The Witch and the Warrior

Karyn Monk weaves an enchanting tale of love, mystery, and magic in her fourth historical novel, The Witch and the Warrior, set in the superstitious world of 13th-century Scotland. Condemned as a witch and murderess by the accusation of her own kinsman, Robert MacSween, beautiful Gwendolyn MacSween faces a fiery death at the stake, just as her mother had before her. But as the timbers of Gwendolyn's pyre are lit, rescue comes unexpectedly in the form of Mad Alex MacDunn, Laird of the MacDunns, who has sought out Gwendolyn in the hope that the witch can cure his dying son. MacDunn and his men fight their way out of the MacSween keep with Gwendolyn in tow, knowing that their actions may incite clan warfare. At the MacDunn stronghold, Gwendolyn discovers that her rescue isn't the salvation she had hoped for, as she finds herself once again under the threat of death. Though she is no witch, she must pretend to be one, for her own sake and that of the boy in her care. With only her common sense and the minor knowledge of healing she has gleaned from her dead mother's journals, Gwendolyn must save the young boy or lose her life. Her challenging task is complicated by her growing feelings for the fierce and tormented Mad Alex. --Lisa Wanttaja