Deep in the lush Highlands, a powerful laird with everything to lose must risk it all for the lass who storms into his keep–and his heart.
Raised on the debauched margins of society, Amelia Taylor depends upon her quick wit and fiery spirit to survive. When danger closes in on her already precarious home, she flees into the Highlands and finds refuge in the iron-strong circle of Clan Mackenzie. There, her lack of propriety and intriguing beauty draw the attentions of their formidable leader. But to remain safe from pursuit, she must conceal her identity, even if it means deceiving Laird Knox Mackenzie.
A fiercely guarded and staunchly moral warrior, Knox never expected a ravishing stranger like Amelia to reawaken his desires. Yet as their heated confrontations unlock untold passion, temptation proves impossible to resist. So when Amelia’s tapestry of lies begins to unravel, the secrets from her dark past threaten both his Clan and a future they can only dare to dream of…
Amelia and her 9 year old nephew, Hamish, are on the run. Her brother-in-law, who partly owns a gambling hall in Edinburgh is off making an illegal smuggling run and the man who has the controlling interest in the hall wants Amelia. He’ll not take no for an answer and will rape her if she won’t comply. He even goes so far as to threaten to harm Hamish which puts them on the run. Amelia’s sister refuses to leave without her husband but so Amelia does what she has to do.
Riding hay carts to get to the highlands the pair end up at a tavern where Amelia thinks she might find work until three noble ladies and their very large highlander guards enter the tavern. Hamish is transfixed by the guards and when the ladies ask their story Hamish tells a tale of being accosted by bandits who then killed the driver of their carriage and their now searching the highlands on foot to find a cousin. The ladies offer to take them to their keep so that their brother, the Laird, can help them find their cousin.
When they arrive at the Kinloch Amelia is fascinated by the beauty of the area. She feels she’s found paradise and never wants to leave – even though she knows she must. The Laird, Knox, comes looking for her and when their eyes meet they are both smitten.
After talking to both Amelia and Hamish Knox knows that their tale is far fetched but he puts out word about the cousin anyway. During the next few weeks Knox and Amelia become closer and Hamish finds a place in the clan. Amelia, who always wanted to be a teacher, starts to teach a couple of the clans children. Amelia is in love with both Kinloch and Knox but she knows she must go back to Edinburgh to save her sister.
This story had definite pros and cons for me. I really liked the story which I found to be sweet, sexy and intriguing. I didn’t, however, care for the execution of the story.
Miller has a way of writing that really took some getting used to. The inner thought and ruminations of Amelia (which were the only thoughts we got as this was 1st person POV) were in plentiful supply. The dialogue was mostly broken up by thought. One person would talk and then we’d get many paragraphs of thinking and then a reply – then the cycle would start again. It was incredibly frustrating as, like I said, I really liked the story. I wanted Amelia to just stop thinking for a while and have a regular conversation. I think there was enough “regular” dialogue to keep me reading but only about a 1/4 of the time.
I can’t remember the last time I read a historical romance where it was 1st person POV and I found that to be a hindrance to the overall love story. I think having Knox’s POV would have added so much more to the book and I was disappointed that I didn’t get that.
The characters in the book were great, I must say. Knox was a wonderful man and fierce Laird. Hamish was a fun and loving 9 year old boy. I just wanted to hug the little thing time and again. Knox’s family were interesting additions and the soldiers of Kinloch were also loyal and kind. Amelia was a great aunt and sister as well as she would do anything for their safety and I loved that about her.
Overall the story was a good one and one I’d recommend reading but with a warning that there is a plethora of inner thought that you have to wade through.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
