Return of the Lost Bride

Crowns & Kilts: The St. Briac Family, Book 4

By: Cynthia Wright

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Wright comes a thrilling new romance of 16th century Scotland!  

A PROUD HIGHLANDER
Darkly handsome Ciaran MacLeod revels in his life as a Highland warrior. He spends his days training with his comrades at Duntulm Castle on the far cliffs of the Isle of Skye, and takes his pick of smitten lasses.   

However, Ciaran harbors a secret, passed down from his dead mother, that has caused him to become deeply suspicious of love. He’s grateful he doesn’t have to worry about taking a wife, for the castle is efficiently run by Violette, a plain young Frenchwoman who covers her head with a gable hood and reveals nothing of her own past.   

SECRETS REVEALED
Violette Pasquiére fled to Scotland to escape a vengeful stepfather. On the remote Isle of Skye, she feels safe, disguised in drab clothing and tending to these strong Clan MacLeod men who would be lost without her care. The potent attraction Violette feels for Ciaran MacLeod is just one more secret she keeps.   

But a threat to Duntulm Castle changes everything, and Ciaran’s elders propose that he marry Judith MacRae to bring additional lands and warriors to the clan. Rebelling against the efforts to control him, Ciaran proposes to Violette instead, setting in motion a passionate series of events that shake not only their future, but challenge their carefully guarded hearts....  

“Cynthia Wright magically entwines passion and history!” (RT Book Reviews)

Connecting Books:

The St. Briac Family in the 16th century:
You and No Other (Thomas and Aimée)
Of One Heart (Andrew and Micheline)
Abducted at the Altar (Christophe and Fiona)
Return of the Lost Bride (Ciaran and Violette)   

The St. Briac Family in the 18th century:
The Secret of Love (Gabriel and Isabella)
His Make-Believe Bride (Justin and Mouette)

©2019 Cynthia Challed (P)2019 Cynthia Challed

Amazing!!!

I loved this book it had so many moments that had me on the edge of my seat and moments that made me scream!!!! I will definitely read this again as well as others from this author!

The story and narration deserve more than 5☆

I just found another amazing narrator to keep forever. This is my second story by Cynthia Wright and it deserved more than 5 stars. I found this writer by chance and after this story I'm sold. Everything is perfect, the story is very entertaining, the mc are unforgettable and Tim Campbell has the perfect voice and sexy accents. On to another adventure. Thank you Audible 😊

Wonderful 16th Century Historical Romance!

Return of the Lost Bride is a wonderful historical adventure revolving around a runaway French noblewoman and a sexy Highland warrior in 16th century Scotland. Tim Campbell does an amazing job narrating this audiobook, as he does with all of his narrations. Tim’s artful performance and Cynthia’s wonderful prose combined for a thoroughly entertaining experience.

We first meet Violette Pasquiére in the first book in the Brides of Skye series, Abducted at the Altar, where she travels to the remote Isle of Skye in Scotland with Fiona MacLeod as her lady’s maid. After Fiona’s marriage to Christophe, Violette remains at Duntulm Castle running the household for the MacLeod men, in part, because she fears returning to France where her vile stepfather arranged a marriage for her to a horrible man. While she appears to be meek at first, Violette shows flashes of temper toward the strong and handsome Ciaran MacLeod who frequently charms the knickers off of smitten lasses.
 
After the clan elders try to persuade Ciaran to marry a young widow in a neighboring clan so that additional lands and warriors would be at the clan’s disposable, Ciaran unexpectedly proposes to Violette instead. She ultimately agrees to the marriage in an attempt to further hide her identity, but she soon succumbs to their undeniable passion for each other and they fall madly in love. Soon thereafter, Violette learns of her mother’s failing health and she embarks on a journey to see her. While sailing back to Skye from France she is tossed overboard during a violent storm. The rest of the story details how Violette returns two years later only to find Christophe wed to the young widow. The way that this conflict is resolved is quite ingenious and thoroughly satisfying. Brava!

Loved This Novel So Much!

I loved this book with Tim Campbell’s narrative so much that I found myself listening and reading up to 4 hours at one time. Cynthia Wright takes you to the beautiful Isle of Skye where we find the handsome Highlander Ciaran MacLeod at Duntulm Castle determined to never marry. He’s contented to bed any lass that catches his eye and never has he found one not wanting to come to his bed. Enters Violette Pasquiére the castles plain, unattractive housekeeper who seems to be hiding a secret that could endanger her. Ciaran and Violette have become friends but she is definitely not his type and she finds his bedding all the lasses he wants disgusting.
As time goes by the the Clan MacLeod faces a deadly threat from another clan and Ciaran is expected to do his part in protecting the clan, a forced marriage to help reinforce the clans number of warriors to fight the planned invasion of their beloved home. With Ciaran so opposed to this political marriage that will take away his freedom and become a pawn in his grandfather’s plan for the clan he turns to his one friend that feels the same as he does about marriage, Violette, but what can she do? He proposes a plan to her that will save him from the political marriage to Judith MacRae who lusts for his body. Ciaran will not be forced against his will and he will be the one to determine who he marries. So he decides that Violette will marry him instead and he will employ a custom found in the Highlands that allow a husband to put his wife away after a year than once again he will be free. Ay first she refuses and he can’t understand why she finds him so unacceptable as a husband and if she does marry him how will this affect the shameful secret that she has hidden so well. How will this sham of a marriage affect them both? Will it destroy the clan, destroy their friendship and forever alter both Ciaran and Violette’s future happiness?
Read and listen to Cynthia’s thrilling novel and listen to Tim Campbell’s deep and husky voice as he narrates, “Return Of The Lost Bride.” You won’t be disappointed!

