My Scot, My Surrender by Amalie Howard and Angie Morgan
Lord of Essex #4. Scottish historical romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but characters from previous books do make appearances.
Brandt enjoys a life of privilege. Trying to buy a horse ends up with him married and traveling to keep her safe from a loathsome marquess.

Sorcha has scars across her face and she owns it! Rather than hide, she learns to fight with broadswords and knifes and fists. When Brandt looks at her as a woman rather than at her scars, of course she’s going to want to get to know him. Their relationship grows and it’s so kind and supportive. A nice treat was when the brother tells Brandt that he wasn’t really going to let the marquess have her. Swoon worthy brother. And that’s just a small twist in the beginning that precedes travels, bandits, a miserable castle and much more. It’s a saga, Scottish style with a romance to win the family and lands. ( )

I truly enjoyed this novel. It was unexpected. I think the book cover through me off. I am not a fan of character covers. However I really loved this book. It is extremely well written. I was pleasantly surprised.

The female heroine is strong. Yet she has a softness to her. The Hero is fierce yet humble. The story is definitely gripping. The plot twists are well detailed and thought out. This book will keep you on your toes. All
the character's are well detailed. The story isn't ordinary.

I have never read this author before. But since having read this I will remedy that right away. I like her style. I highly recommend this book. Perfect for taking you out of the present and into the past. Miss Howard's book is the perfect time machine. Escapism. ( )

Brandt Montgomery, a stable master in England, could not believe his fortune when he comes upon the most prized possession at a horse auction. Lochland Toss was just the horse he wants and needs for his stables. Unlucky for him though, the horse was not on the market and the horse's owner was none other then the Beast of Maclaren. A mere and mighty woman who right at that moment was wielding a sword and fighting a Scot. Determined to finally get the horse he he has been dreaming over, he makes his way over to confront the Beast of Maclaren.

The Beast of Maclaren is none other than Sorcha Maclaren. She received her name due to the scars on her face and body from a mother wolf who was protecting her young. Although, she hates the name, she has come to accept that no one will really see her as a woman underneath all of the horrible scars. Forced to marry a man she does not want, she does the only thing available to her to try to put an end to her up and coming wedding. She grabs and kisses Brandt Montgomery hoping her betrothed with break off the engagement. Too bad it backfires and she soon finds herself married to Brandt.

What started out as a mean to an end, Brandt agrees to a marriage in name only with the added benefit of getting Lochland Toss at the end of the duration. This sets off a road romance between the two while he tries to safely deliver her to another clan that can protect her from her betrothed who is hell bent on getting Sorcha back.

I have to say I really loved Sorcha Maclaren. She was a fiercely strong woman during her time period and even though she was called the beast in a way she was a beast, but in a good way. She was a strong fighter and is not a simpering miss to be taken lightly. She hates putting Brandt in this situation knowing full well her betrothed, a well and truly even villain, will be coming after the both of them.

Brandt Montgomery has his own past and issues he is dealing with. He was abandoned by his mother and lived with his father. He hated the Scots, especially since his mother is a Scot. He doesn't feel as if he is good enough for Sorcha considering he was not titled and she was a Duke's daughter. During their road trip they get to know one another and along the way other secrets emerge that can threaten the both of them. Can their love survive all the dangers around them?

While I loved the plot, I felt it was a little too long and could have been wrapped up about three quarters into the story. It in no way detracted from my enjoyment though as I really came to care for both Sorcha and Brandt and really wanted their HEA through all of the turmoil they both faced.

MY SCOT, MY SURRENDER is the forth book in the Lords of Essex series and it can be read as a standalone. Amalie Howard and Angie Morgan make for a fantastic duo writing team and they both draw you right into the story with their lush imagery and prose. My only wish is that this was not the last book in the series as I would have loved to see a story on one of Sorcha's brothers, especially Ronan. If you love Historical Romance novels then you do not want to miss this story. ( )

My Scot, My Surrender by Amalie Howard & Angie Morgan
Lords of Essex #4

A horse
A fight
A kiss
A marriage

Yep…that is pretty much what happened…Well, in the first chapter of the book. After that a whole lot more happens as an evil villain is thwarted a lost family is found and admiration of a “beast” becomes a whole lot more.

Brandt Montgomery Pierce is a well-to-do stable master looking for horses to buy on a shopping trip to Scotland when he sees Sorcha MacLaren, The MacLaren Beast, fighting a much larger adversary. The fight was in fun and for a wager but the big lout did not take his loss well so Brandt stepped in to lend a hand. To say he was a bit surprised by her ardent reward for his help is to put it mildly. To say he was more surprised when her brothers and cousins arrived in the midst of the reward pretty much forcing a shotgun wedding is an understatement. The fact that Sorcha has something he believes worth bartering for sees the marriage accomplished quickly BUT then the evil Marchioness Malvern arrives to take his betrothed…wedded or not. With a chase across the highlands, fights along the road, a clan to visit that might provide clues to the identity of Brandt’s mother and a final resolution to many issues this story is not only action-packed and suspenseful but filled with witty repartee, tender moments, nefarious characters, surprises and oh so much more.

This book was well plotted and excellently written. The chemistry between Brandt and Sorcha was there from the first but the slow growing love story was one that warmed my heart. I found Sorcha to be strong in more ways than one and I found Brandt to be her perfect mate…he agreed…finally ;) When I can say I felt I was there, admired the characters and would like to call them friends then it is a good story indeed – this was such a story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing – Amara for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )