The Falcon's Bride [Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

The Falcon's Bride, by Dawn Thompson, is an intriguing story that wraps back around itself like a bird soaring lazily through the skies on a sunny afternoon. Think you know what is about to happen? Think again. Ms. Thompson has surely used the falcon as her muse creating a mysterious, powerful and potent love story that effortlessly captures the essence of Ireland, as well as that of Ros Drumcondra and Thea Barrington.

Drumcondra, the giant Gypsy warrior fabled to have made a love slave out of his nemesis' betrothed, is worthy of every woman's erotic dream and naughty thought, but his life is one of much tragedy and loss that transcends time and the truth that could lead to the death of all those close to him. Thea, seduced by Otherworldly magic, is drawn away from her evil betrothed and thrust into the arms of an even more deadly man. But this man, like his falcon, will take her to soar in the heavens, plunge her back to earth and snatch her heart and love away with his talons of powerful passion, fierce loyalty and undaunting justice. But, the Gypsy warrior and his lady are not safe in either time and are forced to fight for their lives and their love with an evil that follows them through the ages like a living nightmare. However, like his bird of prey, Drumcondra's attack is swift, sure and deadly...if he can travel through the space and time separating his future and his destiny.

I fell in love with Jeta, who weaved in and out of the story like an invisible thread keeping everything and everyone together. Isor, the valiant falcon, is a comprehensive character, who deserves his own book and story...hint, hint, Ms. Thompson. Rarely is an author able to create such a complex and intricate story with success, but Dawn Thompson has accomplished such a feat and I, for one, relished each minute with The Falcon's Bride.

Our story begins in the year 1811. After two Seasons, Theodosia "Thea" Barrington still remained unwed. Therefore, she is glad to now be engaged to Nigel Cosgrove. She and James, her architect brother, travel to Cashel Cosgrove in Ireland for the wedding ceremony. Thea soon finds herself feeling unsettled by the aloof attitudes of Nigel and his mother, Countess Ridgewood. The countess is obviously a scheming wench determined to restore her son's reputation from his recent scandal. (He has been acquitted of murdering a lightskirt.)

The only thing Thea and James find interesting in the area is Newgrange. Newgrange is mainly a ruin now, but legend speaks of magic in the passage tomb at sunrise on the solstice, which just happens to be the next day. Of course, the siblings are there to see if the legend is true. Thea exits Newgrange to find herself in the year 1695. Quickly captured, Thea becomes the captive of Chieftain Ros Drumcondra, a seventeenth-century Black Irish Gypsy warlord and the archrival of the Cosgroves.

***** There is so much more to this plot, however, I must stop for fear of revealing any spoilers. Suffice it to say that soon Thea and Rose end up in the year 1811 together. The ancient blood feud between the Cosgroves and the Drumcondras continues with Thea smack in the middle. I found this story to be an interesting blend of many genres. I noticed regency romance, suspense, time travel, historical, mystery with drama, and (my personal favorite) gothic romance!

I could not help but feel as though the section spent in the year 1695 was rushed or had too much cut so as to satisfy the publisher's strict word count. All-in-all, a terrific tale! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Based on this new novel and following on the heels of her two previously successful releases of the THE RAVENCLIFF BRIDE and THE WATERLORD, Dawn Thompson is proving not only has she arrived, but is a force to be reckoned with.

Setting her latest novel in 1811, we are introduced to Thea Barrington come to Ireland to wed Nigel Cosgrove, the second son of an Earl. Thea is not in love, but the large financial settlement that will shore up her family's dwindling coffers will overlook rumors of his unsavory behavior. An unusual storm on the night of her arrival brings with it an old gypsy woman whispering a garbled warning in Thea's ear. Disconcerted by the forewarning and then by the tales of ghostly spirits haunting the castle, Thea is shaken when she sees the ghost of Ros Drumcondra that night.

The next day as Nigel is reprimanding Thea's behavior and attempting to force himself upon her he is viciously attacked by a falcon who saves Thea from further harm. While Nigel is recuperating from his injuries Thea cajoles her brother James into taking her to a nearby pagan landmark where she enters a time warp and is transported back to 1695. There she is rescued, then imprisoned by the very real and very much alive Ros Drumcondra.

From the moment he sees her Drumcondra feels bewitched by the force of his attraction, but the Gypsy warlord thinks only of ransoming her back to her betrothed to get back his castle until he realized that the most important prize was Thea herself. Thea was afraid to tell Drumcondra she was from the future, but when his mother scrys the future showing Thea his death, only then does she realize that she has been brought back to the past to save him for a future with her.

*** This was an absolutely spellbinding effort by Ms. Thompson. She held me breathless with excitement as the falcon Isor led this dynamic couple back and forth through the portals of time chasing their destiny to find the one place that they could be together to live and love in safety. With each journey layers would be peeled back revealing motivations, and mysterious secrets from the past. The romance and love story was drawn beautifully then enhanced with the skillfully sensual brushstrokes of a master wordsmith. Brilliant writing, a fabulously buff hero, an enigmatic falcon, and delectable elements combining gypsy lore and fantasy time travel combine together to make this one riveting and unforgettable read! I highly recommend this book.

Marilyn Rondeau - RIO , Reviewers International Organization

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 8 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful Time-Travel
Dawn Thompson is proving to be an amazing author. Gothic shape shifters, water lords, vampires, straight historical and soon erotic fantasy. Read more

Published on Aug 16 2007 by Victoria Devlin

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Story by Dawn Thompson
The Falcon's Bride is a love story--of a mother's sacrifice for her son, as well as the passion between Roc and Theo. Read more

Published on Dec 20 2006 by Jacquie Rogers

5.0 out of 5 stars Love through the centuries
The Falcon's Bride delivers on history, betrayal, greed, justice and timeless love.

Our heroine, Thea, is escorted by her brother from England to the Irish castle of... Read more

Published on Sep 19 2006 by Gerri Bowen

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Mind-Bender and Sexy Too!
Put your thinking caps on fellow readers. Don't blink, don't skip around--there are so many wonderful details. Read more

Published on Aug 24 2006 by K. Montgomery

5.0 out of 5 stars breathtaking tale of love that defies time
Dawn Thompson has to be one of the hottest rising stars in Historical Romance today. This is so good to hear. Read more

Published on Jun 4 2006 by Deborah MacGillivray

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 8 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!