Review: Great Highland Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 18, 2014
I loved this book.  For me it was a 5 star read.  It's well written, with an engaging plot, and fully developed characters.  I was so enthralled in the story that I read it in one day!  Needless to say, I didn't get much else done...except basic childcare.  LOL  When King Robert of Scotland orders Laird Eaden Scott to marry his enemy's daughter, Lady Miriam Barde, Eaden is livid, but has no choice but to follow the King's decree.  Unfortunately, neither Laird Barde nor his daughter, are willing to comply with the King's wishes, which left Eaden in a awkward position, especially when the King threatens him with the loss of his lands and title, if the marriage does not take place soon.  I did find myself wondering why it was that Laird Barde had not been threatened by the King in a similar fashion.  Didn't he too have a duty to obey his liege lord?In any event, to prevent the unthinkable from happening, Eaden kidnaps Lady Miriam and forces her to marry him...or so he thinks.  When the story begins, Mary awakens to find herself at Castle Scott.  She has sustained an injury to her head and has no memory or who she is or why she's at the Scott Castle.  When she's told that she is Lady Miriam and is to marry Laird Scott, Mary tries to protest, as the situation does not seem right.  However, Eaden ignores her protests and they proceed with the wedding.  It's not until the next da, that Mary's memory returns and she realizes that Eaden has made a huge mistake.  When Eaden discovers he has married the wrong woman, he is perturbed, but not overly so...except to wonder what the King's reaction will be.The romance between Eaden and Mary is very sweet.  Mary demands an annulment on the grounds of mistaken identity, but Eaden is not having it.  He dutifully presents her request for an annulment before the King, but then informs the King that he intends on keeping Mary.  LOL  Mary has to resign herself to the marriage, and endeavors to undertake the responsibilities as Lady Scott...a role for which she has not been prepared.  Eaden has his work cut out for him if he wants to win his wife's trust and regard, after the kidnapping, forced marriage ceremony, and painfully humiliating wedding night Mary had to endure at his hands.  I liked the fact that Mary doesn't just fall into Eaden's lap, but makes him work for the privilege of being her husband.  I thought her reactions to Eaden, in light of the painful first bedding, were very realistic.  A bit of intrigue is added to the plot in the form of a former mistress who is determined to win back Eaden's regard.  To that end she befriends the innocent, trusting Mary in an attempt to wreak havoc in the couple's marriage.  Furthermore, Laird Barde is of the belief that Mary has something that King Robert wants, something the Laird is determined to confiscate before the King can retrieve it.I loved this story.  IMO it's really romantic with just the right amount of tension and intrigue.  I would recommend it as a worthwhile read.  As for the parts of the story that some reviewers found offensive--if you have any concerns about that, my advice would be to download the sample, or use the "look inside" feature, and read it for yourself before making the purchase.  All the controversial events occur within the first chapter which is included in the sample.  Oh, FYI this is not a clean romance.  Happy reading!