To Desire a Highlander
Scandalous Scots, Book #2
By Sue-Ellen Welfonder
IBSN: 9781455526284
Author Website: www.welfonder.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Una
Synopsis:
AN UNWILLING BRIDE
Proud, passionate Lady Gillian MacGuire is known as the Spitfire of the Isles. She can take care of herself and hasn’t yet met a man who could impress her . . . especially not Donell MacDonnell, the odious older man she was promised to five years ago. She’s been dreading his return, but when her intended comes back to claim her, she’s stunned at how different he seems. The man she swore she would spurn forever now invades her thoughts, her dreams, and her heart.
AN UNEXPECTED DESIRE
When Roag agrees to assume the identity of the recently deceased MacDonnell chieftain, no one warns him that the man was betrothed. As a member of the King’s Fenris Guard, he is oath-bound to embark on whatever mission the crown gives him. Of course, he was expecting a battle-not a bride. Yet after sharing one kiss with Lady Gillian, the powerful Highlander becomes the one seduced and captivated. Now giving in to temptation could ruin them both . . .
Review:
Sue-Ellen Welfonder delivers the reader into the lives of the medieval Highlander and has the ability through words to make you believe you are there. She describes the setting so clearly that the Scottish brogue comes through the winds of the highlands and the ruggedness of the terrain is visible to the reader.
I loved this story as it again shows a high spirited woman who in spite of her destiny in life, which she can’t control because of her sex, is independent and strong. Gillian MacGuire has been betrothed by her father to Donell MacDonell and at the beginning of the story she awaits in dread, MacDonell’s return after a 5 year absence. Determined she will not be wed to him she devises a plan that should free her of him. However the man getting off the ship claiming to be Donell is certainly not him. Who is the imposter that is invading her heart?
Roag is on a mission and under false identity. The crown has asked him to find who is sinking the royal ships. They failed to warn him that the man whose identity he is using is betrothed and when he lands, Roag finds himself wed to Lady Gillian, a lass who fires his groins. He knows that he cannot have her and protect her at the same time. When he sees the ghost “Laddie of the Isles” he knows that things will go from bad to worse. The problem is Roag realizes he does not want to go back to his previous life.
This is a story of battles, intrigue, love of both family and the lands, with a wee bit of ancient magic thrown in. The story is fast paced and a delight to read and I truly loved the ending. I would highly recommend Ellen-Sue Welfonder to anyone who loves to read Scottish historical fiction and I know I will look to read other books by this author.
