The MacAulay Bride by Nancy Pirri Published by Melange Press Publication Date: July 2, 2015
Pages: 194
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In 1888, widowed Brianna MacAulay is an independent woman struggling to support her two sons. She turns her home into a boarding house, believing this will preserve her from accepting another unhappy marriage proposal. But her late husband's brother, Harrison MacAulay, has lusted after Brianna for years. Now that his brother is dead, he's determined to win and wed her. He journeys from Scotland to America to coerce her to move to his home in Edinburgh. She soon learns her sons are under his guardianship, a stipulation in her husband's will, and she has no choice but to move to Scotland. Sexual sparks fly as their mutual attraction deepens, but just when Brianna is beginning to trust him, Harrison makes a critical mistake. Brianna tries to escape but Harrison holds her captive. He soon learns that love, not dominance, will win her heart.
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I enjoyed this book, but I also had some reservations about it. Briana MacAulay is the widow of the never-do-well MacAulay brother. She has two sons, and she is determined to care for them by using her home as a boarding house. Her brother in law arrives from England and coerces her into leaving her home and returning to England with him. The chemistry between Briana and Harrison is undeniable. I liked that Briana was realistic and very level headed. Harrison was a gentleman. He always anticipated and foiled Briana’s plans to get away. Some of the dialogue between the two was so funny I laughed out loud. I could easily imagine an independent woman trying to assert herself and becoming frustrated because she continued to fail.
I was a little disappointed in the story line. The way that Harrison “supposedly” fell in love with Briana made absolutely no sense. Each time I sort of fell in love with the story the author would remind the reader of how Harrison came to love Brianna. Those reminders sort of took the wind out of my sails. I think that readers will enjoy the storyline if they can get past the unrealistic beginning.
