Rebel: A Novel (The Brides of Alba Series) (edition 2012)

The Brides of Alba Series

Kella O’Toole is a language expert and scribe for Queen Gwenhyfar, and has just discovered that she is pregnant by her fiancé, Lorne. Alyn just returned from his six years of studies in the East. There Alyn learned many new things, but when his teacher was killed during some research, he begins to question his commitment to the priesthood. The court is rife with rumors with the death of Merlin and the arrival of Cassian, the archbishop of the Roman church. When word of a battle that leaves many dead, including Kella’s fiancé as well as her father, a contingent starts out and Kella sneaks into the company. Alyn notices her and immediately puts her under his protection as they move toward their home, not knowing whom to trust.

The setting for Rebel is during the King Arthur era, highly researched by Linda Windsor making the story vivid for readers. She portrays the characters with such depth that the reader easily empathizes with and understands their struggles. The history included creates a complete picture of the era making the reader feel as if they are living there with the other characters. This is the last of the trilogy, but the first one I have read. I will definitely be picking up the others to read, as well as finding other books written by Windsor. If you enjoy history and romance joined with Christian growth, then you definitely need to pick up this novel, as well as the other two.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com ( )

This story is set in late Sixth Century AD. Alyn O'Byrne and Kella O'Toole are the two main characters in this book who have been sent on a very important mission for to deliver the written books Kella has scribed to Mons Seion near Fortingall. Through trial and tribulation, these two characters who are childhood family friends find themselves rediscovering who they are along the way. They are also trying to find Kella's love Lorne who has been lost in a battle between the Miathi and one of King Arthur's armies who were ambushed along with her father Egan O'Toole.

Both Alyn and Kella's family play a very important role in the fate of both of these characters past, present and future. Through strong character development and story research and background, this book should be labeled as Historical Non-Fiction along with Fiction. Through a very rigorous search of history, Linda Windsor has very effectively written a book about a time where magic, mythology and history combine to make one heck of a great read!!

Sit down, grab a comfy blanket and be prepared to be whirled away from the first chapter!

I received Rebel by Linda Windsor compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. This is third book in the Brides of Alba Series and I felt so engulfed by this book that I wish there was another book after Rebel to continue the story of these two characters!! I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars! ( )