Grace Ware is an enemy of the English crown along with her father, an Irish military commander of Napoleon’s defeated army. On top of that, her mother, was an exiled Scottish Jacobite. On a the way to deliver a new message to the wife of Napolean’s brother things went terribly wrong. Her father and his footmen slain and Grace was in the run for her life. While running from her father’s murderers through the harbor alleyways of Antwerp, she hid in a crate never realizing that said crate would then be sealed moved aboard a ship.Grace’s luck went from bad to worse when the crate was delivered to the home of an aristocrat in the Scottish Borders. Baronsford is the last place she could expect to find safety, and Grace feigns a loss of memory to buy herself time while she recovers.

Hugh Pennington—Viscount Greysteil, Lord Justice of the Scottish Courts, and a hero of the Napoleonic wars—is also a grieving widower with a death wish. When he receives an expected crate from the continent, he is shocked to find a nearly dead woman inside. Her identity is unknown, and the handful of American coins and the precious diamond sown into her dress only deepen her mystery.

*** This was an absolutely terrific read with an amazing adventure and truly sensual romance. Grace had spent her entire life caring for her father after her mother’s passing. Bad enough to have seen her father’s murdered bloody body but when trying to escape she had the misfits to hide in a crate, which was then sealed and loaded onto a ship without food or water for five days. When Hugh Pennington discovered her half dead body it was no wonder she wasn’t forthcoming with information about herself. After the many days it took for her to recover, she discovered she was in the home of a man who had every reason to detest her for her father’s actions during the war.

However, there was even more hurdles to overcome when both began to feel the passion that seemed to be brewing in each others hearts and to realize someone out there was still looking to capture and/or kill Grace for the secrets she was carrying without knowing herself what they were.

Truly a great read and one I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Marilyn Rondeau

I recently read a short story by the writing team that makes up May McGoldrick (Nikoo and Jim McGoldrick.) It has in a book called “Christmas in Kilts” and was by far my favorite short story in the book. I was so impressed that I wanted to read the first in their new series, “Romancing the Scot”. I was also pleased to find the writing team has an older series that will ties in as well (previous generations of The Pennington Family.)

The story in this book is beautiful and lyrical, frankly one of the best that I have read in years. There is intrigue and plot points and the romance is lovely. However, there is even more to the story. The writing team has taken the time in blend into this story true events about the time. From the sad deaths on the battlefield to the plight of the deaf/mute and the Irish, there are events that actually took place which are melded seamlessly into the storyline.

I’m looking forward to reading the future books in this series for the love stories (which while not graphic are definitely adult in nature) but also for an education on the events and social conventions of the time.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

I really enjoyed Hugh and Grace's story!

Talk about a crazy start to a relationship!! Being delivered in a box nearly dead is a crazy way to start a relationship. Add to that, that Hugh thinks that Grace has lost her memory. Wow!

McGoldrick does a wonderful job of weaving the mystery in with the romance. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

This story had a lot of surprises, secrets, danger, and love. Grace is a fighter, and I loved the emotional journey of hers. She loses a lot, could lose more, but learns to trust in a man and his family. Hugh's fair justice, even when he is forced to take a closer look at his methods, and willingness to admit wrong doing made him a great hero. This story did not stop moving and kept me wanting more. I enjoyed this story very much and look forward to the next in the series.

I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Loved it, loved it, loved it! I have read all of their historical romances and have loved all of them. This book is no exception. The heroine is super intelligent, and spunky, while the hero is strong, fair and caring. Hated to see it end; am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I loved "Borrowed Dreams" by May McGoldrick, which is one of my All-time-favorites and I seriously can't tell you how often I've read and re-read that book. "Romancing the Scot" is the first book in the series about the Pennington Family, the book about the next generation.
Everything that I loved about "Borrowed Dreams" and its wonderful characters, can be found in this book again. You can feel Lyon and Millicent in their children and their children's actions and values. Their pursuit of justice and of what is right, their compassion and their love for those around them, are the perfect mixture of their parents' qualitites that I loved so much. And of course, we get to meet Lyon and Millicent as well.

If you read "Borrowed Dreams", you might remember Jo, sweet little Jo, whose birth we witnessed and well, there's also Hugh, Lyon's and Millicent's son. We meet those two in "Romancing the Scot" at a time, when Hugh slowly starts to open up to the possibility of loving again after having suffered a terrible loss during the war. Enters Grace, a young woman who is saved by Hugh and nursed back to health by Hugh and Jo. Grace has lost everything but she might just have found the one place where she finds a purpose and maybe even a place for her to stay. If she can avoid being killed or being convicted as a traitor, of course.

