Member Reviews
I am going to recommend this series gets read in order. I think it would improve the story. I did read book 2, but not book 1. And in book 2 I was so overwhelmed with all the characters and who was who and what happened when. I didn't know what was review or what was new tidbits of character stories you were just getting to see...Anyway this one isn't as bad as I remember book 2 being. It's pretty easy to figure out who is who and what is going on. Still. A LOT of characters.
Sabrina meets Graeme while waiting for her newest suitor in Hyde Park. This initial meeting was embarrassing enough for her and she'd be happy to not see him again. But she does, repeatedly. Not only around London society, but even all the way in Scotland. These two each have a lot going on. Graeme being a spy and also not being able to stay away from her and wanting to protect her, and Sabrina with trying to keep King George happy and check on her ancestral home and solve the problems there. If you are intrigued/turned off by the fact that he is a spy, know that it doesn't take over a huge part of the book. It's similar to the usual amount of sleuthing a hero might do if they are trying to solve some sort of problem, mystery, or murder.
Give this book a try if you like
-Large, involved families. Many characters in the book, from previous stories, from future stories, it's a huge family that you are getting to know better with each story in the series.
-Multiple locations – this one starts in London then heads to Scotland
-You like some humor. I laughed out loud a few times in this book. Definitely enjoyed the laughs.
-A bit of banter – it's a bit like enemies to lovers, yet it's not. It's more like light annoyance and Graeme desperately tries to avoid Sabrina once he feels the attraction and so they snip back and forth at each other.
-Plenty to keep the plot busy – multiple different adventures and mysteries together
I want to say this is a light, fun, and humorous book, yet it did have some darker issues running through it. These are not in your face throughout the story though. One is mentioned as happening to another character in the story. But overall this feels on the lighter side. A bit of adventure, a bit of danger. It's not overly steamy but not clean. A few kisses and 1 full scene.
I did like this book more than book 2. But I only mildly liked it. I liked the heroine, yet she made a lot of choices that irritated me. But I just liked her personality so much I kept forgiving her haha. I liked Graeme but he didn't grip my heart. The character development was good, I think part of it was more I found the tension lacking a bit. And I think that was because they were always going somewhere, doing something, other people were there, Graeme was running from Sabrina because of his feelings, Sabrina was running from Graeme because she was about to make another bad decision...I just wanted them to be together a bit more, (even though they spent most of the book together, except 2 chapters they were separated) but I wanted them actually focused on each other. I wanted more feelings between them, more wanting.
Graeme Kendrick is a spy in service for the king under his brother-in-law Aden St. George leadership looking for a jewel thief when he sees a young woman punched into the Serpentine River in London. Lady Sabrina Bell is a beautiful independent young woman. She’s been taking care her father’s estates for years and doesn’t need a man to take care of her. After she falls in the river the ruggedly handsome highlander takes her to Lady Vivian St. George‘s . I love these two they are like fire and water, their chemistry is amazing. Love the witty banter as they try to skirt the instant attraction the keeps pulling them together. A captivating book as Graeme continues to look for the their and keep Sabrina safe from harm. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
3.5 Stars
The Highlander’s English Bride is the third installment of the Clan Kendrick series by Vanessa Kelly. The story begins with Lady Sabrina and Graeme Kendrick meeting while he’s on assignment and she is meeting up with a potential suitor which Graeme and his family have a history with. I found the opening charming as they both have witty personalities. However, as the story continues Lady Sabrina seems to always be there to interrupt Graeme from completing his mission. Which quite frankly gets predictable and dull after a few incidents.
As the story continues Lady Sabrina and Graeme profess their love for each other but Graeme doesn’t think he is worthy of Lady Sabrina. He is after all the unruliest Kendrick brother and the one his father blames for the death of his mother. However, Lady Sabrina thinks otherwise and is stubborn enough for the both of them to make her chosen Highlander change his mind.
“Pulling you out of the lake was the best thing I ever did, ye ken.” “I ken very well. It was the luckiest day of my life, because I met you.”
