Taming the Highland Bride (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

This was really a 3.5 stars. Taming the Highland Bride is an easy, fast-paced story about mistrust and misunderstandings. This page turner was filled with obstacles that the main characters had to get past to find love. This was my first book by Lynsay Sands and I have to say that her writing style is very light and creates an easy flow.

Alex is patient, sweet and loyal man and I liked that a lot. Even though he had misgivings about Merry from rumors that she was a shrew, from the beginning he was attracted to her. He wanted to make her happy to be his wife. My only problem with Alex is that he was not portrayed as a warrior. For the better part of the book, Merry ran the household and held the men together, while Alex was constantly in harm's way and banged up.

Merry is a strong, independent and caring woman. After suffering through years of taking care of her drunken brothers and father, she is desperately seeking a new life. I honestly felt Merry's disappointment at her first encounter with her Alex, knowing she felt as though she left one horrible situation for another.

As they both try to move forward from their awkward first encounter, they both have to learn to let go and find love. I enjoyed the way Alex worked to get Merry's guard down to prove that he was not like the men in her family. He took his time not to force her but rather show her that he was a man of honor. Sure enough, slowly as they are on an adventure to Scotland, Merry sees her husband for the man that he truly is and allows him to slowly enter her heart.

While they are both discovering their newfound feelings towards one another, mystery and danger is lurking around every corner. I felt the mystery incorporated throughout the entire story was interesting and at the end I was a little surprised at the villain. I wanted them to dig around to find out who was behind the "mysterious" incidents but I was a little disappointed that they just happen to stumble across the truth. No one took real interest that they were in real danger except Merry.

Overall, I would recommend Taming the Highland Bride to anyone who wants to enjoy a quick and enjoyable read. I look forward to reading further along in this series.

Merewen Stewart, occasionally called a shrew, is fed up with her drunken father and brothers... and with the man she's supposed to marry who's been off on crusade. When she hears her betrothed, Alexander d'Aumesbery, is home from crusade, her father and brothers take her to marry him. Although Merry isn't particularly sad to wave goodbye to her drunken family as she has hopes that her husband may be a sober and worthy gentleman, she's vastly disappointed to first lay eyes on her betrothed when he's dead drunk. The following days aren't much better as he stumbles and is clumsy and appears to also have a drink problem.

Alex has heard the rumours about his shrewish betrothed but finds her a refreshing surprise. But as soon as she arrives at his home strange things start to happen. Is she responsible for drugging him and for some attempts on his life? As they travel to visit Alex's sister and her new husband, it seems that the danger is coming along with them. Can they get to the bottom of events and build a true relationship?

Lynsay Sands has a simple but readable writing style. Although I find her books rather lacking in characterisation and plot, largely driven through dialogue, they aren't boring. This book was the same, and despite its rather misleading title (there wasn't really any 'taming' to be done to Merry) it was a reasonable read. There were an awful lot of places where I had to suspend disbelief, for example the efficacy of some herbs which would make Viagra's makers rather excited, and the mystery side of the plot wasn't particularly gripping, but for those who like Lynsay Sands' books this is another of a similar level and will appeal to those who like historical highland romances.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2010

Merewen Stewart is anxious to meet and marry her betrothed, Alexander d'Aumesbery. She wants to leave her home and start a new life. Merry's father and brothers are drunkards and while Merry works hard to keep the castle running, they only work hard trying to get the whiskey she hides from them. Merry's hopes are dashed when she arrives at Alex's home to find her betrothed as drunk as her father and brothers usually are. All is not what it seems though, and with his life in danger, Alex must prove that he is the man Merry has been waiting her whole life for.

Taming the Highland Bride is a story shrouded in mystery and misgivings. Danger follows Alex and Merry at every turn. Merry's disappointment when she first sees Alex is genuine. My heart broke a little for her then. She is stoic and capable and was able to move on, although you can feel her sadness at having to. Alex is exactly the kind of man Merry needs. It takes a while for him to prove it to her. Their relationship becomes passionate and heartfelt in the process. While Taming the Highland Bride is second in the The Devil Of The Highlands series, I read it after book three - The Hellion and The Highlander. The series may be read out of order without much lapse in continuity.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed