Mixing up the trope a bit, we have the middle brother, Gavin and the newly introduced Samantha – both with troubled pasts and secrets they wish to hide. With a Kerrigan Byrne title, the character development can take a bit of time, and there are many places where the story winds off-track, giving that sense of background and providing information that those who haven’t read the previous books may need. In each title that I’ve read from Byrne, the same applies, the story doesn’t start to solidify and show the author’s talents for witty dialogue and action-forward until past the midpoint. This holds true for this book as well, but you will find some interesting twists here that I’ve not seen in other of this genre.

Samantha was raised in the Western Territories of the United States, and had quite an interesting, if harrowing upbringing. From moving about frequently to no real friends, she’d robbed trains, hidden her past and dreamed of a new and different life. Gavin, middle brother with a horrible father and constantly engaged in strife with his brothers also wants a new life, but he believes the only way is to move away from where people know his father and start his own life. The key to this is his purchase of the Ross lands, held one newcomer, Samantha.

Back and forth we go as the two battle off with strong will meeting strong will, and Gavin’s charm not making one whit of difference – the two are equally matched in skill and daring. But Samantha has a mouth like a sailor – and prefers to hold onto her secrets far too long. Gavin hit that point of immaturity with me- rehashing and arguing with his brother Liam, like two children in the sandbox – and refusing to move past churlish and childish moments. For the two together, this marriage of convenience was neither convenient nor smooth, and each played a huge part in their miscommunication. I’m of two minds with this story: when it picked up and actually wasn’t bogged down with wordiness to the detriment of a clear path to the conflicts, communication and cooperation, the story was engaging and clever. And far different portrayals of a woman’s place – as Samantha was foul mouthed, outspoken and unfortunately felt a bit too modern. But, that made her shockingly memorable in this story, and the stronger of the two despite familiarity with Gavin from earlier titles. Fans of Kerrigan Byrne or this series will certainly love this book.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=”http://wp.me/p3OmRo-9gM/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I’ve long been a fan of Kerrigan Byrne. She writes darker and sensually-laced Victorian romances, and it’s a combination of my favorite things I can never pass up. I can always count on being invested in her characters, enjoyed the humor and dynamic of the side cast, and kept guessing on a plot that twists every other moment. The Scot Beds His Wife is no exception.

Samantha Masters is in trouble. After a train robbery gone wrong, she ends up on the run for murder. Fate sends her to the highlands, pretending to be Alison Ross. The catch? She has to keep Alison's property from the hands of the MacKenzies’. But Gavin St. James is no MacKenzie, and if it’s the last thing he’ll do, he will have Alison’s land, Erradale.

Oh, how I adored Sam. She’s a sharpshooting miss with a lancing tongue and more than enough confidence to spare. Yee-haw, ya'll! I cackled in glee every time she stood toe-to-toe with the rugged Gavin St. James. Sam’s lived a tough life, and it’s no easier in Scotland where she’s up to her neck in lies and secrets and subterfuge.

Gavin was a delightful mix of charm, brawn, and a bit of ire that swept along the strong-witted Samantha Masters. He wants to emancipate himself from the MacKenzie clan, and one of the marks to reach that goal involves Alison Ross’ lands. He’s ready to use his charm and swagger to close the deal, but he’s never come across the likes of Samantha Masters.

Ms. Byrne has a knack for creating this insane chemistry, a whipcord sharp strand of tension, that teeters precariously throughout until it explodes all at once. The scenes were super hot, the dialogue was sparkling, and the plot kept me on my toes until the very end.

I always expect a satisfying emotionally-charged historical in the Victorian Rebels series, and you’ll find it here. Want a little dark, a lot hot, and a spoonful of sugar? You’ll want to pick this one up.

5 stars!

Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne, is a notorious Highlander and legendary lover wants to put his past behind him. Gavin is ready to put the past behind him, but first he need to buy the Erradale estate to make his dreams come true from neighbor heiress Alison Ross who’s been living in America for the last 15 years. During a train ride and robbery Samantha Masters saves Allison’s life. Allison doesn't want to return to Scotland so she offers Samantha a proposition.
Samantha Masters aka Alison Ross has come to Scotland with a whole world of dangerous secrets from her life in American and her time spent in the Wild West. She’s ready to start over and Alison has given her the perfect opportunity to stay as long as she likes so long as she promises to not sell the land to anyone with the last name Mackenzie, especially the Earl of Thorne.
For Gavin and Sam what starts out as a scandalous opportunity quickly turns into an all-consuming passion and danger lurking from their pasts to tear them apart. I loved this story, the banter between these two characters was great, fun and witty filled with sizzling sexual tension of a love/hate relationship. I didn’t want the book to end.
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

I love the way I never know what to expect when I start reading a book by Kerrigan Byrne, but what I know I can expect is excellent writing, rich and vivid period details and an epic, character driven romance.

The hero of this story, Gavin St James, Earl of Thorne, grew up with a father who delighted in cruelty. He rejected his father’s tainted Highland legacy to create his own. Gavin is a complex character, seductive, manipulative, haughty, fierce and yet so vulnerable. Admittedly, it took me some time to warm up to this character. Of course, a character doesn’t need to be ‘likeable’ to be a great character.

Samantha Masters was the unwilling member of an outlaw gang and is now a widow on the run. After a harrowing journey across the Atlantic, her first encounter with Gavin is a collision of cultures and the start of an unlikely relationship. Sam is intrigued by her new neighbor, who appears to be a barbarian dressed as a gentleman. Their relationship starts off on the wrong foot and is based on a deception. Sam has come to England with false identification papers of a Scottish heiress whose estate, Erradale, is coveted by Gavin.

Gavin has underestimated her, she is definitely no damsel in distress. Sam is brash, gutsy, witty and not inclined to back down from a fight. She is aware of the depths Gavin is willing to sink to own Erradale but she is determined to keep it away from him. I enjoyed their battle of wills. Gavin usually manipulates or seduces his opponents but in this case, he really has his work cut out for him. Sam gives Gavin a run for his money and she can’t be forced into anything. There is no trust between them. But Sam’s past has way of catching up with her, and she is finally ready to accept Gavin’s much needed help and protection.

This is a solid story, one that captured my attention early on and held it. But in my opinion, it took too long for the story to change from a confrontation to a love story with loyalty, trust and passion. The chemistry between the characters was there, and yet some emotional moments fell a little flat to me. But in the end, this story left me with a smile on my face and I’m looking forward to seeing what other characters and stories Kerrigan Byrne writes next. This book is part of the Victorian Rebels series, but can be read as a standalone.

An advanced copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.

The Scot Beds His Bride by Kerrigan Brynne
Victorian Rebels #

Brash, bold and beautiful but is the heroine believable…not in the beginning but perhaps a bit more toward the end of the book…maybe. I wanted to put this book down in the first pages and even at the halfway point because no matter how untamed the United States Wild West might have been in 1880 the heroine did not ring true to me. Raised as a Mormon would her language, attire and behavior be as they were described? At times I felt like this was the story of Annie Oakley (with a bit of Bonnie from Bonnie & Clyde) going to the Scottish Highlands incognito. I persisted in reading because I looked back and realized that the three other books I have read in this series all rated highly and my comments reminded me that I had loved the stories. So…I continued to read…and glad that I did. I never really found the story believable but did find it entertaining. AND since this is fiction first and not necessarily based on fact…I let those niggling thoughts go by the side and immersed myself in the story.

The book begins with a horrific scene from Gavin’s childhood in which he is forced to watch something then experience something no child should ever encounter. His story picks up nearly a quarter of a century later. He is gorgeous, hates his family name, works part-time in a distillery, dislikes his brother, wants independence and sees his future as owner of a piece of land he will raise cattle on…land that belongs to someone else.

