playing virtuoso.

The Ellison women seem to treat young Lizzie with kindness and are determined into making her into a proper young lady. On the other hand, Mrs. Ellison seems to be in such a rush to marry Isabel off and this is something that she finds exceedingly unsettling. As life goes on at Emberwilde, everything from the seemingly kind Ellison family to the handsome Mr. Bradford to the dark forest (neighboring the estate) is replete with mystery. In an entirely new atmosphere, Isabel and Lizzie find themselves surrounded again and again by uncertainty and danger. Even more unsettling is the triangle that has formed between Isabel, Mr. Bradford, and Mr. Galloway. Can Isabel trust the Ellisons? Are Isabel and Lizzie in danger? Moreover, who are their friends and who are their enemies? Only time will tell.

"Dawn at Emberwilde" was a fantastic treat from start to finish. Again, like in Ms. Ladds "The Curiosity Keeper," I was drawn into a world of Regency England (with all of that frippery and elegance) and experienced yet another splendid mystery unfold. I won't give anything away but there were a number of twists and turns that truly threw me for a loop. The writing was clear, concise, and worthy of comparison to a Jane Austen novel. The characters were engrossing from the strong-willed Isabel to the believably quirky Lizzie to the self-important Mrs. Ellison to the dashing Mr. Galloway. In Ms. Ladds "The Curiosity Keeper," I was drawn to the protagonist Camille Iverness but in Dawn at Emberwilde, I discovered and fell in love with Isabel Creston. However, I confess that my absolute favorite character was Lizzie with her childlike rambunctious nature and the manner in which she connected with others. Lizzie reminded me a little of Margaret Dashwood from Jane Austens Sense & Sensibility, a precocious and playful little girl. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it 5 Stars.

