THE CALEDONIAN PRIVATEER - Gail MacMillan
Awe-Struck Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-58749-655-4
April 2008
Regency Romance

England and Nova Scotia, Canada – 1812-1814

Emma Prescott has to get to London to obtain passage on a ship bound for the Caribbean so she can be with her brother, Collin. Squire Falkner set out to force Emma into marriage, and now that she has escaped his trap, he has sent his dogs after her. In her hopeless panic in trying to evade them, she literally runs into Captain Morgan Reynolds. A displaced Highlander, he is of the opinion that no one deserves to be set upon by English dogs.

Although extremely grateful for his help, Emma knows that he would not give her aid if he knew the whole reason for her flight. Neither of them knows that there are already ties in place that connect them.

Morgan has his own reasons for going to London, but he cannot abandon Emma to Squire Falkner, whom he hates for reasons of his own. He is on his way to marry Vanessa, the woman who has infatuated him since his youth. But the strong, handsome Captain of the Ula is jilted by the capricious Vanessa, and he in turn asks Emma to pretend to be his wife so none will think he has a broken heart. And thus begins the intrigue that becomes their lives.

In the course of historical events, the war between England and America interrupts their hopes of getting better acquainted and coming to terms with the attraction they feel for each other. Secrets have a way of ruining blossoming love. And trust grows thin when Morgan becomes a privateer.

Morgan’s sister, Iona, is married to his first mate and good friend, Angus MacLeod. James Cameron, Vanessa’s father and Morgan’s partner, very much disapproves of his daughter’s actions. Farand Thatcher, a young dandy whom she met at the London docks, pursues Emma to Nova Scotia. He has a relentless agenda, and nothing Emma says to him keeps him at bay. Emotions run ragged and betrayal seemingly lurks around every corner in CALEDONIAN PRIVATEER. Gail MacMillan takes a turbulent time in history and gives it a human face. The action leaves one panting from trying to keep up, and the story kept me guessing. I recommend it.

Vi Janaway