"Stunning!"

I fell a little in love with Duncan in "Highland Wishes" and was thrilled that this guy was going to get his own story! As with her past effort Ms. Burroughs has delivered yet again with this wonderfully romantic story about two souls that want to love but just can't trust the emotion.

Duncan McThomas is forced to marry English beauty Catherine Gillingham by the English King. It's the last thing he wants but he will do his duty. He will marry her and walk away from her before she can leave him as his first wife did and as his own father did when Duncan was a small boy. Duncan is not prepared to find Catherine attractive or desirable he certainly never thought to find her company appealing. After consummating the marriage he leaves her at his home and leaves for Grant Drummonds stronghold. This proud warrior is too proud to admit he's making a mistake and by the time he comes to his senses, his wife has left for England. Will he be able to convince her to return to Scotland and to stand by his side?

Catherine Gillingham McThomas wants her husband to love her as she loves him. She is unable to voice her feelings and instead runs from them only to realize you can't hide from what you feel. Together these two wounded souls try to find an even balance while pretending their feelings are less than they are. With the backdrop of Scotland's war for independence, Cat and Duncan find a love that they never thought possible. But, will they be able to find peace from their past hurts?

Again this story is rich in history as well as breathtakingly original. We again visit with Tory and Grant, and introduced to new friends that will wrap their way around your heat. I greatly look forward to Ms. Burroughs' next effort. She is an author I will now purchase by name alone.

Reviewed by Kristi Ahlers
Posted March 12, 2006

Summary

In 1304, amidst Scotland's continuing war for independence, two wounded souls are forced on a journey neither want resulting in tragedy and disaster. ** Battle-hardened, untrusting and son of a Scottish chieftain, Duncan MacThomas wants only to see his country free from English rule. Honor-bound to ensure his clan's financial future, Duncan reluctantly travels to England to wed a woman he doesn't want. Fostered and mistreated at a young age, Duncan is a wounded soul. He has no wish to open himself to any woman. Despite that, he finds his new bride hard to dismiss from his mind and his heart. ** Wealthy and pampered, Catherine Gillingham is dismayed when her king decrees she must wed a Scotsman, the sort of man all of London despises. Unsure what to expect, she is determined to face her fate with resolve and dignity. Despite her new husband's initial cold manner, she finds herself entranced by her Highland rogue. **If the king believes he can keep the Scottish rebels under his thumb in exchange for a rich bride, he is doomed to see his plans thwarted. Although forced to marry, Duncan has no intention of staying with Catherine after he weds, beds, and takes her to his home. He doesn't count on falling in love with the woman he swore to ignore. (By the author of award winning, Highland Wishes.)