Samantha “Sam” Masters’ story begins on a train. She saves a woman’s life by killing a man but then her life is in danger for other reasons and Alison Ross, the woman she saved, offers her identity to Sam in exchange for living on land in Scotland for a year to keep it from returning to the MacKenzie family. Needing a place to hide she takes Alison’s offer and heads to Scotland where the first persons she meets and falls into the arms of (literally) is Gavin. He wants “her” land and she won’t sell it.

With two people both wanting the same land and both willing to do what it takes to keep it the tussle begins. Sam and Gavin have secrets and scars and are damaged souls but they also are more than they appear to be upon first introduction. As the reader gets to know them both better and they get to know one another more intimately the story begins to heat up. When the past arrives to interfere with what seems to be a happily ever after in the making all bets are off and the future less secure – for everyone.

Ultimately I came away glad I had persevered with reading this story. I was satisfied with the ending. I still found this book, in many ways, to be unbelievable. BUT…I enjoyed it thoroughly. And, I would love to know more about Allison, Callum and…The Rook!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

Samantha Masters is on the run from more than just trouble in the west. She’s running from her own actions, her own decisions, and her own demons. Gavin McKenzie isn’t running, he’s hiding in plain sight. Everything that is dark and dangerous within him is hidden behind his handsome face and his easy smile and wit. When these two come together it’s unlike anything the Scottish Highlands have ever beheld.

Sam is one tough heroine with a dirty mouth and the ability to stand up for herself. She doesn’t need someone looking out for her or protecting her. She’s been doing that her whole life. Gavin has one desire and the only way to obtain it is through sharp edged woman that keeps pulling her gun on him. He should find her unappealing. He should be enraged. Instead, he’s finding her compelling and oh so tempting. It makes no sense whatsoever.

This was a slower paced read but without a lot of unnecessary prose. Although Sam is not my favorite type of heroine, with her background she couldn’t be any other way and I accepted her as such. Gavin was more of the alpha hero I like and the fact that he had to keep reminding himself he simply wanted Erradale more than Sam actually made me love him all the more. He just couldn’t lie to himself regarding his feelings for her.

I absolutely loved everything about the secondary characters. They added so much depth to the story while also setting the reader up for future stories. This had a great ending even though there was so much happening all at once and very quickly. I would’ve liked to have seen it expanded a bit.

I have other books by this author on my wish list but this is my first time to actually read anything written by her. I’m currently making plans to check a few things off that list very soon.

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley St. Martin’s Press.

Dual POV
Safety questions: (view spoiler)
No apparent triggers

Kerrigan Byrne has done it again with her latest release, The Scot Beds His Wife. The story is involved, it has many twists I didn’t see coming, and the flow of the story keeps my attention. Gavin St. James is the Earl of Thorne and the second born legitimate Mackenzie, though he has spent his whole life trying to disassociate himself with his father and that name. You see, Gavin’s father, the Marquess, is or was a terrible man. He was abusive and enjoyed hurting others both physically and mentally, including his own family. Gavin is so close to disowning the name and getting the little piece of land in his possession, that he will never have to rely on the Mackenzie’s again. That is until Samantha Masters, posing as Alison Ross, denied Thorne the land.

What? You say? Samantha Masters is an American wanted for the murder of her highway-robbery husband and she saves the life of Alison Ross. Thus, Alison Ross tells Samantha to become her and take over and reclaim her lands back in Scotland, the very land that Thorne wants. However, she promises to never let a Mackenzie have the land because the laird Mackenzie (Thorne’s father) killer Alison’s father. Yet Thorne needs that land in order to make his severance from the Mackenzie’s complete, though his father has since passed. The name Mackenzie still haunts Thorne from his father’s grave. Sam Alison's alibi to start a new life.