Right from the start this book felt so right that I already knew that this would become another favorite of mine. This is a book that I'll definitely read again and again and again and that I'll simply have to buy in print as well.

I loved this. This is the story of Hugh and Grace. Grace is on the run and hiding from the English. Her father was part of Napoleon's army who had just lost the war. Her mother a Scottish Jacobite. She meets Hugh in time of need. If you love historical romance then give this ago. Really enjoyed the writing style of this author duo.

This story hooked me from the beginning and was fast paced all the way through. Loved the romance and suspense intertwined throughout the book. Hugh and Grace were perfect for each other and I loved that they healed one another. They had wonderful chemistry and this story had the perfect amount of steam. Great start to this series and I can't wait to read Jo's story.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

If you like regency romances with a bit of danger, intrigue and suspense then this book fits the bill nicely. I found it exciting and romantic. The characters were well written and the spy business plausible.
The cover of the book isn't my cup of tea and normally would be enough for me to pass it by if I saw in a shop. However, the blurb drew me in and I couldn't put the book down once I'd started it. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series when it is published.

Romancing the Scot wasn't the first book by May McGoldrick I'd read and reviewed. I was previously asked by St Martin's Press to review Christmas in Kilts, a short story anthology which had a story by May McGoldrick. Christmas in Kilts is part of my SMP Christmas Blog Blitz post as part of a blogging event that the publisher was running on October 17 2017.

Romancing the Scot was a very interesting historical romance which pulled me right into the story as its so atmospheric. It's full of tension, suspense and romance. I'm glad it's part of a series and want to read more.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and May McGoldrick for an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

One hallmark of a superior author is the ability to write interesting storylines that occur in different eras. The author duo, May McGoldrick is this type of author. Most of their previous offerings take place in medieval Highlands, however their newest book is set in the post Napoleonic era. Like their previous books, it is full of danger, intrigue, great characters, and a fast paced storyline. Grace Ware's father was a Napoleon supporter, having served in his army. Hugh Pennington, Viscount Greysteil is a Lord Justice in Edinburgh, having served in the British army. They are a very unlikely couple, but do find each other and love. Since I do not like to give spoilers, you must read this book to find out how it happens. It will be well worth your time. I have ever read a May McGoldrick book I have not liked. It is so easy to get lost in the pages of their stories. The best part is this book is the beginning of a new series about the Penningtons. Since there are quite a few of them, it bodes well for a lot of good reading in the future.

I found this book to be intriguing and it kept me spellbound. It seems Grace literally landed in Hugh's life. But with the mystery surrounding Grace. I wasn't sure they were going to make it. But it seems true love won out in the end. I love happily ever afters and this book surely doesn't disappoint. Great plot, full of love, mystery and of course history. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved the originality of this story. Imagine opening a shipping crate and finding a woman inside... and a half-dead one, at that! This unique tale and its cast of wonderful and heartwarming characters was thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next installment in the Pennington series.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this story from NetGalley & St. Martin's Press in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

This is the story of people who are on opposites side of the law.
Grace and her father are couriers except she doesn't know what she is really carrying. When trouble hits she escapes.
Hugh is waiting on a delivery but when he opens it he gets the shock of his life. It is a women not what he is waiting for.
Grace is lucky she ended up where she did and is cared for until she is well. She just has to hope her secret doesn't come out when she realizes who saved her.

Hugh and his sister help to heal Grace and she finds a place in their hearts. When trouble comes her way while under their care she has to decide if she should come clean or not.
In the end it all works out for the best.

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This is the first story in a new series focussing on the Pennington family and, in this book, the hero is Hugh Pennington, who is Viscount Greysteil and Lord Justice of the Scottish Courts. He lives on the family estate at Baronsford in Scotland after serving the Crown in the Napoleonic Wars during which his wife and son tragically died.

Grace Ware travelled incognito from America to Antwerp with her very ill father, an Irish military commander of some renown in the defeated army of Napoleon, at the behest of Napoleon’s brother. On their arrival she endeavours to get her father to safety but they are attacked. She escapes and hides in a crate in a warehouse, only to be sealed into it, unable to escape and transported, without food or drink, across the sea.

