Thief

This work, the second in the Brides of Alba series by the prolific romance novelist Linda Windsor, centers on Caden O'Byrne, a jaded soldier who was one of the villains of Healer, the first book in the series. Given a chance to redeem himself after a near-fatal injury, Caden agrees to rescue a beautiful young Celtic woman sold into slavery to the Saxons as a child, and the rest of the novel plays out their romance and adventures at the Saxon court. Windsor loves her sixth-century Britain setting, and while this period has been thoroughly explored in all types of literature, her weaving of Christian themes with Arthurian legend adds distinctiveness. Likewise, even though her plot and characters are mostly overused types%E2%80%94a handsome, troubled hero meets a beautiful, kindhearted heroine and together they fight a villain, perform a daring escape, find new hope, and live happily ever after%E2%80%94Windsor's competent storytelling makes her tropes fresh and entertaining again. While the novel will win no awards for originality or depth, it should be a welcome diversion for anyone seeking simple entertainment that reflects Christian beliefs and values. (June)