Highland Bride

I enjoy this series so far I have read the first three secret clan books,and am attempting to get the fourth.

Amanda Scott writes a beautiful, fun and romantic tale of life in the Scottish highlands. The protagonists are well developed and their intertwined relationships were believable. My only problem with the story is how an intelligent woman like Bab couldn't discern a familiarity in Alex's speaking voice, even if it was "disguised." Another reason I didn't give it five stars is the manner in which Bab suddenly accepts, cheerfully and very willingly, her marital life with Alex, especially after so many pages of conflicting emotions. And as another reviewer mentioned, Alex's style of dress and demeanor were a bit offputting, but the reader can discern after a very short time why his character is styled this way! Overall I loved this book, as I was reading it I couldn't wait to find out when The Fox mystery would finally be resolved. The scenery, fairies, etc. all added to the depth and beauty of this enjoyable romance.

This is a wonderful story of heroes, fairies, villains, and Highland life. This was the first book by Amanda Scott that I have read. At first I was a little confused with the different pieces of stories floating around. But when they all started to come together, I was delighted with this tale.

Barbara `Bab' McRae has been ordered home to the highlands by her brother Patrick and after the excitement of the Scottish court was not looking forward to the boredom that would face her there. Upon the way the party she is traveling with is ambushed and as the men engaged arms, she and the other ladies escaped running into a friendly face, or so she thought, until her would be protector turned into her abductor. About to be ravished, by the fiend none other than the man known as the Black Fox comes to her rescue - effectively saving her virtue and sending her along her way with a silver coin and a kiss that would haunt her dreams. Due to unforeseen circumstances and the political climate she soon finds that she is to be married to the handsome, wealthy, but totally boring, and slightly foppish Sir Alexander Chisholm - unbeknownst to Bab the alter ego of - who else - the Black Fox. Alex plays a dangerous game, trying to help save the Highlander's way of life, yet falling helplessly in love with the lovely Bab McRae. And Bab - she will go along with the marriage to Alex - while secretly yearning for the Fox - such a dilemma! But then you had all these wee folk jumbled into this mix with some trying to help things along and some trying to hinder? As this was my first Amanda Scott novel - I was at first very confused trying to follow the beginning of the story - actually three different plots going on here and consequently why this is not being given the highest of ratings. While it was a very good story, I fully believe that were I reading this after having read the prequels of the Secret Clan series I might have truly enjoyed it more. The two main characters of Alex and Bab were very interesting and very well developed and their dialogs witty and fun, although I was immediately making comparisons to the Zorro type plot. The `wee folk' were very amusing and engaging. All in all this was a very good read, but as a matter of personal preference, I would have liked to have read the prequels first to have better enjoyed this and gained a better sense of family.