This book has a lot going on, thieves, spies, rape, shots and the main characters involved in the mist of it all from beginning to end. I would have liked the story to have been more about them and their love story, to have seen more romantic encounters between them. Lady Sabrina also doesn’t seem to fit in with the era of the book, she is strong, outspoken and not timid at all. I do enjoy an independent woman but felt that she was too strong for the times.
There are so many characters mentioned that are related someway somehow that it may be difficult to keep up. Not having read the previous two books in the series I’m sure plays a huge factor in this. However, I do love series books that give you reference to past or upcoming main characters. I also enjoyed that all supporting characters humor were witty and uncensored.
Overall, this book did not capture my attention as many others have. I found myself missing that unpredictability of what will happen next and the helplessness of the heroine. Nonetheless, while this book may not be on my top favorite it does have some nice context for those who enjoy a heroine that does as much rescuing as the hero tends to do.
~ Leticia
Those captivating Kendricks!
“Och, don’t fash yourself," those Kendrick lads and their lasses are back! This time it's twin Graeme who meets his match. Such a simple thing really. Singularly pursuing a band of organized robbers, Graeme is tracking down his mark along the banks of the Serpentine River, in the rain. Naturally! Sighting a lady in the early morning, seemingly waiting for someone, Graeme's further discomposed when his mark veers off and attempts to grab the lady's reticule. His mark's quarry is made of sterner stuff and fights back. Unfortunately during the melee she falls into the river. (Melee appears to be a key word for all that follows with this delightful, snippety female. She never goes quietly! Mmm! a match made in heaven?)
What's Graeme to do but leave off with the pursuit and rescue the tiresome female who's interfered with his plans.
Needless to say upon confronting Lady Sabrina Bell, Graeme is lost. Captive to a female who looks like a harmless kitten, but is as stubborn as he is with the claws to match.
The despicable Lord Cringlewood makes an appearance once again. This time Lady Sabrina is his quarry. She thinks she can handle him. I'm struck time and time again by Sabrina's belief in herself (a good thing) which sometimes hampers her ability to see the truth (a conundrum) and how she so often completely foils the best laid plans of mice and men (a problem). Cringlewood's disposed of once again but I'm sure he's evilly waiting in the wings to make a grand appearance in a future novel. Meantime Lady Sabrina unknowingly prevents the Crown's operative (i.e. Graeme) from carrying out his orders. Still her grand plans always seem to make things turn about, even if there's a few scares enroute. Methinks Graeme visibly ages before our eyes, or at least it sometimes seems like that.
There's so much more going on here including threats against the King, whiskey smuggling, absentee landowners, and forced enclosures.
Angus is once again his normal rapscallion self, who goes his own way and confounds everyone when more often than not he "comes home with the bacon."
I love Graeme's return to his Scots accent when disturbed. As one lady says, ..."that brogue. So delicious."
An amusing, witty Highlander novel that thoroughly engaged me.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
I had such a delightful time reading this adventure. It was packed full of family, adventure, murder plots, humor, chaotic and loving family times. I just adore Vanessa's stories. They are entertaining from beginning to end and I can't wait for the next one to arrive.
Graeme Kendrick is one of 7 brothers as well as a twin. He seems to find trouble every time he turns around. Working with Captain Aden St. George, King George's spymaster, Graeme is an inquiry agent, not a spy and feels like he's at last found something he's good at. When we meet him he's frustrated trying to catch a thieving ring working in London. He's keeps bumping into and saving Lady Sabrina Bell when he's about to catch one of the thieves.
Lady Sabrina is the only child of an elderly Earl who is a close friend of the King who is also her Godfather. She and Graeme meet when he the thief he's tailing pushes her into the Serpentine while trying to escape Graeme. This begins the wonderful adventures into Graeme and Sabrina finding they are perfect for each other. This story moves from London to Scotland when she accompanies King George making a visit to Edinburgh with Sir Walter Scott. Graeme is busy tracking plots against the King and bumping into Sabrina. We end up at Lochnagar Manor where she goes to straighten up management problems at her mother's Scottish landholding. Here we get involved with clearances and bootleg Scottish whisky operations.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sabrina is out in the early morning to meet a suitor, but instead she ends up getting pushed into the Serpentine by a thief and rescued by a burly Highlander. And now that she has met the man, he seems to be showing up everywhere she is.
