Bagpipes & Bullshot [Kindle Edition]

Bagpipes & BullshotIf you are so impressed by the important but unobtrusive detail of the story, you find yourself assuming the author has experience of the subject she is writing about, you know you are settling into a good book. Janice Horton has clearly done her research, all kudos to her.

So, to the story: The impressive, but rundown, Buchanan Estate needs a large injection of cash. Laird Innes Buchanan therefore seems duty-bound to marry into the wealthy neighbouring McKenzie family. Indeed, as far as his intended, the beautiful but manipulative Davina McKenzie is concerned, Innes is hers, bar the actual ceremony, which she immediately sets about arranging. Small problem, Innes doesn't love her. His younger brother does. Deciding not to go through with the marriage, Innes embarks on a mission to save the estate by other means. To this end, he enlists the help of Texan cattle expert, Orley McKenna, to help him breed a hardy new herd of cattle, which might eventually generate enough income to sustain them. Innes, though, admires Orley for more than her brains and sassiness. He's fallen for her, big time, and Orley's heart belongs to Innes.

The course of true love never did run smooth though. Not only does Orley have to contend with disapproving Lady Buchannan's haughty frostiness, local gossip, and the unforgiving climate of the Scottish Highlands, she also has to survive the vengeful plotting of a woman scorned: Davina, who still believes herself to be engaged to Innes, and whom Innes has neglected to mention.

All the elements for a terrific story, then. Throw some humorous escapades into the plot and some beautifully descriptive writing around the geography - and you have a hugely satisfying read. Loved it!

With great characters and an authentic Scottish background, Janice Horton gives us the thoroughly entertaining story of laird Innes Buchanan and Texan cowgirl Orley McKenna. They meet and fall in love in Texas, and Innes offers Orley a job as the cattle manager on his estate where he plans to develop a new breed of cattle.
Thrilled to have her dream of visiting Scotland coming true, Orley comes down to earth with a shock as she struggles to adapt to a different lifestyle in a rundown (and freezing cold) mansion, with Innes' disapproving mother and his ingenuous brother. She also has to contend with the vengeful ex-fiancee, who it seems will stop at nothing to get rid of her and win Innes back.
There's love and mistrust, happiness and near-tragedy, and plenty of humour, too, in this enjoyable romance. Highly recommended!

Janice's writing is so descriptive, and vivid and she really makes the colours and places come alive so quickly and energetically!

Hunky Scottish laird Innes, who is the first charming character you meet in the book meets gorgeous Texan cowgirl Orley (a girl you'd quite like to be best mates with) while visiting Texas on a scholarship trying to discover ways of dealing with the financial difficulties he is faced with on his crumbling family estate. He offers Orley a job back in Scotland and as she's desperate for a fresh start in her life and wants to put the past firmly behind her, she immediately agrees. But is moving to Scotland and living in the same house as Innes all that she imagined it would be and is it the answer to her problems? Or does it just create more?

Davina, a family friend -or maybe not - is another amazingly portrayed character who has you feeling emotions you can't possibly imagine being able to feel when you are reading a book! You'll know what I mean when you read it! Add Dastardly Davina to Innes' jealous brother and the frosty Lady of the House, along with the local traditions, Orley wonders whether she's made a huge mistake and also wonders whether the past can be forgotton. The house which Innes and his family own is expressed in such a way that you picture it immediately through Janice's descriptions, and want to wrap up warm and visit this wonderful place and stay forever.

Bagpipes and Bullshot is an amusing, cleverly written, fun read with many moments that make you laugh out loud. Janice writes in such an expressive way in this romantic novel which I found very entertaining and an absolute pleasure to read.