TO TAME A HIGHLAND EARL is book one in Tarah Scott's MacLean Highlander series. I love unconventional first meetings between a hero and heroine, and Lord Erroll Rushton meets Miss Eve Crenshaw is a most unusual way. Having a rake annoyed because he thinks some young woman maligned his reputation is highly amusing, and having a woman get the drop on him when he sneaks into her room is priceless. This first encounter sets the stage for all other dealings between Lord Rushton and Eve.

I love the irony of Erroll trying to get out of an impending wedding, and ending up trapping himself in an engagement to a woman who is not interested -- in marriage or him. I like that Eve never allows herself to be cowed by Erroll, and that he ends up respecting her for that independent spirit that also drives him crazy. The physical attraction between Eve and Lord Rushton is intense, but their other feelings for each other are in a constant state of flux. Eve's mind fascinates Erroll and keeps drawing him back to her time after time, in spite of his misgivings. While Erroll develops a respect for Eve, it takes her a bit longer for her to appreciate Erroll's finer qualities. Erroll has to work for Eve's favor, and it surprises him how much he wants to put in the effort. The sexual tension, verbal sparring, and erotic clinches make this a compelling story.

The quantity and varied quality of the supporting characters, ready to help or hinder Erroll and Eve's relationship, lends this story a slightly Shakespearean quality. Erroll and Eve both have to contend with meddling fathers and Eve's designing younger sister Grace, but Erroll also has determined amorous exes to fight off. It's interesting to see what almost succeeds in driving this hero and heroine apart, and what draws them closer together. Lord Rushton's evolution over the course of the book is a big part of what makes TO TAME A HIGHLAND EARL such an arresting read for me.

TO TAME A HIGHLAND EARL is a fiery romance between two dynamic personalities and their perilous courtship. Lord Somerset really caught my interest in TO TAME A HIGHLAND EARL, but unless Grace does some heavy-duty introspection and makes some changes, I'd like to see him wind up with somebody else. I look forward to reading Tarah Scott's next book.