REVIEW: Once Upon a Highland Christmas by Lecia Cornwall

Once Upon a Highland Christmas by Lecia Cornwall: Is there nothing that says ‘Christmas’ more than a romantic holiday themed novel set in the highlands of Scotland? Weave in a thread of magic and Lecia Cornwall’s gentle novel about duty verses self-interest becomes a delightful way to relax during the too-busy holiday season.

Iain MacGillivray is the laird of Craigleith, and recently became Earl of Purbrick, in Shropshire, England, because of a distant relative’s death. Alanna McNabb is a woman caught in an unexpected snow storm, going for a walk on the day that her unwanted English groom is to arrive. Iain stumbles across an unconscious Alanna in the snow, and rescues her by taking her to an abandoned cottage to care for her. Craigleith Castle being closer than Alanna’s home at Dundrummie Castle, Iain takes her to his home. At Craigleith are his sister Fiona, their cousin Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s mother Aunt Marjorie, and Elizabeth’s sister Penelope. Marjorie, Penelope and Elizabeth are relations come up from England to visit, and with the exception of Elizabeth, look down on Scotland and Scottish ways. They are also there in hopes of forcing a marriage between Iain and Penelope, with the argument that to be a proper English earl, Iain needs to marry a proper English lady such as Penelope. Alanna’s arrival throws a fox in the henhouse; although Alanna intends to do her duty towards her betrothed the Marquess of Merridew, she does not love him, and her beauty, grace and upbringing in both Scottish and English ways is a cause of jealousy and resentment for Penelope and Marjorie. Ian also finds her very attractive, more so than his prickly and demanding cousin, and although he also intends to do his duty, he finds it very difficult once he has rescued Alanna, who is resting her injured leg in his bed.

Iain leaned against the wall outside the door and put the heel of his hand against his forehead, trying to banish the image of Alanna McNabb wearing his shirt, in his bed, her hair spread in a wonton, sexy tumble across his pillow. … What would Penelope look like wearing his shirt? He couldn’t even imagine it.

At the same time, the very betrothed and nearly married Alanna finds her rescuer Iain nearly irresistible: “No man had ever made her feel the way Iain MacGillivray did, unsure in her skin, breathless, nervous.”

Generally speaking, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were real and although there was a slight metaphysical aspect the motivations of the characters have a naturalistic ring. Even the so-called ‘bad guys’ are more or less acting in largely understandable if somewhat stereotypical ways…the marquess wants to marry a young, presentable woman, but anyone is interchangeable for another; the mothers only want the best for their daughters, even if what they want is not what their daughters want; and the ingénues are largely interested in the security found in a title and wealth as well as doing their duty to their families. The romance between Iain and Alanna is lovely, although the bumps in their road to happiness are significant and lead to much strife and tension.

Once Upon a Highland Christmas would be a great read anytime of year, although reading during the holiday season adds a little extra piquancy and relevance to the story. Read it next to a fire and I dare you not to want to cast a love spell of your own!

Book Info:

Published December 9th 2014 by Avon Impulse

Lady Alanna McNabb is bound by duty to her family, who insist she must marry a gentleman of wealth and title. When she meets the man of her dreams, she knows it’s much too late, but her heart is no longer hers.

Laird Iain MacGillivray is on his way to propose to another woman when he discovers Alanna half-frozen in the snow and barely alive. She isn’t his to love, yet she’s everything he’s ever wanted.

As Christmas comes closer, the snow thickens, and the magic grows stronger. Alanna and Iain must choose between desire and duty, love and obligation.

But it’s Christmas in the Highlands, and there are bound to be a few surprises.