A fiery woman who won’t be tamed A powerful Highland chief by her side A passion neither can denyBrenda Grant’s abusive first marriage taught her that she’s better off on her own. But when her family threatens her freedom and demands that she remarry—to a man they’ve chosen—she makes a deal with a brawny Highland chief to escape.Bothan Gunn is smitten by the woman who won’t be tamed. He’s helped … the woman who won’t be tamed. He’s helped her before—but can he do so now, when Brenda’s complicated past threatens their lives? With danger closing in, their only chance at love and survival is to escape to the heart of the Highlands…
Highland Weddings Series:
Highland Spitfire (Book 1)
Highland Vixen (Book 2)
Highland Hellion (Book 3)
Highland Flame (Book 4)
Between a Highlander and a Hard Place (Book 5)
Wicked Highland Ways (Book 6)
Praise for Highland Hellion:
“A quick pace, exciting escapades, lively dialogue, and simmering sensuality…sweep readers away into a tale they can relish.”—RT Book Reviews
“Wine’s skillful pacing and thoughtful characterizations shine.”—Publishers Weekly
“This period in Scotland’s history comes alive and becomes real.”—Night Owl Reviews, 5 stars, TOP PICK
more
Mary Wine as always doesn’t disappoint.
Brenda Grant is a widow with land for a dowry coveted by many men, Scottish and English alike. Forced by King James to marry an English Lord, there is only one man determined that it won’t happen. Following her to English soil, Bothan Gunn, Clan Chief, is able to convince the English queen to marry them, but fate is against them, when the Scottish Earl of Sutherland gives her in marriage to a Scotsman from another clan. Brenda once again becomes a pawn in the game of politics. A tangled web of outside forces trying to take away the one thing Bothan wants, makes him even more determined to keep it.
An excellent read, fast paced and engaging.
A free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Though the happily widowed Brenda Grant never planned to remarry, to ensure her cousin Symon’s happiness, she agrees to a match decreed by the young King James. But not everyone is willing to sit back and let the young king marry her off…
Bothan Gunn, Chief of the Gunn Clan has wanted Brenda Grant since the moment he met her, he has tried to court her and been soundly rebuffed, but Bothan doesn’t let that stop him from trying to change her mind. When the king orders her to marry the English relative of the Campbell clan that claimed to be betrothed to Symon’s wife, Bothan jumps at the chance to stop the wedding.
He follows her to England and petitions the Queen for her hand and wins, but Brenda isn’t having it – she agreed to marry to protect Symon, but she will not willingly marry Bothan. And while she obeys the queen and marries him, she plans to have the marriage anulled – she does not want to be controlled or owned by any man.
Bothan respects Brenda’s decision, but doesn’t agree and plans to woo his bride into compliance. Just when it seems like he is beginning to make headway with his stubborn bride, yet another Campbell man lays claim to her and declares their marriage invalid and plans to marry her himself. Bothan vows to find a way to free Brenda from the Campbell’s clutches and finally let her go. But is that what Brenda really wants?
This was a fast-paced story with a wonderful hero, cameos from Queen Elizabeth I and her favorite Robert Dudley, a lot of action, some steamy-ish love scenes and I am sorry to say, a really annoying heroine. I liked the story and even sympatized with Brenda’s lot in life, but I felt like her determination to be her “own woman” dragged on too long and didn’t really ring true – I also was a little disappointed that there was no epilogue, as this was the last book in the series and I had hoped to catch a final glimpse of the previous couples, but no such luck.
*I am voluntarily leaving an review for an eARC that was provided to be by Netgalley and the publisher.*
Mary Wine is one of the best historical romance writers out there. I don’t remember how I stumbled across her books but I’ve read 17 to date. Her latest endeavor Wicked Highland Ways is another winner. I like the fact that the heroine. Brenda Grant was spirited and determine to chart her own course. Too many historical romances feature shrinking, innocent virgins. Bothan was well…..a hot alpha Scot what more can you ask for.
If I were stranded on a deserted island, I’d wish for wine, folks. Mary Wine…that is. Her seamless writing style and romantic tales reel me in every single time. This time around we are given a verra determined, won’t be swayed to give up on their HEA hero. Bothan didn’t bother to doubt his devotion or rationale to having Brenda as a bride. Sometimes an emotion felt so right there was simply no way it could be wrong. He pretty much felt that way after laying eyes on her the very first time
Brenda got under my skin a little with her constant, hard headed, knuckleheaded thinking at times. The way she was treated after being forced into a previous arranged marriage at 16 certainly gave her reason to be jaded. Lawdy this laird though was determined enough for the both of them.
