HIGHLAND PRINCESS

Author: Amanda Scott ISBN: 0446614629 11/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: WARNER FOREVER
Time Period: Scotland 1366

Lady Mairi Macdonald, daughter of the Lord of the Isles, and blessed in ways other women of her time never even dream of, is the kingdom's most sought-after bride. But no man has touched her heart, least of all the prince everyone expects her to wed. Then Lachlan "The Wily" Maclean, a Highland warrior with a network of spies that keeps him the most well-informed man in the kingdom, joins the Court of the Isles. He passionately wants Mairi, and although she scorns his impudent ways, she gasps at his touch Accustomed to fighting for what he wants, Lachlan forms a daring plan to win her, only to ignite the jealousy of a powerful, implacable enemy who expects to win not only Mairi but the entire Kingdom of the Isles.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

HIGHLAND PRINCESS, by Amanda Scott, has just what I like in a Scottish tale. Bold, beautifully detailed, with an obvious but good plot, and a scrumptous hero who has a twin, although not identical, brother! I am sure you realize that means a sequel is in the works that I hope is as good as this one.

The setting, the characters, the "killer" storyline, are all written about with flare, but the center stage belongs to Lachlan "The Wily" Maclean and his quest for knowledge and power, mostly for his lady, Mairi Macdonald. It goes without saying that during this time period marriages were made for wealth and lands, but Lachlan has the good sense and grace to respect and even cherish his chosen Mairi.

You know who the jealous and evil men are early on in the book, but what you don't know is how, or if, Lachlan and Mairi are going to defeat them and keep the peace. What keeps you reading is the way in which Lachlan's mind works and how truly diplomatic he has to be to avoid war. This makes the book more of a mystery-suspense (laced with humor, believe it or not) than strictly a historical romance. It is definitely worth your time, even if you just like to imagine yourself off in the beautiful scenery Amanda Scott describes.

Shannon Johnson