Until I finished this amazing book, I did not realize that I'd jumped into the middle of a multi-part series (see below). The best part of this is that I will be able to spend more time with these characters. Make no mistake, these people are real, they grieve and suffer aplenty.
Maggie, born and raised a Scot, has lost her husband at the hands of a dangerous relative. With three young children, she must pay attention to the threats made against her son. Because of her desperate situation, she accepts a proxy marriage to Adrian Mackinnon, a wealthy man of California. Adrian is still grieving his lost love -- who married his twin brother, Alex.
Because of his busy life and few opportunities for meeting the type of woman he wants to marry (she must be beautiful, accomplished, be graceful, able to bear children, etc.). He sends a letter to his brother Ross, a duke in Scotland. Ross realizes that Maggie is just the right woman for Adrian, even though she does not meet all of Adrian's requirements. Ross leaves out of the returning letter that Maggie is a widow with three children.
Adrian is a bitter man who still loves his brother's wife, Katherine. Although she does not appear in this book, she is a heavy presence through most of the book. When Adrian finds that his brother is sending a wife for him, Adrian looks for ways to dislike her. When Maggie and Adrian meet, the fireworks begin -- and continue for some time.
Maggie is everything a man could want; she's patient, yet humorous; intelligent, yet fun-loving. She does not intentionally deceive Adrian, she just is unaware that Ross left out the mention of children and her widowhood. When Adrian berates Maggie, she doesn't pout -- she gives as good as she gets. Adrian is thunderstruck by her bravery and audacity.
Adrian has some serious past issues to address and Maggie helps him as much as she can. Her past is not as troublesome but she worries that the Scottish duke can harm her son; can he reach California with his threats? Besides Adrian's history, he has a problem with a competing lumber company. They are trying to destroy Adrian's business, even though it is the largest in California.
Mollie Polly is a treasure and adds so much to the story. Early-on, she realizes that Maggie is just what Adrian needs and she keeps up a steady barrage of arrows at Adrian, to warn him of his behavior. Some of their conversations are laugh-out-loud funny. This banter helps the reader understand that Adrian's bark is just that -- bark. He adapts with time -- it is what the reader holds onto while Adrian struggles to change.
This is a terrific book. Now I plan to start at the beginning of the series.
MacKinnon Brothers Series
1. Angel in Marble (1991)
2. For All the Right Reasons (1991)
3. Somewhere Along the Way (1992)
**4. So This Is Love (1993)
5. Heaven Knows (1994)
6. When Love Comes Along (1995)
7. If You Love Me (1997)
Maggie, born and raised a Scot, has lost her husband at the hands of a dangerous relative. With three young children, she must pay attention to the threats made against her son. Because of her desperate situation, she accepts a proxy marriage to Adrian Mackinnon, a wealthy man of California. Adrian is still grieving his lost love -- who married his twin brother, Alex.
Because of his busy life and few opportunities for meeting the type of woman he wants to marry (she must be beautiful, accomplished, be graceful, able to bear children, etc.). He sends a letter to his brother Ross, a duke in Scotland. Ross realizes that Maggie is just the right woman for Adrian, even though she does not meet all of Adrian's requirements. Ross leaves out of the returning letter that Maggie is a widow with three children.
Adrian is a bitter man who still loves his brother's wife, Katherine. Although she does not appear in this book, she is a heavy presence through most of the book. When Adrian finds that his brother is sending a wife for him, Adrian looks for ways to dislike her. When Maggie and Adrian meet, the fireworks begin -- and continue for some time.
Maggie is everything a man could want; she's patient, yet humorous; intelligent, yet fun-loving. She does not intentionally deceive Adrian, she just is unaware that Ross left out the mention of children and her widowhood. When Adrian berates Maggie, she doesn't pout -- she gives as good as she gets. Adrian is thunderstruck by her bravery and audacity.
Adrian has some serious past issues to address and Maggie helps him as much as she can. Her past is not as troublesome but she worries that the Scottish duke can harm her son; can he reach California with his threats? Besides Adrian's history, he has a problem with a competing lumber company. They are trying to destroy Adrian's business, even though it is the largest in California.
Mollie Polly is a treasure and adds so much to the story. Early-on, she realizes that Maggie is just what Adrian needs and she keeps up a steady barrage of arrows at Adrian, to warn him of his behavior. Some of their conversations are laugh-out-loud funny. This banter helps the reader understand that Adrian's bark is just that -- bark. He adapts with time -- it is what the reader holds onto while Adrian struggles to change.
This is a terrific book. Now I plan to start at the beginning of the series.
MacKinnon Brothers Series
1. Angel in Marble (1991)
2. For All the Right Reasons (1991)
3. Somewhere Along the Way (1992)
**4. So This Is Love (1993)
5. Heaven Knows (1994)
6. When Love Comes Along (1995)
7. If You Love Me (1997)
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