Since this is not an ARC review, I don’t have time to linger. Just know I’ve now got all six books of this series under my literary romance belt and hope to come back for more. Book 5 was the only one I wasn’t overly wild about. However, I really enjoyed all the others.
Title: Wicked Highland Way, Series: Highland Weddings (Book 6), Author: Mary Wine, Pages: 384, pub date: 5/28/19, stand-alone but part of a series, HEA, determined unwavering in love hero, afraid to love widow from loveless marriage heroine, relationship angst, some graphic steamy scenes, no OW drama, OM wants her,
Book 1 – Highland Spitfire
Book 2 – Highland Vixen
Book 3 – Highland Hellion
Book 4 – Highland Flame
Book 5 – Between A Highlander and a Hard Place
Book 6 – Wicked Highland Ways
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a library edition of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, or any PR firm.)
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Erica –
Wicked Highland Ways is the sixth and final installment of the Highland Weddings series. All the books do connect via the same character set and world-building, I do believe it would be a richer experience, with a deeper connection to the characters, if the series is read in order.
A political betrothal, Brenda sacrificed herself to marry an Englishman for her family’s benefit (events shown in the previous installment). With a strong connection to her cousin, Brenda is fiercely loyal with her commitments. Mature, she is no wilting flower nor a damsel in distress.
Bothan Gunn is wily, cunning, and he must flex these personality traits in his quest to refuse to let Brenda go. The delicious angst is delivered by Bothan being madly in love with Brenda, while she fights her instinctive need to protect her family and keep to her word. Brenda believes her feelings don’t matter, but she didn’t bargain for her betrothed’s behavior, nor what fealty causes those without true autonomy to suffer.
I’m trying to do better without releasing spoilers in my reviews, so I struggle with what to release and what to keep silent to avoid this. I’ll talk ‘around’ the plot.
Mary Wine makes Brenda and Bothan earn their happily ever after. It’s a difficult journey, rife with a full gamut of emotions. Alongside our hero and heroine, the reader also earns a fulfilling happily ever after. They have to be strong, not get in their own way, challenging themselves to fight for what they deserve together.
In the beginning of the series, the novels were more romance-centric, but as the series evolved, it became more political, where autonomy was threatened due to fealty. Deeper, richer, with tightly woven plots threads that weren’t necessarily easy to read.
This is the final in the series, and it did the story proud. With that being said, there were characters left without a voice who could have easily captivated readers. Threads left open, left up to the imagination, which I can respect.
I am thankful that I found Mary Wine a few books ago. While I am sad to let this series go, in which I will no doubt reread at a later date, I can’t wait to see what the author gives us next. Highly recommend to historical romance fans, especially with Wine’s eye for historical details and realistic characterizations.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Mary Wine is an author I don’t hesitate in one-clicking her books. Wicked Highland Ways is her latest and its a doozy! Being book 6 in the Highland Weddings series, it can be read as a standalone. Mary does a great job in making the reader feel caught up with prior happenings. I have read the series, but was grateful for the reminder.
Brenda Grant was previously in a horrible marriage. Women were viewed as possessions and used any way their husband’s commanded. It’s a good thing he was killed in battle, setting Brenda free. She has since fashioned herself as a hellion to keep men away. Now her former family wants her back and making a new match for Brenda. A match she is sure would have her days on this Earth numbered.
Bothan Gunn is smitten with Brenda. His position as a Highland Chief holds some power to help Brenda from her current predicament. Brenda could cetainly use the help, but at what cost? She is finding it hard to resist Bothan’s charms, but she can’t be viewed as a possession again. Bothan strives to win her over by wooing her. He gives her his time and attention-something Brenda has never had.
I thoroughly enjoyed Wicked Highland Ways and the Highland Weddings series! Mary writes historical fiction with such a knack that you can’t help but be drawn in! I like Brenda and Bothan together. Bothan could easily chose anyone, but Brenda made his heart pound, so he felt she was worth the hardships he endured. Brenda felt their connection as well, but she didn’t trust her feelings.
