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mollywetta's review against another edition
I was really feeling like a romance with a sexy Scot, but this didn't work for me. The hero and the heroine were too...good. I want flawed characters who redeem each other, not ones who are so perfect.
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tessisreading2's review against another edition
2.0
There is too much going on in this novel: on the one hand we have the entire Scottish MacIain clan, with their cousins and siblings and spouses and accents, and on the other hand we have this Civil War-set thriller. I just had difficulty with it in general; it felt like it was trying to have its cake and eat it too by having a thriller about trying to run the Union blockade – but don’t worry, everyone involved is really anti-Confederacy and anti-slavery, it’s just for economic reasons. (I mean, the hero literally says that if the end of slavery means the failure of his mill, then that’s what has to happen. So why are you running the blockade again?) The narrative gyrations required to absolve the heroine from complicity in slavery while still making her role in the plot plausible are truly spectacular, and pretty annoying: the heroine is from the north, moved down south to be with her married sister, was literally tortured by her brother-in-law (but stayed in the south because…why?), and is now trying to sell the family’s cotton in order to ensure their continued prosperity because… I don’t know why she gives a damn, honestly. She poses as her brother-in-law’s widow to his Scottish family for reasons I don’t fully understand, and then spends a lot of time agonizing and feeling guilty about it despite the fact that it… doesn’t really seem necessary, or like anyone else would really care.
Anyway, the slavery aspect of the story becomes increasingly uncomfortable. It just felt inappropriate in what is otherwise a light historical romance.
The writing is good overall and the author clearly took these issues seriously (Kathleen Woodiwiss this is not), so I'll be on the lookout for other books of hers, just preferably ones that do not make attempts to grapple with giant historical and moral issues.
Anyway, the slavery aspect of the story becomes increasingly uncomfortable.
Spoiler
We learn that not only did Rose’s brother-in-law routinely rape and mistreat slaves in a variety of awful manners, but he treated Rose herself as a slave because she insisted on helping the slaves: locking her in a shack for days, forcing her to sleep in a slave cabin, having her publicly whipped like a slave, forcing her to pick cotton in the fields and beaten by the overseer. This is wildly uncomfortable – it is appropriating the actual experiences of slaves and applying them to a fictional white romance heroine so we don’t think she’s a bad person for living on a plantation.The writing is good overall and the author clearly took these issues seriously (Kathleen Woodiwiss this is not), so I'll be on the lookout for other books of hers, just preferably ones that do not make attempts to grapple with giant historical and moral issues.
jencook29's review against another edition
4.0
The first one in the series was my favorite, but this was a solid third book.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good book, though a little slow at the start. Rose arrives in Glasgow at the end of her rope and the end of her resources. The Civil War has hit her family hard back in South Carolina, and she has come to see if the Scottish branch of the family will brave the blockade and purchase the last of their cotton. She's taken some liberties with the truth in order to ensure that she'll be listened to.
Duncan is a mill owner who is struggling to keep his business going. The war in America has made it difficult to get the cotton necessary to do so. The arrival of his cousin's beautiful young widow gets his attention, especially when she faints at his feet. Her proposition is interesting, but could it be even more dangerous than it appears?
There were sparks between Rose and Duncan from the very beginning. It was fun to see the effect that they had on each other. Duncan was constantly finding himself distracted by her beauty. He was so intrigued by her that he would come home for lunch every day and leave work earlier than usual, just to be able to spend time with her. Rose is just as intrigued by Duncan, and begins to regret her deception. Duncan had previously decided not to accept Bruce's offer to sell him the cotton. He didn't care for the impression he got of Bruce's character and lifestyle from the letters he received and was reluctant to support it. His conversations with Rose only reinforced that decision. Rose is desperate to get Duncan to buy their cotton. She needs that money to support the few people that are left living at the plantation. I loved his surprise at finding himself giving in to her pleas.
Rose has a mind and will of her own. When she sets out on a course of action there isn't much that can get her to change. As hard as Duncan tried to get her to stay in Scotland while he retrieved the cotton, he could not get her to agree. Nor would she agree to remain in Nassau. It was fun to see Duncan start to respect and expect Rose's willingness to express her opinions and stick to her decisions. Forced into close quarters on the voyage, it isn't long before their attraction gets the better of them. I enjoyed seeing him realize his feelings first, and express them in an incredibly romantic way for such a previously controlled man. It took Rose a little longer because of her fears, but she too is eloquent in her expressions of love.
