When You Love a Scotsman By: Hannah Howell

Title: When You Love a Scotsman

Author: Hannah Howell

Series: Seen Brides/Seven Scotsman Book 2

Publication Date: December 26, 2017

Pages: 320

Hannah Howell's second book in her new Seven Brides/ Seven Scotsman series is here and will not disappoint anyone who enjoys an easy read with a happy ending. Unlike the majority of Hannah's novels which are placed in the rugged highlands of Scotland this series takes you to the wilds of Missouri in the midst of the Civil War. If you have not read the first book in this series (The Scotsman Who Saved Me) do not be alarmed this novel can be enjoyed as a stand alone read or a build in the series. I typically am not drawn to Westerns in general but started this series as Hannah Howell is a legend in the historical romance world. I will be reading each book as it is released and highly recommend this read to any new or existing historical romance enthusiast!

Hannah infuses the first paragraphs with instant page flipping action, as an easily bored reader i could not help but read the opening pages as quickly as possible to see what was going to happen to our new characters that had yet to even be introduced. Hannah is able to teach the reader about the hero and heroine without describing the characters with adjectives, but instead with their actions. The start of this novel throws the main characters into each others presence quickly unlike many novels which make the reader wait a long period of time for the true story line to begin. In the midst of an shoot out i unknowingly started to learn whom Abigail Jenson our heroine and Matthew MacEnroy our hero truly were.

"Abigail felt her stomach turn as she pulled the trigger and his eyes widened in shock and horror when the bullet hit him square in the chest. She swallowed a sudden rush of bile in her mouth as she watched the body fall."

From the start of the novel it is clear that both main characters have endured much in their lives and managed to prevail. I was most impressed with Abigail and her inner strength from the very beginning. Abigail is a steadfast young woman whom somehow keeps an almost unnatural composer despite the devastation and loss she faces. Abigail's entire life and everything she has ever known changes at the same time Matthew MacEnroy enters her life.

Much of the plot places Abigail and Matthew in an almost mundane normal routine which adds to the sense of peculiarity i felt at how Abigail coped with her situation. I felt the suspense of waiting for something bad to happen each time normal activities took place without err. My feeling of impending doom seemed to be exemplified having read dozens of Hannah's books in the past, this book just did not fit the mold to her normal writing style. I still remained hooked to the story and was not deterred from finishing the read.

As i watched the relationship between Matthew and Abigail grow Hannah managed to infuse humor multiple times as both characters seemed to be thwarted by some series of events each time they tried to get any alone time together. When anticipated attacks did come to take place during this novel i felt as though there was a lack of severity i have felt in the past when reading Hannah's novels. This book overall was a great and fairly quick read for me. I appreciated the happy ending and the struggles that the characters overcame together. I would recommend this book to others and will be awaiting the release of the next five books in this series. The only small change i would hope for is that there was more of a climax as the story progressed, events in the first pages of the book seemed to overshadow those that happened later.

Hannah Howell is one of my ALL TIME favorite authors-- Please give her a try if you have never read any of her novels before! She will not disappoint!

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Book Bio

New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell sweeps readers away with the passion-filled adventures of the MacEnroy brothers, seven daring Scotsmen who take on America in her most turbulent days—and capture the hearts of the ladies each is destined to wed . . .

With danger closing in from all sides, Abigail Jenson works tirelessly to protect her small Missouri farm. She doesn’t require saving—but a handsome officer appears on horseback just as ruthless marauders set her cabin ablaze. With nowhere else to turn, Abigail allows the soldier with the seductive Highlander’s gaze to escort her to shelter in a nearby town.

Matthew MacEnroy was reluctant to join his adopted nation’s conflict—until an enemy attack wounded two of his brothers. Bravely doing battle has its price when a proud, independent beauty comes under his watch—no military man can risk the powerful emotions their attraction has unleashed. But when Matthew himself is caught in the crossfire, Abigail leads their long journey home to MacEnroy valley . . . and her caring touch sparks the promise of a bold future together.