The Secret Clan: Reiver's Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

What wicked conspiracy is at work here? Hoping to uncover the truth about his unjust imprisonment, Kit has returned to the border lands, where his estates as the Laird of Ashkirk and Tornes lie, only to discover that he's been declared legally dead, his property now in the hands of his uncle, Eustace Chisholm. (Who has also laid claim to Kit's unwanted betrothed, by the by: Lady Anne Ellyson's cousin, Fiona, a lass much too young to be the bride of the lecherous Sir Eustace).

Not that Kit is particularly concerned about the lass's fate, until a late night encounter with the lovely Lady Anne rouses his conscience and makes him aware of his uncle's plans to marry Fiona in a ceremony two days hence. He's not yet ready to reveal his presence, however, or let the element of surprise slip through his fingertips. Not when Kit is still laboring in the dark, so to speak, and doesn't know what Sir Eustace has been up to in his absence.

Besides, Lady Anne -- a daring, spirited lass -- is a much more desirable bride than her simpleton cousin. If he steps forward, he'll no doubt be forced to honor the betrothal contract his father fashioned with Fiona's greedy, grasping mother...and where will that leave Kit's potent attraction to Anne? Aye, there are entanglements aplenty to unravel, though how he's to go about the untangling is a mystery to Kit.

Members of the Secret Clan are up to their old tricks, plotting mischief (for the betterment of all, of course, and with naught but a wee bit of fae magic at their disposal) in Amanda Scott's medieval romance, REIVER'S BRIDE. The forth installment in the author's enchanting series about sixteenth century Scotland and the wee folk -- be they spirits, sprites, or puckish pixies -- is a pleasant, make-merry tale, and is blessed with a bounty of historical details and fanciful imaginings.

Maggie Malloch and her son, Brown Claud, are once again pivotal characters, and are intent on setting things to right in the mortal realm (though Claud is present in a slightly, er, diminished capacity), while Jonah Bonewits, the Clan's disgraced wizard, is determined to foil their plans. Lady Anne and Sir Christopher, Kit to his friends, fit into this percolating cauldron of plot twists with a wee bit of difficulty, however. With such an abundance of secondary characters -- including Anne's beautiful cousin, her aunt, and Kit's lascivious uncle -- a reader's attention is divided, and the primary romance between Anne and Kit is given short shift, I think.

It takes over a hundred pages for the protagonists' relationship to develop to the point that Ms. Scott's hero and heroine are more than passing ships in the night, though they remain star-crossed lovers, in a sense, for some time to come. Which is a little disappointing, as they're such a wonderfully charismatic couple and deserve so much more than moments of stolen intimacy. Also, Kit's near marriage to Anne's cousin, Fiona, is too close a call, quite frankly. I don't care about the extenuating circumstances: how can Kit just stand there and calmly submit to a marriage he doesn't desire? Anne's bravery and willingness to be more proactive in this matchmaking muddle are therefore of great assistance, bless her stalwart heart!

Now, I don't know if Amanda Scott is planning to continue on with this series, but REIVER'S BRIDE has shored up my hopes that she will. Interesting plot twists and the romance of Scotland -- the mountains, the mist, the castles, the lochs -- make for good reading, after all. Add a fair sprinkling of fae magic, and Ms. Scott's writing is positively luminous.

C.L. Jeffries, Heartstrings | Romance Novels and Reviews

After being falsely accused of two homicides, but not convicted, the sheriff sent Kit Chisolm to the prison ship Marion Ogilvy. After fifteen months of living in hell he has finally escaped. During his six years away from the Highlands, his father died so he is the Earl, but soon learns that his uncle declared him dead and claims the estate.

When Kit meets Anne, he is surprised to find he is attracted to the feisty woman. However, she may reciprocate, but feels loyalty to her cousin who is his intended bride. With the help of the Secret Clan, Kit and Anne may find a path to happiness, but both has enemies with plans that will leave one dead and the other living dead.

Amanda Scott's latest Secret Clan tale is an exciting historical romance with a touch of Scottish magic that enhances the engaging plot. The story line is fun to follow though in many ways the characters contain traits that are similar to previous books in the series. Still when the mischievous imps matchmake or perhaps interfere with human hearts, chaos occurs and readers have a good time.

Harriet Klausner

Returning ï¿from the deadï¿ and testing the waters, Kit posed as a reiver to discover if his Uncle Eustace was involved in the trumped up murder charge that had Kit serving a life sentence aboard a prison ship. Discovering Lady Anne, alone and with no escort, forced him to discard his reiver persona and admit to his true identity. Lady Anne, although attracted to him herself, saw Kit as the answer to her dear cousin Fionaï¿s dilemma. Anne had to convince Kit to step forward, own up to being the true Earl of Ashkirk, and stop the wedding of Fiona to his hateful uncle. This would definitely solve Fionaï¿s problem, but as Anneï¿s feelings towards Kit intensified and Kitï¿s passion for Anne accelerates this would not be the ideal solution. Outside forces in the form of the elusive ï¿wee folkï¿ and their many intrigues could and would set most plans awry!

Having read the prequel HIGHLAND BRIDE, in the Secret Clan series I was delighted to revisit the Highlands for this engaging tale of intrigues set during a historical era I find appealing as well as giving Kit Chisholm a chance to tell his story and find romance. The reader picking this book up will find that it stacks up well as a stand alone but will find much more enjoyment by starting with the first of the series as there are numerous characters, both real and magical, who visit in and out of the story. While the human's have their turmoils, the ï¿wee folkï¿ that interfere and are ï¿supposedï¿ to watch over their human charges have just as many problems. The reader will certainly enjoy the antics of the fierce little Maggie Murdoch, her son Brown Claud, his girlfriend Catriona, Fergus Fishbait and all rest who make reading these stories a magical and fun experience. Fans who like a little magic in their tales will take much pleasure in and have fun returning to the magic of the highlands time and again. The series is romantic, fun, and one that I highly recommend.