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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-When You Love A Scotsman by Hannah Howell

by | Dec 29, 2017 | Book Reviews | 5 comments

Book Review-When You Love A Scotsman by Hannah Howell

I received this book for free from Zebra in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review-When You Love A Scotsman by Hannah HowellWhen You Love a Scotsman by Hannah Howell
Series: Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen #2
Published by Zebra on Decenber 26 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, American West, Civil War Era
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Zebra
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three-half-stars

New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell sweeps readers away with the passion-filled adventures of the MacEnroy brothers, seven daring Scotsmen who take on America in her most turbulent days—and capture the hearts of the ladies each is destined to wed . . .

With danger closing in from all sides, Abigail Jenson works tirelessly to protect her small Missouri farm. She doesn’t require saving—but a handsome officer appears on horseback just as ruthless marauders set her cabin ablaze. With nowhere else to turn, Abigail allows the soldier with the seductive Highlander’s gaze to escort her to shelter in a nearby town.

Matthew MacEnroy was reluctant to join his adopted nation’s conflict—until an enemy attack wounded two of his brothers. Bravely doing battle has its price when a proud, independent beauty comes under his watch—no military man can risk the powerful emotions their attraction has unleashed. But when Matthew himself is caught in the crossfire, Abigail leads their long journey home to MacEnroy valley . . . and her caring touch sparks the promise of a bold future together.

In When You Love A Scotsman is a thrilling, on the edge of your seat historical romance that will take you back to the turbulent times of the Civil War that torn the American country apart. This is not as story that is easy or kind….its tough and hard and brave and courageous.

The wonderful courageous characters that become the key players are:

  • Abigail Jenson, our lovely heroine, who has become orphaned due to the horrors of war in losing her parents. A kind and loving woman who adores her family.
  •        Matthew McEnroy, our courageous hero, is one of the seven brothers that have migrated from Scotland and is serving in the military to help fight the rebels or anyone that wreaks havoc on innocents.

This was a magnificent story and I honestly just couldn’t contain my love for this story and most especially the built up of the plot. It starts out pretty intensely where we see Abigail lose her parents and is rescued by a handsome soldier. A soldier that ends up taking her to a safe haven. A haven where his unit is stationed in the same town as Abigail’s. Matthew begins to slowly court Abigail, because he feels a strong connection to Abigail and wants to see where it can lead. Especially in seeing the way his older brother found his happiness in his new family. But there is danger around them, and Abigail and Matthew are drawn together by a certain set of circumstances and they act on those peaceful moments that are rare.

There were many aspects of this story that I truly adored. This has some endearing qualities that only a reader sees in a Hannah Howell book. I truly had a true connection to pretty much every character in this book Of course, we have our main couple here who on their own as individuals, and are majestic when they are together. They really balance each other in certain ways and I loved their chemistry. They have the same goals and I liked that they just fit so right for one another and their love story is one you can slowly ease yourself into. But then we have some other side characters that were heartbreaking at times and sweet and pretty hilarious in other moments. I LOVED the kids in this book, most especially Noah. He was such a darling little boy, who had lost so much but still had a sense of innocence and charm and was always getting into trouble.

I had only one major issue which probably won’t be a surprise to many of you who know my certain obsessions when it comes to historical romance. In this book, what I couldn’t stand was how quick these two have sex. Yes, it happens VERY quickly, way faster than I would have preferred. And quite honestly, it just had too much of a modern feel to it. Honestly, this would never have happened back in this time period. Mostly because of the risks involved and back in this era, marriage happened before becoming intimate. That is just how the culture and society worked even in the worst of circumstances. So it just didn’t feel right when these two just happen to jump into bed together or whereever they could get themselves alone and they aren’t the only couple that we see this happen. But the author did make an effort to show how society did frown upon these actions but Abigail and Matthew tended to be way too careless in my opinion and I just couldn’t truly be okay with this in a historical romance where certain expectations weren’t something you messed with.

However I truly enjoyed this story overall, there was so many thrills and adventures and this author takes us on the realistic views of how the Civil War was and how it divided family and left hundreds of women and children without parents or families or homes. I can’t wait for book three in this endearing family of seven Scottish brothers.

About Hannah Howell

After five years and many rejections, I finally got my first book on the stands in 1988 – Amber Flame – from Leisure Books (reissued a while back under the title His Bonnie Bride). Also the western – A Taste of Fire published by Kensington in 1988. (and reissued by them several times since then) After about 10 years of writing English, Scottish and western historicals for several publishers (even venturing into the occasional pen-name) I settled in at Kensington writing Scottish historicals. Thus was born the great Murray clan (and a very prolific clan as well.) In June 2009 I started a series set in late-Georgian England concerning two connected families – the Wherlockes and the Vaughns. The first – If he’s Wicked – was that June, the latest – If He’s Tempted – was released April 2013. My cunning plan is to then do one of the Wherlockes and one of the Murrays each year. We’ll see how that works.

I grew up in New England and my family (on the maternal side) has been here since the 1630s. The paternal side is half Nova Scotian and half English. Met the hubby in England on a trip to meet and greet the English side of the family, bought him a drink in a pub, and the rest is history. Been married for 42+ years now. I have two sons, one a graphic artist (Sam) and one a mechanical engineer (Keir), a daughter-in-law who is a teacher (Beth), and three stunningly attractive, highly intelligent grandchildren (boast much?) – Benjamin, Jennifer, and Evelyn Rose. And they all live within driving distance – hooray. Being mildly insane I also have five cats – Matilda (high strung), Shadow (who is a little ferally and lives under a chair in my living-room because she does not like the ‘kittens’ I brought home years ago.), the demonic duo – Jackson and Perkins, and the latest addition, Mungo.

When I am not writing – which isn’t often – I play games on the computer, play the piano (took 13 years of lessons when growing up), crochet (very addicting), read, and garden (some day I will conquer the demon weed).

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5 Comments

  1. Ann Lorz

    I know how you feel, sex quickly in modern days is one thing but back in historical times.

    Reply
  2. Blodeuedd

    Oh yes the kids were so sweet :=)

    Reply
  3. Zeee @ I Heart Romance & YA

    I still need to read the first book in this series. 🙂 Awesome review, Renee! I also agree with you when it comes to HR, I don’t want them to have sex pretty early in the book. I mean, Unless it’s an erotic historical romance :p

    Reply
  4. Alyssa Susanna

    I was considering reading this book a few days ago! Someone I couldn’t really get into the synopsis so I passed. But I see here that you loved it! That’s so funny that you hate it when the couple has sex to quickly in HR – I totally get that. But the story in general sounds pretty good. 😀 Wonderful review, Renee!

    Happy New Year. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    Reply
  5. Michele H

    Oh, this sounds like one I need to pick up! I’m with you on the historically accurate issues but the story itself looks to be intriguing. Some of the most satisfying, “meant to be” romances are built out of toughest situations like this one. Great review!

    Reply

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