The Scotsman

This novel was a good read and a nice blend of history and romance. During this time, especially in England, women were controlled by men and they preferred obedience. They dictated to women and would even take without permission. Some women were able to read and increase their knowledge, but to their gender, were limited it what they could accomplish.
Catherine Worth, daughter of Warfield, knows she is just a pawn to her father and how he can increase his wealth. She defies him when she can, but has lived a sheltered life. The only person that means to care for her is her brother Nicolas. Catherine does not know all the cruelty her father has committed but will soon learn.
Scotsman Alexander Fraser has been fighting the English for too long. He knows what war does to people, but he tries to be a good leader to those in his protection. When he brother is taken hostage, Alex will do anything to get him back, which results in the abduction of Catherine. He is surprised at her beauty and more so of her stubborn nature.
Catherine tries to resist Alex, but does not want to continue to be a pawn to her father either. She realizes she has the opportunity to make her own choices, even though she is a hostage. Catherine begins to learn about Alex and the Scots as she waits for the ransom exchange. Her brother, Nicolas works endlessly trying to save Catherine, but her father is a different matter. When she discovers the true cruelty of her father, Catherine realizes several things. As she begins to fall in love with Alex, she tries not to confuse love and lust. Misunderstandings happen between Alex and Catherine, which led to unforeseen troubles. Alex has never understood what it truly means to love a woman, until he realizes what his life would be without Catherine, after seeing what happened to his mother. With war looming over their heads, the choices they make will not only affect them, but the ones they love as well.

As always, I give an honest and fair review in return for this ARC. Who doesn't love a great tale of Scotland during the time of The Bruce? So many great mental images of braw Scots and the fierceness of the time. When so many lives were lost, there was something found. Loved this story.

According to the publishing information listed at the front of this book, this version of The Scotsman by Virginia Brown is a re-release from a 1998 publication. So check your shelves and your memory banks, folks, because if you are a fan of this author, you might already own it.

With that said, it’s a classic, plain and simple, my fellow Scottish romance book loving friends. With its old school Scotland vs England/Montague vs Capulet type story line, authentic dialect, detailed references to battles/allegiances/alliances and the never ending back and forth carnage resulting from the inevitable fallout of adversaries fighting in retaliation in support of their king, this author captured the feel for this era along with a main couple caught in the middle of it all. Yes, that would include Catherine, a feisty damsel in distress being held for ransom but desperate to be free of her cold-hearted warrior father, and Alex, a hero who is determined not to let his heart get involved in what must be done (ransom her in exchange for his brother and a fellow soldier).

Don’t get me wrong. I had quite a few bones to pick with Alex. He didn’t exactly come across as a Romeo Montague, folks. In fact, he stubbornly refused he felt anything but lust for Catherine, the heroine, throughout most of the book. Eventually taking her for his own, while she was being held captive, but knowing he would hand her over in a heartbeat in exchange for his demands didn’t put him high on my hero totem pole list. I’m still thinking he should have kept his hands and lips to himself until he was willing to throw his heart into the mix. I also didn’t feel it was necessary to include the baby mamma dramas (yes, its plural). However, that likely was a common occurrence back then.

Descriptive writing effectively visually drew me in the storyline. Though I was frustrated at the pace of these two knuckleheads admitting their feelings, you can’t help but feel sorry for the fact each one of them felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.

For someone who stays focused on romance, it did start to feel overly long. I must admit by the end I was more than ready for things to be wrapped up. Though there was enough drama and intrigue to keep me engaged enough to want to stick around and see them get their HEA.

Title: The Scotsman, Author: Virginia Brown, Pages: 299, 1st released in 1998, new to me author, stand-alone, dialect takes a little getting used to, enemies to lovers, VERY graphic steamy scenes, lust to love, some violence, one attempted rape scene.

