cover image A Highlander Walks into a Bar (Highland, Georgia #1)

A Highlander Walks into a Bar (Highland, Georgia #1)

Laura Trentham. St. Martin’s, $7.99 mass market (336p) ISBN 978-1-250-31501-4

Trentham’s series launch is a witty twist on romantic clichés. When Isabel Buchanan picks up her mother, Rose, from the Atlanta airport, she’s startled to learn that Rose has returned from Scotland with a man in tow. Rose met Gareth Connors in Edinburgh and has invited him to stay at their Stonehaven home in Highland, Georgia. Gareth’s nephew, Alasdair Blackmoor, is also visiting the U.S., and he drives to Georgia with the intent of bringing Gareth back to the U.K. so that he can claim his title of Earl of Cairndow. Upon his arrival in Highland, Alasdair meets Izzy and claims to be a friend of Gareth’s. He’s baffled that Gareth is using the last name of Connors, which is the surname of the Cairndow groundskeeper. Once Izzy agrees to let Alasdair stay at Stonehaven, sparks ignite between Alasdair and Izzy as they try to untangle the mystery of Gareth’s behavior. Lies, misunderstandings, sensual romance, humor, a fast-moving plot, and delightful characters: this novel has it all. (Aug.)