When Bronwyn MacArran's father, a Highland laird (chief), is killed by the English, the conquering king awards Bronwyn in marriage to an Englishman, Stephen Montgomery. Bronwyn becomes laird of her clan; this causes conflict between Bronwyn and her older brother, who was passed over for the title, and between Bronwyn and her English husband, who believes women should be subservient. Though they get along well in the bedroom, Bronwyn and Stephen fight everywhere else. Their stubbornness is par...

When Bronwyn MacArran's father, a Highland laird (chief), is killed by the English, the conquering king awards Bronwyn in marriage to an Englishman, Stephen Montgomery. Bronwyn becomes laird of her clan; this causes conflict between Bronwyn and her older brother, who was passed over for the title, and between Bronwyn and her English husband, who believes women should be subservient. Though they get along well in the bedroom, Bronwyn and Stephen fight everywhere else. Their stubbornness is partly to blame, but much also stems from their cultures' differing views about warfare, women, and the way those in power interact with those who serve them. Slowly Bronwyn and Stephen change as they fall in love, but misunderstandings, pride, and long-running feuds thwart their progress.

I return to The Velvet Series again and again. There are a few editing flaws and minor continuity issues, but the storylines are compelling, intriguing, and skillfully interwoven. There is romance, adventure, mystery, treachery, grief, reconciliation, triumph, and passion. The characters are varied and have very human traits. Of the men in the Montgomery family, one brother is short, stout, cannot read, and is an outlaw who fights for the rights of serfs. One is arrogant and argumentative, another serious and quiet, another jovial and light-hearted. Though the female protagonists each have some unusual strengths, they, too, are balanced by deficits and differences; for example, though one woman was educated to prepare her to run a convent, she cannot sew or cook. Another has a magnificent singing voice, but she is also flat-chested, poor, and rather plain-looking -- qualities rarely found in romance novels. Jude Deveraux writes about brave, exceptional women who overcome bad circumstances, women who conquer their fears to save their man from danger, and to save themselves when facing the challenges of a society that valued women only for their beauty, meekness, and family's status, rather than for their own cleverness and strength. Highly recommended series.

This was an outstanding book. Once again Jude Deveraux did not disappoint. Stephen and Bronwyn are an amazing couple. They met as enemies with nothing in common, two cultures clashing determined that their culture was superior. By the end of the book, they had learned each culture had its negative and positives. This couple complemented each other, there was strength in their differences. I was heart broken over the rape and suicide of Mary. She had a sweet spirit. I am glad Brian avenged her...

This was an outstanding book. Once again Jude Deveraux did not disappoint. Stephen and Bronwyn are an amazing couple. They met as enemies with nothing in common, two cultures clashing determined that their culture was superior. By the end of the book, they had learned each culture had its negative and positives. This couple complemented each other, there was strength in their differences. I was heart broken over the rape and suicide of Mary. She had a sweet spirit. I am glad Brian avenged her death. He came to see that Roger was as evil as his brother Edmund.

I hope the author has written more books to Stephen's family. Each brother is unique and I am excited to see what adventure lies ahead to them.