Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
This was a fun, typical Lynsay Sands romp through the Highlands. We have the lass in distress/danger, the grumpy Highland hero with the hidden soft heart, the road trip (or two) from one place to another, the evil villain with the grudge against hero or heroine, and the growing feelings that become all-encompassing love. It may be a formula, but it works.
Here we have Claray MacFarlane, who believes that she will never marry. Her betrothed died when they were both children, and her father is in no hurry to arrange another marriage. She's a sweet young woman who longs for a family of her own and lavishes her care on the injured animals that she finds. She never expected a visit to her cousin to end with her uncle dragging her to a forced marriage. She's saved from that fate by the arrival of a Highland mercenary known as "The Wolf," who scoops her up and carries her off.
I loved Clary's reaction. She believes he's the answer to her prayers for rescue, notices his handsomeness, and recalls the stories she's heard of him. Grateful for her rescue and trusting him instinctively, she promptly falls asleep in his arms. Claray has no idea that The Wolf is Bryson MacDonald, aka Conall, her betrothed, who escaped the slaughter of his family. He was hidden away, and his name changed to protect him until he was grown. For the last twelve years, since earning his spurs, he fought to gain the funds to rebuild his home and reclaim his life and his bride.
I loved Conall. She isn't at all what he expected. First of all, she surprised him with her trust though she had no idea why he had rescued her. Then there was his reaction to her rescue of various animals along the journey. First, the bunny, which he thought was for dinner, resulted in a look of horror from Claray. Then the baby stoat (ermine), which he called "vermin." By the time she rescued an injured fox kit, he just shook his head and made room for it. I loved his care for her during the journey, from holding her while she slept to accepting that she doesn't eat meat and finding other things for her to eat.
I loved watching the relationship between Claray and Conall develop. Though he's a fierce warrior, when it comes to Claray, Conall is kindness itself. He is protective without being overbearing and drawn to her more than any other woman in his life. He does hold onto the truth of his identity a little longer than he should have, but even there, he had his reasons. The more time he spends with her, the stronger his attraction to her grows. There are also a few satisfying instances of jealousy when his cousin tweaks him about his earlier reluctance to marry yet. Claray could have been portrayed as a complete ditz, but though she is somewhat naïve, she is by no means stupid. She had an excellent grasp of her uncle's plan and that of his coconspirator. She was sweet but not a pushover and knew how to get her way when it was important to her. She was attracted to Conall but torn because of the teachings of the family priest.
Once Claray and Conall were married, their relationship continued to grow as they worked together to return his home and lands to their former glory. I loved their teamwork and seeing them pull everyone together. But not everyone is happy to see the progress. When someone shoots an arrow at them while they are cavorting at the pond, the question is who and why? Is it the person responsible for the deaths of Conall's family, back to finish the job? Or is it Claray's rejected bridegroom trying to get her back? The intensity goes up when another attack succeeds in injuring Claray, and there is still no clue who is behind it. The third time is nearly the charm, as the attacker tries again. I was glued to the pages as the bizarre reason for the attacks was explained and watched Claray try to talk her way out of danger. I was surprised and creeped out by the final player and happy to see their end. I adored that Claray's rescues played a significant part in that ending. With some good news regarding the other threat to their happiness, Claray and Conall are finally free to live their lives.
I loved seeing characters from other books in the series, such as Aulay and Alick Buchanan. It was very special to see Annabel and Ross MacKay from the first book in the series (An English Bride in Scotland). Conall is their nephew; his mother was Ross's sister Giorsal. Other secondary characters, such as Payton and Roderick, kept Conall and Claray safe when permitted to stay close and served as a bit of conscience when Conall needed it. My favorite secondary characters were the four-footed, furry ones. Each one had a story and distinct personality, and several played critical roles in the book.
I can't wait to see what is next for the Highland Brides. Perhaps one of Claray's sisters?
Here we have Claray MacFarlane, who believes that she will never marry. Her betrothed died when they were both children, and her father is in no hurry to arrange another marriage. She's a sweet young woman who longs for a family of her own and lavishes her care on the injured animals that she finds. She never expected a visit to her cousin to end with her uncle dragging her to a forced marriage. She's saved from that fate by the arrival of a Highland mercenary known as "The Wolf," who scoops her up and carries her off.
I loved Clary's reaction. She believes he's the answer to her prayers for rescue, notices his handsomeness, and recalls the stories she's heard of him. Grateful for her rescue and trusting him instinctively, she promptly falls asleep in his arms. Claray has no idea that The Wolf is Bryson MacDonald, aka Conall, her betrothed, who escaped the slaughter of his family. He was hidden away, and his name changed to protect him until he was grown. For the last twelve years, since earning his spurs, he fought to gain the funds to rebuild his home and reclaim his life and his bride.
I loved Conall. She isn't at all what he expected. First of all, she surprised him with her trust though she had no idea why he had rescued her. Then there was his reaction to her rescue of various animals along the journey. First, the bunny, which he thought was for dinner, resulted in a look of horror from Claray. Then the baby stoat (ermine), which he called "vermin." By the time she rescued an injured fox kit, he just shook his head and made room for it. I loved his care for her during the journey, from holding her while she slept to accepting that she doesn't eat meat and finding other things for her to eat.
I loved watching the relationship between Claray and Conall develop. Though he's a fierce warrior, when it comes to Claray, Conall is kindness itself. He is protective without being overbearing and drawn to her more than any other woman in his life. He does hold onto the truth of his identity a little longer than he should have, but even there, he had his reasons. The more time he spends with her, the stronger his attraction to her grows. There are also a few satisfying instances of jealousy when his cousin tweaks him about his earlier reluctance to marry yet. Claray could have been portrayed as a complete ditz, but though she is somewhat naïve, she is by no means stupid. She had an excellent grasp of her uncle's plan and that of his coconspirator. She was sweet but not a pushover and knew how to get her way when it was important to her. She was attracted to Conall but torn because of the teachings of the family priest.
Once Claray and Conall were married, their relationship continued to grow as they worked together to return his home and lands to their former glory. I loved their teamwork and seeing them pull everyone together. But not everyone is happy to see the progress. When someone shoots an arrow at them while they are cavorting at the pond, the question is who and why? Is it the person responsible for the deaths of Conall's family, back to finish the job? Or is it Claray's rejected bridegroom trying to get her back? The intensity goes up when another attack succeeds in injuring Claray, and there is still no clue who is behind it. The third time is nearly the charm, as the attacker tries again. I was glued to the pages as the bizarre reason for the attacks was explained and watched Claray try to talk her way out of danger. I was surprised and creeped out by the final player and happy to see their end. I adored that Claray's rescues played a significant part in that ending. With some good news regarding the other threat to their happiness, Claray and Conall are finally free to live their lives.
I loved seeing characters from other books in the series, such as Aulay and Alick Buchanan. It was very special to see Annabel and Ross MacKay from the first book in the series (An English Bride in Scotland). Conall is their nephew; his mother was Ross's sister Giorsal. Other secondary characters, such as Payton and Roderick, kept Conall and Claray safe when permitted to stay close and served as a bit of conscience when Conall needed it. My favorite secondary characters were the four-footed, furry ones. Each one had a story and distinct personality, and several played critical roles in the book.
I can't wait to see what is next for the Highland Brides. Perhaps one of Claray's sisters?
