Border Lass

Amanda Scott

The new King of Scots is being coronated. Amalie Murray, a noblewoman and lady-in-waiting for Princess Isabelle, slips away to avoid some people. She overhears part of a plot of - murder, she thinks. But when she tries to hear more, Sir Garth Napier pulls her away for her own safety. If she were discovered eavesdropping, she would probably be killed herself. Amalie is irritated at the knight of the yet she can't ignore him.

When they return to the princess' castle, Sir Garth is one of the knights assigned to stay with and protect them. Another knight, Sir Harald Boyd, is another. He is the man her parents and brother want her to marry. But Amalie has sworn never to marry.

Sir Garth keeps approaching her. He wants to know what she overheard on Coronation Day. She doesn't want to tell anyone. He keeps telling Amalie that she can trust him. She is certain she can't trust him. A secret from her past has proven she cannot trust any man. Why would Sir Garth be any different?

Border Lass will be enjoyed by the romantic who loves historical romances set in midevil times. Soctland has its own allure as well. Amalie's secret is a valid one to have a mistrust of all men. Sir Garth is the trustworthy knight who has to, and does, prove his worth.

Amanda Scott has researched the history of early Scotland (this takes place in the late 14th century) to give the novel a rich, believable background. The politics, double dealings, and treachery are as abundant as underhanded as any in history.

I found Border Lass to be a slow read that never quite caught and pulled me in. I liked the characters even though they don't come off the page, and was intrigued by the politics, which is realistic. The setting may be the violent politics of the Scots at the time, but the characters don't give in to it and stay sympathetic.

Notice: Strong sexual content

Publicist provided for review