**Reviewed by the Merry Wife of Windsor**
[...]
3475857
I came across this book in a search for something like Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series or Sara Donati's "Into the Wilderness". While not quite the same standard of the other two authors, Kathleen Givens does not disappoint. English lady Mary Lowell is stuck in something of a mundane existence. She is being courted by a man whose intentions are unclear. Her friends are getting married, while she is being passed back and forth between relatives. One night, at one ball, she meets Alex MacGannon, Earl and laird of Kilgannon. In a time when feelings between Scotland and England are unsettled, at best, these two people ignore their heritages and fall in love. Questions of mysterious attacks, sinking ships, and jealous family members threaten the new found relationship. But through it all, love will triumph.
Givens has done a good job with "Kilgannon". I found a lighter version of Gabaldon's "Outlander", but a little more strictly romance. The characters are a little weaker, but all in all, this is a good story. So, if you are an "Outlander" fan like myself, waiting impatiently for the next installment, give this on a try.
4245172
I am hooked on Denise Mila's writing. This, the second novel in her Garnethill trilogy, is meant to drag you, shake you, expose you, cause you thrills and anguish. Along with her Scottish wit which pokes itself through the muck and mire to greatly relieve you. This is gritty lit and not for the weak spirited. If you want to keep your brain engaged, but not keep your hands too clean, then dive in!!!
1767792
As with the first book in this trilogy, Mr. Follett has created characters that ring true and are not immune to being 'killed off'.  The historical events unfold in the background of this familial story covering generations and continents.  As I read the first book, and now the second, you see history repeating itself (even in present-day).
3850322
This second in a new series from Margaret Coel is a winner.  Catherine McLeod and all of her characters are well defined.
2279542
An excellent 2nd book in the Guardian's Trilogy.  Nora takes you away into magical people and their lives in a well written, believable plot.  A great read.
968381
Dragonfly in Amber is the second in a series of eight doorstop size novels by Diana Galbadon. The series combines a strong love story between Claire Randall an English nurse/doctor born in 1918 with her Scottish lover and husband Jamie Fraser who lives in 1743. Claire is time travelled back to the days of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the battle of Culloden which ended the dreams of the Highland Scots for the restoration of the British throne of the Stuart dynasty. In this second volume we see Claire and Jamie living in France at the swanky court of Louis XIV the fabled Sun King.
Claire even sleeps with the monarch so as to free Jamie from incarceration at the Bastille where he has been sent following his near fatal duel with Captain Randall his arch enemy (and a descendent of Claire's twentieth century Oxford scholar husband Frank). The novel opens as Dr. Claire and her twenty year old daughter Brianna (whose real father is Jamie Fraser) return to Inverness to research family genealogy, Brianna will find love with a young history professor named Wakefield while Claire will delve deeper into the mystery of Jamie. She thought he died at Culloden but did he? The reader will enjoy the quiet and beautifully written scenes at Jamie's isolated farm in the Highlands were he presides as Laird.  The Galbadon books are like eating potato chips. In other words they are hugely addictive! Enjoy this excellent novel!
2406430
Enjoyed the first book in the series which took place in Scotland. Enjoyed this one which takes place in the Bay Area and India even more.
Like the historical aspects of the book as well as the magician sporting the derby. Have purchased third in series but have not had a chance to read it yet.
1018933
The second book in the Blue Bells Chronicles was even better than the first book.  A great read that explored more of Amy's character including her past and present and her acceptance of the fact that Shawn is either dead or permanenetly stuck in the 14th century.  Amy tries to convince herself that moving on with her life is in the best interest of her and her unborn child, but she can't let go of Niall and Shawn and finds herself continuing to research 14th century Scotland in the hopes of finding some mention of either Niall or Shawn and if they survived the battle of Bannockburn.  Her research leads to an interesting relationship between herself and Angus, the Inverness policeman who originally spoke to Amy about Shawn's disappearance.  Some very exciting pieces of information are uncovered in thier visits to museums and castles.  Meanwhile, Shawn continues to live with the McDonalds and falls into a new role as Niall's double to create a perception of invincibility in the hopes of further encouraging the Scots in their campaign against the English.  Both Niall and Shawn set out on different journey's across Scotland to further the cause and Shawn takes to opportunity to try to leave messages for Amy in the 21st century.  I loved the first two books in this series and can't wait for the third.  A really entertaining read which has encouraged me to do some of my own research on Scottish history and my own ancestors.
3794690
This is the second book in a great trilogy about friends, family, and a continuing love triangle between brothers..., and more.  It took me a long time to decide which brother I was pulling for.  The subject matter in the first book is a little lighter than the next two, but all are definitely worth reading.
2356459
I enjoyed this second book  in the set of four. Reading about the life of a Scottish hero is a nice change of pace from the "ton" books that are so popular right now in the romance genre.
3207359
Griffiths does not disappoint in her second Ruth Galloway novel. I wasn't sure another archeological - themed book would hold my interest, but if anything, I enjoyed this book more than the first.  Ruth is a genuine heroine and the men in her life are delightful, as long as you don't count the one trying to kill her. I will certainly read book three!
1799816
I am not generally a romance reader, but do like a good novel with well-written historicals, characters, and plot.  Garnett is a satisfying read if you like the same, and enjoy a reasonably realistic love story interwoven.  Garnett's plots are intelligent, her female characters strong and realistic, and the relationships and events she writes are a good read.

In broad terms, this is the story of a child heiress who is abducted in the 12th (?) century, her aunt (a young woman) taken with her, as a means to satisfy a political grudge between lairds and castles.  The primary goal of the young woman is to protect her niece, and when she is accused of being a witch, must escape without the girl, with the help of the laird's son, to another keep.  As the story unfolds, the laird's son (laird of another keep) and the young woman come to love one another.  The characters, plot, and events are well written, and an enjoyable read.
1281775
This second book takes place mostly in Vermont and in Ireland on the Dingle Peninsula. Having recently returned from over a month in Ireland, I was amazed at how well the author once again captured, the language, culture, and landscape of the country. Maybe a native might take issue with me on this, but I felt like I was right back on Dingle looking out at Blasket Island. Also, I spent enough time out in the countryside to have had the experience of a "thin place".  These places exist all over the globe, but stumbling on them seems a bit more difficult than in Ireland. Guare's books are a great combination of descriptive beauty, classical music, well developed characters, and thrilling dangerous spy adventure, with just enough romance done in good taste.  Full of strong vivid, complicated characters, including women. Very Gaelic/Irish in genre.  Can hardly wait for the next book in this series.