Latest in a series about a Scots clan, this was my
introduction to the popular historical series so for me it
had to read well as a standalone. THE HIGHLANDER'S
DANGEROUS TEMPTATION is set in Scotland in 1375, when
Athdar MacCallum is visiting a wealthy family at their
castle. As a boy he was the cause of a tragic accident, and
this has never quite been forgotten. Young maidens Cora and
Isobel admire the proud warrior, and that accident was
before they were born anyway.
Athdar has been very unlucky in love and doubts he will
ever be happily married. That doesn't stop him from
appreciating Isobel, a stunning part-Norse beauty with an
educated mind. Lady Jocelyn, his sister is a matchmaker but
Athdar brushes off the suggestion that she find him a wife.
As winter approaches, Athdar is busy on the lands over
which he is laird, when his sister and her friend Magriet
come for a visit. Isobel Ruriksdottir rides alongside
them. Without a lady of the house, the tapestries and
clothes are fraying and the herb garden needs
replenishing. The ladies get to work at once. Isobel
needs to learn such matters for when she is mistress of her
own household. Before long she's also learning about the
affairs of the heart... but someone is watching with
malicious intent, someone determined that Athdar will never
live happily.
The story is simply enough told that I got into it right
away, despite the interlocking stories of the clan members
from previous books. Details like putting a new millstone
in place, setting up hand looms and preparing herb
medicaments before winter all contribute to a sense of
place. While Athdar finds easy company with a widow
occasionally, the times demand that a well-connected maiden
must marry properly and not sully her good name. Isobel
plays chess well, a useful skill to while away the long
evenings, especially when the snow comes along to cut the
keep off from towns. I really felt that the characters
were at home in their world and enjoyed exploring along
with them.
Terri Brisbin lives in New Jersey and has fun writing time
travel and historical romances, so there are plenty more of
her books to pick up if this charming love story suits
you. THE HIGHLANDER'S DANGEROUS TEMPTATION is a good
introduction to her work.
Cursed by past tragedies, notorious Highlander Laird Athdar
MacCallum has devoted himself to leading his people—and has
vowed never to marry again. Until he is utterly disarmed by
the innocent beauty in the eyes of Isobel Ruriksdottir…
Isobel is drawn to the vulnerability she senses behind the
fearsome facade of the clan chief. But with his formidable
reputation, he is strictly forbidden. Being together can
only lead them into danger, yet the temptation to risk all
for their perilous passion is impossible to ignore.
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