From New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell comes a brand new series featuring the MacEnroys, a family of seven strong, seductive Scottish brothers who have come to America with nerves of steel—and who will take no prisoners when it comes to love… A brutal attack on Emily Stanton’s family has left her for dead . . . until she is found in the woods by a handsome stranger with a thick … the woods by a handsome stranger with a thick brogue who vows to protect her. There’s only one problem: As a woman with a noble English background, she has no business keeping company with such a man.
For Scotsman Iain MacEnroy, Emily’s high-tone accent is a bitter reminder of the oppressive regime he left behind. The last thing he needs is to be burdened by the needs of a beautiful, blue-eyed Englishwoman. But taking care of elegant, educated Emily begins to transform Iain in ways he never imagined. Could it be that the deep divisions from the old world no longer apply in the new—and that Iain and Emily can share a passion as lush and wild as the Scottish highlands themselves?
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This was a good start to a new series, it has all the elements needed to make it an exciting and interesting read. It has likable characters combined with an unusual setting and a steamy love story – what’s not to like?
Iain MacEnroy is the oldest of the seven MacEnroy brothers, they are a family of displaced Scots that moved to America when their Laird’s wife threw them off their land. The incident has given the brothers a deep hatred/distrust for the gentry. They fled to America hoping to start a new life, but on the way to Arkansas Territory, their parents where killed and Iain was left to raise the brothers. Through hard work and sheer determination, they have succeeded in building a home and establishing themselves. Iain meets Emily Stanton when he comes upon her burning home and finds the bodies of her sister and brother in law. They bury the dead and realize that there were others in the house and follow the trail of blood to Emily and her young nephew.
Emily Stanton is on the run for her life and the life of her three year old nephew – she is the granddaughter of a Duke and by an unusual condition bestowed by Queen Elizabeth, the dukedom may be passed the son of daughter, making Neddy (the nephew) the heir to the duke. However, a distant cousin is determined to get rid of Emily and her nephew to ensure he inherits – he has already killed her parents and several other family members that tried to protect Emily and her sister, forcing them to flee England. But it seems that Albert has found them. Emily’s sister begged her to take Neddy and run when the attack began, the attack that killed them and left Emily grievously wounded. When Iain finds her, she knows that her family is dead and she has no place to go. When she passes out, Iain makes the decision to take them back to his home, even knowing that she is English.
Emily slowly heals and is grateful to the MacEnroy’s, she is not sure what will become of her and Neddy, but she feels safe for the first time in years. Iain knows there is more to Emily’s story than she is telling and he is torn between his growing attraction and admiration of her with his distain for the English/gentry. As they grow closer, Iain runs hot and cold with her, but when her life is threaten again, he does not hesitate to protect her.
The story is non-stop from the first page to the last, but it is on the violent side (the villain is relentless) and personally I found the final confrontation with the villain a bit underwhelming. I loved all the characters, the love scenes where steamy, the story flowed well and it focused entirely on Iain and Emily (vs. using this book to set up the series). It is an action-packed, emotional read that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next.
I would happily recommend this book and look forward to reading the other brother’s stories.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
“Evil begins when you begin to treat people [like] things.” –Terry Pratchett, I Shall Wear Midnight
Rating: MA: Mature reader suggested due to graphic sex scenes, violence, murder[s], descriptions of death[s], violence toward a woman, trigger warning due to descriptions of an assault, although we didn’t see it, it was described. This evil was raw, insane actions, madness, greed, betrayal, and mayhem. Our characters were constantly in survival mode. That MA should not be ignored. There were discussions and descriptions that were hard to read and not for a young reader. The MacEnroy clan/family were settlers in Pre-Civil War Arkansas. It wasn’t the wild west but it was pretty wild and lawless. Angst Level: medium-to-high: due to characters constantly being in protection mode as they defended their home and family. Source: Purchase: 21-chapters. 4-stars
SPOILER ALERT: *** This review may contain spoilers ***
Normally, I prefer reading about Scotsmen in the Highlands; however, our characters were forced to leave their home and were now settled in the Ozarks of Arkansas. The year was 1860, a rough time for America. Iain MacEnroy and several of his brothers were returning to their stockade with supplies when they encountered a burned-out cabin. The grizzly scene that met them was a horror even to these hardened men. They did the decent thing and buried the poor couple and were about to head home when they discovered a blood trail and tracks leading away from the house.
“People speak sometimes about the [bestial] cruelty of man, but that is terribly unjust and offensive to beasts, no animal could ever be so cruel as a man, so artfully, so artistically cruel.” –Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Emily Stanton, wounded and bleeding, was hidden away with her three-year-old nephew, Neddy. She knew her sister Annabel and husband David were probably dead as their screams had ceased some time before. She drew her knife when she heard footsteps approaching. However, their accent sounded Scottish and not the American sounds she heard before. Could she trust them with her life and that of her nephew? Could she maintain the secret of who they were and what forced them from England? And what depraved animal wanted them dead?