After rescuing Sabrina, Graeme can't seem to get away from her. She turns up all the time and usually manages to foul up a mission for him. But even with the trouble she brings, he can't but find himself attracted to her.
When Sabrina ends up staying with Graeme's family in Edinburgh, they both start falling for each other. But Graeme doesn't feel like he is good enough for Sabrina and does everything to discourage her. Can she get him to see that their future includes each other?
I really enjoyed Sabrina and Graeme's story! These two together were a pure joy to watch. I just loved seeing Sabrina foil Graeme's missions and the antics that came from each of those scenes. I also loved that Graeme's family saw what a great pair they could be and tried their hand at matchmaking. So much fun!!
This was a great addition to the Clan Kendrick series and it was wonderful to see some old favorites from another series too!!
The Highlander's English Bride by Vanessa Kelly is book Three in the Clan Kendrick Series. This is the story of Graeme Kendrick and Sabrina Bell. I have read the previous books but did feel this to be a standalone book. Sabrina is a strong willed women who shows that through out the book. Sabrina first meets Graeme when she is pushed into river at Hyde Park by the thief that Graeme is after. Graeme of course stops to help her out which leads to their rocky start. Then they meet again when Sabrina is part of the King's entourage heading to Edinburgh. Graeme is a part of that entourage as he is a spy master for the King. This trips ends up being one adventures trouble after another because Sabrina isn't a bystander is some of the situations they run into which leads Graeme running after her. Enjoyed their story.
Can I just say Delightful? Loved every second? Laughing out loud and could not get enough?
Of course I have to mention a really brawny Scot (because of the clean Highland air no doubt) with a brogue I am sure would just melt your heart? Whether it is stalking a criminal or saving a lady from drowning in the Serpentine (regardless that she could stand up and put her feet on the bottom!), Graeme Kendrick, was your man when you needed a spy to run down a criminal!
Seriously when Graeme and Lady Sabrina meet, yes, thief, reticule snatched, falling in water, it becomes some of the wittiest banter to the point that my jaws almost hurt!!
Then the fun begins. From London to the Highlands of Scotland, these two end up together and it seems danger and rescuing each other and sparks just seem to ignite.
Vanessa Kelly always engages you from the first and captures the imagination with her skilled pen that takes you on a journey you will not soon forget!
The Highlander's English Bride was so very good. I loved every minute of this book. I couldn't put it down. Lady Sabrina decides that she wants Graeme Kendrick and that's that. There is so many things I want to say about this book but it's hard without giving any spoilers. The Kendricks!!!! What an amazing family i felt like I was one of them the whole time I was reading it. Which is amazing because most of the time when I read about an authors big family I usually feel like I'm outside peering in learning bits of who they are but with Vanessa Kelly's book I felt I was in the room with them and part of their family. This was my first Vanessa Kelly book and let me tell you I am going to read every Kendrick book there is. Thank you Vanessa Kelly for a marvelous time I truly appreciate it.
I absolutely love Vanessa Kelly’s Clan Kendrick. Each novel has brought a new brother to love even more, and her latest is no exception. In THE HIGHLANDER’S ENGLISH BRIDE we find out more about Graeme Kendrick, the twin wild twin. Graeme seems to have put his wildness to good use working for his sister-in-law’s half-brother. When a case puts him in direct contact with Lady Sabrina Bell, events conspire to keep throwing them together to protect her from an old foe of the Kendrick family and a new threat. Sabrina knows how to take care of herself, but, somehow, she keeps interfering with Graeme’s work and they have to work together to get out of it.
Graeme is my new favorite Kendrick (outside Angus) and Lady Sabrina is perfect for him, despite his initial feelings of unworthiness and my heart broke for him as we uncovered why he felt that way. I also loved how everyone realized he and Sabrina were a perfect fit from the beginning and worked together to make sure that Graeme figured it out.
Full of wit and fun characters, this novel kept me laughing and occasionally tearing up. It was a wonderful escape, and I can’t wait to see which Kendrick will be next. Though part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone but it will have you rushing to read the rest!
