Highland Bride

October 1, 2002
Few authors portray the Scottish highlands as lovingly or as colorfully as Hannah Howell, and she demonstrates her considerable skill at setting scenes and crafting clever characters in Highland Bride, the final installment in her 15th century Murray daughters trilogy (Highland Knight, etc.). Petite, tenacious Gillyanne Murray has never had men fawn over her, so she is alternately stunned, annoyed and amused when she suddenly receives three marriage proposals from lairds who covet her dower lands. After ably repelling her suitors for three days, Gilly chooses the cold but gentle Connor MacEnroy, who may be too closed off to give her the one thing she needs his affection. To the reader's delight, the large and loving Murray clan eventually join the mix, but it is Gilly and Connor's vibrant personalities and teasing banter that make the story glow.