What neither of them expects is to fall in love. In fact, when Sam meets Thorne, she is unimpressed and quite cantankerous to the man. Hell-bent on making sure the land never falls to Thorne. But he falls in love with her free spirit and wild American ways. She falls in love with his heart that is buried under lots of scars. Ahhh. And how satisfying that Ms. Byrne can write. As the two fall in love, we are gifted with beautiful writing.

This kiss was a dynamite shift in the very stars that wrote their fates. It peeled back years from his soul somehow took him back to before he’d become a hunter, and a traveler. Before Colleen had torn what was left of his heart from his chest and left him alone in the world.

If you can be patient with the introductions to all the characters and not put off by Sam’s crass American language (that is completely in character), this story will grow on you and you’ll be smitten in the end.

Even towards the end, she fights her love for him. But it’s her character to not trust since she’s had a tough upbringing. But how sweet Thorne can be when they both have their walls down.

They stood like that for a silent moment. Well, he stood, and she neslted into the cradle of his arms feeling very small, and oddly safe.

It was queer to explore another’s body with parts other than your fingertips.

His shoulder against her cheek was round and firm beneath the fine fabric of his jacket. His biceps swelled beneath her back and the crooks of her legs, tau with the strain of her weight. His lean torso pressed firmly against her sides, rippling with strength.

The “ah ha” moment at the very end is a bonus and makes us eager for the sequel. But no spoilers here! Just know that the ending is worth the wait and the next book proves to be amazing and we can’t wait for it to come out. Thank you, Ms. Byrne, for penning another fabulous novel.

Kerrigan Bryne is a new to me author so I wasn't quite sure what to expect with The Scot Beds his Wife. However, Renee over at Addicted to Romance promised I would love it. She is usually right, so I took a chance.

The Scot, Gavin St. James, Lord Thorne, is a Scottish manwhore. Seriously, the man gets around. So, I wasn't really sure I would ever warm up to him. I am kind of tired of the manwhore thing. But, the prologue is a heartbreaking story of his youth that might have thawed me a little. Gavin wants to buy the land of his neighbor so he can quit working for his brother, Laird Mackenzie and strike out on his own. He hates his family and wants to distance himself. The problem is, the young American girl who has inherited the land won't sell.

Samantha, the American, was married to a criminal that she had to kill. By killing her bastard husband, Samantha saved Allison Ross. Allison, desperate to keep her family farm in Scotland out of the Mackenzie hands, sees an opportunity. Samantha can go to Scotland and pretend to be Allison, save the Ross farmland, and avoid being hanged for her crime. Allison gets to stay in American and marry the man she planed to marry. Samantha jumps at the chance. She was raised in the American West; she can ride, knows how to farm cattle, and shoot better than just about anyone. She is prepared to fight tooth and nail to keep Mackenzie's hands off Ross land but Lord Thorne is distractingly handsome.

I liked Samantha! She is scrappy. Her life has been crappy but she is a survivor. Her and Gavin are oil and water from the moment they meet and she is quick witted enough to keep him on his toes. I don't think anyone but Samantha could be a match for Gavin. Bryne had to give him a foul mouthed, tough as nails American because no one else would be able to stand up to him. And I loved the secondary characters that lived in the area surrounded the Ross farm. They added such levity and depth at times!

Samantha and Gavin both have SO many secrets and these secrets nearly cost them both everything, including their marriage (which starts as a deal, but grows until the secrets unravel!). If you like tough heroines, slightly less than lawful heroes, secrets and lies, and enemies to lovers then The Scot Beds His Wife is a great pick!

