Border Lass

Border Wedding and Border Lass are part of a series by Amanda Scott focusing on the stories of families that lived on the border of England and Scotland in the late 1300s. In Border Wedding, we meet Sir Walter Scott (yes, based on the real person) as he is about to hang for being caught trying to retrieve his stolen cattle. However, he is presented a choice: marry the thief's oldest daughter, Lady Margaret Murray, or hang. With little choice, a hasty wedding takes place. Wat takes Margaret home with him, barely knowing her and not entirely willing to find out. Despite his resistance (and hers) they still begin to realize that each is not what they expected. But as the politics of the land become more and more pressing, their marriage causes them both to be pawns in the battle for the Kingship of the land. Border Lass follows the story of Margaret's sister, Amalie. After a heartbreaking experience in her youth, Amalie is set on never marrying. Instead, she has devoted her service to the beloved widow of the Douglas, Princess Isabel. Equally unwilling to wed, but still intrigued by Amalie is Sir Garth Napier. When he finds her eavesdropping at a door with potentially dire consequences, they enter into an even deeper political quagmire than her sister did. But as they deal with the upcoming power struggle, they continue to need each other as much as they attempt to deny their growing feelings for each other. Amanda Scott knows her history. Both Border Wedding and Border Lass are very detailed on all the politics and conspiracies that took place in Scotland at the time. In fact, in the first book in particular, the details overwhelm the story. The first book also had two traits I don't care for: dialogue written with the dialect and accent of time, which makes it difficult to read; and a relationship that did not make me root for them. Wat is portrayed as a hard man, with very little regard for his wife, even once he realizes he loves her. However, I did enjoy Border Lass quite a bit more, in part because most of my problems with the first one were not present. The characters were much more fun and enjoyable. The relationship was fun to watch and the resolution was satisfying. In fact, I enjoyed Border Lass enough to look forward to the next book, Border Moonlight, due January 5, 2009. Niki Lee Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/09) The year is 1389, and Amalie Murray is adamant about never getting married, especially when her family tries to force her into wedding someone who is a total jerk - for political purposes. She finds herself attracted to a knight, Sir Garth Napier, but even then, she doesn't want to get married. Garth is very attracted to her as well. He is a good man with plenty of integrity. Unlike her unwanted suitor, Garth treats Amalie with respect. Court intrigue draws the two closer together. There are some very suspicious deaths that put Amalie's own well-being in danger. Garth finds himself wanting to protect her. Amalie is pretty independent, and has some ideas of her own. This keeps Garth on his toes. When circumstances force the two to take drastic measures to keep Amalie from being forced into marriage, they really realize how special their connection is to each other. Garth also discovers Amalie's secrets and why she felt she couldn't marry. They bond even more, but still have to overcome the treachery that surrounds them. "Border Lass" was a fun Scottish historical romance. Amanda Scott does an excellent job of drawing you into the Scottish lands as you would imagine them to be in the late 1300s. She brings the characters to life and gives them depth. The politics and intrigue add a great deal of drama and suspense to the story. Historical romance readers should not miss out on this one!

Border Lass by Amanda Scott Amalie Murray has vowed time and time again that she will not wed. Her brother Simon seems adamant that she should, and he has seemed to have found the man for her. But Amalie, a maiden to Princess Isabel has discovered the right to refuse marriage even though she is still not of age. On Coronation Day at Scone Abby, Amalie meets Sir Garth Napier he infuriates her to no end, but she finds solace in him and a companion in which she can speak freely. She still plans to not to marry, especially that Harald Boyd her family has pretty much thrust upon her, but now she is beginning to feel very different in the presence of her knight. When he catches her listening in on a private conversation possibly about murder, he must find out all that she knows. Sir Garth Napier is on a mission to discover the truth about who killed James and Will, he has an idea that Fife, the Governor had his hands in the muck. He has recently been appointed to join Princess Isabel's security staff, and finds himself growing quite fond of the saucy lady Amalie. He first met her after striking down her brother Simon after he was chastising Amalie in public. Then, he catches her listening in on a private conversation possibly about murder, he makes it a point to find get her to open up and tell him the secret. Also not in the mindset to wed, he can't help taking the pleasure of the lady's kiss. And as you know, a single kiss always leads to more... Will her strong willed and stubborn family force her into a marriage that she does not want? Can she stop these feelings for the man sent to protect the Princess? Or does she really want to quell those feelings? She must also learn that not even her brothers can be trusted. Border Lass by Amanda Scott is a phenomenal Historical Scottish Romance. The reader connects with the characters and is in a way brought into the story experiencing it first hand. I loved the detail, the blossoming love, and the stubbornness of the hero and heroine. Amanda Scott has been a favorite of mine to read for a while, and as she continues to produce her historical romances, they get better and better each time. 5 Hearts

In 1389 at pre-wedding festivities celebrated by about a thousand revelers at Dunfermline Abbey in Scotland, Amalie Murray senses Sir Garth Napier watching her. She assumes he wants her, but though attracted to him she vows to never wed as marriage is servitude for a woman. In 1390 on Cornonation Day to annoint John Stewart as High King, Garth becomes concerned with Amalie's safety as he believes she overheard seditious discussions to assassinate the new monarch. Garth is working undercover to expose and capture all the conspirators. He grabs Amalie and kisses her with a passion like he has never tasted before; she melts deeper into his arms. He claims her as his wife over her objections and rationalizes his actions as keeping her safe; however his heart knows otherwise as does hers. The sequel to BORDER WEDDING is an excellent fourteenth century Scottish romance starring two strong individuals. The support cast includes real personna which enhances the sense of time and place, a trademark of an Amanda Scott historical. The romance and the investigation subplots cleverly intertwine together so that the audience obtains another terrific tale from one of the best Scottish historical romance authors writing today. Harriet Klausner

I was very pleased with this second book in the Border Trilogy by Amanda Scott. What make this a unique read is the reader knows the story is set in Scotland without the oppressive Scots dialect that seems to be the norm with many Scottish romance. Ms Scott relies on placing her characters in actual Scottish history and has her characters act as those of the period. She clearly knows the history and the character of the Borders. She helps those who have read the first book find that Amilea gets a hero deserving of her grace and honor. Garth Napier is one such hero, but he is not a brash hero but a gentle Border hero who knows his worth. Their budding relationship is set to a backdrop of intrigue and greed, but neither loses their honor or integrity. She also dispels a romance myth. Women of the medieval period, at least in Scotland, had the ability to refuse a marriage, whereby carving out her own destiny, if still limiting. Nicely done. I found that I liked this one better than first because there were no story lines not finished. Though she left a few unique nuggets that provides reader a look into the character of a most interesting secondary character. Sybilla appears to have her own story in the last book in the trilogy with a hero this reader is anxious to see Ms Scott pull from the dark side. Though we got glimpses of his changing character in this book, Simon is still of questionable hero material. This is a good solid romance that tells a story with charm allowing the reader to escape for a few hours with yummy Scottish Border Lords and heroines who show real Scottish character. Amanda Scott never disappoints with books that are historically well researched but never forgets she is writing romance. Those who want a steamy romance might be disappointed, but is it sex the reader wants or a good romantic tale?