The Beltane Choice by Nancy Jardine – a Review

The brief synopsis of The Beltane Choice by Nancy Jardine on Amazon intrigued me:  War in Celtic Britain (hey, I’ll learn something new!) and your basic love story (essential for me in ANY genre I read).  What I received at its conclusion was not only an amazing history lesson, but an ancient love story to rival Romeo and Juliet’s.  This is 1^st century lore – I had to get into a different mindset; put on my “thinking cap”, if you will. 😉  As tragic events occurred throughout the book, it was the love story that captured me…as well as Nara…you’ll see how.

Lorcan, second son of Tully of Garrigill, and a prince of the Brigantes, unknowingly captures Nara of Tarras, but he has no idea she’s royalty.  She’s actually up a tree when he meets her, having run from a charging boar.  Lorcan offers assistance to kill the beast if she promises not to harm him upon gaining her safety. 

“Woman?  You tarry.  Agree, or I leave.” 

Heavy-handed much?  Without a doubt (wait till you meet Tully!).  As the principal envoy of his clanhold, Lorcan’s peaceful negotiation allows them to talk…more like walk…as Lorcan decides, so taken by Nara’s presence, to “keep” her.  Nara picks and chooses her battles along the way; Lorcan has his work cut out for him.  As a warrior herself, Nara maintains tight-lipped so as not to endanger her land of Selgovae.  Just wait till Lorcan gets a hold of those lips, though!

The vocabulary was an education in and of itself.  It was almost too much of a distraction (thank you, Kindle, for your indispensable knowledge of Old English terminology).  Can you believe I wasn’t sure I’d read a scene of intimacy; so swept up was I by her narrative!  One minute I suspected ministrations were underway (you can’t misinterpret Lorcan’s hand under Nara’s tunic), but then I was sure I misread it.  The next few lines had Lorcan squeezing Nara’s naked body along the length of his!  I re-read it, chided myself for misreading the scene, as it was central to how affected Nara was by Lorcan; he had her (US) swooning before she could even identify the feeling.  A testament, I believe, to Ms. Jardine’s writing skill – her careful selection of words enhanced the imagery and scenery of the setting.  Through her descriptions, I could nearly feel the thin braids at Lorcan’s temples, hear Tully’s obstinacy and absorb the Celtic pride gathering to fend off the marauding Roman forces.  Just magical!

Once Lorcan ascertained Nara’s rank of princess, he decided to take her home to Garrigill, with a secret plan yet undisclosed.  Terrified of being in enemy territory, Nara stays at his side (which only makes him deliriously pleased.  Men!  😀  Nara is seated at Tully’s privileged table (to everyone’s dismay as she was brought in a captive), she’s donned Tully’s late wife’s gown (at Tully’s request), Lorcan is serving her pieces of roasted meat he so delicately sliced (those hands, I tell you!) and bringing his own cup to her lips from which to quench her thirst!  Is it just me or is this a wedding banquet?!  He’s not an utter brute…WAIT!  Is Lorcan going to speak?

“This woman here will merely be the device, the excuse both tribes require to convene together.  Princess Nara has no husband.  This we shall use to our advantage.”

OUCH.  What a cad!  Lorcan had already demonstrated the ability to be gentle and empathetic.  Would it have killed him to spare Nara the technicalities of the arrangement (not to mention the condescending tone!)?  I’m sure Nara will be allowed some payback – forgive my colloquialism, Ms. Jardine!  And what punishment it is.  As a result of his brilliant plan, Tully then allows ALL the princes of Garrigill (and visiting chiefs) to become contenders for Nara’s hand in marriage!  Now who’s rankled beyond measure?!

I’m not sure if I took the “right” angle in this review because what I just described isn’t as flippant as I intended; it actually involves great loss.  But the love story made me swoon and I had to impart its effect on me.  As cliché as it sounds (my husband actually laughed at me!), the language of love transcends all time.  This coupling wasn’t resistant due to previous paramours or whims that we normally encounter in romance books, no.  Lorcan and Nara are ancient-century Romeo and Juliet come from rival clans who harbor enmity of unreal proportions.  I have but given you a simple sampling of what fate awaits Nara as she struggles between love and loyalty.

Will a charry choice make Nara happy?  HA…it means cautious!  I’ve signed up for Old English 101,

Reviewed by Carmen