Masquerade Marriage

Unique setting and time

This book was an amazing surprise to me - I loved it! It took me back in time to 1746 in Scotland and transported me to a place where Scotland and England were at war and sadly, Scotland was losing. After a brutal massacre there are few Scotsman left and they are injured and in hiding. If the English find them they will be killed and one priest has an idea to save one man. A woman with a broken heart has agreed to marry one man to save him from the English, those willing to get married in order to be spared write their names on a list. She then chooses her husband from that list and then the charade begins...

I was riveted by this book and it reminded me of another book that I enjoyed tremendously ("Brigid of Ireland" by Cindy Thompson) and everything that I liked about that book. Settings, characters and even the language and clothing of those times that made the story come alive. I was sad when this book ended but very satisfied in the ending. I look forward to seeing more from Anne Greene.

Great read

Fast-paced witty tale of danger and love

From the beginning, the tale draws you in with vivid descriptions and scenes. Anne Greene, the author, delightfully found a way to create a plot that leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. I picked the book up and fell deep into the mindset that I was actually in Scotland. Her use of Scottish terms, language and traditions made me feel like I was surrounded by moors and castles. My skin tingled as if I was in the story during the dangerous points of the tale. I never once thought anything was odd or out of place throughout the story. Brody and Megan's characters were well developed and strong willed. They had to be to survive the cruel world that Scottish Highlanders suffered in the time setting of the book. The witty fast-paced plot left me clinging to the pages in hopes I could help save the hero and heroine. I truly enjoyed the story and I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves historical romances especially ones with handsome warriors and a woman with a cause.

A marriage of convenience story of faith.

It's 1746 in the Scottish Highlands and Brody MacCaulay wakes to a massacre. Blinded in one eye, buried beneath his dead clansmen, he hears the clipped English voices as they walk amidst the wounded Highlanders and finish them off with bayonets. Against his urge to strike out in fury, he silently waits for them to pass. Then leaving his fallen brothers and father behind on the battlefield, he gathers other injured clansmen and makes his way to a hidden cave. If they leave, they'll be hunted by the English. Their fight, their world, is over.

In a distant castle, Megan MacMurry mourns the loss of her fiancé who led and perished in the Highland battle. Upon her pastor's advice, she decides to honor her fiance's death by saving one of his men the only way possible - through marriage. Megan is sure the chosen man will be willing to trade his doomed life for a new name, new clothes, and new life as her marriage-in-name-only husband. When the list is presented to her, she chooses the only familiar name - that of a boy who teased her mercilessly until she took a club to him and his friends. No doubt, Brody MacCaulay wouldn't remember her girlish warrior stance. And if his teasing was what she had to put up with, she'd do it for her fiance's sake.

Of course, once Megan is introduced to the adult Brody - a man with a mind of his own who fears nothing for himself - she begins to doubt her choice. Brody has turned into a fine specimen who turns the lasses' heads. Surely she's not jealous!

For his part, Brody only agrees to the marriage because his sister and mother are now under his care and they'll be safer under his protection in a castle. And no matter what Megan says, he'll never admit to making a secret vow of love when he was but 15 yrs old and a 12 yr old female warrior with flaming red hair stood defiantly before him with a club and warned him to stop the taunting.

Totally satisfying, the end was not been what I expected. On reflection, I realized it was what I'd hoped would happen in a fleeting moment of despair. For I cried when the end was near and things had not gone as planned. I felt Brody and Megan's loss when they realized precious time had slipped away and there was nothing they could do. And then, when I read the last paragraph of Masquerade Marriage, I smiled.

The story is one of faith in the face of adversity. Faith in God. Faith in yourself. And faith in those people God surrounds you with.

My only concern with this book was the thick Scottish brogue in the beginning chapters since the book starts in Brody's point of view. But the farther I read, the more I began to appreciate the soft burr of his words. I knew when he was talking and began to follow his speech patterns in my mind. And after a while I didn't want to separate the brogue from the man, because . well. that was part of Brody.

Anne Greene, I commend you on your character choice of worthy adversaries. And more.

An education along with the fun!

This historical romance set in 1746 Scotland gives insight into the cultural environment of the place and time. The conflicts between the occupying English forces and the conflicts between Highland and Lowland scots provide plenty of tension and drama.
I appreciated the contrast Ms Greene vividly showed between the Highland husband's expectations and those accepted by the Lowlanders. Megan was a determined young lowland lass set to save a highlander, Brody, from being arrested and executed by the English - by marrying him. Their learned behaviors and cultural concepts frequently clash. Ms Greene uses the Scottish brogue for Brody which adds to the flavor of the book, but can slow the reading slightly to get the meaning of some of the terms. Vivid descriptions of the terrain and the lifestyles of Scotland make the book not only an enjoyable romance but also a lovely learning experience.

Very romantic, fabulous read!

