cover image Lord of the Black Isle

Lord of the Black Isle

Elaine Coffman. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978-1-4022-5949-4

Coffman enchants readers with mystical time travel and sweeping, spicy romance in the third installment of her Mackinnon-Douglas series (after The Return of Black Douglas). Dr. Elisabeth Douglas has traveled from 21st-century America to 16th-century Scotland and is prepared to marry her sister’s brother-in-law, Ronan, when the king’s regent orders him to wed another. A distraught Elisabeth focuses on her first love, medicine, and decides to travel to Soutra Aisle to practice medicine among the friars at the largest hospital in Scotland. En route, Elisabeth is captured by Angus MacLean and rescued by Highland laird David Murray. As Elisabeth decides whether to trust David with her secrets, the two are caught up in mutual attraction. Elisabeth’s wit, intelligence, and independence add spark to her interactions with David, who longs for her despite her unwillingness to be properly submissive. Fans of mystical historicals will love this tale of culture clash. (June)