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
#TheHighlandersEnglishBride #ClanKendrick #VanessaKelly #Zebra #Kensingtonbooks
The Highlander’s English Bride by Vanessa Kelly is an historical romance novel. The book continues the Clan Kendrick series and is the third book. This book focuses on Graeme and his search for justice. He protects everyone, all the time!
Lady Sabrina Bell is beautiful, intelligent and too nosy for her own good. She shouldn’t be meeting a man in the park at that hour of the morning. She shouldn’t be following Graeme around either. Graeme is a ‘Kendrick’. He runs missions for the government and is trying to track down some thieves, but she is in the way. Graeme and Sabrina spar off each other a lot. They both are headstrong and opinionated as well as thoroughly besotted with each other. Too bad they do not know!
This book had a number of positive attributes. The mystery was good. Sabrina and Graeme are funny and infuriating - sometimes at the same time. The Kendrick family is made up of hot heads, alpha males and managing women - what is not to love. Angus might have been one of my favorite characters yet. The Highlander’s English Bride by Vanessa Kelly was a good read.
Vanessa Kelly gives her Highlanders and their sweethearts a lot of work to do. Sabrina and Graeme have evil plots to foil, a king to protect, and kidnappings to prevent. Sabrina is a tough, gutsy heroine who goes after what she wants, and what she wants is a Kendrick twin of her very own.
Great fun, and a great escape!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sabrina is at Hyde Park waiting for the man she was to meet when a thief pushed her into the river, luckily Graeme is there to rescue her. When she is sent to Edinburgh as part of King George’s entourage and seems to keep putting herself in danger and luckily Graeme can’t help but come to her rescue. Sabrina may be stubborn but will Graeme be able to show how much he has fallen for her? Fast-paced, fun and steamy historical read. Sabrina is a strong character and doesn’t mind getting in a bit of trouble. The story is action-paced and fast-paced. I liked it.
'Lady Sabrina Bell has never been so embarrassed in her life. Not only did her new suitor fail to appear for their morning rendezvous in Hyde Park, but a thief pushed her into the Serpentine. Being rescued by a burly Highlander just adds to her humiliation. Nor is he content with rescuing her just once. Even when Sabrina travels to Edinburgh as part of King George's entourage, Graeme Kendrick is there, interfering, exasperating, and so very tempting...
Once notorious for being the most unruly Kendrick brother, Graeme now runs dangerous missions for the King's spymaster. Yet nothing has prepared him for Sabrina. The only child of a wealthy earl, and the pampered goddaughter of the king himself, she is stubborn, impetuous, and far too good for him. He doesn't deserve her, but he can protect her and then send her safely back home. But the bonny Sassenach has her own ideas—and a plan for seduction that no red-blooded Highlander could resist...'
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The Highlander's English Bride is the third book in Vanessa Kelly's Clan Kendrick series and focuses on the unruliest member of the Kendrick brothers.
I have loved this series so far and love getting to know more about the many members of this large family with each book. Thus far what we had seen of the twins only really portrayed them as trouble-makers but were now mellowing out a bit. So it was nice to be able to learn more about them(mainly Graeme) in this book because I felt like we knew the least about these two.
I felt really bad for Graeme that people always jumped to the conclusion that he had caused it or things had not gone to plan because he had screwed up in some way.
Without giving anything away, I want to say that I was a bit disappointed by the level of danger in this book. He is working as a spy, but yet they seem to quite easily evade or thwart danger. The two big risks moments in this book followed the same structure and were resolved in much the same fashion, which I wasn't thrilled about. I wish there had been more variation here and maybe a bit more danger, while still with in the realm of plausibility.
I love how independent and determined Sabrina is. Despite living quite a sheltered life, she isn't afraid to move out of her comfort zone and do what needs to be done or what she thinks is right, even if this does often land her in some trouble and danger. I like Graeme's character, he makes a lot of mistakes along the way, but that doesn't stop him from trying and he is very loyal. I will admit though that he is too heavy-handed in bossing Sabrina around and becoming upset with her when she be comes associated with any form of danger. He realizes this about himself, but it seems to be his default and he makes this mistake many times in this book.
