Review: REMEMBERING ASHBY by Heather Long

Remembering Ashby by Heather Long takes you back in time to the celebration of May Day, the ancient festival of Beltane, which is a festival of fertility and honor to the gods of earth. This is the time of Priestess and Lairds and who doesn't love those oh so sexy and demanding alphas in kilts. This is where Adam Fraser comes into the picture with his long blond hair and chiseled features, he and the men of his clan are escorting the five maidens that were chosen for the running of the Goddess. Melanie Windwalker is one of the chosen by the Sorcerer Orywen, but Orywen has something sneaky up his sleeve and a streak of evil that runs through his veins. Technically the young Priestess's are to perform a service of sorts, to the land and to the people without exception they are to have no interaction with the people......ever! But that all changes on the way to the Black Mountains to Ashby Crossing as Adam and his fellow armed guards offer to have the girls ride on their horses with them instead of walking and extended the already long and rough journey. In this one action, this one touch of hands then bodies sets off a array of forbidden feelings. As Adam takes Melanie up on his horse and to comfort her he touches her hands that are gripping his chest as she holds on for the rough ride. Melanie, somewhat shy and keeping to her honor only makes brief eye contact with Adam, but that was enough to start her body burning, a feeling which is unfamiliar. While in the encampment Adam spies Melanie and follows her just to "talk". Ah uh, we all know what that means don't we! Well, he is enamored by her as he seeks her out as stolen kisses and shared passion flairs so does the danger. The Sorcerer Orywen has struck a deal with another Laird of the Munros for the maidenhood of one of the chosen five, which this plot is overheard by Melanie and Adam as they are hiding in the woods, unbeknownst to Melanie she is maiden who is chosen to wear the mask with the white feathers. Adam is already enamored with Melanie, but the kicker, all those stolen kisses and heated passion I was talking about earlier........these two have yet to exchange names, which in turn will only hurt their efforts to be together in the end. The night of the celebration Melanie switches masks and as Adam declares that he will not allow another to take her, he will be the one. Their love story was sweet as Melanie realizes that she can keep her beliefs even though Adam doesn't not share them, but she is torn with the struggle of her loyalty to the Goddess. There is great tension in the clans and anger ensues when it is discovered that Melanie has disobeyed Orywen and exchanged the masks as well as given herself over to Adam on the night of the running for the Goddess. With punishment endured for both Adam and Melanie they are separated and Melanie is forced to return with Orywen and now escorted by the Munros, Adam must find her and take her away to Faser lands but as what cost?

SNIPPET: "Peace among the clans has been nonexistent for the past centuries.- But now that clan Lairds have decided to summon the God-touched people from their magical Isle to perform the rituals of Beltane to bless the peace talks between the clans, peace is within reach. Melanie is honored to be chosen as one of six maidens to represent the Goddess at this important event. She is meant to be a vessel for the power of the Goddess while forgetting the failures of humanity during the festival. She knows should be concentrating on her part as a Maiden of the Hunt, yet she cannot banish the handsome Scot from her mind. Running in the Hunt is as sacred as the Goddess herself, and should her desires be known, there could be dire consequences for her and the clansman. However, she can't find the will to deny his pull. The mists of the Black Mountains enhance the excitement of their forbidden love while providing an escape from the Islanders encampment.- Can they give in to their desires at the expense of their destinies? Especially once The Sorcerer discovers their dalliance."

4 STARS - A PAGE TURNER, BRING ON THE SEQUEL (and you don't have to wait either, you can download a FREE copy of FORGET TO REMEMBER by Heather Long which is takes place nearly 17 years after the events of Remembering Ashby)