REVIEW: When a Laird Takes a Lady by Rowan Keats

Once again we’re immersed in Scottish Highlands history, enhanced by fun characters who are aided in their quest with a bit of magic. Enjoyable series!

When a Laird Takes a Lady by Rowan Keats
Series: Claimed by the Highlander, Book 2
Category: Historical Romance with Paranormal Elements
Publisher: Signet (May 6, 2014)
ISBN: 978-0451416087
Rated 4 out of 5
Format read: print

Book two in the CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLANDER series continues where book one left off. WHEN A LAIRD TAKES A LADY reads fine as a standalone novel but reading or re-reading TAMING A WILD SCOT, first, will renew your excitement when reacquainted with familiar characters.

I’m not always crazy about fantasy or magic in historical fiction but in this time period, it mixes fairly well. I especially enjoy stories with healers in them and the fact that these characters are aided by a bit of the mystical enhances their abilities. Without it, the harsh realities of wounds and infection can be a gruesome and sad outcome, whereas the magic adds hope and light to the dangers of everyday survival, especially during the adversity of warring clans.

This book begins in the Eastern Highlands in January of 1286. Widowed Lady Isabail Grant is on her way to the king’s court when three men attack her party and hold her and her maid captive. Lady Isabail assumes these warriors intend to ransom her to obtain the reward her cousin will surely pay for her safe return. When Isabail realizes that they are taking her to Dunstoras, home of the MacCurrans clan who are responsible for her brother’s death, she’s not so sure that she’ll live through this experience and can’t imagine what they want from her. The only option is to try to escape.

Wrongly accused of murder and theft, Aiden MacCurran is a man on a mission. He must find the proof that the man in black, whom he remembers standing next to Isabail’s brother, is the one who is responsible for framing him, causing the loss of his lands. As laird, he is not just responsible for himself and his immediate family, but his entire clan who depend on him to clear his name and regain Dunstoras, their home, before it’s too late.

Aiden is positive that Lady Isabail knows the man in black’s identity and he will use whatever means to get the proof from her lips. Even if he has to seduce the lass into giving him answers. The question remains whether seduction will get him what he wants or something else entirely!

For those who read book one, Niall and Ana have key roles in Isabail and Aiden’s story, as well as some other characters who continue the storyline. Niall is funny in his reaction to his brother dragging him off on another adventure. Their mother is an entertaining character, too. You’ll also get some answers to the mystery launched in book one as well as feel teased enough to be hopeful for more resolutions in book three. And there’s a dog! The author got to me with that one. I’m so sappy when there’s a dog involved and Aiden’s reactions to him are so cute.

Overall, I enjoy this author’s style. She entertains me and I read her books quite quickly. Although the magical elements sometimes pull me out of an otherwise engaging story, I think that’s more of a personal preference on my part. I haven’t quite figured out why. Maybe I’m more of a historical purist than I thought I was?

I don’t feel the romance as much as the adventure in these books but maybe it’s because they remind me more of Robin Hood and his merry men, even more so in this book. Good adventure starring brave men who love to fight for what they feel belongs to them. We get a glimpse of the next couple and their obstacles so that teaser increases the anticipation for book three. Rowan Keats’ storytelling skills always keep me captivated. They’re just fun stories and I easily gobble them up. My attention was held solidly in the first half of the book. Then the story slowed down for me in some spots after the halfway mark but that doesn’t calm my need for answers in book three, TO KISS A KILTED WARRIOR, due out in December 2014.

For those who love Highlander adventure with some mystical elements, Rowan Keats satisfies that craving with a deft hand.

Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies.

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