Border Wedding

Real life in the times

This book takes you back to a time when the story could very well be fact. I felt as though I was right there with the characters through it all. I will reread this one as well. Filled with innocent love, hard times, and strong personalities.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Utterly unromantic with less than likeable characters.

I would not recommend this romance novel to anyone. The only redeeming quality in this story for me is the historical accuracy. I am a Scottish history fanatic and Ms. Scott's understanding of the politics of the time is excellent.

That being said, her story was terrible. The characters were the least engaging I have every encountered in a romance novel. Sir Walter "Wat" Scott (though based loosely on a historic figure this name still had me thinking "Ivanhoe" throughout) was exceptionally inconsiderate of his wife. I understand the tension the author was trying to build between the hero and heroine over the issue of marital obedience, but Wat came across as petty, condescending and utterly unconcerned for his wife's (Meg's) feelings or needs until the very end of the book when he under went an inexplicable change of heart. Sexual sparks were nonexistent between the two main characters because Wat didn't care in the least whether Meg enjoyed herself. He was entirely selfish sexually never concerning himself with whether Meg climaxed or not. Indeed for Wat foreplay seemed an utterly foreign concept. For her part, Meg was a more interesting and sympathetic character, but her frustration (both physical and emotional) was incredibly uncomfortable to read about. Further, she comes across as somewhat weak-willed and emotionally flat. By the end of the book this pair is in love, but I don't see why or even how that happened.

The most likable and interesting character in the book is Wat's sister Jenny, but her appearance is too brief to save the sorry from utter monotony. Jenny's shining, vivacious presence only serves as a stark contrast to the listless heroine and clueless hero in this book.

I forced myself to finish this story. It is the second Amanda Scott book that I have read. I was disappointed with the first, but vowed to give her a second chance. Unfortunately, she struck out with me once again and I won't be giving her a third.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Excellent medieval romance

In 1388 British sympathizer Sir Iagan Murray catches his neighbor stealing cattle that he previously stole from his prisoner Scottish supporter Sir Walter ¿Wat¿ Scott. Iagan gives Wat an alternate to hanging he can marry his daughter Lady Margaret ¿Muckle-Mouth Meggie¿ Murray, who besides ripping off men¿s skin is not pretty. --- He chooses marriage more to save the lives of his loyal men, but has doubts that he made the right selection especially when he expects his betrothed to be dragged to the altar and later to kick his butt (and another part of his anatomy) when he beds her. Instead she seems elated with the marriage as Meg believes this is her time to find happiness. However, as Meg and Wat fall in love, she catches her sibling spying on her spouse for the British. Meg knew her birth family and marital family were in conflict, but never expected to be the rope pulled by each side. --- Few authors do medieval romances as consistently excellent as Amanda Scott does. Her current tale brings to life the late fourteenth century near the English-Scottish border, which constantly changes. The romance is a classic gender war battle between two fully developed likable individuals, but it is the historical tidbits that anchor an era filled with betrayal, machinations, and changing loyalty that makes the great Scott¿s latest offering a winner. --- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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