It's 14th century Scotland and two childhood friends, Isabel de Burke and Rachel de Anjou, now young women, are being separated. Edward I has expelled all Jews from his kingdom. Rachel, along with her father, mother and sister, are forced to leave their beloved England. She travels with them to settle in Berwick, while Isabel is appointed lady- in-waiting to Edward's queen, Eleanor. They are never far from each other's thoughts; never leaving each other's hearts.

Scotland's child queen perishes on her way to claim the crown. That enables Balliol and Bruce, bitter rivals, to fight for the crown of Scotland. But, England's Edward I has a plan of his own. He wants to become ruler of all the land.

Kieran MacDonald, a tall, dark Highlander, shows up in Berwick at the inn Rachel's family has purchased. Kieran is fighting alongside Rory MacGannon to keep Scotland under Scottish rule. After meeting Rachel, Kieran not only risks his life for Scotland, but risks losing his heart to her. Rory is outlawed and has to move carefully through the country unnoticed. When Rory and Isabel meet, there's an immediate attraction.

It's only a matter of time before Isabel and Rachel are reunited. The unrest between England and Scotland reaches fever pitch. Isabel and Rachel must decide where their loyalties lie. Rory and Isabel and Kieran and Rachel must decide where their passions lie as Scotland's freedom hangs in the balance. Rory and Kieran refuse to swear fealty to a king that is not theirs. We also get to know William Wallace, a true warrior of Scotland, who fought to the death for his beloved Scotland (as portrayed in the movie Braveheart).

RIVALS FOR THE CROWN can rival any Scottish tale written today. It's a magnificent sequel to ON A HIGHLAND SHORE, where we first met Gannon and Margaret. Rory MacGannon is their youngest son and a strong and loyal Scottish warrior.

RIVALS FOR THE CROWN is simply magnificent; an epic of huge proportions filled with intrigue and conspiracy, betrayal and loyalty, strength and honor, and an honest and true love story. Ms. Given's research is unparalleled, giving her readers a sense of time and place, like nothing I've ever read before, and characters you can almost hear breathing. Her stories are gifts for the heart. Begin with the treasure ON A HIGHLAND SHORE and continue with RIVALS FOR THE CROWN. These are two of the best stories that weave a beautiful Scottish plaid sure to touch your heart, as they did mine.