All in all, it was a story I relished reading!
I voluntarily chose to review a gifted copy of the book by the publisher through NetGalley. The rating and review are my opinion.
Wicked Highland Ways (Highland Weddings Book 6) by Mary Wine is an awesome Scottish Romance. While, it is Book 6 in this series, it can be read as a stand alone. I would suggest the entire series, it’s a great series. Set in 1570, Scotland and England.
“Highland Weddings Series:
Highland Spitfire (Book 1)
Highland Vixen (Book 2)
Highland Hellion (Book 3)
Highland Flame (Book 4)
Between a Highlander and a Hard Place (Book 5)
Wicked Highland Ways (Book 6)”
Be swept away into a mesmerizing, quick paced adventurous escapade, with lively dialogue, and simmering sensuality.
Come along with Brenda Grant, who has been abused and used by men her whole adulthood and Bothan Gunn, ChiefLaird of the Gunn clan, powerful and determined to protect and save Brenda from another arranged marriage to another abusive husband.
Danger, mistrust, deceit, betrayal, suspense, mystery, hatred, treachery, Royal edicts, a marriage arrangement, with heartwarming passion, joy, trust, love, and a HEA. Passionate and compelling! I loved Brenda throughout this entire series, always doing her duty and sacrificing her happiness for her family. Can she finally find her happiness with Laird Gunn?
Bothan, would do anything to have Brenda at his side, including going against a Queen. Readers will be taken back to a tumultuous time between Scotland and England. Ms. Wine brings readers into the lives of her characters, with her breathtaking scenery and her characterization of all within the story. I hate to see this mesmerizing and compelling series come to an end, but can’t wait for her next epic series to began. Well done!!
A must read Scottish Romance by the talented Mary Wine.
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 5
Heat rating: steamy
Reviewer: AprilR
This is book six of the Highland Wedding series but it can be read as a stand-alone. Brenda’s first husband was mean and cruel and when he dies, she plans to never marry again. Bothan knows that Brenda is the woman for him but can he convince her of that fact, even after he rescues her? Fast-paced read with plenty of drama and suspense. The story is fast-paced with loads of drama and great chemistry. An entertaining Highlander read.
What a great story. The action was nonstop. Our heroine Brenda Grant is a fiery highland lass. Living happily as a widow with her cousin, she left behind a life of abuse, distrust, lack of respect, humiliation and was treated like chattel. She vowed to never marry again and become the property of another. When the young king decrees her to be wed again to another deceitful, defrauding poseur, a charlatan Galwell Scrope. He was only after her dowry which was land. Brenda had no choice but to acquiesce to save her family name from being called traitors to the crown. A year ago, Chief Bothan Gunn vied for her hand in marriage but she refused. On her journey from Scotland to England to meet her fiancé, Bothan and his men follow her. He tries to rescue her but she refuses to renege her duty. Bothan has a plan unbeknownst to Brenda, he is going for a hail mary to free her from this sham of a wedding. I will not spoil it for you but it is really exhilarating how it comes about. The result of it has her wed to Bothan. The rest of the story is about her determination to exert her independent spirit that she will not be tamed or owned. She fights and fights and fights against Bothan calm and gentle advances. He knows her background and has vowed to never treat her like she had been. He wants her to learn to trust him. He wants her to want him as much as he wants her. Bothan is Chief among his clan. It is a higher honor than Laird. He is a warrior, just, full of respect for his men and others, he rules with concern and care for what is best for the clan and the individuals who may need more help. He has earned the trust of his men, the elders, the people and earned their undying loyalty. Brenda still does not understand the type of man Bothan is. But he is patient with her as he earns her trust. A truly moving story. Brenda gets a second chance at happiness. But it does not come easy for her and she definitely does not make it easy for Bothan to get close to her. An excellent story and I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wicked Highland Ways
by Mary Wine
This was an amazing fast paced read, this is the final book in the series. I am so in love with this story and especially Bothan Gunn, he really had to be an exceptional man to win the love and trust of Brenda Grant. After the life she lead from the tender age of sixteen, a pawn to the whims of men from her father to her husbands and now the king! Bothan knew she was the woman for him, he took a chance to save her by making her his woman, but will Brenda see him as the man to heal her wounded heart?