When Hugh opens the crate, he discovers Grace near to death. With no idea who she is or how she got into the crate, Hugh and his sister are determined to do all in their power to save her. Grace is unsure where she is or who she is staying with and, when she realises she is in Scotland she is reticent to confess her own identity and past for fear of being charged with treason. She has a eidetic memory but pretends she doesn’t know who she is or what has happened to her. However, as the attraction between Grace and Hugh grows, her dilemmas grow - should she confess and risk being charged with treason or escape to remove any blame being placed on Hugh and his family? When someone who knows her from Napoleon’s court visits, dangers mount and pressures increase, how can she resolve everything? Will love find a way?

Wow, from the very beginning of this story it is an action packed start to this new series. The intrigue, secrets and mystery are paramount throughout the story which has well developed characters with whom it is easy to empathise. Hugh has a tragic past and Grace has a markedly positive impact on him. She is feisty, knowledgeable and speaks her mind, sometimes revealing more than she meant to! I liked how she gets Hugh to reevaluate his attitudes to the Irish and helps him investigate matters to help a case involving a lady who is both deaf and mute. The relationships are realistically portrayed and it is a very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more about the Penningtons in future books in this series.

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Full review will appear on Reader's Edyn on 11/23/17 at http://bit.ly/2B05u5A

Grace Ware is an enemy of the crown – her father a former commander of Napoleon and her mother an exiled Scot. Her father has just been murdered and after running from his attackers, she finds herself locked away in a crate bound for who knows where. Five days later and very near death, she is discovered by Greysteil and nursed back to health. But her luck could not be worse because he’s a Justice of the courts and she fears his retribution should he discover her identity. Her only course of action, to feign amnesia until she can plan an escape to finish the quest her father had been on. But the Penningtons are an accepting family and she is easily welcomed in to the fold. Before too long, she finds that Hugh’s reputation as a fair man is warranted. Worse still, she falls for him and starts to hope for a future which cannot ever be for a known enemy such as she is.

Hugh Pennington, Viscount Greysteil is a widower – having lost his wife and young son in the war and internalizing personal guilt for their deaths, he is known to have a bit of a death wish. While he scoffs it off to others, inside he knows the truth of the rumor. When Grace is literally delivered to his door, he instinctively knows there is much to her mysterious circumstances that must be uncovered. When an attempt on her life is revealed, he vows to get to the bottom of the truth. He has a reputation for being fair, and even considers himself to be so – but the tenacious Grace challenges him at every turn and soon elicits a new way of thinking in some areas. As they uncover her secrets, they come to understand one another. Ultimately Hugh decides he will never let Grace go, but a lot must occur and the cards must fall in their favor or Grace’s life will never be her own.

May McGoldrick – I can tell you that if all books are this fantastic, I will not hesitate to buy every single one of them. This intricate plot was brilliantly crafted and wonderfully executed. The Penningtons are a unique family with a tragic beginning (at least for their parents) that eventually came round to create the family that we are introduced to. While we did not learn a great deal about all of the siblings, I learned enough about Hugh, his sister, and their parents, to wish they were my neighbors and friends. I want to know more and I despise having to wait for the next installment, but with no other choice, wait I will.

Grace is quite clever and her ability with her photographic memory makes her a perfect complement to Hugh. Her strong character and refusal to back down tasks him with reexamination of some of his tactics. Hugh is also quite ingenious and uses his intellect powerfully, but impartially within the courtroom. His role within the court is almost a secondary persona – a change in his demeanor as the Justice comes to the surface. A tortured alpha who doesn’t even realize he is in need of saving – and a betrayed heroine who doesn’t believe saving is even within the realm of possibility – Hugh and Grace couldn’t be more perfectly matched. His family is an interesting mixture with open minds and a welcoming nature toward pretty much everyone. I very much enjoyed my time getting to know a portion of the Pennington family and am looking forward to the next book in the series! Those who love HR with a powerful family that uses their power for good, a charming cast of characters, a thrilling and enthralling plot, a shroud of mystery surrounding it all, and a brilliantly beautiful love story are sure to be pleased with McGoldrick and the Penningtons.

Kindle version provided by St. Martin’s Press ~ Swerve/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins at top speed when Grace, the heroine, discovers some men as they’ve just killed her father and they chase her through Antwerp’s streets. She hides in a crate in a ware-house and finds herself shut away. The crate is delivered five days later in Scotland to Hugh, who’s stunned to find a half-dead young woman in it.

After recovery, Grace is doubly frightened: she doesn’t know who killed her father and why, and she’s hosted by a man who fought in the opposite camp during the Napoleonic wars. She feigns being amnesic to avoid questions, but the fact she’s very intelligent with an exceptional memory plays tricks on her once or two times. She also tends to judge without knowing all the info and on two occasions she throws her truth in the hero’s head who didn’t deserve that.

