Retro Romance Review: The MacKinnon's Bride by Tanya Anne Crosby
A saucy wench and a randy scot reside within these fun-filled pages.
My Thoughts
My local reading group selected this book for our chat (they all loved it). We got it free on Bookbub and as of right now, it's still free. You can even add audio for $7.49. Not too shabby.
It’s been a good long while since I’ve read one of these vintage highland romances and even though this one does fall victim to several tropes of the sub-genre it was mostly a lot of fun to read.
The setting is Scotland in 1818, a very long time ago. When Iain married Mairi it was with the hope that their union would end the feud between their clans. Instead she loathed him and right after giving birth to their son she jumped to her death (dramatic much?). Naturally everyone blamed him. Fast forward few years and Iain’s been spending his time ruling his clan and raising his son and steering clear of the womanfolk. Can you blame him? But when his son is kidnapped he and his clan rescue him and a woman named Page who no one apparently wants.
This all happens in the first few chapter so don't be yelling that I've spoiled it all! There is so much more . . .
The rest of the book is a spirited romp (yep, I’m digging out the golden oldie review clichés for this one, sorry in advance) that basically follows spitfire (oops, I did it again) Page, Iain and his clan of rowdy Scotsman around as they face treachery and drop their pants because them Scots like being as naked as the day they were born. Just trust me, it is some silly fun. It’s a little frustrating too, I’m not gonna lie, because Iain has kept things from Page that she really should know about but he’s done it to spare her tender feelings, dinnea ken? Sweet intentions but not the smartest move. If there are any menfolk reading this you might want to listen up. This tactic, no matter how well intentioned your motives, will always come back to bite you in the naked behind. Just saying.
The cast is filled with larger than life types, the romance though a wee bit aggravating at times, is tender and lovely and the relationships develop believably. I can forgive all the rest of the nitpicky stuff because the book made me smile quite a few times and that’s enough for me.
Your enjoyment of this story will rest on your tolerance for this sort of plot, exclamation marks, an excess of verra, mayhaps and dinnaa ken’s in the dialogue and damaged but good natured characters. I liked it, found it romantic even, but as I said I haven’t read one of these in ages and it was a nice blast to the past for me and though it was way too long, it mostly just made feel happy to be reading it. Here’s a little taste to see if the humor works for you.
“Page shuddered at the bold way he appraised her once more. No man had ever dared look at her so—with such undisguised lust. It sent a jolt of alarm racing through her. And to her dismay, the tiniest thrill.
Another quiver shook her.
Mayhap she’d lost her wits when she’d collided with his monolith of a friend?
She cast a glance at the others and found them all staring, mouths agape. Page hoped their idiocy wasn’t contagious. They were half-wits! Every last one of them!
“Catching glowworms perchance?” she asked.
A ridiculous sight, the lot of them; their brows drew together in unison and they cast surprised glances at each other, then snapped their mouths shut.
“Bones o’ the bluidy saints, wench! ‘Tis no wonder your da lets you aboot in the middle o’ the night,” the leader said. “He’s like to be hopin’ ye’ll lose your way home in the dark.”
Mackinnon's Bride by Tanya Anne Crosby
Historical Romance
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
Historical Romance
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
Descended of the legendary sons of MacAlpin, Iain MacKinnon refuses to bow to the English. When his young son is captured by a minion of the English king, the fierce Scottish chieftain vows to stop at nothing to secure the lad's return. Retaliating in kind, he captures the daughter of his enemy, planning to bargain with the devil.
FitzSimon's daughter has lived her entire life in the shadow of the man she called father--yet never would she have imagined he would forsake his only daughter. Even as Page blames her captor for welching on a contract with her father, she suspects the truth. But the shadows hold secrets ... now only the love of her reluctant champion can save the MacKinnon's Bride.
FitzSimon's daughter has lived her entire life in the shadow of the man she called father--yet never would she have imagined he would forsake his only daughter. Even as Page blames her captor for welching on a contract with her father, she suspects the truth. But the shadows hold secrets ... now only the love of her reluctant champion can save the MacKinnon's Bride.
My Thoughts
My local reading group selected this book for our chat (they all loved it). We got it free on Bookbub and as of right now, it's still free. You can even add audio for $7.49. Not too shabby.
It’s been a good long while since I’ve read one of these vintage highland romances and even though this one does fall victim to several tropes of the sub-genre it was mostly a lot of fun to read.
The setting is Scotland in 1818, a very long time ago. When Iain married Mairi it was with the hope that their union would end the feud between their clans. Instead she loathed him and right after giving birth to their son she jumped to her death (dramatic much?). Naturally everyone blamed him. Fast forward few years and Iain’s been spending his time ruling his clan and raising his son and steering clear of the womanfolk. Can you blame him? But when his son is kidnapped he and his clan rescue him and a woman named Page who no one apparently wants.
This all happens in the first few chapter so don't be yelling that I've spoiled it all! There is so much more . . .
The rest of the book is a spirited romp (yep, I’m digging out the golden oldie review clichés for this one, sorry in advance) that basically follows spitfire (oops, I did it again) Page, Iain and his clan of rowdy Scotsman around as they face treachery and drop their pants because them Scots like being as naked as the day they were born. Just trust me, it is some silly fun. It’s a little frustrating too, I’m not gonna lie, because Iain has kept things from Page that she really should know about but he’s done it to spare her tender feelings, dinnea ken? Sweet intentions but not the smartest move. If there are any menfolk reading this you might want to listen up. This tactic, no matter how well intentioned your motives, will always come back to bite you in the naked behind. Just saying.
The cast is filled with larger than life types, the romance though a wee bit aggravating at times, is tender and lovely and the relationships develop believably. I can forgive all the rest of the nitpicky stuff because the book made me smile quite a few times and that’s enough for me.
Your enjoyment of this story will rest on your tolerance for this sort of plot, exclamation marks, an excess of verra, mayhaps and dinnaa ken’s in the dialogue and damaged but good natured characters. I liked it, found it romantic even, but as I said I haven’t read one of these in ages and it was a nice blast to the past for me and though it was way too long, it mostly just made feel happy to be reading it. Here’s a little taste to see if the humor works for you.
“Page shuddered at the bold way he appraised her once more. No man had ever dared look at her so—with such undisguised lust. It sent a jolt of alarm racing through her. And to her dismay, the tiniest thrill.
Another quiver shook her.
Mayhap she’d lost her wits when she’d collided with his monolith of a friend?
She cast a glance at the others and found them all staring, mouths agape. Page hoped their idiocy wasn’t contagious. They were half-wits! Every last one of them!
“Catching glowworms perchance?” she asked.
A ridiculous sight, the lot of them; their brows drew together in unison and they cast surprised glances at each other, then snapped their mouths shut.
“Bones o’ the bluidy saints, wench! ‘Tis no wonder your da lets you aboot in the middle o’ the night,” the leader said. “He’s like to be hopin’ ye’ll lose your way home in the dark.”
I won't deny, I love the way this lady thinks!
Other Books In This Series That I Have Not Read:
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| Read March 2014 |
I am very familiar with Tanya's name, but have yet to read any of her work. There is something about the cover that draws me in, something about the young lady. From your review, it sounds great.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
This is a good one to start out with.
DeleteI don't read this genre very often, but this sounds sweet.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun read if you're in the mood for an old school romance.
DeleteI don't read many historical romances but I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I don't read them very often nowadays. I ate them up in the late 90's but burned myself out.
Delete