Review: Masquerade Marriage

A SECRET LIST

He was born to a clan of noted warriors and musicians. Yet to protect his loved ones and escape the dark fate of his brothers, he abandons his identity. Hiding from relentless soldiers who want him dead, he vows to protect the woman he loves more than life, more than freedom, more than Scotland. But his presence throws her into

 A VOW HONORED

She weds a stranger to save his life. But do vows make a marriage? When does a marriage become a marriage? What if she holds a different love inside her heart? 

A SACRIFICE MADE

Steeling himself against the pain, he condemns himself to a life of heartbreak without her. Wanting her desperately, knowing he can’t have her, he surrenders her and heads alone to certain death. Outlawed, with a price on his head, does she love him enough to give up castle, lands, and family, and risk the agony of surrendering her heart a second time?

White Rose Publishing’s Masquerade Marriage is an eighteenth-century romance that begins in the aftermath of a battle between Scottish Highlanders and the English. It’s a beginning that gripped this reader with talons of anxiety over the fate of the hero.

One of the things that first struck me about this book was the beauty of the descriptions, both physical and emotional. From the start, I was drawn into Highlander Brody MacCauley’s tragic plight.  I felt as though I stood with Brody as he worked through his grief, his wavering faith, the struggle between protecting what was left of his family or destroying his enemy. Then, of course, there was the problem with Megan MacMurry—the love of his life. 

Megan has her own trouble. Her loyalty lies with her Scottish brethren, but this second daughter of a Lowland laird faces marriage to an earl whose cruelty she has known first hand. When given the opportunity to save a Highlander’s life, Megan marries a semi-stranger, also hoping to save herself from a lifetime of abuse.  

From then on, the low-born Brody and the higher-born Megan fight against, not only their enemies, but the secrets and misunderstanding that stand between them.

Anne’s novel was a pleasure to read and her research taught me something about a time and setting of which I had little knowledge. There were even a few places that gave me an “Aha! She’s setting up another story!” moment. We’ll see.

The one disappointment came with not feeling I had a full explanation of the “misunderstanding,” something I can’t explain fully without revealing more of the story than I want or should. Although it was settled, it seemed to be glossed over a bit too much for me.

Otherwise, I recommend settling into a cozy armchair with a cup of hot chocolate, some shortbread cookies, and, naturally, Masquerade Marriage.

Next month, Anne Greene will guest post on this blog to explain why she chose the time and setting for her book and give some insight into her research.

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. She writes both historical and suspense novels. After falling in love with several countries and their people, Anne set a number of her books in exotic locations. She and her hero husband, Army Special Forces Colonel Larry Greene, have visited twenty-five countries, including three communist countries. A visit to Scotland resulted in her newest book release, Masquerade Marriage, published by White Rose Publishing. When she’s not deployed with her husband, Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Two of her four children live nearby. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. In 1990, Anne graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas, Dallas. Her highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. To learn more of Anne and to view pictures from her extensive travel, visit her at AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book came to me free with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.