A Hint of Heather

I'm only halfway through reading this novel, but felt like I needed to write a review. I love the way that Rebecca Hagan Lee can throw a story together like this one and make it work. I only have one problem, which is why I gave it only four stars. The main characters don't seem to have much depth to them. I don't really know who Jessalyn and Neil are. Plus the love scenes leave a lot to be desired. However, I like the plot and all the secondary characters are essential to the story. I've read other Rebeccan Hagan Lee novels that outshine this one. Still, I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes Scottish romances.

Setting Scotland, 1716 --- The future that faced Clan MacInnes after the English finished their plunder in retribution for the Clans' support of Bonnie Prince Charlie was devastating. There was virtually no food left, no livestock, no leather for shoes, nothing of value and, no young men to marry the women remaining in the Clan; the Clan would soon die out as well as their heritage. In foresight, the father of the Lady Jessalyn, along with his privy council, made up of the last remaining three elders of the clan, had contacted a powerful English ally and sought his help.The English Earl of Derrowood, Neil Claremont, might have viewed the injustice dealt to the Scotts people as unjust but as far as he was concerned, it wasn't his problem....he hated Scotland, was there only as a member of His Majesty's Royal Corps of Engineers to do a job. He resented the interruption of his apprenticeship to the master architect of the day, Sir Christopher Wren and couldn't wait to get back to London and his studies. What Neil was not aware of was a plot, involving his beloved grandfather that would bind him to Scotland and the newest laird of Clan MacInnes.Set free from the chains imprisoning him for a minor infraction against his despicable commanding officer, Neil was then kidnapped and brought to the highland village to marry the newest Laird of Clan MacInnes, Lady Jessalyn. The fact that she was a bonny young woman wasn't quite enough temptation but when he was shown the signed betrothal documents with HIS signature, he saw his grandfather's hand in the deception, and felt honor bound to comply. Insulting his bride to be, with the comments of her dirty unshod bare feet, he found that she was no pushover and not about to be intimidated by his insults. He soon discovered that her strength and determination were traits that he found as appealing as the lass herself. When the marriage was consummated Jessalyn was less than pleased with the boasts her husband had made as to his prowess in the bedchamber and Neil knew he had a LOT to make up for!This was a darling story that has some very humorous and very tender moments. The secondary characters were drawn with a richness and depth I've come to expect from this author. I loved the wooing with the shoes, and especially enjoyed the way Neil's grandmere handled his former mistress - delightful! The villain in the piece was truly a piece of work and was dealt with by Lady Jessalyn in a MOST appropriate way! Three cheers for this charming and irresistible tale! --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

By 1716, Clan MacInnes was close to becoming an extinct group. The wars with the English and their treacherous Scottish allies have stripped the clan down to its hereditary castle. There is not even enough males to provide the proper burial of the recently deceased laird. The few survivors are desperate to save their heritage even if it means kidnapping a Sassenach to marry their Lady Jessalyn.The English Earl of Derrowood, Neil Claremont hates Scotland, especially the Loch Ness area where he is stationed as a member of His Majesty's Royal Corps of Engineers. He only wants to go back to London. However, Neil's dreams end when the MacInnes abduct him with the purpose being he marry Jessalyn, daughter of an enemy of the English monarch. However, as Neil becomes acquainted with Jessalyn, he falls in love with her, her clan, and her country, but struggles with feelings of treason and disloyalty.A HINT OF HEATHER is an entertaining eighteenth century Scottish romance. The story line is filled with action and intrigue as the lead couple battles with their undesirable feeling of love. The support cast, mainly the women, children and elderly of Clan MacInnes provide depth to the period and incentives to Neil and Jessalyn. Rebecca Hagan Lee makes her alluring Scottish story beguile sub-genre fans.Harriet Klausner

Neil Claremont, Earl of Derrowford, is a man with a mission. All he wants to do is complete construction of the first of King George's Scottish fortresses and return to his comfortable life in London. But the Ancient Gentlemen of Clan MacInnes have bigger plans for him and Neil Claremont soon finds himself abducted and married to the laird of Clan MacInnes -- Lady Jessalyn MacInnes.As he and Jessalyn begin a marriage neither of them wanted, Neil learns that there is more to life than building cathedrals and palaces. With Jessalyn, he has an opportunity to build a family, a home and a lasting peace with England, so he sets out to win her heart.Jessalyn learns that there are greater enemies to fight than a handsome English husband bearing gifts and that Neil Claremont is a man willing to share her burden as Laird without usurping her position as leader of her clan. She learns to open her heart to him and to believe that he will never betray her trust.

Rebecca Hagan Lee has written some wonderful books in the past, but this one is by far her best. It's beautifully written and transported me to the past the same way that BRAVEHEART, LAST OF THE MOHICANS, and OUTLANDER did. It has all the charm and tenderness you'd expect from a Highland romance and more. When Clan MacInnes decides to go raiding for husbands instead of cattle, chaos ensues and a gorgeous English architect finds himself the husband of the first female laird of Clan MacInnes. This book definitely has its funny moments, but it also has layers of depth, tenderness, and rousing adventure. All of the secondary characters, including the villain, are drawn with a master's pen. I even found myself falling in love with the hero's grandparents! This is definitely one of the best books of 2000 and Neil is a hero that no woman should be able to resist.