<b>Oh guys are you in for a good time with this one!</b> The Scot Beds His Wife is an engaging and fresh good time that you won’t want to put down at all.
The Scot is Gavin St James, the son of a brutish and sadistic Laird Mackenzie who made his childhood a living hell. Since surviving the trauma that was Hamish Mackenzie, Gavin had that he wanted nothing to do with being a Mackenzie or being his son. He wanted to establish his own name and land and find women to actually love and be unlike his sire in any way possible. The way to do that is to acquire Erradale Castle, the Ross family estate, and make it his….but Alison Ross stands in his way.
Enter Alison Ross. Alison hasn’t been in Scotland since she was a child she lives in America and never wants to go to Scotland. The Mackenzie’s and the Ross’ have bad blood so she will never let Gavin St. James/Mackenzie buy her family estate from her. So when she decides to finally travel to Scotland to stop him formally she gets landed right in the middle of a train robbery.
Here enters Samantha Masters. Sam is married to a notorious train robber and on a heist gone wrong she ends up killing her husband to spare Alison’s life. And here is where the story begins! Alison gives Sam what she’s always wanted a new start and life, her life and off to Scotland she goes to stop Gavin and be free. But oh nothing goes as planned.
Guys this book surprised me so much! I didn’t think I’d like as much as I did. It was so well paced and expertly written. The story was truly unlike any Highland or Historical I’ve read recently. I’ve only read very few books where the protagonist is America so I loved that! Sam was so strong willed and sharp tongued she was never without a pistol or her determination. She falls very easily into her role as head of an estate. I loved reading about all her knowledge of cattle and pistols she was just so much fun. <b>It was so unique to meet orphan Mormon runaway ex train robber Wild West shooter woman end up in the Scottish highlands and falling for brutish aristocratic Scot</b> The idea sounds so Outlandish but it works!
I have to say that this had my all time favorite troupe hate to love! Oh they hated each other and I was HERE for it I giggled every time they bickered and watching Gavin get so flustered at this foul mouth pistol waving American was so amusing.
To Gavin Sam/Bonny/Alison LOL is so outlandish and so other to anything he’s accustomed to that he very quickly decides that he’ll do whatever it takes to get her on her back as a means to an end for him to get Erradale. He is SO attracted to her but hates her at the same time and she hates him thoroughly that when they come together its so satisfying! Their chemistry was palpable and it kept me glued to my kindle.
I loved every single side character in this book. Seriously I had so many ships it was ridiculous. I won’t say much about them because I don’t want to spoil but I’ll just say: Eammon, Callum and Liam. Speaking of Liam while reading about his dynamic with his wife I kept thinking “wow that would make a great book I wonder if its next” and omg I had forgotten that this is series! And Liam’s book has already been written that’s defiantly at the top of my TBR now.
I have to give a shout out to the writing once again Kerrigan has a way of describing Scotland that left me breathless. And the way Gavin’s blooming love is written was nothing short of perfect. It really glowed through the writing how much he admired her and cared for her imperfections more than anything else. I’m so happy that I gave this series another try and I’m beyond thankful for the publisher for approving me for this ARC!

This book was everything, Everything, EVERYTHING I was hoping it would be!! My heart is overflowing. Exciting, emotional and so very romantic. Ms. Byrne has a way with these flawed and imperfect characters. You can't help but fall in love with all of them.

Gavin wasn't quite the anti-hero that I thought he was going to be. But I'm very happy about that. While he wasn't an angel, I totally understood where he was coming from and why he did the things he did.

Samantha has so many secrets, I'm amazed she kept a clear head. But she was the perfect person to heal Gavin. And the same for Gavin healing her. I just loved her.

I loved all the side characters and returning characters. It was quite fun to see them. I'm glad Gavin and Samantha aren't the only ones who were healed through this experience.

I have so many things going around my head. Plus I have some high hopes for the next one. In fact, I'm all a flutter with the thought of it. It would be so grand!

I received and ARC for an honest review.

