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Her Noble Destiny
by Annie Marshall
Category: Romance/Fantasy
Description: Stricken with grief after finding out his brother had died in battle; Aiden MacAlister devotedly takes care of both lands by traveling back and forth to his brother's holdings and his own. Then one day on the road to Dunstaffnage Castle, he comes across a very naked woman crawling on her hands and knees towards the loch. Terrified for her safety, he calls out to her as he scrambles from his horse and snatches her into his arms just before she falls into the icy water. Jaedin Greer, a captain and nurse in the United States Army was on a mission when her convoy was attacked and her Hum-V was hit by mortar fire and tossed it like a toy leaving it upside down. A bit shaken but alright, Jaedin cut herself loose then grabbed her pack of supplies to help her wounded medic. Once she dragged the soldier away from the wreckage, there was another loud explosion and bright flash of light, knocking her unconscious. The next thing she knew, it was raining and she couldn't see. While crawling around to find her bearings, a set of large, strong arms encircled her, picking her up as if she weighed nothing while he asked if she was daft. Could this woman be the antidote Aiden needs to help him find peace with his brother's death? Can this Highland warrior see beyond his own burdens to be Jaedin's much needed eyes? Will Jaedin, an ambitious modern day warrior allow this arrogant man close to her heart and find Her Noble Destiny?
eBook Publisher: DCL Publications LLC, 2009 Australia
eBookwise Release Date: July 2009
 
16 Reader Ratings:
Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [107 KB]
Words: 23513
Reading time: 67-94 min.
"Aiden MacAlister, the peacemaker of the family, is heartbroken after his brother dies in battle. He has the task of caring for his brother's land. On the way to Dunstaffnage Castle, he comes upon an injured woman who desperately needs help.
Jaedin Greer, a United States Army captain and nurse, is working in Iraq with the military police unit, who are short on medics. It is during an explosion she soon finds herself in the 1300's, in a place somewhat familiar. Aiden is on the way to Dunstaffnage Castle when he happens upon a woman needing assistance. Jaedin hears hoof beats and prays it is help. When Aiden takes her to his home, Jaedin learns the accident has taken her eyesight, but Aiden is very attentive to her needs. As they slowly learn about the other, Jaedin is certain she has been to the area in her time when she was smaller and things were in ruins. She even recalls stories her Gram would tell her about the MacAlister men. Can the two stay together throughout any time, or will Jaedin be transported back to the present, leaving behind the man who has captured her heart? I must say Her Noble Destiny is a sweeping tale that transports the reader into a majestic time period. I fell in love with the descriptions of the era, the castle, not to mention Jaedin and Aiden. Jaedin is remarkable the way she loses her eyesight yet uses other senses, and measures, to grasp everything around her. The passion, and love, shared between Jaedin, and Aiden, spins a love affair that surpasses through time. Annie Marshall pens an exciting tale sweeping this reader into a lovely land, with vivid characters that captivate, and take the breath away, in this rare story of love. Rating: 5 Cups"--Cherokee Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More "This is the second novella in the Destiny Series by Annie Marshall. As a reader, I'm not normally drawn into historicals, but this book held my attention until the last page. Not exactly a historical and not totally contemporary, Ms. Marshall's work appeals to readers in both categories and leaves them begging for more. I liked that her heroine, Jaedin was a strong woman, even when a physical disability could've brought her down. She persevered. Many women should take a page from her struggles. As for the hero, Aiden made a tasty alpha male. He wanted what he wanted, when he wanted. I liked that he never gave up. The scenes were rich with detail. You felt like you were truly in Scotland and in the desert with the characters. And the love scenes? Some writers struggle with passion in the love scenes. Not Ms. Marshall. Even when the characters aren't together, you know that Aiden holds a strong fondness for Jaedin and vice versa. If you want a new spin on the time-travel novella, filled with passion and unique characters, then Her Noble Destiny is the novella for you. I give this work 4 1/2 books."--Tiger Lily http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/06/her-noble-destiny-by-annie-marshall.html
