The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance: 21 Passionate Tales of Myth, Magic and History (Mammoth Books) [Paperback]

I actually really love these gigantic anthologies, and I am a sucker for medieval Highlanders, so there was plenty of reading here to keep me out of mischief for a good long time. Since I read out of order, I was surprised to find that the authors I was familiar with - and read first - were not my favorites of the collection. Oh and since I tend to read on the more contemporary side of romance, it was odd to read about so many 'first times' for the heroines.

My Favorite (5 stars):
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Highland Heart by Heather McCollum ~*~The setup is a bit complicated to blurb without giving too much away... When woman with healing powers forms an instant connection with a warrior and the momentary distraction changes both of their lives ~~ this story was everything you'd want from a medieval highlander romance - both the hero and heroine were good - and it was also the first story in the anthology even though I read it about half way through.

The ones I liked (4 stars):
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Wolfish in Sheeps Clothing by Marta Acosta ~*~ Jenna's ready to curse her friend's 'Sight' - when it looks like a long lonely trip to Scotland is not going to bring her the kilted love of her life but a broken heart instead.

Magick in the Mist by Debbie Mazzuca Alessandro ~*~ When the women in her family hold a heart shaped stone, their true love will be the first man they see in the moonlight ~*~ the woman is way too patient, but I liked this one anyway - the idea was sweet.

Forever Night by Jackie Ivie ~*~ Breaking into a dungeon to rescue his captive brother, a laird instead ends up taking the captor's daughter for his own hostage ~*~ I thought this one was fun, especially how the Laird's plan go so wrong.

Kissinggate Magic by Annette Blair ~*~ Returning to the town she left in shame, a woman must confront her former lover in order to help raise her dead sister's child ~*~ I liked the way that three broken hearts end up mended by the story's end.

The Reiver by Jackie Barbosa ~*~ The laird hesitates to punish a thief who turns out to be a young woman ~*~ The thief was a wily adversary, so this was fun.

The Laird's French Bride by Connie Brockway ~*~ The Laird of a modest estate seeks to improve his station by taking a bride favored by the King ~*~ I liked the clever bride to be and how the intended groom makes her squirm when she tries a deception but gets caught in her own trap.

The Laird's Vow by Anne Grace ~*~ In order to take his place as laird before his trustee uncle bankrupts the clan buying fripperies, Cameron vows to marry the first woman he meets - and he always keeps his vows ~*~ this one was just really cute.

These were ok (3 stars):
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At Last by Jaquie D'Alessandro ~*~ A woman flees her summer affair, and gets a real surprise when her 'poor, untitled lover' turns up for the Season ~*~ I just am not a fan of 'big misunderstandings' as a plot device.

Beloved Beast Lois Greiman ~*~ A thief and a man who has vowed to leave a life of violence behind make an unlikely pair.

Forever Mine by Donna Grant ~*~ A disposed laird finally has the enemy responsible for killing his family trapped in an ambush but gives up his sure victory when the villain takes a hostage.

Next Time by Donna Kaufmann ~*~ A dying woman takes a trip to Scotland and sees a 'ghost' in ruined tower. He's not allowed to interact with others but since her time is limited, he'll take the chance ~*~ this was one of the few not set in the past, but the ending was a bit too 'Bill and Ted' for me.

Curse Me Wicked by Elle Jasper ~*~ A newbie on a team of paranormal troubleshooters gets intimately involved in a curse she's supposed to help break ~*~ This was a contemporary and the only first person point of view story in the book. It really belonged in the Mammoth Book of Werewolf Romance (a girl can hope:) and it was just too short to do the author's idea justice.

The Rebel by Julianne Maclean ~*~ After winning a battle against English forces, a Scottish laird is forced to wound a young enemy soldier who just won't quit, and then surprised to find that the wounded lad is actually a woman.

Kidnapping the Laird by Terri Brisbin ~*~ Can a laird and his wife overcome a bad beginning to an arraigned marriage ~*~ It is pretty hard to forgive the husband in this one.

I thought these were pretty good (3.5 stars)
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I pretty much had the same comment for all of these, I liked elements in all of these stories, but the short story format short-changed these stories in either setup, transition or resolution - novella length would have likely been perfect:

The Pagan Bride By Patricia Grasso ~*~ Wed when she was a mere child, a woman's husband finally calls her to join him to navigate the shark infested waters of the Scottish Court ~*~ This was less interesting for the romance, but I enjoyed the woman's quick wit and sassy tongue.

Her MacKinnon by Sandy Blair ~*~ An accident has left a woman's husband a new man, and a spirit from the past gives her hope for the future ~*~ There is the heart of a good story here, and I liked the ending.

The Curse of Wolf Crag by Susan Sizemore ~*~ Fate brings back to a woman the man who tried to escape their destiny ~*~ This is one of the few paranormal stories.

His Magic Touch by Kimberly Killion ~*~ A murderous husband is thwarted by a bit of magic, but not for long ~*~ this one was just too short to deliver on the romance, even though I like the idea of the now grown man who loved her as a boy finally getting his chance for a HEA.

After the Gloaming by Leah Marie Brown ~*~ Not only is she betrayed by the man she loves, but she ends up cursed to become the Banshee who walks unseen over the years, only heard when she becries the deaths of those of his line, until a young man comes to visit his dying father.

Good pick up and put down book for when life is a little busy. Great selection of authors. Will buy others in this series.

Such great attention to detail, held my interest, wonderful history details, have to love these 'scot' stories, terrific romance and stuff dreams are made from!