My only problem with this book was. I had to put it down when I didn't want to! *smiling* I wanted to keep reading and reading and reading but deadlines kept me from doing so. What I really loved about this book was the romantic tension between the hero and heroine. The blood and gore of the war I struggled with but only because I have a weak stomach. However, it is pertinent to the story and war never is a pretty sight. Brody MacCaulay is a hunky Scotland warrior who is masculinity personified. And Megan MacMurry wasn't some wimpy heroine who needed rescuing. Not that I have anything against heroines who need rescuing. I just enjoyed that Megan was a strong, fearless woman, who was willing to die for a cause. What was this cause Megan was willing to die for? And why would she risk not only her life but her families as well? What induced Megan to marry a man she did not love when she was in love with another? Just who was this other gentleman Megan loved? And where was he, and why didn't she marry him? Deception abounds. But by whom? And why? Brody harbors a secret. What is it, and is it a good one or a bad one? What would cause someone to hide out in cold, damp caves? To travel at night with dangers lurking everywhere? If you want to know the answers to these questions, then you have to read, Masquerade Marriage, to find out. You won't be sorry. It's an excellent read. Anne Greene is a truly gifted and talented writer. Her attention to detail is exquisite. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

A Riveting Read.

From the moment Brody MacCaulay woke on the battle field weighed down by the bodies of three clansmen, Anne Greene takes us on a breath taking journey back in time. Megan's heart was in the right place when she made plans to save the life of one Highland warrior while saving herself the fate of being married to the cruel Earl of Maybry. But in her panic to avoid a fate worse than death, she hadn't thought things through. Anne does a wonderful job of reporting the riveting twists and turns of the story as Megan chooses her future husband. As Brody struggles with accepting the charade. And Megan thinks it will just be a marriage of convenience. But Brody has loved her since she was a child. And now he is all man. Lord Avondale marries Megan's sister. Will he betray Brody? The family dynamics are interesting as two families try to blend, including Megan's mother-in-law and sister-in-law who soon join the mix. I found this story a compelling read.

Great Highland Romance

I love books about historical Scotland. There is something about the people and that time that tugs at my heart and challenges me at the same time. These were people not afraid to die for what they believed in. They held concepts like loyalty, family, freedom, and faith sacred. I think there is a lot to learn from them. Sometimes they were a wee bit stubborn and prideful... but there was a lot of strength and courage in heroes of Scottish history.


This story is a great example of how that sense of honor and self-sacrifice was lived out among not just the giants of history, but so many of the families. It's also a story of how many of them tried to pick up the pieces after Culloden. They had dual desires. Part of them wanted to live to protect their families and fight another day. Another part felt like it was somehow dishonorable to hide and give in to what the English wanted.


Unlike many romance novels, there was no silent, aggressive hero and a damsel in distress. Megan also didn't fit the other extreme ~ She wasn't the kind of woman who had to be in charge all the time, wear the pants in the family and didn't like being a woman. She was just a strong woman who was intelligent, capable, practical and wanted to help the patriotic men who had fought and were in danger of losing their lives. She was willing to risk her own life and happiness to do just that.


Brody fought for a cause he believed in. War changes him inside though. Afterward he isn't sure what he believes and wishes his life hadn't been spared. When he finds out that Megan has chosen him as husband to spare his life, he hopes for happiness with his friend from childhood. He soon learns that she did it as a patriotic duty and was engaged to someone else who died on the battlefield. His presence puts her family at risk and he struggles with that nearly as much as his feelings for Megan.

Fantastic Read

It's 1746 Scotland. The aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. A Lowland Lady and a Highlander warrior with a price on his head. Could God have a plan for these two?

Megan MacMurry has a fiery temper to match her hair. She's tired of living under her father's demands. So she takes her future in her hands when she marries Highlander Brody MacCaulay, wanted by the English for his part in the battle. Megan has a mind of her own, make no mistake. Throughout the book, she jeopardizes her own safety while looking out for others. You have to commend her and yet wonder how she could be so foolhardy.

Brody MacCaulay has lived through a terrible episode, losing several brothers in the process. He has no way to protect the females in his family other than by accepting Megan's offer. His moral character is as strong as his love for Megan. You have to love a man who swallows his pride to save the rest of his family.

This book takes place in an interesting time in Scottish history as Highlanders battled the English to put their Bonny Prince Charlie Stuart on the throne. Whereas, the Lowland lairds backed down to the English to protect their position and fortunes.

Overall the writing is beautiful. The descriptions are magnificent. The scenery, the scents the emotions going on under the surface. Ms. Greene can set a scene and place you right in the middle of it be it a gruesome aftermath of war or a tender love scene.

How well I enjoyed the depth that the author got into her hero's point of view. So real as to what a Scottish man of the 18th century warrior would have felt and thought. My one complaint would be the overuse of the Scottish highlander dialect in the hero's dialogue. It was even in his pov internal thoughts. I found it a bit distracting. Over time, though, you do get used to it and figure out what certain words mean.

This book is very nicely researched. It's obvious the author knows her period well and writes with such confidence and accuracy. The depth of emotions of these characters is what really drew me into the book and kept me reading. This author has a knack of writing genuine characters that the reader can't help but find interesting and feel sympathetic for from the first page. Deeply emotional story, great plotting and pacing. If you love historicals, especially of the Scottish variety, be sure to pick this one up.

Orignally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

Great book!

