The Virgin Spring
Grade : C-

If you're looking for action, intrigue and non-stop adventure and love the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands, The Virgin Spring may be just what you're looking for. But if you prefer your romances to concentrate on the love story, you'd be better off looking elsewhere.

Gilcrest Davidson Mackintosh feels unfit to be the new laird of Clan Davidson. After a failed attempt to save the former laird (his uncle) from a fiery death, he is nonetheless forced into the position. Because of the tragedy, Gilcrest is no longer the confident man he has always been. His sword arm is badly burned from the fire and the woman he loved ran off with another man. He is a beaten man. Wanting only to find a little peace, he heads to the legendary "virgin spring" to soothe himself in its healing waters. Instead of peace he finds an unconscious woman. A storm begins to rage and he drags her to the safety of a cave all the while thinking "woman were unpredictable, shallow. A faithless lot. He'd revive this one and send her on her way." Naturally, things don't work out at all as Gilcrest planned.

When the dark haired beauty awakens, she doesn't speak because the only thing she can remember is that her name is Rachel. Gilcrest, not wanting to be saddled with a woman, dumps her off with the first two drunken louts he comes across. To his dismay they instantly begin ripping her clothes off (I guess he figured they wanted her for her scintillating conversational skills?) Feeling rather guilty, he whisks her back upon his horse and vows to bring her back to his clan where he can protect her. Not surprisingly, his clan is less than thrilled. She has no memory, and when she finally speaks it is with an English accent. She is declared a whore by most of the clan and because of the sexual stirrings she feels when she looks at Gilcrest she fears they may be correct.

Gilcrest is drawn to Rachel despite the fact that he must marry a Davidson woman in order to gain the respect of his clan. He knows he must do what is best for the clan but he can't resist the attraction to Rachel. Despite his best intentions to avoid her it becomes impossible when she uses her healing powers to ease his pain (she can't remember a darn thing about her past but has an uncanny knowledge of the healing arts).

After a few brief moments with each other they fancy themselves deeply in love. And what started out as a story with a lot of emotional potential turned into something else all together. Because intrigue, action and secondary characters take center stage, the couple end up spending very little time together and barely have time to exchange more than a few sentences with each other. There is a noticeable lack of banter and their relationship sadly seemed to be based only on lust.

Gilcrest is your standard alpha medieval man who believes all women are faithless scum. He's rude, and he's self-pitying, and because of his past and his scars, he is insecure - not a very attractive attribute in this book. He reacts like a typical alpha man and spends the book hardening his heart to Rachel. He is brave, as all medieval heroes must be, and saves Rachel's hide on numerous occasions, but his continuing mistrust and his refusal to listen to her become tiresome and last far too long. Rachel was a character who had a lot of potential but unfortunately never had the chance to come alive because she was too busy dealing with all of the intrigue and secondary characters.

The Virgin Spring vividly captures the day-to-day struggle for survival during medieval times but only scratches the surface of the emotions of its characters. With more space and less kitchen-sink plotting this could have been an engrossing read.

Reviewed by Laurie Shallah
Grade : C-

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date : March 29, 2000

Publication Date: 2000

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Laurie Shallah

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