What I liked: Hello, seven Scotsmen, what’s not to like? I adored these guys and Mrs. O’Neal.
What I didn’t like: I felt the sex was an unnecessary addition. There just wasn’t enough of a reason to simply jump into the sack. I didn’t like that. However, this was the author’s universe so what she created has to stand. I loved the family unity, the companionship of the group, and the story made me want to go and live there.
Seven Brides/Seven Scotsmen Series [there are only 3 in the series at this time]
Book 1: The Scotsman Who Saved Me: [Emily Stanton and Lian MacEnroy]
Book 2: When You Love a Scotsman
Book 3: The Scotsman Who Swept Me Away
Always enjoy this author. Ideas are each unique and original.
I think I have read almost everything this author has written and really enjoyed her books tremendously. This one takes a different turn set in America after the civil war 1860’s. Just to imagine all of the immigrants coming to America to start a new life and that included some from Scotland! The MacEnroy brother’s so far have been sigh worthy and this one is about Geordie, his younger brother Robbie and a friend who travel to get to the sea. They encounter Mehitabel Ampleford (love that name!) who is trying to hold off a neighbor who is determined to buy her land. She is set up a life for herself with a place for people to stay while visitng the sea. Belle can really do a little of everything.
Geordie and his brother decide to stay and he and Belle build a slow attraction. I mean who could not be attracted to this Scot?
An enjoyable story that frames a lot of what was going on during these times when it was still hard to be a woman at times and independent. Looking forward to readng Robbie’s story and the rest of the brother’s tales!
I like the author and the way she writes all her books. Always makes it interesting and a good page turner , wanting to see what is coming .
American Arkansas frontier and regency England mix with tragic beginning. Good read but predictable end.
The Scotsman who saved me, was a cute little read. I thought it was a bit slow at times but it still held my intrest. I liked Iain and all of his sexy scottish brothers. I did feel Iain should have told Emily that he wanted to be with her before he slept with her. Also at times his hot and cold attitude made me want to shake him, but he was still sexy and at times really sweet. Emily I liked too. I felt she should have spoke up more and I don’t know… maybe asked Iain what he felt for her. I loved how Emily was with her nephew. I also loved that she never did the “stupid heroine” thing and run away so she could get caught by the bad guys. Instead she stayed where she could have help and protection. Overall I enjoyed this read and I will be checking out the brothers’ books.
Loved the book and the characters,can’ T wait for the next book.
Hannah Howell has never disappointed me.
Enjoy all of her books.
Very disappointing in comparison with her other books, all of which I’ve read and most of which I’ve enjoyed very much.
Not as good as others by Howell
I enjoyed the story very much.
I love everything she’s has written.
I was delighted when NetGalley-Kensington granted me ARC access to this story by one of my authors, Hannah Howell. I loved the story of Iain MacEnroy who is a guardian-protector, my favorite type of hero. He finds Emily Stanton lost in the American wilderness with her nephew, Neddy, after their homestead was destroyed by assassins. He agrees to protect her behind his walled home. She knows why the family was attacked, it’s why they are in America instead of England. Her Nephew is the direct heir to a Dukedom that his cousin covets. The Duke doesn’t believe Emily that he’s trying to kill off the family so he’s the only one left to inherit. They hoped to hide in America but the trail is uncovered and again the “accidents” continue. This story is the journey of Iain finally believing Emily and aiding her to convince the Duke the cousin is trying to kill them. He is tenacious, sending wave after wave of hired mercenaries and Iain over and over again protects them. I enjoyed the strength and courage of Emily as she rescues herself several times as well. Iain through all of this finds he can trust others in his new community as well as a “hated English noble”. Thank you Kensington for granting me this ARC for review.
Well written introduction to a new series in which Scottish men who have immigrated to America will each have the story of how they find their brides told. In this book each brother is met and a bit is told about him but this is the story of the eldest, Iain McEnroy, and the woman he finds to settle down with.
When Iain and some of his brothers come across the owners of a homestead they pass by have been slaughtered they bury them then realize someone may have escaped, been wounded and need help. They search till they find Emily Stanton and her young nephew Neddy and then take them home to tend to Emily’s wounds. Once Emily is better some of her secrets come out, some of Iain’s prejudices are exposed, a romance with wooing ensues and many evil men are dealt with until the person with evil intentions toward Emily and Neddy is firmly and finally dealt with. In spite of the class differences between Iain and Emily they do manage to find common ground and a HEA.
I found this book to be an okay read with a plot similar to many I have read but the characters were enjoyable and entertaining and I did care enough at the end of the book to want to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars