Melody Thomas’s command of the Scottish Highlands, its people and traditions shines through in this novel packed with passion, clashing clans and a touch of Arthurian magic.

I have read some very good highland-based novels, and happily this is one of the best. In fact, I was particularly pleased at the time period in which it took place, making it unique to start.

Claimed by a Scottish Lord is a multi-layered novel set in 1755 that brings the reader from behind the walls of an abbey across the Scottish hinterlands to the gates of a magnificent castle. This sweeping story weaves together the lives of Rose Lancaster with the vengeful Lord of Roxburghe, Ruark Kerr and warring borderland clans.

Kerr a.k.a. the Black Dragon, has returned to his Scottish homeland seeking a trade for the life of his young brother, Jamie. Imprisoned by his hated enemy, Lord Hereford uses Jamie to draw Roxburghe back from the sea to extort payment and retribution for his late father’s misdeeds.

Rose unwittingly becomes a pawn in Kerr’s plan to trade her for his brother’s life that begins an interesting series of plot twists perfectly executed. Raised as an orphan at Hope Abbey, with an intellectual bent for legends and ciphers, Lancaster is no less astute or confident as a sheltered woman (a refreshing turn) as she battles Kerr across the countryside toward the planned exchange. Just prior to being abducted by Kerr, she comes upon a silver ring that is promptly appropriated by the laird who refuses to relinquish it until Rose divulges her secrets.

Spirited yet burdened by her past, she is the alter ego and match to Kerr’s battle-weary, troubled soul. While his captive, Rose fights with the prowess of a trained knight and forces a battle-hardened Kerr to grudgingly come to view her in a different light as the two forge a bond and mutual respect blossoms into a meaningful partnership.

Character development is so complete it appears seamless as Rose grows from a sheltered woman carrying a terrible burden, into a confident woman whose hard work and faith is rewarded. Ruark’s transformation from seafaring soldier to an honorable noble defending his kin is compelling as these two meet somewhere in between.

The book’s tempo is just right with great character arcs and winning dialogue to carry the reader along further revealing conflict and a gist of things to come.

Drinking from the loosely held cup in his hand, he awaited the question.

“Are you Jamie’s father?”

He nearly spewed his wine. He snatched up an edge of her cloak and pressed the cloth to his lips. “Madam,” he gasped. “Please warn me before you accuse me of fathering a child on another woman. I am in danger of strangling.”

And this conversation takes place after they made love! Their ardor overflows in the bedroom, barn and yes, the highlands in scenes that are passionate without being gratuitous and leave Rose and Ruark…and the reader, yearning for more.

At Roxburghe Estate, Rose is plunged into a myriad of mayhem stemming from her bloodline, Kerr’s former fiancée--now his stepmother--and growing feelings between Ruark and Rose as tension builds among the clans with the deadline looming for the prisoner trade.

Several clever pivotal moments and individuals masquerading throughout the tale supply an inevitable sense of ‘all is not as it seems’ to keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

The rugged beauty of Scotland and its fickle climate is aptly described conveying not only the dampness and unexpected weather patterns, but mirroring its hearty people and the turns of their life. You can almost feel the cool damp mists and hear the hundreds of ragtag clansmen amassing an assault in the name of kin and honor.

Particularly engaging are the secondary characters of Dunstan Kerr, Ruark’s brooding uncle and the reprehensible Lord Hereford , both of whom give even more depth to this work with their larger-than-life presence and ulterior motives.

Readers will thoroughly enjoy the complex characters and rich plot that makes Claimed by a Scottish Lord a compelling read that is as fulfilling as it is satisfying. ~ Helena