Hugh is a man marked by the war and who reproaches himself for his wife and his son’s deaths when he has nothing to do with it. His family worries because he’s a bit reckless and has risked his life several times. Besides he’s straight, honest, and tries to be just for the oppressed minorities. He’s annoyed to be attracted to the heroine when she’s in a weakened position, but soon he decides he wants to keep her no matter what.

The rhythm that began so well slows quite fast and never starts again, and we’re left waiting for something to happen. The plot about Grace’s father’s murder is solved quite quickly in the end. There’s a little subplot about a justice decision Hugh must takes for a deaf and mute woman where he puts to good use Grace’s talents, and I almost preferred this story to the rest of the novel.

The whole novel is easily read but I was never really grabbed by it. I even had trouble writing this review! However I’m intrigued by Hugh’s sister, a very interesting character in this volume, who will be the heroine of the second one.

The Napoleonic Wars are over but the political maneuverings are far from, Grace and her father are traveling with messages from Joseph Bonaparte to his wife Julie. They are attacked and Grace ends up hiding in a crate that gets shipped off to Scotland. As the daughter of a French cavalry officer with Jacobite ancestors, Grace finds herself in a perilous position when she awakens in the home of a former English cavalry officer and current judge.
Hugh still blames himself for not being able to rescue his wife and son during the war; he therefore likes dangerous hobbies such as ballooning. When an unconscious woman is found in the new basket he had delivered, he can't help but be drawn to her.
Grace and Hugh may have been on opposite sides of the war but their serendipitous meeting will have them joining together.
 
"I shouldn't have kissed you," she finally managed to whisper.
"No, it was I," he said, his gaze still setting her body aflame even from two steps away. "But I don't regret it, and I don't think you do, either."
 
First in the new Pennington Family series, Romancing the Scot is a rich and intriguing tale. Hugh is our viscount, former cavalry officer, and current judge hero, whose parents you might remember from the authors' Scottish Dream Trilogy. I greatly appreciated the authors' attention to Hugh as a judge. We don't get a courtroom scene but instead an engaging look at how he approaches his cases, specifically through a case involving a deaf and mute woman accused of murdering her child (in the author's note, the case is said to be based on a real one). This approach not only allowed Hugh and Grace to bond through solving how to work the case, showing how Hugh appreciated Grace's mind and abilities, it also added unique details to an often written about time period.
 
While Hugh provided the calm and commanding demeanor, Grace gave us the action and compelling components. She at first claims amnesia because she fears that her father fighting for Napoleon and her Jacobite ancestors might land her in trouble but can't keep lying as she grows closer with Hugh. Grace was a wonderful heroine who didn't need to be dramatically overwritten to show her brilliance in strength living the everyday life she was placed in. She traveled with her French cavalry father, fighting sicknesses, helping wounded, and marching in the muck like many of the women in her time did; she's utterly capable but also so human in her vulnerability. The story's drama comes from Grace running from men who killed her father and her thinking they're after a huge diamond she didn't know until later she was transporting. There are English and French spies and some machinations.
 
The story started off right away at a bit of run and it did jolt me a bit as I had to attempt to place the characters and what exactly was going on but it does level off fairly quickly. The middle slowed a bit as I thought more of a focus on the romance between Grace and Hugh could have sparked vivacity but I also greatly enjoyed the feel of history in this historical romance. There's a mention of the Spa Fields riots, the workings of the law I mentioned, and a focus on the Scottish Clearances. If you read a fair amount of Scottish historicals from the 1800s, you've probably run across this historical event, what made this feel different was instead of just reciting what the Clearances were or did, the authors' focused on the actual people and effects, it felt more intimate. The historical components in this story felt true and woven in a way that immensely added to the feel and created a richer story tapestry.
 
I thought the middle could have used more romance between our couple but I also believed in them when they made love, the writing sometimes veered toward flowery/purple, the plot was weaving and intriguing, and the historical components highly enriched the story. Hugh's sister Jo was a touching character in her own right and with the set-up (adopted, broken engagement) the authors' have alluded to, I can't wait to read her book. Romancing the Scot was just an all around interesting read and a strong beginning to the Pennington Family series.

Enjoyable and entertaining book, with quite a few twists and turns. Both the h and H are dynamic and interesting characters, with well developed side characters. Not your run of the mill regency romance.