Occasionally called a shrew, Merewen Stewart is fed up with her drunken father and brothers - and with the man she's supposed to marry, who has been off on crusade. When she hears that her betrothed, Alexander d'Aumesbery,
has returned, her father and brothers take her to marry him. Although Merry isn't particularly sad to wave goodbye to her drunken family
- she has hopes that her husband may be a sober and worthy gentleman - she's vastly disappointed to first lay eyes on her betrothed when he's dead drunk. The following days aren't much better: he stumbles and is clumsy and appears to have a drink problem.
Alex has heard the rumors about his shrewish betrothed but finds her a refreshing surprise.
As soon as she arrives at his home, however, strange things start to happen. Is she responsible for drugging him and
the attempts on his life? As they travel to visit Alex's sister and her new husband, it seems that the danger is coming along with them. Can they get to the bottom of events and build a true relationship?
Lynsay Sands has a simple but readable writing style. Although I find her books rather lacking in characterization and plot, largely driven through dialogue, they aren't boring. Taming the Highland Bride is the same, and despite its rather misleading title (there
isn't really any 'taming' to be done to Merry), it's a reasonable read. There were an awful lot of places where I had to suspend disbelief
(for example, the efficacy of some herbs which would make Viagra's makers rather excited),
and the mystery side of the plot isn't particularly gripping. Still, for those who
already like Lynsay Sands' books, Taming the Highland Bride is another of a similar level and will appeal to
fans of historical Highland romances.