My review of Thief by Linda Windsor!

About the book:


Exiled in shame and wounded in battle, Caden O’Byrne accepts a mission of penance—to search for his healer’s long-lost daughter. At worst, he’ll finally get his death wish. At best, this could be God’s second chance. But the lovely minstrel Sorcha wants no part in him, his newfound God, or the rescue. In fact, she’s robbed him blind—to help finance her work of buying young captives and returning them to their families. She’s also gone into debt and promised to marry a man she doesn’t love—all for the chidlren’s sake. But before she and Caden can sort out the situation, a treacherous murder forces them to run for their lives…together. While Caden’s rekindled faith is tested, Sorcha wonders if his God is real. If so, can a thief like her dare hope for His mercy? And do the two of them have a chance of reaching home—Sorcha’s real home—alive?


My review:


Thief is the second book in the Brides of Alba series and was just as compelling as the first book, if not more so. Windsor has a way with words and culture that makes you feel a part of the setting so much that you are living in the fantasy world while you read her books. It's a great escape from the present day. Thief follows Caden, the brother from the first book who was cast out of history country for a number of reasons, the least of which was trying to kill his brother, the heir to the throne.

I loved watching Caden slowly transform from a selfish man who didn't see any hope for the future into someone who cared about others and was willing to risk life and limb to protect the people he loved most. Several surprises pop up in this book that I hadn't anticipated, making the story that much more intriguing. I love it when people are paired together in situations where both are strong willed and hard headed. The attraction Caden felt toward Sorcha just made the tension between then even more exciting. Sparks were flying everywhere.

As in the first book, the author drags several villains into the story who wreak serious havoc and make things worse than it seemed things could possibly get. However, when there is darkness the light shines that much brighter. Thief shows how good can overcome evil as long as faith is involved and one's trust is placed in God's hands rather than man's. I loved how Sorcha was never willing to give up without a fight and how God sometimes supplied supernatural intervention to help His people when they called on His name.

A beautifully written redemption story, Thief encompasses the faith journey of two strong-willed individuals who were both self-sufficient and determined to survive. After being betrayed by people bent on their destruction and sentenced to punishment despite their innocence, Caden and Sorcha learned to trust God for the future and were rewarded with something they never thought they would experience again... hope.

Linda Windsor has crafted an intriguing and spiritually satisfying novel that will keep readers hooked on the Brides of Alba series and longing for more.

Thief was published by David C. Cook and will release in June of 2011. If you loved Healer you are going to want to pre-order this book!