#BookReview – “Scottish Brides” by Christina Dodd, Stephanie Laurens, Julia Quinn, and Karen Ranney

Blurb

A land of legend and wild beauty--of clans, lairds, honor, and passion--Scotland forever stirs the soul to romance. Now, in one incomparable volume, four of Avon Romance's bestselling authors present stirring tales of hearts won and weddings to be, featuring a quartet of unforgettable heroines about to discover the rapture of love in a world as untamed as the men they will one day marry.

Displaying the bold and breathtaking sensuality that is her hallmark, bestselling author CHRISTINA DODD enthralls us with the tale of a willful Scottish beauty--kidnapped by an arrogant yet irresistible Englishman--who fights to keep from succumbing to her brazen captor's passionate, and persuasive, proposal.

Experience the fiercely emotional power of STEPHANIE LAURENS who is at her passionate best with this story of a wealthy gentleman who finds his childhood nemesis has blossomed into a most desirable lass--and he's determined to do everything in his power to claim her as his own, before she is quite unsuitably wed.

The delightful wit and warm humor of JULIA QUINN shine brightly in this winning romantic romp, in which a lovely English miss--feigning marriage to a dashing, beguiling Scotsman--discovers she has a very real desire for her make-believe groom.

Another strikingly dramatic and deeply compelling tale by KAREN RANNEY. A legend decrees that the sexy Laird of Sinclair must marry a woman he has never met. But only sweet, passion-filled love will him to his true--and forbidden--bride.

stories are:
Under the Kilt (Fairchild Family #2.5) by Christina Dodd
Rose in Bloom by Stephanie Laurens
Gretna Greene by Julia Quinn
The Glenlyon Bride by Karen Ranney 

Review

I really enjoyed this anthology of four Scottish historical novellas. Other than head hopping, all the stories are well-written in third POV and without any typos. I definitely recommend this book.

In Christina Dodd’s “Under the Kilt,” Hadden Fairchild is determined to convince his former lover, Lady Andra MacNachtan, to marry him. Though he belongs to the ruthless Fairchild family, he’s gentle, polite, and respectful almost to a fault.

Andra is in charge of running and repairing the crumbling MacNachtan Clan castle. After past hurt in her childhood, she refuses to marry but longs for Hadden as he longs for her. When he demands to know about the legendary Marriage Kilt, she finds herself locked in the attic with a man who refuses to take no for an answer.

I really loved this story. It’s fast and to the point. Hadden’s back-story is breezed over, but I already knew a lot about him since I’ve read the previous books in the Well Pleasured series. Andra, a new character to the series, has a full back-story, and I understood her stubborn in regards to trusting Hadden with her heart.

5 Stars

In Stephanie Laurens’ “Rose in Bloom,” Rose Mackenzie-Craddock has spent every summer of her life at Ballynashiels, the Scottish estate of the Macintyre family, and she used to tease and torment Duncan Macintyre relentlessly. As the only two children on the estate, she was naturally drawn to him, but he always considered her nothing more than a pest. Given their eight-year age difference, that’s understandable. After twelve years apart, Duncan returns home for the summer with a potential bride in tow. Rose, likewise, has a potential husband with her. Though he finds Rose just as frustrating as ever, she’s not the same hoyden he remembers. Rose can’t help but tease the stoic, controlled man, and the game soon changes to one neither of them expected.

Rose and Duncan’s friendship, animosity, and romance sizzled on the pages. They have such great chemistry and are obviously perfect for each other, but they’re so blind they couldn’t see it. This is a great novella, and I really liked the H/h.

5 Stars

In Julia Quinn’s “Gretna Greene,” Margaret Pennypacker treks the long, dangerous journey to Gretna Green to stop her foolish younger brother from eloping. On her first night in town, three men accost her but a giant of a man saves her life.

Angus Greene is in town to find his younger sister, Anne, since she’s on her way to London for a Season, which he didn’t approve of. After he rescues Margaret and realizes she’s all alone and without money, he appoints himself as her protector. Attraction and friendship quickly blooms between them, and they argue and bicker like an old married couple. Though it’s not love at first, it’s damn close and it felt believable.

I really enjoyed this story. The H/h are smart, witty, and fully developed. Their reasons and motivations drive the story. There’s a HEA, but I would’ve liked an epilogue or more information about where they’ll live, what their families will think, and how their newfound love will affect their responsibilities. Even without that, I adore the characters and the story.

4.5 Stars

In Karen Ranney’s “The Glenlyon Bride,” Janet MacPherson has lived the last seven years of her life as a maid and companion to her cruel, vindictive cousin, Harriet. After Harriet is betrothed to a Scottish laird, Janet meets a dashing Scotsman in the woods outside the family manor. She longs for her homeland of Scotland, and even more so, she wants happiness, adventure, and a way to ease her terrible loneliness. Lachlan is a reiver—a raider and thief—and they’re instantly taken with each other.

Lachlan Sinclair, laird of the Sinclairs, believes Janet to be Harriet, his future bride. Though he doesn’t want to marry, he needs Harriet’s dowry to secure his improvised lands and ancestral home of Glenlyon. When he’s with Janet, thinking she’s Harriet, the marriage doesn’t seem so bad anymore. But when he discovers the truth, he fears his hopes and plans to save his people are dashed forever.

I love this story. Janet and Lachlan are wonderful and strong. They both have fears, responsibilities, and dreams for a prosperous future. I wish Harriet would’ve been punished for her cruelty, but Janet’s freedom from her was justice enough since Harriet will no longer have someone to hurt. Anyway, I think this story is my favorite of the four.

5 Stars

Book Overall – 5 Stars