(This review is based on advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. There was no compensation provided to the reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Alexander Fraser must fight for Scotland any chance that he can. The English Earl of Warfield kidnaps his younger brother, Jamie Fraser! (swoon for all Outlander fans!) Catherine Worth is the Earl's daughter. She runs away from an impending marriage and right into the arms of Alex Fraser. She is rushed away to Scotland where she is held as ransom for the return of young Jamie. Alex is a tall, handsome and brooding fellow. Catherine is determined to hate her captor, even though he is so darn handsome! Will Alex keep her or trade her for his brother? I love romance and Scottish romance and found this story to be rather enjoyable! The plot was interesting and well-written. I loved the characters and think that it is a great addition to the historical romance genre.

The Scotsman by Virginia Brown is now available from Bell Bridge Books. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

'The Scotsmam' by Virginia Brown is the story of Alexander Fraser and Catherine Worth.
Alexander is a Scottish fighter whose younger brother Jamie was taken by the English Lord, Earl of Warfield. Alexander wants to get him back. Since he has no money he knows a hostage exchange would be his only choice. When they spot Catherine who is the Earl's daughter they take her. But she isn't the easy going hostage you would want.
Catherine knows her father is awful and he plans to marry her to just as awful person and is really is only her father's pawn. But when she is taken by Alexander she struggles at first but he brings out feelings she hasn't had before.
Exciting read!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

a totally smashing historical romance. Loved it. Good plot and romance.

The Scotsman

By Virginia Brown

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ great story line, the heroine Catherine makes the story enjoyable. The hero Alex makes it believable.

Passion, love, war and victory.

Alexander’s brother has been taken hostage by the Earl of Warfield and having no money to pay the ransom he takes the Earl’s daughter, Catherine. I really liked this historical read. Alexander and Catherine have great chemistry and the story really draws you in. An entertaining read.

I received a copy of this e-book and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

Amongst the bloody fighting between Scotland and England, Alex Fraser's younger brother is taken hostage with another by the Earl of Warfield. Alex knows that their future is not looking good. He decides he needs a bargaining tool and kidnaps the Earl's daughter Catherine, thinking to exchange her for his brother.

Catherine tries to tell Alex that her father doesn't value her as a daughter but he doesn't believe her of course. Even when Catherine's brother comes for her and tries to negotiate her release, Alex refuses.

Catherine is not afraid to speak her mind, much to Alex's dismay and soon the attraction grows between them. Catherine feels that she would rather give herself to Alex, whom she cares about, then some man her father wants an affiliation with.

Will Alex return Catherine to her father? Will his brother live? Can an Englishwoman survive in Scotland?

I loved this story! Catherine was never allowed to be around when politics were spoken about so her feelings towards Scots were just dirty beasts. She wouldn't really listen to Alex when he would explain issues at first but as she got to know him, it changed. The way he did it was great, between he and his friends it was explained and not forced on her. She had the chance to absorb the information.

Her decisions will be a permanent split between her and her family, would she give that up for love?
Can she and Alex survive if his brother doesn't come home?

The writing was done very well and the story had a great flow to it. If you love your Scotland men, this is a must read.

I loved the story, the love between enemies. The characters share good chemistry.

Enjoyable book! Revenge turns into love. This book has good characters, nice plot and good style and pace!

My first by this author. What a great surprise it was well written and captivating. I love the love story between Alexcander and Catherine and can recommend this book

I am unsure why I keep reading these Scottish historical romances.
I always end up feeling really sorry for the Scots and how the English treated them.

Anyhow this is a new author for me and I have to say I actually really enjoyed this.

Scotsman Alex Fraser kidnaps Catherine when his brother is taken hostage by her father. His enemy.
From the start sparks fly between the two of them and I found the dialogue between the two to be quite funny.
Obviously (because that’s how the English were/or seem to be in these books) Catherine’s father didn’t give two hoots about her and leaves her to be prisoner/hostage.
I thought the love story very sweet. The secondary characters were all interesting to.
My only real complaint was how quickly Catherine switched sides. But I suppose that was the point.

It was a reasonably good read, entertaining storyline with characters you do care about.
I enjoyed it and would try other ones from this author in the future.