cover image Wild Wicked Scot

Wild Wicked Scot

Julia London. Harlequin, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-0-373-78966-5

Veteran author London entices readers with the first Highland Grooms novel, set in England and Scotland at the beginning of the 18th century. After being bartered in marriage to Scottish laird Arran Mackenzie, Englishwoman Margot Armstrong is not happy with her new home in the Scottish Highlands. She returns to England after just a few months of marriage, believing that her husband is happy to see her go. But three years later, her father forces her to return to Scotland to get back into Arran’s confidences and secretly test his loyalty to Queen Anne. Arran makes it clear to Margot that though he may still desire her, he hasn’t forgiven her for her desertion, and he wonders at the real reason for her return. Their passion sizzles and Arran sees that Margot is doing her best to make amends, and as they each reveal their innermost feelings, they learn that there may be more to their relationship than their physical attraction. But Margot’s duplicity may destroy any chance for their happiness. Expert storytelling and believable characters make the romance between Arran and Margot come alive in this compelling novel packed with characters whom readers will be sad to leave behind. (Jan.)