Amazing Story! Amazing Listen!

Once again Cynthia Wright created a story so deliciously intriguing I couldn't put it down! The beautiful descriptions of the Isle of Skye, the wonderfully researched history woven thru out, the amazing cast of characters that she creates and describes makes you feel as if you are right there along with Ciaran and Violette feeling the heartbreak, the love, the passion on every page! Oh what a tangled web indeed... the secrets that inadvertently bring these two together... where they are meant to be <3 LOVED every second of it! Add that to Tim Campbell's wonderful rendition.. the way his voice brings the characters to life is just magical!

Get Lost in Return of the Lost Bride

I was excited to read Ciaran and Violette’s story in the second installment of the Brides of Skye. Set against the backdrop of medieval Scotland and France, The Return of the Lost Bride is a story of unexpected love, loss, and secrets revealed. Highland warrior Ciaran MacLeod enjoys the ladies but is suspicious of love. Family is everything and he will do whatever it takes to protect his family home, Duntulm Castle. Violette Pasquiére came from France to serve Ciaran’s sister, but has become the caretaker of the family and castle. They are often at odds, but a past kiss provided unexpected sparks.

Violette is filled with secrets, disguising her looks and her true identity. Ciaran holds a family secret of his own. While Ciaran will do anything for Clan MacLeod, what he won’t do is be forced into an arranged marriage, even if he does not believe in love. To avoid what he sees as the bigger disaster, he claims a fake betrothal to Violette based on love. Forced to go through with the marriage, despite the disapproval of his family, Ciaran and Violette try to make the best of it. Unfortunately, as they get closer, events threaten to separate them.

Return of the Lost Bride does not disappoint. Fiona and Cristophe make cameos as do Thomas and Aimee St. Briac. I was pulled into the story and enjoyed Wright’s attention to detail and historical accuracy. I appreciated her descriptions of food, clothing, and the settings. Her supporting cast of real historical figures also ring true. I highly recommend visiting Cynthia Wright’s Pinterest boards, including her latest for The Return of the Lost Bride. She includes pictures of historical figures, clothing, and castles of the time. Also included are pictures of Dougal and Violette’s lute.

While the book stands alone, one of my favorite things about Cynthia Wright is how her books are all interconnected. New readers who enjoyed The Return of the Lost Bride can go back and pick up Abducted at the Altar for Fiona and Christophe’s story. They can also check out You and No Other and Of One Heart to learn more of the St. Briacs.

Fans of historical fiction will delight in Cynthia Wright’s latest foray into medieval Scotland, where passion and love abound.

I know that I am doubly lucky when a new Cynthia Wright books comes out because not only can I get lost in her wonderful storytelling, but I know that soon I will be able to totally immerse myself in the story as narrated by the incomparable Tim Campbell. His ability to bring a multitude of characters to life adds so much depth. I am taken back in time to Scotland and Duntulm Castle. With Cynthia Wright’s words paired with Tim Campbell’s narration the results are both engaging and satisfying and I cannot resist. (Nor should you!) I will continue to drop my hints in the hope that Tim Campbell will narrate more of Cynthia Wright’s books, such as SILVER STORM! The taste we had of Andre Raveneau in SPRING FIRES, proves that it will be worth the wait! 


I was given a free advanced copy of the eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review.

fantastic rollercoaster ride! come on get on board

Cynthia Wright is a master of storytelling. she wrote such a compelling book that I caught myself listening to it on my phone outside of my car I couldn't stop listening. she knows how to write a love story that is suspenseful meaningful intense and satisfying in the end. she does not disappoint. and Tim Campbell narrating it is just sheer genius

I loved this book from Page 1 until the end!

Cynthia Wright, I am so excited to be introduced to this fantastic series.
Your detail in describing the Isle of Skye, the History of Clan
McLeod, the clothing Violette hid herself in was spectacular.
Violette hid herself from her abusive Stepfather by leaving
France and escaping to the McLeod Clan. She was a
house servant relied on by the Laird's son, Claran.
The love story that developes will bring tears and
make you want to shake the McLeod.
I will reread this series for years to come.
Great job, narrating Tim Campbell.

depthless

I was so disappointed that a man who grieve for his wife, for whom he thought dead, so much he seemed to have no will to live but like a robot. He took a wife he couldn’t consummate the marriage on his wedding night. Yet, miraculously, when his wife returned from the dead, all he could think about is duty to his family.

great story

loved this book just the right amount of content. no long descriptions but straight to the point. first book I have read of this author but it won't be the last. the narrator was excellent as usual.

Wonderful storytelling

Have read a no of books by this author in recent years but this was my first time to listen in audio. Adored her writing and the details she brings to each book but to hear the narrator bring Ciaran & Violette out and give them a voice was AWESOME 🤩

loved every second of it

What a beautiful love story. I loved every second of it. I loved that there were true historical parts in it. im loving this series can't wait for Lennox's story. Tim Campbel was great as always. The more I listen to his narrating the more fussy I become about other narrators. He is my favourite, I love his voice.