A Borrowed Scot [Mass Market Paperback]

Yesterday was not a particularly good day for Montgomery Alexander Fairfax, the newly titled 11th Lord Fairfax of Doncaster, Scotland.

He'd had the best intentions when he'd endeavored to learn how he could return what appeared to be a valuable gold and diamond encrusted antique mirror to its rightful owner. Having only been in London a short time, when his new solicitor recommended he take it to the Society of the Mercaii to determine its origin, it had seemed like a good idea, though everything had gone wrong from there.

Once there, Montgomery had no idea he'd be required to play the gallant knight and rescue a beautiful, though foolish woman from a dangerous situation, but that's exactly what he was called upon to do.

Still, he didn't think his day could possibly get any worse, until he insisted on doing the right thing again by personally returning her unharmed, though nearly naked and shoeless, back to the safety of her home. However, he was wrong about that too.

Though how was he to know Veronica Moira Macleod's family was of the British nobility or that her uncle would be so outraged by her reckless, improper behavior that he would immediately banish her from his home, leaving her to fend for herself in the dead of night?

Montgomery knew darn well he was going to have to rescue the imprudent woman once again; his conscience wouldn't allow him to just leave a naïve young woman to walk the streets alone and unprotected. He'd have to bring her home with him and place her in the care of his housekeeper, there was really nothing else he could do.

But when the Earl of Conley suddenly shows up on his doorstep at the crack of dawn to demand Montgomery do his part to avert a dreadful public scandal by marrying his niece, well, Montgomery was very sure things were about to go from bad to worse.

He'd had no plans for marriage when he'd come to England, but fate, it seemed, had other plans for him. Though Veronica had made a foolish mistake, she didn't deserve to be completely ostracized by society and ruined, so he would do the honorable thing and marry her.

They say the road to Hell was paved by good intentions, but Montgomery has no idea his marriage to Veronica just may be his path to Heaven.

*****

A Borrowed Scot, the final book in her Tulloch Sgàthán trilogy, is probably my favorite story to date by USA Today Best Selling Author Karen Ranney, and that's saying a lot since I love her thoroughly eloquent style of writing and the heartwarming, emotional tales she tells. But there was just something uplifting about this story that tugged at my heartstrings and left me feeling wonderfully gratified. I know it included several of my favorite subject themes: a marriage of convenience combining culturally diverse people with different backgrounds and traditions, a heroine that's a little bit unusual, the poor relation and the reluctant hero, that the author neatly blended together to make for a terrific storyline.

My favorite type of hero is the reluctant hero. I find them simply irresistible, especially when they're the type of guy who's willing to step up to the plate and "do the right thing" whether they want to or not--because the core of their being is bound by firm moral principles, honor and integrity. They're perfect husband material. Montgomery Fairfax was a good, solid and honorable guy and a great reluctant hero. He was a fine southern gentleman that came from a well respected Virginia plantation family, but who had suffered through unforgettable life-changing events and terrible personal loss as a direct result of the American Civil War that had finally ended after 4 years of turmoil and devastation.

Yet now, after the ink has scarcely dried on his claim to the title of Lord Fairfax and through no fault of his own, marriage to a total stranger was suddenly being thrust upon him; and because he is an honorable man, he reluctantly accepts the responsibility of saving a woman from social ruin or worse. He never planned on the marriage so he's not happy about it, and in the beginning he's a little cranky and resentful about his sacrifice and not above voicing his irritation to Veronica.

At the start of A Borrowed Scot, Montgomery and Veronica have some trouble settling into their unexpected marriage, but as the story progresses we witness the characters slowly starting to grow closer. The author shows us how they're first drawn together by physical attraction, with a healthy dose of lust, but the blazing heat of passion and desire gradually melds into something more, and we see it give rise to deeper feelings of tenderness, devotion, and love.

Veronica learns the secrets of the marriage bed under Montgomery's passionate, but gentle tutelage, and finds them to be exciting and wickedly delightful, unlike anything her aunt had told her to expect. Montgomery learns he's married to a woman of surprisingly fiery passions and also finds solace in Veronica's warm, welcoming embrace.