Things take an unexpected turn when they arrive in South Carolina and discover that Bruce is back home from the war. He has lost a leg and his cruel nature has become even worse. I ached for Rose as she learned the heartbreaking truth about her sister's attitude toward her. Things got a bit intense when Bruce tried to exact his revenge upon Rose. Help came from an unexpected source, and Bruce ends up as the focus of someone else's revenge. That was very satisfying. Duncan and Rose also receive some unexpected good news that contributes to the success of their trip.
I enjoyed the epilogue and seeing where everyone is a few months later. I loved the teasing that was going on among all the family members. Their love and support is obvious, but there is also a great sense of fun now that they have all found their loves.
Duncan is a mill owner who is struggling to keep his business going. The war in America has made it difficult to get the cotton necessary to do so. The arrival of his cousin's beautiful young widow gets his attention, especially when she faints at his feet. Her proposition is interesting, but could it be even more dangerous than it appears?
There were sparks between Rose and Duncan from the very beginning. It was fun to see the effect that they had on each other. Duncan was constantly finding himself distracted by her beauty. He was so intrigued by her that he would come home for lunch every day and leave work earlier than usual, just to be able to spend time with her. Rose is just as intrigued by Duncan, and begins to regret her deception. Duncan had previously decided not to accept Bruce's offer to sell him the cotton. He didn't care for the impression he got of Bruce's character and lifestyle from the letters he received and was reluctant to support it. His conversations with Rose only reinforced that decision. Rose is desperate to get Duncan to buy their cotton. She needs that money to support the few people that are left living at the plantation. I loved his surprise at finding himself giving in to her pleas.
Rose has a mind and will of her own. When she sets out on a course of action there isn't much that can get her to change. As hard as Duncan tried to get her to stay in Scotland while he retrieved the cotton, he could not get her to agree. Nor would she agree to remain in Nassau. It was fun to see Duncan start to respect and expect Rose's willingness to express her opinions and stick to her decisions. Forced into close quarters on the voyage, it isn't long before their attraction gets the better of them. I enjoyed seeing him realize his feelings first, and express them in an incredibly romantic way for such a previously controlled man. It took Rose a little longer because of her fears, but she too is eloquent in her expressions of love.
Things take an unexpected turn when they arrive in South Carolina and discover that Bruce is back home from the war. He has lost a leg and his cruel nature has become even worse. I ached for Rose as she learned the heartbreaking truth about her sister's attitude toward her. Things got a bit intense when Bruce tried to exact his revenge upon Rose. Help came from an unexpected source, and Bruce ends up as the focus of someone else's revenge. That was very satisfying. Duncan and Rose also receive some unexpected good news that contributes to the success of their trip.
I enjoyed the epilogue and seeing where everyone is a few months later. I loved the teasing that was going on among all the family members. Their love and support is obvious, but there is also a great sense of fun now that they have all found their loves.
loverofromance's review against another edition
I am marking this one as a DNF. I just really struggled with this one and it also wasn't what I was expecting it to be. This one just wasn't clicking for me and I have been trying to read this one for over a week and its just not clicking for me. So I am passing on this one unfortunately. I might try this later in ebook sometime. I don't think the narration is working for me very well, not as much as I expected it to be.
govmarley's review against another edition
3.0
Once upon a time, I accidentally started with the third book in a series. You see, I needed a book with someone wearing a kilt on the cover, and this fit the bill. So off I went.
We hit the right notes here. Strong, smart, independent heroine. She travels from America to strike a deal with MacIain. He is taken with her right away. Not looking for love, he stumbles into her. They are like puzzle pieces. Cue violins. And then there are misunderstandings, danger, and kisses. And they finally get their HEA. Not a spoiler, just the genre, folks. Calm down. You don't read historical romance for any other reason, and you know it.
I liked it enough to read books 1 and 2. I'm giving in 3 1/2 stars, but rounding down because I may not read it again, and I reserve 4 stars for books I will re-read.