3.75*
The prologue of this book was such a heartbreaking few pages that it sucked me right in. I only wish the rest of the book was as good. Don't get me wrong. There is still a lot to be recommended in this book, it just did not hold my attention as well as the other books. Though the characters and secondary characters are very good and made me laugh and cry. The witty banter and smart and sassy comments throughout the book kept the story going.
Gavin St. James, Earl of Inverthorne and Samantha Masters are two broken people with devastating pasts and very bleak futures. Gavin has hidden his past behind his looks and carousing and making a name for himself. Samantha escaped a life of servitude by running away with and marrying a man who made promises he had no means to keep. After the death of her husband Samantha is offered the an escape and a new life in Scotland, but it doesn't come without secrets of its own and expectations. As the worlds of Gavin and Samantha collide a undeniable attraction grows. Samantha is the first and only woman to hold her own against Gavin with her foul mouth and excellent use her pistols. The secrets and lies that they hide from each other could bring their budding life together crumbling down around them.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

From an off-putting beginning to a hero and heroine who were each hard to like this just wasn't my favorite by Kerrigan Byrne.

We'd met Gavin St James in a previous book. His heroine Sam was an American frontierswoman pretending to be Gavin's neighbor to escape her issues in the US. There is frequently deceit in Byrne's novels, but I felt Sam's was particularly galling. Add that to her odd, chilly, foul-mouthed personality and she just wasn't likable. Gavin was a mediocre hero who never captured my heart.

I swear more than a sailor on shore leave, but Sam's OTT F-bomb droppage made me cringe a little. Maybe another instance of not wanting to read reality? Gavin depended on his looks to get what he want - which painted him as a little more shallow than interesting.

<blockquote><b>"'Women doona fear these hands, they crave them. The doona cringe from my strength, they beg for it. They drop their fans and handkerchiefs. They run into me on purpose only to touch my body.'"</b></blockquote>

I look forward to the next book in this series because it remains a favorite. I know there are readers who will love this book - and I certainly didn't hate it. I just loved the book before this in the series so hard that it made for some tough (and perhaps unfair) comparison.

<blockquote><b>"'I told ye that ye were nothing to me, and that was my biggest lie of all, bonny, because ye've become my reason for everything.'"</b></blockquote>

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book tells the story of Sam Masters and Gavin St. James. Sam is not your traditional heroine since at the beginning of the book she was married to, well a villain. When we first meet Sam she is in fact helping her husband rob a train, up until she shoots him in the head. Which is especially unfortunate as one of her brother-in-laws sees her do it and now she is on the run not only from the law but also from her husband’s family, who are looking for revenge. Luckily on that train she meets Alison Ross, a woman from Scotland who happens to need a stand in on location in order to claim her family’s land. Works out well for Sam, who needs a place to hide out for awhile. Gavin is looking to use that same piece of land in order to get out from under his brother’s thumb however, so Gavin and Sam battle it out over this land dispute. But when Sam’s troubles follow her to Scotland, Gavin vows to protect her.

Overall I liked this book. The plot line, while a little far-fetched in certain parts, was certainly intriguing. And while Sam was most definitely a flawed heroine, she had spirit and was pretty fierce. I tend to appreciate honesty over all else so some pieces of the story line (towards the end) kind of rubbed me the wrong way but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. There was a hell of a lot of flowery language in this book, especially considering how much of a rogue the hero supposedly was, I was surprised how poetic he could be. There was a good amount of swearing in this book, lots of f-bombs, so if you don’t like swearing just be warned. I didn’t mind it though, the characters in this story were fierce and it was fitting with their characters. I would be interested in reading some of the other books in the series.

I have loved everything I've read by Kerrigan Byrne and her latest release is another success. It starts off quite dark but I love dark, intense scenes so I was instantly hooked.
The darkness subsided after that to some degree but there was enough element of menace, adventure, romance and humour to keep me entertained and reading into the wee hours.

I instantly liked the characters Thorne and Samantha. Both are fighters who will do what is necessary to survive. I expected Thorne to be ambitious, tough and kind and I admired Samantha's sense of adventure and her bravery.

This was an exciting, historical romance I didn't want to put down.

