Samantha James penned a winner for me with "Bride of a Wicked Scotsman". This is her final book starring members of the McBride family and this time we learn more about the eldest brother Alec.

Long ago there was a proud Irish family, the McDonoughs, and they lived on a prosperous estate; partly thanks to a magical relic called the Circle of Light. Then one day a pirate called the Black Scotsman sailed in and stole the Circle of Light and ever since, the McDonough lands have languished and the family has all but died out...with the sole exception of Lady Maura. She promised her father, on his deathbed, that she would find and return the magical artifact to their lands in Ireland...this is her story.

Alec, Duke of Gleneden, is NOT superstitious. He IS, however, very handsome and quite sought after by both mothers and maidens of the ton both in England and Scotland. But he's wise enough to avoid the traps laid for him...until Maura. Their attraction is immediate, but when she tricks him into marriage his anger is fierce; until he comes to know Maura and realizes his desire for her is more than lust. But will he believe in magic and relics?

The story is so much better than I described above. Maura becomes torn between her people and her love and Alec must learn to look beyond the facts. Two people who turn out to be just right for each other, yet still willing to sacrifice for the greater good. I like that neither of them were stupid, malicious, or mercenary. Their relationship began with a bang (hah hah), but afterward they dropped back and the growth of their love was well-paced and realistic--each coming to know and love the other for the small things that make up an individual.

The sensual attraction between the hero and heroine was electric from the first; and kept growing throughout the story. The love scenes were HOT, but still within an NC-17ish rating. The story didn't make me cry. It did provide several laughs, many sighs, and a tense moment or two. Samantha James' books are a pleasure to read and I found "Bride of a Wicked Scotsman" no exception. ( )