The Highlands of Scotland - 1822

Elspeth MacArthur weaves the tartan plaids of Scotland. Granddaughter of Donal MacArthur of Kilcrennan, their plaids are among the best in the land, but with her twenty-first birthday swiftly approaching, Donal must see Elspeth betrothed and wed, lest she be carried away by the daoine sith, the Gaelic name for the fey, or fairies.

Donal’s story is a complicated one. He fell prey to a fairy spell many years ago and thus lost his only son to them as well. But he was given the opportunity to raise Elspeth, the child of his son and a fairy wife. Elspeth was Donal’s gift from the fairies in lieu of returning his son Niall, who chose to live forever in their underground world. Even so, the fairy queen demands much, and another bargain was made that night when Elspeth was given to Donal. The child, once she is grown into a woman, must return to the daoine sith upon the day of her twenty-first birthday -- unless she finds true love and is wed. And there is more; Donal must return the treasure that was stolen from the fairies long ago, or all is lost. Poor Donal! He has much on his shoulders now that Elspeth is nearly twenty-one. So he sets out for the city to make a bargain with a fellow weaver...and see Elspeth properly betrothed to the man.

But Elspeth absolutely refuses -- she will never marry a lowlander! She cannot leave her beloved grandfather, nor the Highlands, nor her weaving. If she must return to the fairy realm, then so be it. At least her grandfather will be allowed to keep his fairy gift that enables him to weave his tartan plaids.

James MacCarran, now the Viscount Straun, has an impossible task set before him. In order to inherit his grandmother's estate and the money his family desperately needs, he must move to Straun House in the Highlands, finish her manuscript on fairies, and marry a Highland woman with fairy blood. An impossible task! And not because he isn't willing to marry, but simply because James knows that no one in his right mind would believe that fairies even exist, let alone a woman who is kin to them! But when he collides with the dainty Elspeth MacArthur in Edinburgh, he loses his heart to the lady with silver eyes, who just might convince him to believe in the impossible. And when that very same young woman literally falls into his arms on a dark and stormy Highland night, James is closer to falling in love than ever before. Now, if only Elspeth were indeed the daughter of fairies, all would be right with his world.

TO WED A HIGHLAND BRIDE is a truly delightful tale of love, passion, and magic! Elspeth and James are meant for each other, but each step they take forward is pushed back by another roadblock. Elspeth has secrets she cannot share with James, who also has secrets and demons of his own. There are lots of puzzles and even a bit of intrigue and mystery in this fine story of insurmountable odds. Even so, each and every thread is tied up neatly, and the story comes together beautifully.

The secondary characters are many, but all are animated and add much depth to the story. James's family: his twin sister, Fiona; his brothers, Patrick and William; the Lady Rankin; and her friend Charlotte Sinclair, all visit the Straun Highland estate and greatly add to Elspeth's troubles. Also in residence are Straun House caretakers, Angus and Mary MacKimmie; Elspeth's grandfather, Donal; and his friend and housekeeper, Peggy Graeme. Each and every characters brings charm and warmth to this fine story.

TO WED A HIGHLAND BRIDE is one book you will not want to miss. Be sure to add it to your shopping list this December!

Diana Risso