An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands

Historical Romance

"The first in a new historical series set in the Highlands of Scotland, from Lynsay Sands, the New York Times bestselling author of the Argeneau vampire series and countless historical romances.

Annabel was about to take the veil to become a nun when her mother suddenly arrives at the Abbey to take her home… so that she can marry the Scottish laird who is betrothed to her runaway sister! She knows nothing about being a wife, nothing about how to run a household, and definitely nothing about the marriage bed!

But from the moment Ross MacKay sets eyes on Annabel, he is taken with his shy sweet bride… and the fact that she's blessed with lush curves only makes him utter his own prayers of thanks. But when an enemy endangers her life, he'll move the Highlands themselves to save her. For though Annabel's not the bride he planned for, she's the only woman he desires."

I really enjoyed An English Bride in Scotland.  Ross MacKay and Annabel Withram are both great characters.  Ross is prepared to refuse his English bride but takes one look at Annabel and goes through with the wedding.  Annabel was supposed to become a nun but like Maria in the Sound of Music she just does not suit.  Unlike Maria she does not have a kind Mother Superior.  She is wearing a hair shirt and has whip marks on her back when we first meet her.  Leaving the convent and becoming a wife is the best thing for her.

It is fun to see how she and Ross get along with one another.  Annabel is frightened of the marriage bed and manages to put off the consummation of the marriage.   Look for how Ross manages to get around the church’s rule that there should be no bedding on Wednesday.  It is a great scene.  Even though Annabel is worried that she will not know how to run Ross’s home she does all the right things by just being herself. 

This is a very well written and plotted book.  There is danger, romance, tension and a lot of fun on the journey to the HEA.  I loved how the side characters added to the story.  This is the first in a new series and I am looking forward to the next books.

Avon published An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands in 2013.

The Devil of Jedburgh by Claire Robyns

Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

The only thing worse than being hand-fasted to the Devil of Jedburgh was falling in love with him.

Raised on rumors of The Devil of Jedburgh, Breghan McAllen doesn't want an arranged marriage to the beast. The arrogant border laird is not the romantic, sophisticated husband Breghan dreams of—despite the heat he stirs within her.

In need of an heir, Arran has finally agreed to take a wife, but when he sees Breghan's fragile beauty, he's furious. He will not risk the life of another maiden by getting her with child. Lust prompts him to offer a compromise: necessary precautions, and hand-fasting for a year and a day, after which Breghan will be free.

For a chance to control her own future, Breghan makes a deal with the Devil. Passion quickly turns to love, but Arran still has no intention of keeping the lass, or making her a mother. He loves her too much to lose her. But when a treasonous plot threatens queen and country, Breghan has to prove only she is woman enough to stand by his side.

The Devil of Jedburgh was just OK.  I liked the characters, especially Breghan.  She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted and went for it.  Arran was an alpha male but I found him to be a little too unyielding in his opinions and attitudes.  The story had familiar elements and Claire Robyns did her research before including historical elements.  If I had a problem with the story it was with historical political elements.  The elements were correct but they seemed to be inserted without any build up and only included to provide an element of danger to Arran.  I would have liked to see them part of the story from the first.  In a romance it is not the destination but the journey and I found the journey to be a little uneven.  Even so, all in all it was an entertaining historical romance.

Carina Press published The Devil of Jedburgh by Claire Robyns in 2012.

I got The Devil of Jedburgh as an eARC from Net Galley.