LADY MACBETH
SUSAN FRASER KING
ISBN: 978-0-307-34174-7
February 12, 2008
Crown Publishing Group, an imprint of Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Hardcover
$23.95
352 pages
Historical/Fiction
Rating: 4 cups

Gruadh's, also known as Rue, destiny is coming her way. Her father is in the bloodline of the royal family, so someday day she might become queen. At times she is unsure of that, but she knows she will have to accept whatever comes her way. Rue is stubborn and high-strung, but definitely loyal. She is always looking for a better way to do things, and clings to her Celtic past and the things that her mother taught her. But will that be enough to keep her going?

Macbeth is the kind of man who will not be denied anything he wants. He is never willing to give up and keeps trying to get what he wants. Losing his parents at a young age makes him determined to become the King of Scotland. He knows it will not be an easy thing to accomplish. He has his eye on Gruadh because she could be the final piece to put things together.

Gruadh knows the history of women, and wants to be treated as man. Her father fights this and ties her to marriage with Lord Gilcomgan. Their life together starts wonderfully but does not last long. Now facing a second marriage, this time to MacBeth, Rue wonders if this was set up all along. She is furious that she is still treated as a female, but does her best to learn how to run the house as well as understand the day-to-day activities. Yet she never gives up the few joys she has in life and remembers the things her mother taught her about the Celtic way of life. She is pregnant with a child from her first husband and that spurs her on to keep her family’s legacy, no matter the cost. Macbeth is in for a fight if he does not learn to listen to his new bride. Will the prophecy Rue believes in, that they will become the King and Queen, come true?

I love historical novels, and this one took me up from the beginning. Ms. King has done her research, which was so fascinating. I felt like I was watching everything unfold in front of me. Gruadh may not be real, but the character portrayed in this book is not one I would want to upset. She is able to get her way most of the time but it had her seeing things that I could not handle. This is one tale that will not leave my mind any time soon. I want to know more about Lady Macbeth. This novel is one that will please anyone who not only likes history, but reading about the women involved in it.

Krista
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books