Thief

April 25, 2011
This work, the second in the Brides of Alba series by the prolific romance novelist Linda Windsor, centers on Caden O'Byrne, a jaded soldier who was one of the villains of Healer, the first book in the series. Given a chance to redeem himself after a near-fatal injury, Caden agrees to rescue a beautiful young Celtic woman sold into slavery to the Saxons as a child, and the rest of the novel plays out their romance and adventures at the Saxon court. Windsor loves her sixth-century Britain setting, and while this period has been thoroughly explored in all types of literature, her weaving of Christian themes with Arthurian legend adds distinctiveness. Likewise, even though her plot and characters are mostly overused typesâa handsome, troubled hero meets a beautiful, kindhearted heroine and together they fight a villain, perform a daring escape, find new hope, and live happily ever afterâWindsor's competent storytelling makes her tropes fresh and entertaining again. While the novel will win no awards for originality or depth, it should be a welcome diversion for anyone seeking simple entertainment that reflects Christian beliefs and values.

June 15, 2011

Caden O'Byrne has been exiled. He agrees to search for Sorcha, the estranged daughter of Brenna of Gowrys, who nursed him to health after he was wounded in battle. When he finds Sorcha, he discovers that she is a thief who wants nothing to do with him or her mother. A murder forces them to flee, giving the two time to sort out their differences and fight off the attraction developing between them. VERDICT Though this novel (the second in the series after The Healer) has a decidedly Christian bent, it is set during the time of Arthurian legend and is sure to appeal to readers interested in that period. Recommend it to fans of L.A. Kelly's "Tahn" novels.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.