Fyfa's Sacrifice: A Medieval Scottish Romance (Guardians of Alba)

SETTING: Stirling Castle, Scotland  
Early July, 1304

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have been in Stirling Castle when King Edward I was attacking it? What did the women do? How did they manage the food stores to last the months of the Seige? What were the inhabitants thinking when they watched the giant trebuchet “WarWolf” being built? And, what happened when the castle finally surrendered?
Ms. Castel takes us back in time and place, so that we can see, hear, and live with the inhabitants of the Castle in these tumultuous times. Sticking closely to the history and the known facts, she has created characters that we can easily identify with, which brings us into her story, living it through her characters. The H and h have their flaws clearly visible to us, which adds to a sense of reality about them. We can understand how a husband and wife can sabotage their marriage by incomplete truths, hidden secrets, and unfounded jealousy. Yet, despite their flaws and the traumatic times they are enduring, we cheer for them to overcome the obstacles to their happiness, and are happy when they finally pass the hurdles!
In addition to the fictional characters, are the real-in-history characters that truly were involved in the Seige. We find Robert the Bruce, before he has taken the kingship of Scotland, as having been alongside King Edward in the closing act- - not as a participant, but as an observer. (No doubt Edward hoped to thus intimidate Robert so that he would not ever oppose Edward’s rule.) King Edward’s son is present, although not playing any active part at this time, as was his pregnant second wife. The actual man in charge of Stirling at that time, Sir Oliphant and his wife are in their proper roles, and we learn their fates at the conclusion of the action.
The drama of the actual event would be sufficient to hold the interest of history-lovers. The addition of the fictional characters adds humanity and a wonderful story about love discovered by a husband and wife after 5 wasted years of rather loveless marriage, which adds depth to the story and lessons in living for all of us.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Fyfa, sworn to protect Scotland, married Hume, steward of Sterling Castle for the sole purpose of gathering information- and it cost her. Trapped in a loveless sham, the secrets she keeps result in distrust and estrangement. When Stirling falls, they have to band together to ensure Alba's future, rediscovering feelings long thought dead .But is it too late to start over?
The second instalment is an emotional, atmospheric and suspenseful read, set against the backdrop of the Wars of Scottish Independence and enthralled me from the first page. I love how empathically the downward spiral of this marriage is portrayed, the characters so well fleshed out in their disappointment and suffering, waging a war of their own making that it pulled at my hearstrings. All the more heartwarming is the change in Fyfa, the return of trust and love as they unite in their quest to keep The Bruce alive. Betrayal, intrigue, a suspense and steamy romance with a touch of witchery- a great addition to the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Book: Fyfa’s Sacrifice
By Jayne Castel

Series: Guardians of Alba, Book #2

Publisher: Winter Mist Press, 273 pages

Release Date: 9/17/2021

Overall Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

Stirling Castle
Year of our Lord 1304

The heroine of this book is Fyfa, who was a foundling, abandoned by her parents. Most likely from a birthmark on her leg that most likely scared her biological parents, Luckily she was found by Colina. Colina is the High Druid Bandruì, of an ancient order who were the Guardians of Alba, Alba means Scotland in Scottish gaelic. Colina found two other foundling’s at the time too, they were named Nessa and Breanna who grew up and became the three best of friends and sisters of their hearts. Now the trio born on the same day all took an oath as Druidess, one is they can not bare children as they wouldn’t be able to continue their important missions with bairn’s clinging to their skirts.

