Highland Deception By: Meggan Connors

Title: Highland Deception

Author: Meggan Connors

Publication Date: November 25, 2014

Series: Stand Alone Novel

Pages: 302

I happened to stumble upon this book and i am beyond thrilled that i did! Meggan Connors spins a tale of pure brilliance that touched me with intense feelings of wonder, curiosity, irritation, and laughter.

This novel starts in the early pages with a dark sense of lingering doom that follows the characters as the plot develops throughout the novel. In the beginning sentences you meet Kenneth Mackay a twin and second born son whom has lived a life of disgrace and disapproval from his clan, living on the run with a boon for his head. Kenneth took the fall for his elder twin brother, Malcolm laird of the Mackay clan, wrongly accused and left to scrape for survival. Ten years after the fateful day Kenneth receives word from his brother Malcolm on his deathbed and before he knows it, Kenneth assumes the life of his twin Malcolm. Mourning his brother Malcolm's death Kenneth must assume daily life as the laird of his clan...and as Malcolm, Kenneth could never allow anyone to recognize his ruse at risk of his own death.

Part of becoming his brother Kenneth quickly realizes he has a new wife to attend to; Isobel Mackay his brothers spurned and unwanted wife. Isobel has known nothing but rejection and cold indifference from her husband, yet her return to the Mackay holding from her lands in England lead her into the arms of her husband. Isobel's battered heart starts to stir to life responding to a man only recognizable to her husband in appearance. Terrified to allow herself to be broken by her husband again Isobel battles her feelings and her husband at every turn. Kenneth posing as Malcolm is afraid to do anything that his brother would not have done in order to avoid suspicion, including showing any interest in his lovely wife despite every part of his life essence being drawn to her.

Malcolm and Isobel both battle with deep set fears and internal battles that consume each character building each of their fears and the void between them as their hearts awaken with unknown love. Kenneth knows he should leave Isobel alone in fear of breaking her with the truth. As people from Malcolm's past infuse themselves in Kenneth's presence whispers and suspicion begin to swirl throughout the ton of Kenneth's true identity. Isobel tentatively trusting in the newfound fragile love between her and her husband is prepared to stand by Malcolm no matter what arises.

"She fought against the tears, swallowed them like she swallowed the knowledge of her husbands secret, a thing she now realized she could only admit to herself. This man was her husband. But he wasn't Malcolm Mackay"

When the day comes that Kenneth must answer for his ruse it is up to Isobel to save the life of her husband and that of their dear friends. Following her heart Isobel does what she must in order to save her husand, no matter what his name may be.

Infused in every page of this novel is an edge of the seat anticipation waiting for what is about to happen next. Meggan effortlessly leaves so many unanswered variables that kept me an enthralled reader. I highly recommend this novel to any Historical Romance enthusiast, mu only regret being that Meggan does not have a slew of additional HR novels for me to read! This novel has it all, mystery, controversy, strife, and a heart pounding ending. I will be following Meggan Connors for future releases!

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Book Bio

When Kenneth Mackay, long-banished rogue and thief, returns to the Mackay holding at the request of his brother, he has no idea what he might find. He certainly doesn't expect to be confronted with his twin's imminent death, or with the plan his brother has concocted. Ten years before, Malcolm made a tragic mistake, and, to preserve the family name-and his own skin-he allowed Kenneth to take the fall. Now that he is dying without an heir, Malcolm plans to atone for his mistake: by giving Kenneth his life back. All Kenneth has to do is assume his brother's identity. But complicating matters is the unexpected return of Lady Isobel Mackay, the daughter of an English marquess and the wife Malcolm didn't want. Isobel barely knows the husband who abandoned her even before their marriage, and she'd long since given up on having a real marriage with him. Yet when she returns to the Mackay holding far earlier than expected, she finds her husband a changed man. Despite the hurt between them, Isobel's heart responds to this man who cares for his entire clan as if they were family. Who, for the first time, cares for her as if she is, too. Falling in love with her husband had never been part of Isobel's plan. But when their future is suddenly in peril, Isobel must find a way to save him-from himself and from the deception threatening to tear them apart.