FROM AMAZON: Driven from her late husband’s estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin—and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love. But Duncan MacLaren had devised a bride quest of his own, swearing to win the land—and the fiery countess—in a war of sweet seduction… Eglantine declared she would never be captured by this barbarian. Yet Duncan awakened passions she had never known before. She promised to fight him with every weapon at her command even as he vowed to woo her for a year and a day—and make her his pagan bride. Each thought Kinbeath the prize the most desired, a prize to be won at any price. Until passion turned to love, and the chieftain found himself fighting for the heart and hand of the woman he was born to possess.

While I read a large number of Historical Romance novels I rarely read any in this earlier time period. That being said I had previously read the first Bride Quest Trilogy and enjoyed them so I was looking forward to reading this book.
In this story, Eglantine is forced to flee her home when her husband dies leaving her with nothing. He not only had wagered away their home (that wasn’t even his but her brother’s) he lost it to the old man who was betrothed to Eglantine’s 14 year old daughter. All her husband left behind was title to a worthless piece of land in the Scottish highlands – Kinbeath. Eglantine decides to pack up her 3 daughters and any servants who chose to join her and make the long arduous trip.
They finally arrive and find the land in the possession of the Clan MacQuarrie under their new chieftain Duncan. Both sides feel entitled to the land and will do anything to possess it.
From the first time they meet, sparks fly and the story circles around their distrust of each other even as there is an attraction between them. Of her 3 daughters, only one Jacqueline, seems to be on her mother’s side. So besides fighting the Scots Eglantine also is facing problems from her own camp.
This is a well written story and certainly holds the readers interest throughout. One can’t help pulling for the characters and wanting them to find their happily ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the remaining 2 in this series. It is not necessary to read the first Bride Quest Trilogy to enjoy this story.
Copy gifted by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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