Stirling Castle
Year of our Lord 1304

Again this story is set during The Wars of Scottish I ndependence as Alba Guardian Fyfa is miserable that her marriage to Hume Comyn, the steward of Stirling Castle, is centered around dishonesty and deception. Unfortunately this is causing extreme jealousy on Hume’s part due to Fyfa’s beauty and flirtatious nature with men. Hume also comes from not an unhappy home with a mother who mentally abused him. Unfortunately this made Hume shy and caused a lot of self esteem issues and even a virgin when he married Fyfa. Hume has convinced himself that his wife is sleeping with other men which is all untrue. So they have not lived as husband and wife or had marital relations in a couple years. On top of that everyone who lived in Stirling castle was near starving living on very little nourishment! The English now had the castle surrounded and were taking shots at the people protecting the castle. They also build this huge trebuchet monstrosity that was tearing a hole into the castle, besides shooting missiles and hammering the castle walls! This eventually would take over Stirling castle and they wouldn’t have much choice but to surrender to the enemy but would they English even let them live?

Even though Fyfa’s true mission is to protect him and the people of Scotland, but their marriage is set on confidential information that she is not allowed to share. Fyfa is not blameless as she posed as a scullery maid and she did used a little bit of her witchery magic to get Hume’s attention to work faster and to get information about Stirling Castle since he is the castle steward. Yet to her surprise Hume had fallen completely and hopelessly in love with Fyfa. Fyfa has given her oath as a member of this secret order, the Guardians of Alba, who are druidesses and have given their oath to protect Scotland from wicked sassenach raiders who are set to destroy their homes, lands and the lives of the Scottish people. The leader of the sassenach’s is the English King, Edward I, Edward Longshanks, the Hammer of the Scots.

The Alba Guardians are also aware that Robert the Bruce will somehow be Scotland’s savior in the foreseeable future. As this man will be the next Scottish King so Fyfa must do everything to protect Robert the Bruce. The other problem outside their marriage is that an evil, powerful, witch, Lamia Delamare is with the English. She is a powerful witch with her own familiar plus the English Queen’s ladies companion, so this witch is in a very powerful position at the Hammer’s side. Fyfa could be in a very dangerous position like her sister Nessa (Nessa’s Seduction, book 1) had been and possibly Robert the Bruce. This man will most likely save Scotland.

Will Hume ever trust Fyfa again with so much suspicion in his heart? Can Fyfa make Hume realize she has always been faithful and he is the only man she wants. Plus will the hammer even allow them to even live? Read and find out!

Jayne Castel pens another engaging masterpiece that I could not put down. I was absolutely mesmerized by this action packed riveting story. It is filled with my favorite reading ingredients: true factual history with real historical iconic characters like King Robert the Bruce of Scotland and King Edward I of England. Plus weaved with a second chance fictional romance that I absolutely loved! I must admit I did shed a few tears reading this magnificent, fast paced, page turner! In my opinion this book was absolutely brilliant and I also loved the first book in this series Nessa’s Seduction too, so I am looking forward to Breanna’s Surrender too which will be the third book in this extraordinary series.

Jayne Castel has quickly become one of my favorite authors who weaves true history with a brilliant flare for fictional historical romance. She does a phenomenal amount of research that I find extremely impressive too. In addition she loves Scotland as much as me! I absolutely and unequivocally highly recommend this spectacular book. You can read this exhilarating book as a stand alone book too but I highly you read this entire fun series!

Guardian’s of Alba by Jayne Castel

One: Nessa’s Seduction
Two: Fyfa’s Sacrifice
Three: Breanna’s Surrrender: TBR on, 11/25/2021

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I received an advance readers copy and agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through Booksprout. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

This book was AWESOME, it had it all: battles, estranged married couple, hot but very well written sex scenes, and just enough but not too much witchery.

I really don't like anything paranormal, but Fyfa's Sacrifice didn't make it in your face. There was enough to let you know that they were witches, but no flying on brooms or wonky things like that.

Fyfa and Hume are real. They're married but drifted apart to mistrust which was earned. They are able to work though and realize their love for each other before it's too late.

I am counting the days to book three because Jayne's books only get better at the series progress. You can read this book without reading book one, but I recommend reading book one first. It gives a backstory to this book just like book two (this book) sets the story for book three. All three can be read as standalone books.

I very highly recommend this book, it's amazing and once I started, I couldn't stop reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.