Series:
Highlander Brides (Book 12)
Graeme Gunn is a warrior through and through. A second
son, he left home years ago to battle his way through Scotland as a mercenary.
But with his brother William's death, Graeme is forced to return to his clan --
which now includes William's grieving widow, Annella Mackay. And Graeme is
stunned to find that the beautiful, determined woman at the keep is nothing
like the meek lass he remembers from William's wedding years ago…
Annella Mackay once had hopes for a loving marriage, a
dream that shattered when her husband abandoned her. Hiding her pain, she
embraced the roles of both laird and lady of the Gunn clan with spirit. But
with William's death, she finally has a chance at a new dream, and she won't
let anything deter her plans. Not even Graeme, no matter how strong her
attraction to the strong-willed warrior, or how much she enjoys his kisses…
It's an explosion of passion and clash of wills from the
start, especially when Graeme decides to stay and claim his title. And when the
threat of a hidden enemy rears its head, Graeme and Annella realize that in
fighting for their home they might also be fighting for their love.
This was an excellent addition to the Highland Brides
series. Graeme Gunn spent the last ten years as a mercenary, fighting his way
around Scotland and beyond. As the second son, he does not expect to become
laird, especially after his oldest brother, William, married. But William ran
off with a village woman on his wedding night and hasn't been seen since. Six
years later, they find William's body, and Graeme must take him home and take
over as laird.
Annella Mackay Gunn had the care and keeping of the Gunn
lands dropped in her lap the day after her wedding. Annella is the daughter of
Annabel and Ross in the series' first book,
An English Bride in Scotland. She hoped
for a love match like her parents had. Instead, she had to deal with being
abandoned by her husband, putting up with a witch of a mother-in-law who cut
her down at every opportunity, coping with an annoying young brother-in-law,
and rescuing a clan struggling to survive. She has been laird, chatelaine, and
healer for the last six years. It took time, but she has grown from a quiet and
naïve young girl to a woman with a steel spine and fantastic management skills.
I loved the opening scenes of the book. Graeme has
listened to Annella's brother Payton extoll her virtues of a quiet and biddable
woman. It is an eye-opening (and hilarious) scene when they arrive at Gunn and
find her bellowing at the clansman she is attempting to sew up. Rather than
being put off by her actions, Graeme is intrigued. Meanwhile, upon learning of
her husband's death, Annella makes no secret of her pleasure at the news and
her desire to return to her parents' home.
I enjoyed watching Graeme and Annella's relationship
develop. In addition to the sparks of attraction that flare between them,
Graeme is smitten with Annella from his first encounter with her. He wants
nothing more than to make her his wife, especially after they've given in to
those sparks. Having been burned once, Annella finds it difficult to trust him.
I laughed out loud at Graeme's attempts to convince or compel
Annella to marry him. Her determined resistance frustrated him, but eventually,
he succeeded. However, while their physical relationship is explosive, they
still have much to learn about each other - especially Graeme. He makes some
boneheaded decisions by not using Annella's hard-earned management skills. I
loved watching her come to his rescue and point out the error of his ways. It
takes some time for him to learn to trust her and to earn her trust in return. Admitting
their feelings is even more difficult.
Complications arise when it becomes evident that someone
is unhappy about their marriage. As frequently happens in this series, Graeme
and Annella face poisoning, flying arrows, and other attacks aimed at ending
their lives. Some unexpected twists kept me guessing who was behind it, and the
resolution held some surprises.
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