A Scot To Love and Protect

TITLE: A Scot to Love and Protect

SERIES: Once Upon A Scot #3

AUTHOR: Maeve Greyson

RATING: 

STEAM: 

THE SYNOPSIS

Her arrow hit his shoulder. Her beauty caught his eye. But then there was the kiss…

Commander Valan MacDougall and his men are sent to end an extended attack on Caerlaverock Castle, stronghold of Clan Maxwell. The warriors fully expect the reportedly aged widow of the keep to swoon with relief when they arrive. The English have plagued the fortress and surrounding village for weeks. The warriors from Argyll mean to end the siege in a day or less. In fact, they’re placing bets on just how long it will take. After all, they are the invincible Gallóglaigh, and the English are…the English.

However, they discover the Lady Elspet Maxwell is not aged at all. She is a widow, but far from old. And the woman fights as fiercely as any man. The only thing surpassing her warring prowess is her incredible beauty. A beauty capable of bringing men to their knees. Valan regrets his order that Maxwell women are not to be touched by the mercenaries. Of course, he’s broken orders before and intends to do so again with the Lady Elspet—if she will allow. 

Enemies outside the castle walls. Unknown enemies within. Meddling matchmakers too powerful to ignore. And the matter of Elspet making amends for shooting Valan not once, but twice. The atonement he requires from her? Just a kiss. What harm could come from one little kiss?

THE PLOT
That is until Valan MacDougall is sent to assist her and her clan. Valan and Elspet have an instant attraction that only grows for the next few days as he helps to defend her land from the British. But Elspet is facing more than just the British; her late husband's brother is coming to claim the lairdship, her daughter and he is a cruel man!  Valan and his second in command William are determined to help Elspet and her daughter. 

This was a quick read, but I was enthralled the whole time! There is more intense drama in this book than the previous two; I fell in love with Valan and Elspet and seeing what Elspet went through had me crying towards the end. And it was great to watch, not one, but two happy ever after's come together!  

Lady Elspet was basically sold by her father at the age of twelve and thankfully a kind, but older man, agreed to marry her. He was gentle and saved her from a much worse fate. They had one child together before died fighting in a battle months ago leaving her and her daughter to fight off the English alone. 

TROPES

Historical Romance, Medieval Era, Scotland, Gamma Hero, Highland Warrior Hero, Protective Hero, Titled Hero, Dresses as Male, Experienced Heroine, Independent Heroine, Knife-Wielding Heroine, Single Mother Heroine, Widowed Heroine, Fling to Love, Suspense/Danger/Murder, Five Star, Two Flame

HistoricalRomance, MedievalEra, Scotland, GammaHero, HighlandWarriorHero, ProtectiveHero, TitledHero, DressesasMale, ExperiencedHeroine, IndependentHeroine, KnifeWieldingHeroine, SingleMotherHeroine, WidowedHeroine, FlingtoLove, Suspense/Danger/Murder, FiveStar, TwoFlame