What I wouldn't do to hear the Scottish brogue, oh my! I find myself re-reading many sentences just to say it right. Hopefully you have read the other Rebel books, if not no worries, because this one tops them all. An American woman with a past has come to takeover the neighboring land to Gavin's estate. She is a western woman all the way to her bones with her feisty witt and rather crass language, but she's captured Gavin's heart. It's a wonderfully told story with guns, cattle, dirty humor and sexy men. I always enjoy Byrne's style of writing as she captures the language and historical content of the 1880s perfectly, I assume. Even though Hamish Mackenzie was the devil in a kilt he made some rightfully brawny men, only the right woman can tame them. My review was written voluntarily after reading an advanced copy from Netgalley.

The beginning was so good. Sam was on the run and fled to Scotland under an assumed identity with the help of a friend. She was pretending to be the owner of land that Gavin the Earl of Thorne wanted. He was determined to do anything to acquire it. Sam was not what he expected. She swore like a sailor, wore jeans, and was good with a gun. I loved Sam! Being from the Wild West made her quite different than the usual female in a historical novel. Bold and brave are often traits of these types of characters, which Sam was, but she was so much more. There wasn't a meek bone in her body, and she feared nothing. The sparks flew from the instant she and Gavin met. They were both determined and headstrong but the attraction was there. They argued often since he wanted her land and she wasn't willing to give it up.

About half way through Sam discovered something. Suddenly desperation took over, and she was no longer a force to be reckoned with. The amount of secrets she was keeping kept piling up. The worst part is she knew it was all going to blow up in her face but lacked the guts to tell Gavin the truth. The first half of the book was good when the two of them were arguing. Sam already was withholding some important info. If it had stayed that way and she had remained bold and dangerous, I would have liked the second half a lot better. By the end I wasn't shipping them anymore. Gavin deserved better.

This did set up some new characters for future books. I hope the next book is about the mysterious and notorious pirate the Rook. One of my favorite men from this series will be involved in his story. It's also looking like Allison Ross will be getting her own book too. I didn't love this one but can't wait to read the next!

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in less than a day. I could not put it down. All the characters were well fleshed out and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. There were surprises galore and the dialogue was hilarious. Sam was a very unique heroine and Gavin a true alpha. I will read more by this author. I highly recommend this book and I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Netgalley. SQ

If I were able, I’d actually give it 3.5 stars because I really liked the premise of this story and was so excited to get to read it – but – once I started I was really disappointed. The story itself is good, but, in my opinion, it is a contemporary romance with horses instead of cars. I don’t know, nor have I ever known, anyone who is as foul-mouthed as the heroine in this story and I truly cannot believe you’d have found anyone in that time – male or female – who cussed like that. I think that the author might be trying to appeal to a newer, younger audience, but I don’t know about that. So, I’ll say that while I like the storyline itself, I don’t care for the characters – especially the heroine -- or their language. It took me a week to read this book, and I usually read one in a day – two at most.

Both characters in this book had bad and sad beginnings, his much, much more so than hers. Her parents died and she was raised by a foster family who worked her hard, but they didn’t treat her any differently than they did their own children. It didn’t sound like she was starved or physically abused, just required to work hard. I don’t think that was particularly unusual for the time. He was born to a cruel, evil, abusive father who used his children as punching bags, whipped them (literally) and tried to make them as hateful and abusive as himself.

Both characters handled the pitfalls life threw at them very differently also. When her foster family arranged a marriage for her with someone she didn’t want to marry, she ran off with a handsome ranch hand. She loved him (at least she thought she did) and she thought he loved her. Turns out that he was a bank robber – and she went along with him and his brothers robbing banks. She was a part of the gang – she didn’t like it, but she did still go along with it. She could have left and made her own way at any time. No, it wouldn’t have been easy – but it wasn’t impossible – and she didn’t even try. Seems she made lots of poor choices for herself rather than life dealing her an impossible hand. She just floated along until lives were lost and she ended up shooting her husband between the eyes. Because of his father’s cruel and abusive treatment, Thorne learned to hide his real thoughts and feelings and to deny any emotion. He became a lothario constantly bedding different women – hundreds (maybe thousands) of them. He didn’t beat anyone, he didn’t rob anyone, he just didn’t allow himself to feel anything other than lust.

Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne wants nothing more than to distance himself from the legacy of his family name, MacKenzie. His father was a brute of a man who terrorized his family and his entire clan. He brutally beat Gavin and even threw him out a second story window of the castle and left him outside in the cold all night. Gavin managed to survive, but his mother ended up blinded. In order to emancipate himself from the MacKenzie name and clan, he has to have a way to earn income. So, he wants to purchase Erradale an abandoned neighboring estate, but the owner has told him very bluntly that she will never sell to him because his father killed her father. He is determined to challenge her however he can to win the estate.

Samantha Masters met Alison Ross during a train robbery. Samantha, her husband and his two brothers were going to rob the train, but not the passengers – and nobody was supposed to get hurt. Suddenly, there was gunfire – and then her husband was in the car with her and he’d just shot the male passenger in the car and had taken Alison hostage. He was going to murder Alison – so Samantha shot him between the eyes. Samantha and Alison had become friends during the train ride – so Alison came up with a plan to save Samantha in gratitude for saving her life. That meant Samantha had to travel to Scotland.

Samantha meets Thorne as soon as she steps off the train in Scotland and she’s determined NOT to have anything to do with him. He’s amazed that there is a female that can resist him. Thus begins a battle of wits, lust, and determination! Then you add in two brothers bent on revenge and you have quite a tale.

I can’t enthusiastically recommend the book, but I will tell you that the premise of the story is a good one. If you don’t mind that a historical ‘feels’ like a contemporary read, and having two foul-mouthed main characters, you might enjoy it – I do see many 5-star reviews.

"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne, is a notorious Highlander and an unrelenting rake who uses his slightly menacing charm to get what he wants. Samantha Masters has come back to Scotland, with a whole plethora of dangerous secrets from her time spent in the Wild West trailing behind her. When she fears she’s been followed her only hope of protection is to marry & quickly. Gavin is only too willing to provide that service for someone he finds so disturbingly irresistible.
Gavin is handsome, brooding & angry having suffered from a brutal father but he’s fiercely protective caring for his mother & everyone he holds dear. Sam is a feisty gun toting American. The pair verbally spar with each other from their first meeting but there’s also attraction there. The characters have plenty of depth & in their different ways are very likeable. The pace is very good & I found the time flew whilst I was reading & I read well into the night to finish it. I also liked the secondary romance which simmered in the background, also the teaser which I hope will be the next in the series, Callum deserves his HEA! My only criticism is Sam’s language which was definitely from the gutter & dampened my enjoyment of an otherwise very good book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Murder! Passion! Lies! Sex! Pistols! Family Curses! Smugglers! Lairds! Ok, that was me trying to summarize The Scot Beds His Wife because so freaking much happens in this book and it is almost impossible to describe without giving away too much. A lot happens in this book. A lot. And I enjoyed every melodramatic moment.

American Samantha Masters is on the run when she meets the infuriatingly arrogant Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne. There are so many moving parts to her story, from how she survived her brutal upbringing, to her new life in the Scottish Highlands trying to protect the very land Gavin demands, to falling for Gavin, to running for her life. Samantha's saga is like something from a Danielle Steel miniseries but with no commercial breaks.

What sets Samantha apart from other Kerrigan Byrne heroines is how impossibly "flawed" she is; it is her actions and fears and stubbornness that drive her further into a web of lies that become achingly painful for her to bear as she falls for Gavin. It is both sweet and heartbreaking watching the closed off Gavin fall against his will for the prickly Samantha, knowing that the lovers are headed for a painful reckoning.

Not only was this unbelievably dramatic with twists and turns, this really was about two loners who finally found or accepted their place in a true family. Speaking of family ties, it was fantastic to see Liam the Demon Highlander not to mention hearing about Dorian. I can't wait for other characters to get their stories told - Callum? Rook? Alison??