3.5 stars

This is the 5th book in the series, but, as with most romances, you don't really miss anything if you haven't read the earlier books.

Edith and Niels are great characters, both as a couple and individually. I liked her take-charge attitude and his caring for her.

There's a mystery in this story, and I think it's handled well, though I sort of had it figured out before the end. That didn't spoil my enjoyment of it at all.

I won this book in a Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog giveaway, and I'm very thankful for it. ( )

Niels and his brothers are sent to check on Edith and discover she's been poisoned. After reading the first few chapaters I actually looked up the copyright and my read tracking spreadsheet to verify I hadn't read this before. I knew what was going to happen. I guess I've just read too many stories with the poison all the heirs theme. It's a sweet story even with the constant attempts to murder Edith. Edith is very nice lady even if she took some stupid risks knowing someone was trying to murder her. Some fun moments with the Buchanan brothers. Okay read for me.
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Good book with Lynsay Sands' trademark humor. The Buchanan brothers stopped to see their sister Saidh (The Highlander Takes a Bride) where they discovered their very pregnant sister about to attempt a visit to a friend. Saidh hadn't heard from her friend Edith in some time, and she was worried. It didn't take long for Saidh to convince her brothers to make the trip for her. They did not expect to arrive and find that Edith's father and two of her brothers were dead, and Edith herself at death's door.

The opening chapters of the book were a terrific setup for the story. In the prologue, the brothers' love for and protectiveness of their sister was evident in their decision to help her. I had to laugh at some of their comments, which were not taken well by Saidh. I chuckled at Niels' belief that he had traded an arduous journey for one that would be much more pleasant, as I was certain that he was in for a surprise. I was proved right as their arrival at Drummond did not go as expected. The determination and protectiveness of the Buchanan brothers were evident from the start as they talked their way into the keep. It didn't take long for Rory to discover that Edith had been poisoned and for all of them to take steps to protect her.

There was a connection between Niels and Edith from the moment they met. It was embarrassing for Edith, who fell as she tried to get out of bed after regaining consciousness. I loved Niels' gentleness as he filled her in on what had happened. There was something about her that made him want to take care of her. Of all the Buchanan brothers, Edith thought that Niels was the most compelling. He is also the bossiest of them all, and he soon appointed himself as Edith's guardian. When he wasn't with her, she couldn't go anywhere without a brother or two or guards watching over her. That forced proximity soon gave them both other things to think about.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Niels and Edith. At first, it was the physical attraction that drew their attention. There were several steamy scenes as those feelings sometimes overcame common sense. The more time they spent together, the more they noticed other things about each other. Edith was especially moved by Niels' kindness to young Ronson, though she was a little dismayed by the brothers' influence on the boy's vocabulary. It didn't take long for Edith to realize that Niels' could be the answer to her prayers. Niels is attracted to Edith's fierce loyalty to her people, and her down-to-earth treatment of them. Circumstances hastened the marriage that both thought about, and I loved seeing them together. Though it ended prematurely, their wedding night was hilarious, thanks to third-hand advice that Edith received from her maid. The interactions between Niels and Edith both in and out of bed showed how important it was to each of them to make each other happy. It took a little while for both of them to see that what they felt was love, even though it was obvious to those around them. I liked the ending and look forward to seeing more of them in later books.

The mystery of the poisonings and who has it in for the Drummond family was very well done. Each new attack created more questions instead of bringing them closer to a resolution. It seemed that every time a suspect was considered, something happened to knock them off the list. There were so many twists and turns that it was no wonder that they had trouble. I loved that it was Edith and her knowledge of her people who put all the puzzle pieces together to reach an unexpected conclusion. The final confrontation was intense, with Edith facing the murderer alone. I loved Edith's strength in protecting herself and loved seeing her call out the killer for their motivations. ( )

Edith Drummond wakes from a long illness to discover her father and brothers are dead and she has been close to death also. Her younger brother has fled the castle with his bride so they don't get sick also. Luckily her heavily pregnant friend Saidh has been worried and sent her brothers to check on Edith. While there, Niels Buchanan and his brothers uncover a plot to poison Edith and her family and must guard her night and day until the murderer can be found. Niels is intrigued by Lady Edith and vows to keep her safe as she takes responsibility for Drummond and the people who live there. Edith is also mightily impressed by Niels.... nice easy to read romance. ( )

I have read most of Lynsay's books and am a huge fan, this one was my least favorite, not that I didn't enjoy but again not my favorite. I hope you are starting from the beginning with these Highland brides the characters or mention of them are thru out the series and I loved them from the very beginning. In this one we get to see another Buchanan brother meet and fall in love with one of Saidh's (Buchanan sister and character in the Highlander takes a bride) and fell in love with this family. Someone was killing off Edith's family, and you think it is one person when it turns out to be the least likely..Enjoy! ( )