Sandy M’s review of Taming the Highland Bride (Devil of the Highlands, Book 2) by Lynsay Sands
Historical Romance published by Avon 26 Jan 10

I keep telling myself, every time I read a current book from Lynsay Sands, that I’m going to pull all of her books from the TBR mountain and put them right on top so I can get to them soon. I love her writing, her characters, her stories, I love everything about her books. Sigh. My problem is time, but I’m one step closer. I’ve found a good portion of her books in that mountain and they’re nearly ready to be read. Just have to find the rest now, because I refuse to read Ms. Sands out of order anymore. I want the full effect from start to finish, and I intend to have it!

This is the second book in the Devil of the Highland series. The hero, Alexander, is the brother of the heroine from that first book, so we do get a little update about Cullen and Evelinde along the way.

Alexander has just learned of his father’s death, so he’s come home from the Crusades at last. That’s when he learns his sister is married to the Devil of the Highlands and he’s determined to make sure she’s well and happy at that man’s hands. But before he can begin his journey, word comes that his intended bride is on her way to him. Having put off marrying the Stewart Shrew so far, it looks as though the deed will now have to be done.

Tired of picking up after and taking care of her father and brothers, drunken sots that they are, when they give Merry the news they’re taking her to her betrothed, her resistance lasts only so long. Anything has to be better than the life she’s led since her mother died. Leaving behind the tedious and heading toward a new adventure, Merry finally comes face to face with Alexander and learns he isn’t any better than the men in her family. Her new life will be exactly like her old.

But Alexander is determined to prove to his new wife that he’s truly not what she believes. So begins the wooing and loving between these two characters, who I thoroughly enjoyed. Alexander is confident in his position as laird, has a good rapport with his people, and knows he’s got a good woman and means to keep her. Merry has a heart that wants to experience love, companionship, and some wildness thrown in for good measure, and she eventually knows that Alexander is the one to give all of that to her.

They work hard at their relationship and when all comes together is when danger shows up on their doorstop and defeating that peril together only makes them stronger. This is another terrific book from Ms. Sands and I’m anxiously looking forward to the third book in the series, The Hellion and the Highlander. Release is only a month away!

Grade: A+

Summary:

She was ready to let her heart run wild . . .

Merry Stewart has had enough! Enough of her brothers, whose behavior would make even the most improper lady blush. Enough of their highland home, which would surely have fallen to ruin were it not for her. She dreams of escaping into the arms of her betrothed, Alexander d’Aumesbery—even though they haven’t yet met. But when they do, Merry is devastated. It seems he’s no better than the men in her family.

So beautiful, so brazen . . . From the moment he meets Merry, Alexander is overcome with desire. Desperate to convince her he’s nothing like the members of her roguish clan, he will prove he is every bit the well-mannered gentleman. Yet beneath it all beats a heart as intense and uncontrollable as hers. And finally, when his life is threatened, Merry realizes he’s the husband she’s been waiting for . . . and their passion becomes the one thing that cannot be tamed.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: