Laura E. (lauramsellis) reviewed on 12/16/2006 + 331 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Scottish Brides, an anthology featuring mostly Regency era novellas that take place in Scotland, is a fun read though not spectacular.
Under The Kilt, by Christina Dodd, does a good job of painting two likeable and lusty characters in just 62 pages. Handsome amateur historian Hadden returns to the crumbling castle of Andra MacNachtan, the last of Clan MacNachtan, to again confront the beauty who stole his heart. He ostensibly wants to interview her about the clan's marriage kilt, but the encounter takes a surprise turn that proud and independent Andra never anticipated. This is an enjoyable romp with lots of fire between two absorbing characters.

Rose In Bloom, by Stephanie Laurens, has well-developed main characters and an interesting story, but it fails to satisfy. With Laurens' work I can never quite get into the characters. They somehow come off as an excuse to display as much eroticism as possible rather than seeming real and letting the eroticism grow out of who they are. This novella presents us with Duncan, a young perfectionist earl who's worked very hard the past ten years in the investment world to enable his gorgeous ancestral home to once again prosper. Now he's hosting a Midsummer party to court his visiting prospective bride. But he doesn't count on the presence of Rose, his companion and nemesis from his younger days, who now drives him wild with desire and who, like Duncan, is about to make a loveless match. Laurens emphasizes the fireworks between them.

As usual, Julia Quinn is superb in Gretna Greene, a spirited tale about Margaret Pennypacker, an English woman who rushes to Gretna Greene to prevent her brother from eloping, and a burly Scot, Angus Greene, who saves her from disaster. These warm, sympathetic and fun-loving characters are a joy to watch as they fall in love.

Finally, Karen Ranney creates a beautiful and adventuresome tale in The Glenlyon Bride, a Cinderella-like story that dazzles the reader. More than any of the other stories, this one captures the beauty and the magic that is Scotland. Nearly penniless Lachlan, laird of the Sinclairs, reluctantly agrees to a loveless match with a wealthy English harpy in order to save his clan. But when he meets the woman he nicknames Ealasaid and assumes is his bride-to-be on the grounds of her estate, he is pleasantly surprised at her refreshing wildness and goodness. Together they embark on a series of delightful adventures that culminate in their falling in love and consummating their union. But Ealasaid is actually the proud Scottish-born servant to the harpy, and she thinks Lachlan is a mere castle rustler who works for the laird she knows her venomous mistress will marry. When the truth comes out, a fun twist allows the couple to overcome not only the situation that is tearing them apart but also to solve Lachlan's financial dilemma.

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