Highland Velvet

I've been in the mood for some historical medieval romance and grabbed this set by Jude Deveraux. It's some of her older work, so bodice ripper style, but that's fine. This is the second installment of the Montgomery brothers featuring Stephen Montgomery, the second oldest brother. King Henry VII has ordered him to marry a Scot laird, and Stephen shows up three days late to his wedding (the reason is covered in the previous book). Bronwyn is not pleased. And so the book starts with an enemies-to-lovers trope. Actually, Stephen is pretty reasonable, determined to make friends with the Scots and follow his bride's requests. Bronwyn is the one who doesn't think and acts selfishly, which gets tiresome as the book goes on.
It's an okay show more story, but two issues caused me to give this three stars. First, Henry VII had no say over Scottish lairds and who they would wed. I think this story takes place just before he married his daughter Margaret to King James V of Scotland, and it would have made more sense to me if Stephen and Bronwyn's marriage was part of the treaty. I know this is fiction, but the author does a nice job in other historical details, and I couldn't get past this one.
Secondly, the book wraps up very quickly with a lot of dangling threads. Maybe they get covered in the next book in the series, but it kind of ruined this story for me. Mary, the lone Montgomery sister, is raped and dies, but there are no repercussions from the Montgomery brothers? Or Henry VII for that matter - he wouldn't put up with this from one of his Earls. Bronwyn and Stephen have been separated in anger but immediately forgive and forget with no real discussion. I don't know, but anyway, the blurb for the next book looks good - sort of Robin Hood-ish. show less

More enjoyable than "The Velvet Promise" due mainly to the fact that the hero in this one isn't dumber than a bowl of mice. Interestingly enough, it seems to be a story all about the dangers of being too blinded by pride to communicate adequately and appropriately with one's partner, which isn't a bad lesson in general. Nice example of an unusual female character in the lead -- she's the leader of a Scots clan who isn't about to give power and control to her husband just because he's a man and she's a woman. This one also drives the "Velvet" plot forward, and we start to figure out exactly what the ultimate conflict is -- but not who's going to be involved in the endgame.

Jude Deveraux is an author I first read many years ago and while some of her books definitely do not age well I do think the Velvet Montgomery Annuals Quadrilogy books do continue to be basically enjoyable to read. I have always enjoyed the interactions her characters have had and the places she sets the story. The plot can be a bit thin but overall I think it's a good beach read.

Lady Bronwyn McArran is a Scottish Laird captured by the hated English and forced to marry one of theirs. Stephen Montgomery came to Scotland to conquer, but is he strong enough to conquer Bronwyn? As he falls hopelessly in love with this fiery Scot he tries with every fiber of his being to win her respect, and her love.
Very well written as usual for Jude Deveraux. She is a fantastic writer that takes the reader on delightful romantic journeys through her literary works.
This was a very fun read. Sensual and entertaining with a good handful of humor as the two pros constantly butt heads. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes a bit of romance.

Stephan is given a very reluctant Bronwyn for his wife. She hates his guts right from the start because she is Scottish and he is English. Him being late for their wedding is just icing on the hate cake. Bronwyn is is a strong woman but boy is she a hothead! Lots of adventure await in the second installment in the Velvet Series and it is a book you do not want to miss out on reading. I devoured ever word and wished for more.

Honestly until I got to book 2 I forgot how much this series does not read very well in 2021. It's just bad. So bad. We get abuse of a dog, the hero "paddling" the heroine, just a lot of ugliness throughout and in the end, people telling the heroine she is in the wrong and she needs to bow to her English husband that she was forced to marry.

I loved this book. I very rarely keep a romance novel for a second read, but i kept this one. It's a wonderful story, with likeable characters. Romance at it's best. Truely a great read.