If you enjoy good writing and wonderful Christian fiction, you need to read Masquerade Marriage.
Anne Greene expertly creates characters from the 1700s who leap to life in these pages. Megan Moria MacMurry, a rich Scottish Lowlander,has everything at her disposal but her father's love. Papa has arranged her upcoming marriage to an "odious earl' and English Lord who hadn't even been angry when he hit her.
On top of that, Megan is in love with another, Jamie, but he's dead; killed in battle.
When she discovers from Pastor Fergus that the surest way to save a Highland warrior's life is to marry him, she chooses one of the injured warriors hiding in a cave. She takes the carriage out on a cold rainy night, picks him up, takes him to the pastor and they recite their vows. She knew him in her childhood and marries him, although she still loves Jamie and she believes her warrior, Broden MacCauly, is in love with her sister.
She knows the wrath of Papa and the odious earl will be poured out on her and the man she married. But she's a stubborn gal with a back bone similar to her Papa's and the warrior's.
She intends that the marriage be in name only, but the warrior has no intention of following her little plan. What follows is a husband and wife who fuss, fume, seldom agree, but at the same time, although they don't realize it, are courting.
So much dangerous conflict from the state of affairs between the English lobster-backs and the Scottish occurs that readers are held over the edge of each page waiting to see what is going to happen among the hills, grassy glens, the Highland's frowning crags, caves and darkly shadowed passes.
I've read quite of few books about "in-name-only" marriages and this is the most tastefully done of all, and reflects the Christian label on this book's spine,
Note: I was provided a review copy by the author, and loved the book!

Adventure, History, True Love....does it get better than this?

In the interest of full disclosure, I met Anne Greene at a writer's conference. I was given this book.

However, knowing I've visited Scotland and love all things Scottish, a friend recommended this book to me and I planned to order it for my Nook. Before I could do so, I was gifted with the book and as they say, the rest is history. I'm so glad. It is a lovely story.

My only concern before I read the book is that historical romance is not my normal read. But since it is about an area of Scotland I love, I decided to not let that stop me.

I opened the book on New Years Day and could not put it down. I had to know if Brody and Megan could overcome the obstacles between them. It was after 2 am when I found out and turned out the light!

The book begins as the Battle of Culloden ends in April, 1746. I well remember walking that historic battlefield, reading the Clan names posted where they fell as Scot fought against Scot. It has the same hushed silence as our Civil War battlefields. Almost a holy place.

With Anne's lyrical words, you feel the chill of the air, smell death, as the fear,horror and brutality of that battle are almost palpable. She does a masterful job of portraying the times. The politics of the time are confusing at best, but Ms. Greene neatly sorts it out so that the prejudices and betrayals that influence the characters are understood without it reading like a history text.

I loved all of that, but most of all, I enjoyed the depth of characterization found from the most minor servant to the star crossed lovers, Brody and Megan. All of my senses were engaged in the story--sight, sound, smell, hearing, touch as Anne Greene packs her story full of description and action. I put the book down several times to take a break, but then had to pick it up again to read just a little more to get to the heart of it all, which is the beautiful romance

I read Christian fiction for many reasons. I love a great story, but I also want a story that I can learn something from and there are many lessons to be learned here about what truly makes a marriage, God's call to self sacrifice, miscommunication, honor, trust and distrust, and God's providence.

Masquerade Marriage is a fun read on many levels--learning about history, a wonderful adventure and a beautiful romance. I highly recommend it!

Great book--get it!

The front cover captured my attention with these words: A Secret List, A Fugitive Warrior, One Life-Saving Option..
How could anyone resist?
Masquerade Marriage takes place in Scotland in 1796. I've read many books in this time period and often find myself yawning by chapter three. Not so with this treasure by Greene.
The characters are fresh, there is a lot of action, danger and I found myself having to read just one more page. Another pleasure in reading this book is learning about Scotland during that time. Greene has presented enough setting details and information about the warring communities in a way that is not lecturing. She has included it as a part of the story and you won't find yourself skipping over those parts. And if you do run into a word you aren't familiar with there is a glossary in the front of the book. Give it a quick read through and you'll have no trouble understanding what the words in the story refer to.
I'd recommend picking this one up. It's a great book to read on a cold winter day.

Fantastic Read!

I did not intend to commit my entire Sunday to this book (after all, it's Nano month and I'm supposed to be writing). But when I picked up Masquerade Marriage this morning, the first chapter hooked me and the following pages propelled me toward the end!

Anne Greene crafted two irresistible characters (one of which was a hunky highlander), threw them into a heap of danger, and ratcheted up the tension with each passing chapter. The romance in this novel is pitch perfect and though it's based on a marriage of convenience, I didn't find the storyline predictable at all.

In fact, my stomach was clenched right up until the last page wondering if Brody and Megan were actually going to get their happily ever after. I won't tell you if they did or not, you'll just have to read it to find out. :P

If I could change one thing about this book, I would choose something that has nothing to do with the writing. I wish that the cover more accurately portrayed what a compelling story this is. Even for e-books, covers are what catch my attention first and I think this one was just a little too dark to do justice to such a fantastic story.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.