When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare (Castles Ever After #3)
Historical Romance
Released: August 25, 2015
Avon
Reviewed by May
Dear Captain Logan MacKenzie,
There is but one consolation in writing this absurd letter. And that is that you, my dear delusion, do not exist to read it.
I am Madeline Eloise Gracechurch. The greatest ninny to ever draw breath in England. This will come as a shock, I fear, but you fell deeply in love with me when we did not cross paths in Brighton. And now we are engaged.
Unable to handle the crush of people that society events have, and painfully shy, Maddie invents a fiancé in the form of a handsome Scottish Captain away at war. For years she writes him letters to make her ruse seem more plausible and quietly avoids society. She’s left to draw and enjoy her life approaching an age of spinsterhood.
Then one day, she inherits a castle and decides it’s time to take control of her own future. Announcing that her beloved has died she enters mourning and moves to Scotland, to her new home where she can work on illustrations, study animals, and be blissfully alone with the exception of her elderly aunt. So imagine her surprise that there is in fact a Captain Logan MacKenzie and he’s in her home. With a band of men. And demanding she marry him immediately.
She knew mo chride meant “my heart”. The words were a lover’s endearment, but there was no tenderness in his voice. Only a low, simmering anger. He spoke the words like a man who’d cut out his own heart long ago and left it buried in the cold, dark ground.
This book is a part of Tessa Dare’s latest series however it reads beautifully as a stand-alone and unless I’m forgetting something minor with the exception of the deceased who keeps leaving properties to the lovely heroines no previous characters had anything to do with the events in this book.
Tessa Dare does what no other author is doing these days: she’s writing absolutely phenomenal, nearly flawless, completely captivating historical romances. Her ability to completely engage me, entertain me, make me laugh and burst into tears, be so very tender and so very smexy – it’s a balance only she has.
“I’m a Highlander an officer, and a man who knows the meaning of ‘incendiary.’ I’m exactly what you asked for, mo chride. You shouldna have any complaint.”
I loved Logan’s story, I loved how we were given bits and pieces and saw how her letters affected him so. I also loved that he’s not really anything like the fictional captain she was writing to. No, he is rough and big and he lets his actions speak for him.
“I noticed how you flirted with me downstairs.”
“Flirted? Don’t be absurd.”
“You stare at me. You’re fascinated.”
“It’s just the kilt.”
“It might be partly the kilt. It’s mostly the swagger.”
“The swagger?” She tried to laugh. But he was right, he did have swagger. An abundance of sheer male arrogance and the strength to carry it.
As with all her books, the author beautifully weaved supporting characters in that added fun moments and enriched the story without getting in our couple’s way. There is a scene where Logan’s men are advising him ways to get his new wife to agree to marital relations and inspire her lust… it’s fantastic.
This heroine is an artist, but also scientific of mind and I loved how committed she is not just to draw and capture animals and all kinds of things but that she had an interest in the studying of such things. She had such a great balance of tender heart, shyness, but a strong personality and clearly wonderful imagination too. She manages to stand up to the dreamy Logan time and time again – I just loved that.
“Lift your skirts,” he muttered, sliding his tongue down her neck. Merciful heavens. Given her choice of words to hear from Logan’s lips, Maddie probably would have chosen I love you. But she had to admit, lift your skirts had an undeniable appeal.
I can’t recommend this – or any of the books in this series – enough to you. It is so rare to find an author that can make me blink back tears, snort in laughter, and be so fully invested in the characters as Tessa Dare can. This is yet another winner, and everything I could want in a historical romance.
Grade: A+
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I absolutely adored this book. A.DORED!
Ooh, so excited to read this!!! Thanks for the great review :-)
She is at the top of the HR game. Love her and canNOT wait to read this!! An A +? Yowza.
What a review, May! With the dollar currency so high in Brazil right now, I have to think carefully about which book to buy, because they’re more expensive than ever. And if I had any doubts about investing my money in this book, now I have none. Thanks. :-)
Great review. I haven’t read Dare before, but this really makes me want to read the book.