‘She had never felt so … unnecessary’

 

Blurb:

Bought by her husband…

Bound by secrets of their past!

The start of The Lochmore Legacy – A Scottish castle through the ages! Earl’s daughter Flora McCrieff brought shame on her family once, now she discovers she must wed impossibly rich but low born Lachlan McNeill. He’s undeniably handsome, but a man of few words. Despite the attraction that burns between them, can she reach beyond his impeccable clothing to find the emotions he’s locked away for so long…?

 

Review:

His Convenient Highland Wedding is a great title for this book. It’s about a marriage that’s convenient for the hero, convenient for the heroine’s family, but is it convenient for the heroine? It’s a story about secrets: hers, his, and the underlying mystery; and I wondered how on earth this was ever going to work out, and if they ever could or would be honest with each other, and find true happiness together.

I loved Flora, and really felt for her. She is not a typical Victorian woman, as is evident at the beginning of the story. Her will and strength are apparent as she defies what is expected of her. And yet, just a few years later, when she learns she is to be married, she appears quiet and downtrodden, as if that independence and strength has been beaten out of her. It’s as if she’s a completely different person, and her bewilderment, frustration, and resentment are palpable. However, although Flora now appears to be a typical woman of the time, her strength of mind, will, and courage soon bubble back to the surface….

Lachlan is a wonderful hero. Although a Victorian male, he also is not typical for the times. He is from a different background, and has many wrong assumptions about how the nobility behave. He just doesn’t know what’s expected of him and consequently makes a lot of mistakes. His past is always hanging over him, and he constantly feels the weight of guilt which he cannot share with anyone. Yet, Lachlan’s real character also cannot be suppressed….

Do I recommend this? Without hesitation! Janice creates wonderful characters, and equally wonderful atmospheric settings, and moods. And although she gives a realistic portrayal of how women were really treated, (they were thought of as brood mares, and pawns for example), she does it in such a way that doesn’t detract from the reader’s enjoyment. Janice’s skill causes us to become emotionally involved right from the start. We share Flora’s frustrations at not being listened to because she’s female, and her resentment that her ideas aren’t as valid or relevant as a man’s. And it’s also thought-provoking, as Janice wonderfully illustrates the truth that men and women really do need to talk to each other….

His Convenient Highland Wedding is the first book in a new four book series. It hints at a mystery that will be revealed and solved backwards in time, through each subsequent book. This is unusual, and I did wonder how this first book was going to introduce this mystery. I enjoyed finding out, as it teased and tantalised, and revealed enough without detracting from the main story, which was Flora and Lachlan’s romance. It also introduces us to Joane and Benneit, whose story will be told in book two of the Lochmore series: Unlaced by the Highland Duke by Lara Temple.

 

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Author Bio

Janice Preston writes emotional, sensual and satisfying Regency romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon.
She grew up in Wembley with a love of reading, writing stories and animals and has worked as a dairy farmer, a police call-handler and a university administrator. She has two children, two step-children (all now adult) and a gorgeous, cheeky grandson. She now lives in the West Midlands with her husband and two cats and enjoys swimming, yoga and pottering about the garden when the sun is shining.
If you’d like to know more, please visit Janice’s website at http://www.janicepreston.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @janicegpreston or on Facebook at Janice.preston.author.

 

Disclaimer: I received this as part of my paid subscription for the Mills & Boon Historical bookclub.