Alys is no longer a naïve young girl. Widowed with a young son, she has seen far too much of the dark side of life for her to ever remember her youthful ways. However, her circumstances have brought her into contact with Callum, laird of the Fraser clan, and he is the kindest man she has ever met. They quickly fall in love, but Alys is ever mindful of her past and knows the dangers of rushing into things. When he proposes, she accepts but it must be on her terms -- they will have a Christmas wedding, and they will not share a bed until their wedding night. She has the wedding of her dreams, and she gets the surprise of her life on her wedding night -- her supposedly dead first husband miraculously appears to claim what is his. How could this happen to her? Is she forever destined to be miserable?

Callum Fraser has always been missing something vital, but since Alys's and her son's appearance in his life, he has finally felt complete. He cannot wait to have them both for forever. When Alys mentions a couple of conditions to his proposal, he readily accepts them knowing he will do anything to keep her in his life. A long betrothal is not a bad thing he supposes, and he even understands her hesitancy to share his bed so that she may come to him as untouched as possible. Of course, those stipulations do not stop him from plotting twelve glorious nights of pleasure to follow their Christmas nuptials. However, his plans go awry when her first husband shows up to take back what it rightfully his. Callum knows there has to be a way out of this debacle, and he will do anything to get her back. How can he truly have Alys and live his happily ever after? Or is he doomed to live a long, lonely existence?

Hope Tarr has written an enticing historical romance. Her characters are all so colorful and I certainly love their loyalty to Alys and Callum. Even the priest, who has no great love for his laird, journeys on a Christmas crusade to help the bereft boy. The action keeps you rooted to the pages as you cannot help but want to know how everything will work out. There are many surprises and obstacles thrown in, and it is a marvel to watch Alys and Callum rise to the challenge. Ms. Tarr certainly knows how to capture her audience and keep them enraptured. TWELVE NIGHTS is a spectacularly sensual historical and a joyously fun read.