You don't necessarily need to read these books in order and they could each serve as a stand-alone, but I do believe they're much more enjoyable when you already have a connection to all the charcaters by meeting them in the previous books(some of which you actually meet in books to a previous series). I will admit that The Highlander's English Bride hasn't been my favorite in the series, but it is a lovely addition and I recommend it and this series to all. I am looking forward to the next in the series, but while I wait I am going to go back and read the book from the previous series in which we first met the Kendrick family, The Highlander's Princess Bride.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for sharing an eARC copy of The Highlander's English Bride by Vanessa Kelly. This is my honest review.
Very good romance between two very independent and strong-willed characters. Graeme was well-known as a troublemaker when he was younger, but has tried to put his wayward past behind him. Now he works as an investigator for one of England's spymasters and has played a significant role in bringing several wrongdoers to justice. When this book opens, Graeme is working undercover to catch a gang of thieves preying on noble houses. The investigation hasn't gone well, but he finally has one in his sights as he pursues the thief through Hyde Park. But when the thief knocks a young woman into the water, Graeme gives up his pursuit to fish her out.
Lady Sabrina is the only child of her overprotective father. She rashly made plans to meet a gentleman in the park, but her plans were rudely interrupted when she was shoved into the water. Furious and embarrassed, she just wanted the Scotsman who rescued her to leave her alone.
I loved the first meeting between Graeme and Sabrina. He's angry about losing his quarry and not especially pleasant to Sabrina because of it. Sabrina is quite independent and would prefer to take care of her problem herself, but Graeme won't hear of it. Their clash creates some sparks, but Graeme has no time for distractions of the female variety. Unfortunately for him, Sabrina pops up again in the middle of another pursuit, this time finding herself in imminent danger. I felt bad for Graeme, who lost yet another chance to apprehend the thief because of her. His frustration was evident and vocal.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Sabrina and Graeme. From London to Edinburgh, Graeme seemingly can't turn around without stumbling over her. Sabrina is independent, stubborn, and impetuous, which gets her into some tight spots, and it seems that Graeme is always there to rescue her. Their clashes are intense, as Graeme is loud and blunt in his disapproval of her actions. Sabrina is just as candid about her intention to do things her way. And underneath the fiery words is a fire of a different sort, as the attraction between them grows. Sabrina quickly realizes that Graeme is the man she wants, and aided and abetted by his family, sets out to convince him. Graeme's feelings for Sabrina are just as strong, but he feels that the things he has done in the past make him unworthy of her. Sabrina has her work cut out for her, but she is determined to show him that they belong together. There are some interesting twists and turns to their journey, including a marriage proposal that had me laughing out loud.
Graeme's work creates quite a few exciting situations for the couple. I found it interesting that Graeme is supposed to be so good at what he does, but in this book, nothing seems to go right for him. Some of it he lays at Sabrina's door because she is in the wrong place at the wrong time, usually because she doesn't listen to him. There are other times that he ends up in trouble himself because he is distracted by thoughts of her. It was fun to see Sabrina turn the tables and rescue him now and then.
I liked seeing the changes that both Graeme and Sabrina underwent. Sabrina learns that she doesn't have to have all the answers or do everything herself. With the help of Graeme and his family, she learns that it is okay to ask for and accept help. I loved her determination to fix the problems at her father's Scottish property. Graeme has spent so long believing that he was the black sheep of his family that it took a concerted effort from Sabrina and his brothers to get him to let go of his guilt. Once he finally believed, the change in him was fantastic.
I enjoyed seeing more of the Kendrick family. The married brothers and their wives play significant parts in getting Graeme and Sabrina together. Their matchmaking efforts were obvious but effective. Their grandfather, Angus, is still outspoken, interfering, and incorrigible. There were some hilarious scenes with him during the king's visit to Edinburgh. Graeme's twin brother, Grant, made a few appearances, also. I got the feeling that something is going on with him, and hope that his story is up next.