I loooooved this story and I’m definitely going to get the previous books! I highly recommend this was wickedly good!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Adventure, highland brawn and plots, highland romance at its best. Highland Chief Bothan Gunn manages to end run both the Scot King James, English Queen Elizabeth, two Earls, and two potential grooms proving to Brenda he’s worthy of her trust and love. This is a delicious and sensual story that seduced me all the way through.
Duty drives so many in the past. That is all Brenda Grant has experienced as she was forced into horrible marriages for duty to her family. She just seeks to be loved and be allowed to make her own choices in life. At 16 her father married her into the Campbell clan as an alliance to protect her clan. The abuse and embarrassment she experienced from her husband was inexcusable. Once he died she had a period of peace under the protection of her cousin Symon. Then the Campbells arranged with King James of Scotland for her to marry Baron Galwell Scrope so they could keep their hands on her valuable dowry of land. Scrope was no better being a greedy weasel of a man trying to gain Queen of England Elizabeth Tudor’s favoritism.
Chief Bothan Gunn has been drawn to Brenda since he first met her. She possesses spark, passion and strength of will he craves. He rescued her once and he’s set to do it again following her to England. He wants her for his woman. Bothan is a clever, smart and tactical man, well suited to be elected Chief of his clan. He outwits everyone in this story and I enjoyed it immensely.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
BOOKREVIEW
Book: Wicked Highland Ways
by Mary Wine/ Mary Elizabeth Wine
Series: Highland Weddings Book #6
Release Date: Today 5/28/2019
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
1)Tartan Book Reviews
2)Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3)Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
4)Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
Heat Rating:
Book Rating: 5/5 Stars/Kilts
1579
Brenda Grant had a horrible abusive first marriage. Now her husband is dead and she is determined to make no man want her. Except there is one man: a highland lairds who wants her badly, as he is both her savior and hero. If only she would open her eyes and realize there are some good men in this world! Now her husband’s family is forcing her to English court to accept another abusive husband. She hasn’t a choice or her Grant family will lose their home, titles, lands etc. and live in poverty and possibly even be
exiled!
Laird Brothan have been in love with Brenda Grant for a very long time. He does not want a boring biddable wife no matter how bonnie she might be. Yet that is what is being paraded in front of him. He has wanted Brenda Grant from the moment he set his eyes on her. She challenges him at every turn which only whets his appetite to conquer her, though he doubts she will ever be tamed nor does he want her tamed! This wild cat is just the type of woman he wants as a partner and life mate forever.
Now he hears the young boy Scottish King just wants to please his best friend and favorite. This is the ambitious Esmé Stewart! He wants Brenda’s dowry returned to his cruel English cousin her new fiancé.
Brenda is miserable, being forced to wed the cruel man, her cousins new bride ran away from. Since the King settled land on Brenda, her cousin Symon could keep his new bride. Brenda was grateful for that, as they were both so much in love. She is also depressed, she has to deal with another evil,soulless, man! After all this is how royalty works, they all stick together, yet Brenda is caught in the middle. Being sold to the highest bidder like a piece of gm horse flesh, only being wed for her family’s wealth. In this case for her dowry land! She just felt men did nothing but use and abuse her! She being a lairds niece is after all she was a tough as nails highland lass who supported her family. What Brenda doesn’t realize is a certain Scottish Laird who hates everything English has followed Brenda to England to bring her back home and make her his!
Yet now alliances change as well as grooms with royal permission from Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. Will Brenda accept this challenge, accept the defeat, and will she ever allow her closed heart to ever open again? Can Brothan Gunn prove their life together will never be dull but magical full of surprises, love and joy. He will be the husband that adores her, yet let her keep her independence and be an equal partner as she used to fantasize and wish for.
Sadly this is the sixth last novel of Mary Wine’s phenomenal Highland Weddings series. I have read, devoured and loved every single one. Although you can read any of them as stand alone books. I personally just love connecting the dots with these multi-dimensional fascinating characters. Another fast paced, action packed, romantic, riveting adventure that I could not put down. It has all the elements highland historical romance readers love. Filled with danger, mistrust, deceit, betrayal, suspense, mystery, hatred, treachery Royal commands, arranged marriage business arrangements, heartwarming passion, joy, trust, partnerships, wedded bliss and love.
