When a Laird Finds a Lass: A Highland Fairy Tale

While I had enjoyed Lecia Cornwall’s books in the past, I always felt there was this elusive sparkle missing to make her work spectacular, and she definitely found it in the fabulous WHEN A LAIRD FINDS A LASS! Malcolm MacDonald lives a tiny flat in Edinburgh, he’s a junior lawyer in his uncle’s firm, and he gets by reasonably well. He is planning to propose to his Sassenach almost-fiancée, when he receives the visit from elders from Dunbronach. Malcolm’s father has just died, he was the Laird, and it seems Malcolm has to succeed his father. This does not figure in Malcolm’s plans. No way will Miss Nancy Martin exile herself in the Highlands, besides Malcolm’s future lies in the big city. However, according to lore, Malcolm has no choice: he must travel to Dunbronach and make a wish. Whatever. He’s a modern man, he doesn’t believe in all that hogwash, so he plans to make a quick trip, appease the old men, hire someone to manage the village, and come back to Edinburgh, and go on with his well-ordered life. The so-called wish must be made in May. He still has time, it’s only February. Malcolm has a lot to learn. He’s a city man, and not particularly brave either, and what the elders ask of him is just more than Malcolm feels he can handle. Marcail MacLeod thought she would marry Colin, whom she thought she loved, but she had presumed wrong. After what she saw as a betrayal, she accepts the first man her father suggested she marry, John MacKay, which she regrets almost instantly, even though he seems nice and he smells good, but he has one huge fault: Marie de Montescue. Marcail is to sail with her new betrothed, but she changes her mind after seeing something that John is no better than Colin, and she jumps off the ship and into the water, intending to get back home. However, there’s a hitch, she knocks her head, and drifts off; this just wasn’t her day. Malcolm is now in Dunbronach, he’s still trying to figure out how he will get out of this pickle, he takes a stroll along the beach, where he finds a young woman who has nearly drowned. Quickly, he forgets his fear of water, and gets her out. To his horror and consternation, the woman is wearing a MacLeod plaid! She is the MacDonalds’ mortal enemy but she needs help; what to do? He cannot leave her there! So he quickly hides her distinctive plaid and brings her to the village. Malcolm is terrified that he will not be able to tell her to keep her name quiet, but he’s in luck, sort of: the bonny lass, Marcail MacLeod, doesn’t remember what happened! What a joy it is to read a romance between two very engaging and charming characters! Malcolm might be set in his ways, even though he’s quite young, but slowly he comes to see that he might have been missing something as he gets to know Dunbronach. The cast of characters is splendid: the wild and blood-thirsty elders, the delightful Glenna, Malcolm’s young cousin; everybody is so entertaining, it’s such fun just to watch them be! The prose is lively and eloquent, the pace is just right; WHEN A LAIRD FINDS A LASS is like a sunny day under bright blue skies! Marcail loves to swim, Malcolm hates the water, he’s even seasick, but they like each other a lot, and they bring out the best in each other. Both are such splendid characters; Malcolm is a bit of an unusual hero-type, and I loved him all the more for it; he changes a lot in a very realistic and endearing way. I love amnesia tropes, and WHEN A LAIRD FINDS A LASS is one of the best I’ve read. Ms. Cornwall’s prose is just gorgeous: her Scotland is so vivid and beautiful, how gloriously she expresses the blossoming love between Malcolm and Marcail, how much she makes us feel when things take a dramatic turn and we fear for our lovely couple’s future. WHEN A LAIRD FINDS A LASS is perfectly wonderful from the first word to the very last! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

When a Laird Finds a Lass (A Highland Fairytale) by Leica Cornwall is yet another superbly written Scottish Romance. Book 2 in "A Highland Fairytale", but can be read as a standalone. Magnificently written with a Highland hero and a feisty lass. Steady paced with engaging characters with a unique and satisfying storyline. This is the story of Malcolm MacDonald, a lawyer who resides in Edinburgh, half English and half Scottish, but raised in England. He unexpectedly inherits the title of Laird of Dunbronach, from his estranged father. And Marcail MacLeod, of the dreaded and barbaric MacLeod Clan. When Macolm finds Marcail near death, on his beach, he recues her and hides her plaid, when he learns she has no memory and doesn't know she's a MacLeod. Together, they find love and a peaceful existence, until, the truth finally comes to light. But will they be able to find their HEA, as danger lurkes, and love blossoms or lose all to save Macolm's Clan? Another great "HighlandFairytale" by Leica Cornwall. What a fantastic storyteller she is, one who draws readers in and holds them fixed to the pages! While, a bit slow in the beginning it progress' quickly and efficiently. I would recommend reading this latest tale by Ms. Cornwall. Readers will be rewarded with this enchanting and engaging characters, the Highland clans and the story. Well worth the time to read, I felt! A great Scottish Romance! I received a complimentary copy. Rating: 4 Heat rating: Mild Reviewed by: AprilR

Very good read, funny and great story line