On holiday in Scotland, Lara MacInnes discovers the journals of a woman who loved Lara’s own very-great grandfather, Lachlan MacInnes, in the mid-eighteen hundreds. With the help of Iain Glendenning, a handsome Highlander, Lara traces the path of this long-ago romance. Their research unearths mystery and murder. Uncovering the truth, a hundred and fifty years later, is a torturous and frustrating … frustrating trail. Along the way, Lara and Iain fall in love. Can they put an end forever to the feud between the MacInnes and Glendenning Clans that has persisted since the Battle of Culloden?
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On holiday in Scotland, Lara MacInnes stays with the friend of her mother & in a trunk discovers the journals of Elspeth Glendenning a woman who loved Lara’s own great-great grandfather, Lachlan MacInnes, in the mid-eighteen hundreds. With the help of Iain Glendenning, a handsome Highlander, Lara traces the path of this long-ago romance. Their research unearths mystery and murder.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it won’t be the last, I loved how the book spanned two eras & having two romances too, one of which was straight forward where the other was quite the opposite. The pace of the book was very good & as it hurtled to the climax I was almost breathless awaiting the result. Strong characters of depth too, I love Lara, Iain, Lachlan & Elspeth & all their trials & tribulations, the ending had me in tears.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Really captivating story, both past and present
4 and a half stars
What an enjoyable and captivating read, from start to finish! I love a good romance and I adore all things Scottish. Author Blair MacDowell takes a terrific, tragic love story from Victorian days and connects it to the young current day couple from the same unfriendly clans and the result is a story I could not out down. The touches of Scottish history, food and culture made me nostalgic for my last visit to Scotland.
Compared to the Victorian-era Lachlan and Elspeth, present-day couple Iain and Lara have fairly smooth sailing as their initial spark of attraction and dramatic meeting progresses to coupledom, though one or two dramatic surprises are thrown their way. For me, the earlier couple’s story was the more compelling, including some heartbreaking decisions.
The plot drew me in from the start, the writing was clear and easy to read, and the pace was good. My only issues were minor, related to Lara and Iain’s investigation into the past and the mentions of hair styles and dress for the 1850’s part of the story. The descriptions of high-waist dresses and men’s hair pulled back in a ribbon do not jive with this time period. The descriptions sound more like Regency era fashion which ended at least a generation earlier. And I never really understood why Lara and Iain’s curiosity did not drive them to read Elspeth’s diaries faster. But neither issue ultimately reduced my enjoyment.
All in all, a lovely romance that I heartily recommend.
Thanks to Wild Rose Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
It was the perfect time to get away, at least Lara thought so. She had broken her engagement and school was on summer break. Lara needed a fresh perspective. She decided to head for Scotland. Lara had no idea a new adventure awaited her.
Iain’s life in Scotland was simple and he liked it that way. His horses and cattle kept him busy enough, he didn’t have time for much more. His world was about to be flipped upside down.
I love this book. The story is well written and well plotted. The characters are relate-able and easy to fall in love with. The modern/historical is a wonderful combination. It gives you the full story not just one side. Ms. McDowell seems to anticipate the readers questions before they are asked. Her writing style is simply beautiful and will keep you spellbound from beginning to end. The modern part of this story in no way wipes out the beautiful historical part. You need to get this book for your TBR pile. Ms. McDowell’s books are automatic buys.
I found no issues.
I gave this one five cheers out of five because this book envelopes you in its beauty.
The MacInnes Affair is a captivating tale. Lara MacInnes has just gotten out of a relationship and has decided to spend the summer in Scotland researching Clan MacInnes. She meets the handsome Iain Glendenning her first day and finds herself intrigued by the Scotsman. The pair come across several diaries belonging to Elspeth Glendenning, an ancestor of Iain’s, that begin in 1850. When Lara reads the diaries and finds that Elspeth was involved with her ancestor, Lachlan MacInnes. Wanting to know more about Lachlan, Lara with help from Iain begins digging into the past. They soon find themselves embroiled in a hundred and fifty year old mystery. The MacInnes Affair is a story that captured and held my attention from beginning to end. I liked the characters and the rugged landscape of Scotland. Blair McDowell’s descriptions brought the book alive. I enjoy being able to visualize the scenery like Athdara Castle surrounded by the woods and the stone cottage where Lara resided. The dual-time line added depth to the story. The author’s research is evident from the clothing, the food, modes of transportation, and attitudes of the people. The ending of The MacInnes Affair left me smiling. The MacInnes Affair has a dashing hero, a charming lady, warring clans, a Scottish estate, and historical intrigue.
This is such a heart wrenching but heartwarming story. Lara MacInnes came to Scotland from
Canada. She was staying with her mom’s friend, who ran a castle hotel there. Lara was a kindergarten teacher and had come here for her summer vacation and running away from a failed relationship.
Iain Glendenning was the son and a very handsome one too. He raised prized horses and long-horned Scottish cattle. There was a definite attraction between them.
I loved this tale, in the present, they are trying to find out about her ancestors. One, in particular, Lachlan MacInnes. He had started her family’s ranch in the 1800s. The book moves from the present to the past as they follow the information they gather. I plan to read this again in the near future. It is well written and moves smoothly. The characters are intriguing and charming. It has so much to offer, mystery, murder, seeing a new country.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
This story covers two different times. One is the present in Canada and Scotland which is Iain and Lara’s story the other the mid-eighteen hundreds and is Lachlan MacInnes and Elspeth Glendenning MacInnes’ story and goes from Scotland to Canada. Elspeth will have so much to go through in her life time. I recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a dual time line historical mystery romance. Lara has travelled from calgary to the Scottish highlands to escape a broken engagement, there she meets Iain Glendenning, whose mother is a former friend of her own mother. During her stay she discovers a trunk belonging to an ancestor containing several diaries. There is some mystery concerning what happened to Elspeth so they embark on a journey to try to uncover the past. This was a cleverly crafted novel , With romance, mystery and feuding clans and several twists to the plot. I enjoyed this book and think it would appeal to fans of Susanna kearsley