He should have known she would be trouble! After thwarting his plans not just once, but repeatedly, Graeme Kendrick should have given up and accepted his fate. He certainly did not anticipate that Lady Sabrina Bell would make him the prey and she the hunter. Graeme's life is complicated at best and as an operative for the King's spymaster, he has no time for personal interests and definitely not for a relationship with someone of the female persuasion. However, when Lady Sabrina keeps popping up in unexpected places, Graeme begins to come under the spell of the stubborn lass. The plot of this entertaining story is exciting and suspenseful, and yet there are passages that are so hilarious that my stomach ached from laughing. The book is well written, romantic and a standalone. It brought to light a number of historical events that took place in the era, including George IV's visit to Scotland at the invitation of Sir Walter Scot in 1822. I love the main characters in this book and the Kendrick family with their overwhelming sibling loyalty and ties touches the heart. Lady Sabrina is not only a perfect match for Graeme but for the Kendrick family as well. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This is book 3 in the Kendrick Brothers series.
I have loved each and every story in this series. They all have very stubborn , strong minded , courageous Scotsmen, who will protect their women at all cost.
The heroines though have many of the same qualities. And even though they are damsels in distress, they can take care of themselves.
This the story of Graeme, the 4th Kendick brother, a twin and a spy. He works as an inquiry agent and is always putting himself in dangerous situations. While investigating a rash of robberies, he sees a lady being attacked and pushed into the Sepentine. He jumps in to rescue her.
Lady Sabrina appreciates being saved but she could have done so herself.. After all, she knows how to swim and the water wasn't very deep.
This is where the book starts and continues from there. But what I like about Vanessa Kelly's books, is that you see the relationship between the two main characters
Graeme and Sabrina couldn't be more different. She is a lady and god daughter to the king. He is a 4th son and a mere mister. She is an only child, he is one of 7 brothers. She is wealthy, he has to work for a living.
But despite all these differences, you feel the immense attraction between them immediately. This story has many twists and turns. I enjoyed it very much.
I give it 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Highlander’s English Bride by Vanessa Kelly is the third book in her delightful Clan Kendrick series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I think after reading this one, you will be intrigued enough to go back and read the first two, and also her Improper Princesses and Renegade Royals series as this book takes place in the world of and includes characters from both those series.
Graeme Kendrick is working for the home office trying to solve the mystery of a series of thefts in Mayfair and is just about to arrest a suspect when Lady Sabrina Bell gets caught up in the action and falls into the Serpentine. Forced to let the suspect escape in order to rescue Sabrina leaves Graeme in a surly mood and when she is more annoyed than grateful sparks fly and not the romantic kind just yet. I have to say that at first, I found Sabrina to be just a bit bothersome but she grew on me and her kindness, her willingness to do what is right no matter the cost to her, and that she’s willing to fight for and go after the man she loves even though he’s sure he’s not good enough for her endeared her to me, and she ended up being one of my favourite heroines. I do recommend not only this book but the other books in the series highly.
Medium Steam. Publishing Date May 26, 2020. #TheHighlandersEnglishBride #VanessaKelly #NetGalley #HistoricalRomance #RegencyRomance #bookstagram #KensingtonBooks #ZebraRomanceNovels
Lady Sabrina Bell has never been so embarrassed in her life. Not only did her new suitor fail to appear for their morning rendezvous in Hyde Park, but a thief pushed her into the Serpentine. Being rescued by a burly Highlander just adds to her humiliation. Nor is he content with rescuing her just once. Even when Sabrina travels to Edinburgh as part of King George’s entourage, Graeme Kendrick is there. Once notorious for being the most unruly Kendrick brother, Graeme now runs dangerous missions for the King’s spymaster. Yet nothing has prepared him for Sabrina. The only child of a wealthy earl, and the pampered goddaughter of the king himself, she is stubborn, impetuous, and far too good for him.
This is the third book in the series, it could easily be read on its own but the Kendricks are sp loveable that I’d recommend reading the whole series. I love that Graeme has grown up & has matured into a lovely man. I absolutely loved him & Sabrina was perfect for him. A well written engrossing read that I thoroughly enjoyed & which kept me reading until the early hours to finish it. I loved the road to their HEA
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Loved the story. The story is very well written and entertaining. The book is full of romance and danger which makes for great reading. Graeme is intrigued with Sabrina and yet at the same time does not feel that he is worthy of her. Sabrina has fallen for the highlander and sets about to prove they belong together. But that is not always easy as danger is near and trying to pull them apart. There is a lot more going on in this story but you must read it for yourself. This is an excellent read and I would highly recommend it.