This extraordinary novel also includes beautiful settings that will leave you breathless, awe-inspiring dialogue, and unforgettable characters. The brilliant nail biting plots are full of surprises, making readers heart race holding their breath with anticipation not knowing what will occur next!
If this were a painting or piece of artwork I would call it a masterpiece as that is exactly what this book is! I absolutely and unequivocally highly recommend this brilliant novel as it is a total masterpiece!
I sincerely hope and desire for more of my favorite genre, Scottish historical novels by Mary Wine in the near future.
Highland Weddings Series
By Mary Wine
Highland Spitfire (Book 1)
Highland Vixen (Book 2)
Highland Hellion (Book 3)
Highland Flame (Book 4)
Between a Highlander and a Hard Place (Book 5)
Wicked Highland Ways(Book 6)
Pre-Order Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Highland-Ways-Weddings-Book-ebook/dp/B07JLZW7WX/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=Wicked+Highland+Ways+Mary+Wine&qid=1558215281&s=digital-text&sr=1-3-fkmrnull
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/wicked-highland-ways-mary-wine/1129438969?ean=9781492655589
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?_bbid=10916786&_bbreg=us&_bbtype=blog&id=yWZ0DwAAQBAJ&pubref=unrecognizedsite
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=Wicked+Highland+Ways+Mary+Wine&utm_source=walmarthybrid&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=BookBub&utm_term=unrecognizedsite&ranMID=37217&ranEAID=tWxX%2FRg9ax8&ranSiteID=tWxX_Rg9ax8-sAHfipQROy96vCLwdfoEKg&siteID=tWxX_Rg9ax8-sAHfipQROy96vC
1579 Brenda was on the way to meet her new bethrothed. The daughter of the laird, her life was just a way to gain an alliance of other clans for gain. Her first husband had shown that it could be the worst of times and to have no illusions. “Yet there had been a time…when ye’d listened to songs of love and dreamed…” Well no more!
Little did she know her knight was about to rescue her. Well… she did not feel that way about Chief Bothan Gunn, but he was determined to gain her back because he knew she was the woman for him. Yes, a little sigh worthy, but of course emotions were not that easy and Brenda was very jaded about men. He tries to take her but Brenda is determined in her duty to marry the man slated for her and help save her kin. But Bothan is determined and petitions the Queen for her and is given her hand to marry.
Wow, can I just say that Brenda is so stubborn! Bothan is a wonderful man and only wants to make her his wife, but the journey to happiness is a long road! Hang on to your seat because this story goes quickly with a lot happening unexpectedly. Can these two, who seem really meant for each other and ignite the pages as you turn them be together?
This is the first story by this author I have read and truly I cannot wait to read more!
Wicked Highland Ways by Mary Wine is book 6 in the Highland Wedding Series. This is the story of Bothan Gunn and Brenda Grant. I have read the previous books, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Brenda has been married before and doesn’t wish to do so again but when she can help save her family she does what she has too. Bothan is the Highland Chief of Gunn but more than that he has wanted Brenda from the start, but she rebuffs him. When he learns she is being sacrificed to an English man in marriage he goes forward to stop this wedding and take her as his own.
Loved their story…big fan of Ms. Wine’s writing.
Wicked Highland ways is the last book in the series Highland Weddings. It is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It is a standalone book and I didn’t feel like I missed alot by not reading the previous books. Brenda is a widow who is being forced to remarry an English man. Bothan thinks Brenda is the one for him so he follows her to England and convinces the Queen to let him marry Brenda. I loved Bothan, he was so strong, patient, and sensitive to Brenda and her feelings. The book was well written and paced perfectly. I am going to have to read the previous books!
I am a very independent woman and I can’t even imagine having my life planned out for me by men but back then, women had no say and that’s how the heroine of this story, Brenda Grant, finds herself in the predicament she’s in. She’s quite enjoying being a widow after an unhappy forced marriage but is now being forced again into another marriage to a man she detests. All she wants is to be left alone and live her life the way SHE wants!!
Along comes Highland Chief Bothan Gunn who has been smitten with Brenda since the first time he met her and proves his worth by coming to save her and ends up being married to her! She, in turn, is incensed at the thought of another man having control over her and even though their passion is strong, she keeps telling him she will be no man’s chattel.
Although I enjoyed the story, I thought it went on a bit too long with Brenda saying she didn’t want a man, then having passionate sex with Bothan and then pushing him away, over and over again. Good thing Bothan had patience!!