We hit the right notes here. Strong, smart, independent heroine. She travels from America to strike a deal with MacIain. He is taken with her right away. Not looking for love, he stumbles into her. They are like puzzle pieces. Cue violins. And then there are misunderstandings, danger, and kisses. And they finally get their HEA. Not a spoiler, just the genre, folks. Calm down. You don't read historical romance for any other reason, and you know it.
I liked it enough to read books 1 and 2. I'm giving in 3 1/2 stars, but rounding down because I may not read it again, and I reserve 4 stars for books I will re-read.
mellymel35's review against another edition
5.0
quite good for the genre of cheesy romance :) Check it out!
orangesloth1's review against another edition
3.0
A cringe worthy cover design and a cliche title but the contact is decent. The cover art definitely does it represent the contents of the book. It’s almost more a historical fiction novel with a romance as one of the main plots.
ezichinny's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Rose O'Sullivan travelled from South Carolina to Scotland to broker a deal with her brother-in-law's cousin, Duncan MacIain, for the cotton produced at Glasglen plantation .
Rose's sister Claire was married to the master of the plantation, Bruce MacIain, who was off fighting for the confederacy. Meanwhile the people if the plantation were suffering and starving. Unable to get fair prices for their cotton, Rose decided to ask the last person to make a reasonable bid for the cotton.
Upon arrival in Scotland, the MacIains mistakenly assumed Rose was Bruce's widow because she wore all black for mourning, she carried the letters exchanged by Bruce and Duncan over the years, and she was bargaining on behalf of Bruce. Out of fear and desperation, Rose allowed their false assumptions to stand.
Duncan MacIain, who was attracted and intrigued by the red-headed Rose, agreed to buy the cotton, and they set sail for America. It was clear that both were nursing feelings for each other, but when Duncan discovered Rose's duplicity, he was torn. How can he love someone whom he cannot trust?
I liked this book but the story took awhile to get going. It was also more historical fiction than historical romance. It felt like the author spent more time laying the foundation of the civil war issues, than the actual romance between Rose and Duncan.
I liked Rose because it took courage and resourcefulness to take the business leap of faith she did by seeking out the Scotland MacIains. She also was passionate about her beliefs and care for others. Duncan was a hard working and principled man. They suited well but for Rose's initial deception.
I thought the mistrust and anger dragged a bit. I was hoping more love, forgiveness and just romance than I actually got here. But fans of Pamela Clare's historical romances would enjoy this book as style is similar.
*Special Thanks to Tasty Book Tours and Avon Books via Edelweiss for advance reading copy.
Rose O'Sullivan travelled from South Carolina to Scotland to broker a deal with her brother-in-law's cousin, Duncan MacIain, for the cotton produced at Glasglen plantation .
Rose's sister Claire was married to the master of the plantation, Bruce MacIain, who was off fighting for the confederacy. Meanwhile the people if the plantation were suffering and starving. Unable to get fair prices for their cotton, Rose decided to ask the last person to make a reasonable bid for the cotton.
Upon arrival in Scotland, the MacIains mistakenly assumed Rose was Bruce's widow because she wore all black for mourning, she carried the letters exchanged by Bruce and Duncan over the years, and she was bargaining on behalf of Bruce. Out of fear and desperation, Rose allowed their false assumptions to stand.
Duncan MacIain, who was attracted and intrigued by the red-headed Rose, agreed to buy the cotton, and they set sail for America. It was clear that both were nursing feelings for each other, but when Duncan discovered Rose's duplicity, he was torn. How can he love someone whom he cannot trust?
I liked this book but the story took awhile to get going. It was also more historical fiction than historical romance. It felt like the author spent more time laying the foundation of the civil war issues, than the actual romance between Rose and Duncan.
I liked Rose because it took courage and resourcefulness to take the business leap of faith she did by seeking out the Scotland MacIains. She also was passionate about her beliefs and care for others. Duncan was a hard working and principled man. They suited well but for Rose's initial deception.
I thought the mistrust and anger dragged a bit. I was hoping more love, forgiveness and just romance than I actually got here. But fans of Pamela Clare's historical romances would enjoy this book as style is similar.
*Special Thanks to Tasty Book Tours and Avon Books via Edelweiss for advance reading copy.