Jaedin could tell by the layout of the room that she wasn't in her solar. "Whose room is this?" she asked the servant girl. There was no answer. "Katie, whose room have you brought me to?" Jaedin inquired again. After a slight pause, the girl finally answered, "Tis Laird MacAlister's chamber, milady." "I thought I was supposed to be taken to my room?" she asked the girl, afraid of finding out the answer. "Laird MacAlister instructed me to bring ye here," the girl said sheepishly. Jaedin drew in a deep breath. "So, I'm to be taken directly into the lion's den, am I?" She jested with a slight snicker, as she felt around the wall to find the window. "If I may, milady, why do ye always go to the windows?" the timid girl asked. "Good question." Jaedin thought for a moment of why she did seek out the windows. "I suppose it's because without my sight, I feel closed in. The air from the windows allows me to breathe. The breeze calms me," she admitted as she took a deep breath. "So you see, Katie, I'm not as strong as you may think." "Dinna let her fool ye, Katie. I have the bruises on my body that tell a different tale," Aiden proclaimed as he walked in the room. "You deserved every single one of them, MacAlister," Jaedin justified her previous actions. "Ye may go now, Katie. Lady Jaedin willna be needin' yer assistance tonight." Jaedin heard him behind her and then the closing of the door. Was that the lock? Then there was silence. She turned around to lean her back against the window. She heard something heavy being hung on the wall, and then she heard the sound of metal on metal. Buckles, the sound she heard were buckles. Dear God, her heart began to race! Then Jaedin heard the splashing of water and a slight groan from Aiden. She quickly turned around to face out the window, knowing she couldn't see him; it was still unsettling to her. She closed her eyes as she envisioned him in the tub, water and soap streaming down his muscular body, his dark hair slicked back, her hands kneading his hard... "Turn around, Jaedin," Aiden said in a low tone of voice, interrupting her fantasy. "This was not our agreement, MacAlister," Jaedin said as she crossed her arms in defiance, trying to maintain composure. "Ye canna see me, lass, now turn around. I'll not talk to ye through yer back," He said with as much patience he could muster. Jaedin collected herself then slowly turned around to face him with her arms still crossed. "Why am I here and not in my own room?" she asked. "We have guests, ye ken that. I gave them the best chamber in the keep ... yers," He stated. "While they are here, ye'll be stayin' in here with me." She heard the water sloshing around again. "Tis after all what a man and his bride would do." Taking a deep breath, "Don't think we'll be sharing a bed, MacAlister." she spat, not quite accepting her circumstances. "Dinna fash that hot head of yers, lass. I've no wish to play with fire," he bit back, beginning to lose his patience, he stood up. "A man, who plays with fire, gets burnt." He stepped out of the tub and grabbed a cloth. "Besides, if and when I need to bed someone, the lass will come to me willingly. Now help me dry off." He ordered as he tossed her the cloth, startling her. Absolutely stunned by his remarks, she threw the fabric back across the room, hoping it would hit her intended target. "You are the supreme master, Laird MacAlister. I'm sure women weep with yearning for you." She turned back around to face the window. "You'll not find me begging for your..." "That'll be enough outta ye," Aiden interrupted as he closed the distance between them. He walked up behind her, grasped her hips tightly and pulled her close, holding her firmly against him, causing him to instantly grow hard. "I dinna ken about other women, but by mornin', ye'll be the one weepin' with yearnin' for my cruaidh breall." He growled into her ear, slowly grinding his hard root into her backside while nipping at her neck, sending chills down Jaedin's spine. He heard her take a deep breath and she leaned back further into him. He took that as his invitation, continuing to nibble down her neck. He grasped the yoke of her chemise and slowly slid it down her shoulder so he could continue to trail kisses on her bare, soft skin. Jaedin closed her eyes. This shouldn't be happening. She'd done everything she could to ward him off and to cause him to hate her. She'd been horrible to him, yet now, his lips and teeth were causing her heart to race with lightning fury. She should stop this ... she should... "Now's the time, Jaedin," he purred into her ear in that oh so sexy deep brogue of his, using her name. Oh, she loved the sound of her name across this man's lips. "Stop me now, lass, for I've not the will to stop myself."
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