I was given a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Brenda Grant’s abusive first marriage taught her that she’s better off on her own. But when her family threatens her freedom and demands that she remarry—to a man they’ve chosen—she makes a deal with a brawny Highland chief to escape. Bothan Gunn is smitten by the woman who won’t be tamed. This is the sixth book in the series but could be read on its own. We’ve met both Bothan & Brenda before whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the book & it was a very satisfying conclusion to the series I found that I couldn’t completely warm to Brenda & at times wondered why Bothan, who I loved, didn’t just leave her. That said I did find the book hard to put down & would have easily given it five stars if Brenda had been more loveable
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the sixth and last book in Mary Wine’s Highland Weddings series. I hate to see it end. I’ve read the last two books and really enjoyed them, and I plan to go back and read what I missed. If this is your first foray into this series, it totally stands alone.
Brenda Grant, who we met in the last book, is a widow on her way to England to enter into a second unwanted marriage. Her first marriage was horrible, and this one will not be any better. Such is life in a time where women were treated as chattel and were used in order to gain land and wealth. All Brenda wants is to be her own woman and live life on her own terms. Bothan Gunn, the chief of his clan, previously met Brenda and desires to make her his. He follows her to England and manages to convince the Queen that Brenda shouldn’t be forced to marry the fop to whom the King of Scotland promised her. The Queen agrees…but Brenda must marry Bothan! So much for not belonging to any man again.
I just loved Bothan. Though a very strong, highly respected chief who wants his new wife, he understands how Brenda feels and gives her time to get used to him; he will not force her to consummate their wedding. He was a patient man with a teasing sense of humor. Though I really liked Brenda in the previous book, I got irritated with her here. Though I understood her issues, I got frustrated with the way she just would not give Bothan a chance. It took me a while to warm up to her, but eventually I did. The story got quite exciting in the last quarter, and I found myself tearing up. It was a good ending to the series.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
This was an excellent read, but as the end-of-series, it left something to be desired. That is one reason I didn’t give it a full five-stars – the other reason is that I got a little tired of the unyielding Brenda. I understood the trauma she’d been through, but she had some excellent examples of good men – like her cousin – to mitigate some of her distrust of men. Also, she never appreciated the fact that Bothan traveled all the way to England to save her – there was never a ‘thank you for saving me from a life of torture and degradation’. IMHO, she could have given in a bit earlier and moved things along so that there could be a nice epilogue that would include the other couples in the series. Maybe they could have been involved in the solution at the end if the author didn’t want to do an epilogue. It just needed something more for it to be the series finale.
Chief Bothan Gunn met and was attracted to Brenda Grant a previous book. He tried to forget her and select a bride from among the many whose fathers had offered them in marriage. A sweet, docile, biddable woman that would give him children, run his home and do as he bid. Nothing like Brenda Grant who is a spitfire. He just couldn’t convince himself to choose any of them.
At the end of the last book, Between a Highlander and a Hard Place, the Scottish king had declared that Brenda had to travel to England to marry Galwell Scrope (don’t you love that name) in order to keep a coveted piece of property within the Campbell clan. Bothan promised Brenda’s cousin that he would rescue Brenda and assure that she didn’t marry the cruel Galwell.
This book opens with Brenda being escorted to England by soldiers of Queen Elizabeth Tudor of England – and Bothan following them and planning how to liberate Brenda. I absolutely loved the way the liberation occurred – and it gave a lot of insight into how shrewd and cunning Bothan is. I really liked Bothan. He is a really good and honorable man and Brenda was very lucky to have him. Too bad she didn’t acknowledge that fact until it was almost too late.
Brenda fights Bothan and her own feelings all the way back to Bothans home – where she is welcomed openly and lovingly by Bothan’s people. When Brenda is ‘stolen’ by Hamell Campbell, who intends to marry her because the Earl of Sutherland said he could, Bothan is off on another rescue mission – and this one may be even tougher than the last.
I didn’t like the Earl of Sutherland at all, but his son was good. The Earl’s decree only forced Bothan to yet again prove what a wiley and clever man he is.
I would definitely recommend this read, but as I said – I’d have appreciated something ‘more’ for a series finale. I adored Bothan and was so happy to see him finally get his HEA. I also liked Brenda, but not as much as Bothan.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.