Blackwood Crossing by MK McClintock
Book #2: British Agent Novel Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 4½/5 stars
My Review:

Round two of MK McClintock’s British Agent series is better than the first and I thoroughly enjoyed the book one, Alaina Claiborne! Blackwood Crossing is the story of Rhona and Charles, two former lovers who are together again but under the most terrible of circumstances.

Rhona Davidson has always known her father hates her but she never thought he would stoop so low as to marry her off to the man that murdered her mother. In an effort to protect his investment, Rhona’s bastard of a father has asked for an escort from his home to her future husband’s. When both Rhona and Charles realize what is being asked of them they each try to play their roles and deny what they feel for one another. The first time Rhona met Charles, he was on a mission and was forced to lie about his identity and his endeavors but he never lied about feelings for her. For the first time in his life, Charles was in love and when he returned to England, he fully intended to have Rhona with him but her bastard father (I really can’t stress enough how awful he is!) intercepted Charles’ letters and effectively separated the two. For far, far too long Rhona has assumed that Charles only wanted her for the purpose of completing his mission and once he was able too, abandoned her.

From the moment the trek to the wedding begins, things just don’t add up for Charles. When the group (including Tristan!!!) is attacked, their boss is less than forthcoming with information, Rhona’s brothers are threatened and, the story of her mother’s death is called into question, everyone involved knows there is more to the story than simply marrying Rhona off. Charles is used to danger and intrigue but when Rhona becomes involved he wants nothing more than to protect her and for the first time in his life, doesn’t give a damn about completing a mission. The problem is, Rhona is awfully determined to figure out what really happened to her mother and what her brothers are involved in. If there is a way to salvage what is left of her family (excluding her bastard father, of course!) Rhona intends to find it even if it means (often) defying Charles and risking her own safety.

Once again, McClintock doesn’t give her characters much of a chance to breathe and once the plot starts unfolding things really get good. Charles and Rhona (and the rest of the crew from book one!) set out to discover just how deeply disturbed one of her brother’s really is, just how greedy her father truly is and, how well and truly loved her mother was prior to her death. The uncovering of the truth is exactly what Rhona needs to have some measure of peace and once everything and everyone are put into their proper place, Charles desperately hopes Rhona will find an added measure of peace with him.

The Bottom Line: For as much as I liked Alaina and Tristan from the first installment of this series, I liked Charles and Rhona more. Rhona is a whole new level of determined and confident and I love that in my heroines. Given the time and place, Rhona should be all kinds of demure and only interested in finding a husband but instead, she is determined, intelligent and fiercely independent. Rhona doesn’t need a man but she wants Charles and he is an excellent match for her strong will and personality. From start to finish I enjoyed this read with its cast of solidly constructed characters, a plot that involves murder, intrigue and secret societies and an HEA that is well-deserved for both characters. Needless to say, I am absolutely on board for the third installment of this series, Clayton’s Honor which is due May 15, 2015 and is already available for pre-order. Yes, I totally one-clicked :) ( )