Ms. Ranney writes her character's physical intimacies and love scenes, or as Veronica calls them "relations", in a way that is completely and superbly romantic, refreshingly honest and tasteful, and yet, substantially detailed to satisfy the more sensualistic of readers. I can tell you Montgomery and Veronica weren't thinking of England or the Queen while they were making love, and neither was I. :)

With each other's help Montgomery and Veronica face their personal demons and begin to heal old wounds. Soon their sense of anguish, guilt and sorrow starts to fade, and as hearts begin to mend, hopefulness gently tiptoes into edge of their consciousness allowing them to see a light at the end of the tunnel...the flicker of optimism and the twinkle of a brighter future together as man and wife. We readers are there for that too, and we revel in their happiness.

Thank you, Ms. Ranney for a lovely story.

Also recommended: Karen Ranney's Sold to a Laird and A Highland Duchess and Karen Ranney writing as Katherine Storm Murder by Mortgage (Murder Pride Murders)

I have to start by saying this is one of the best historical romances I have read in a long time. I sat down to read it and could not put it down until it was over.

The story begins with our hero, Montgomery Fairfax, as he rescues Veronica from a near-rape. He brings her home, only to watch her family disown her for coming home without her clothes. He takes her in, then finds himself forced to marry her, to keep her from social destruction. Montgomery is a Virginian, who has recently been summoned to London to take over the title as Lord Fairfax. He is a broken man, haunted by memories of the Civil War and the family he has lost.

Veronica is determined to make the most of her marriage. She was an orphan, being raised as a poor relation by her uncle and his family. Now, she is the mistress of her own home. She has a bit of a psychic gift and it allows her to read the emotions of others. In the case of her husband, she can feel his misery, yet he will not open up to her. The only way they relate to each other is in the bedroom. But she wants more.

I have not one single complaint about this book. It captured my attention from the first page and not once did I have to fight the urge to skim ahead. I felt such sympathy for Montgomery. He was so empty. And Veronica is not much better off. She lost the only people who ever loved her when her parents died. It was heartwarming watching them slowly fill the emotional void within each other. And the sex was fan-freaking-tastic. The pacing was great, and so was the minor mystery at the end.

If you like Historical Romance at all, I strongly suggest you give this one a try. I loved it. 4 1/2 stars.

Ms Ranney jumps into the Victorian Era with her latest novel A Borrowed Scot. This tale is a real treat with superb characters and a fresh story with just a little bit of magic.

Montgomery Fairfax is an American who is the new 11th Lord of Fairfax of Doncaster, an estate seated in Scotland. Montgomery has lost much in the Civil War, he was a Virginian but fought for the North, now he is in London going through the required paces to attain his title. In his possession is an old mirror, a mirror with a history and he wants some answers to its origins. His solicitor suggests he attend a meeting of the Mercaii, a gathering of men who are interested in the occult. At this gathering Montgomery spies a beautiful young girl who appears drugged. She is stripped and Montgomery comes to her aid saving her from certain ravishment.

His damsel is Veronica MacCleod, a Scot who has lost her parents and is living with her priggish uncle and spiteful family in London. When she arrives home in a state of dishabille, she is thrown out of her uncle's home with nowhere to go. Montgomery saves the day by offering to marry her. With no other choices Veronica agrees, she is grateful and content with her decision.

Veronica is a well written heroine. She is eminently practical yet there is a whimsical side to her nature. She has a gift for empathizing with others and she is startled to feel the deep pain in Montgomery. He is however, close mouthed about his past. Veronica is a shrewd negotiator and she does manage to get Montgomery to open his heart a little bit each day.

This novel revolves around Montgomery and this is fine because this man is very interesting. He is street smart and really scientifically ingenious but he is also distant and taciturn. He is a man wracked with guilt and he has insightful conversations in his mind with his deceased relatives. He is not haunted but hurting and Veronica perceives this which makes him uncomfortable.

These two have a passionate relationship because they are deep, soulful individuals. Veronica is so forthright that it startles Montgomery, she is not domineering or bossy rather she is inquisitive and bold. Montgomery's transformation is significant and it is through Veronica's patient but persistent actions that Montgomery experiences his inner healing. This story is memorable and going on my keeper shelf.