| Written by: Keena Kincaid | | | | allows Liza to stay at the inn with Bran watching over |
| Wild Rose Press | | | | her. |
| ISBN: 1-60154-409 | | | | Tess and Aedan soon fall in love and she gives her |
| 327 pages | | | | heart to him. They make love in the fields. They don't |
| $14.99 | | | | tell Liza because Liza is very protective of Tess and |
| 4.5 Stars | | | | they worry that she'll hurt Aedan. As Tess and Aedan |
| Keena Kincaid weaves a love story that spans the | | | | get closer, Bran is making headway with Liza. Liza |
| centuries in "Anam Cara." Anam Cara means soul | | | | soon relaxes around him and the couple becomes |
| friend, and that's what Bran ap Owen has found in | | | | lovers. |
| Liza, his soul friend that he's traveled the centuries with. | | | | The Earl has returned to Duncarnoch and the sheriff |
| Unfortunately for Bran, no matter what he does to | | | | sends for Liza and Bran. Bran is cousin to the Earl's |
| right the wrong that put him on the karmic wheel he's | | | | wife, Kathryn, and is well received in Duncarnoch. The |
| on, Liza's headstrong nature threatens to derail him. Full | | | | Earl hears Liza and Wakefield out. He also "outs" Liza's |
| of angst and longing, Anam Cara tells a mesmerizing | | | | secret - she's a high born noblewoman. The Earl, |
| tale of soul friends and their journey to find love. | | | | Richard, rules on the side of Liza. Wakefield, upset, |
| The story begins with Bran having a memory as a | | | | kidnaps Tess. Aedan goes after Tess and almost dies |
| Roman soldier and the event that put him on the | | | | at Wakefield's hand. |
| karmic wheel, his betrayal of Liza. Several centuries | | | | The novel engages an interesting concept, karmic love |
| later, it is 1161 and Bran is a mistral, traveling with his | | | | throughout the ages and I read the book interested in |
| younger brother, Aedan. They encounter an inn run by | | | | how the author would explore the topic. Bran is a very |
| Liza. The moment Bran sees Liza, he feels an | | | | likable character. The reasons for his motivations are |
| immediate connection. She's the inn's alekeep and while | | | | fleshed out well. Liza has been so hurt over the ages, |
| she accepts the mistrals, she's not fond of them. Bran | | | | she's developed a thick "skin," but eventually warms to |
| and Aedan reveal they have roots in | | | | Bran. The supporting cast is interesting. The plot is |
| Duncarnoch,nearby land, and have the ability to read | | | | credible and the pace of the novel was just right. |
| each other's thoughts. It's something they keep to | | | | Kincaid's love scenes are tasteful and sensual. The |
| themselves. Duncarnoch isn't far away from the inn. | | | | author's love of medieval history shines in the story. |
| While at the inn, the local nobleman, Michael Wakefield, | | | | Bran speaks with an accent throughout the novel. This |
| attacks Liza's daughter, Tess. Bran and Aedan stop it, | | | | brings authencity to the character, but I found it hard to |
| but the nobleman has gone to the sheriff seeking | | | | read at times, and it did slow me down as I stopped to |
| retribution for being attacked. The sheriff does his | | | | figure out what he was saying at times. |
| investigation and recommends the case to the Earl of | | | | Overall, I found this compelling read. "Anam Cara" |
| Duncarnoch. The Earl is gone for a bit, so the sheriff | | | | proves that love does last forever. |