Scotland – 1808

For hundreds of years, countless Highlander warriors have fought and died trying to rid themselves of England’s heavy yoke. Yet today only a few men are still determined to fight against the injustices imposed by the English on the people of Scotland. Gordon Lachlan is one such man. He cannot abide the practice of English troops clearing the land of crofters in order to make way for sheep. To give up fighting would mean not only more Scotsmen will lose their homes, but also that the death of his father’s, who fought and died for Scotland, would have been in vain. But as leader of a ragtag group made up of mostly displaced farmers and their families, Gordon’s cause is quickly dying. He must find a way to rally his people and renew their belief in a rebellion.

Gordon’s last hope lies with the legendary Sword of MacKenna. Whoever possesses it is said to wield enormous power, and it is just the type of symbol Scotsmen will believe in. The problem though, is that it is now in the possession of the Duke of Colster, a man who once believed in rebellion, too. Gordon’s plan is to kidnap Miss Constance Cameron, who is related to the duke through marriage, and ransom her in exchange for the sword. But the chit is proving to be a difficult challenge. Stealing her away from her school did not leave Gordon unscathed, and keeping her in his forest camp is no easy feat. Miss Cameron is full of spirit and surprises, the most unexpected of which is how Gordon and his clan respond to her. After only a short time, she has managed to whip his camp into shape and win over everyone, Gordon included. For the first time in a long time, Gordon is questioning whether he should continue to fight. A future with someone like Constance is becoming more appealing, but an outlaw with a price on his head has no future.

Constance Cameron is weary of England and Scotland, and longs only to return to her beloved homeland, America. It was her sister’s dream to marry an English aristocrat, not hers. Constance chafes at the strictures placed on her and cares not a whit for titles and the pompous men who come with them. And she certainly has no desire for a husband. Therefore, she has decided to escape Madame Lavaliere’s Academy for Young Women and head to Edinburgh where she will catch a ship back to America. She’d be well on her way, too, if not for one infuriating Scotsman. Constance is incensed that Gordon has ruined her chances of reaching Edinburgh. But after several days and several attempts at escape, Constance begins to sympathize with Gordon’s people and their plight. She’s also irresistibly drawn to their leader, and suddenly Constance’s desire to reach America is not as strong as her desire for Gordon.

IN THE HIGHLANDER’S BED is a must for anyone who loves a sexy Highlander, a strong-willed heroine, and a rugged Scottish setting. Ms. Maxwell skillfully draws readers in early on by describing Gordon and his plight, and in so doing makes readers fall in love with him. It’s impossible not like Gordon or feel sympathetic to his cause, which is not so much to rid Scotland of England, but to aid the oppressed Scottish people. He’s not an angry fanatic, but he’s honorable and extremely caring, and the fact that his efforts are essentially a “lost” cause is heartbreaking. However, the author superbly crafts a heartwarming story as well. Gordon’s heavy burden and its air of hopelessness are tempered by a delightfully unpredictable romance between Gordon and Constance. Constance’s character is such that she breathes new life into Gordon’s camp. She’s an upbeat dynamo, infused with wit and intelligence. Her first encounters with Gordon are extremely humorous. Constance gives as good as she gets, and as a result, the sexual tension between these two strong people is readily palpable, growing until passion inevitably explodes.

Numerous well-developed secondary characters also help bring the story to life, some adding more emotional depth, some action and intrigue. Making brief appearances as well are Constance’s two sisters and their husbands, who have already had their stories told in this series. But IN THE HIGHLANDER’S BED firmly stands on its own, with sufficient information given on who’s who and their stories so that it satisfies without having read any of the previous titles. Indeed, IN THE HIGHLANDER’S BED is just the right blend of substance, heady romance, and comic relief. The road to happily ever after for Gordon and Constance is marked with highs and lows, concluding with a resolution that is not completely expected in a romance; I highly recommend IN THE HIGHLANDER’S BED.

Sandra Brill