What do you think?
Rate this book
Scottish Brides #3
Claimed by the Laird
He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…
An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.
Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…
An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.
Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…
360 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
39 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Cornick
224 books1,170 followersInternational bestselling author Nicola Cornick writes dual-time historical mysteries that draw on her love for genealogy and local history. She studied History at London and Oxford and worked in academia for a number of years before becoming a full time author. Nicola acts as a guide and researcher at the stunning 17th century hunting lodge, Ashdown House and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of Lydiard Park in Swindon. She gives talks and tours on a variety of historical topics.
Nicola lives near Oxford and loves reading, writing, history, music, wildlife, travel and walking her dog. She also loves hearing from her readers and chatting to them. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter @NicolaCornick and Instagram.
Nicola lives near Oxford and loves reading, writing, history, music, wildlife, travel and walking her dog. She also loves hearing from her readers and chatting to them. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter @NicolaCornick and Instagram.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 16, 2021
Translation widget on The blog!!!
Ce poate face noaptea fiica cea mare a unui duce?
Din câte lucruri necuvenite ne pot trece prin minte, distilarea și contrabanda cu whisky este ultimul lucru la care ne-am putea gândi... Totuși, Lady Christina McMorlan nu face acest lucru pentru propriul ei beneficiu, ci din dorința de a-i ajuta pe oamenii din zonă.
Ce să caute un om ce deține un club de jocuri de noroc în Edinburgh în castelul McMorlan lucrând ca grădinar?
La prima vedere am spune că nu are nici o logică, dar, aflăm că Lucas Blake este hotărât să afle cine l-a ucis pe fratele lui vitreg, Peter.
Avem parte de o lectură plină de răsturnări de situație, de pericole ce amenință să distrugă vieți și de secrete ascunse ce par a nu fi descoperite niciodată.
Peste toate acestea, avem parte de o frumoasă poveste de dragoste, chiar dacă apar piedici.
Ușoară și relaxantă, acest ultim volum al seriei ne oferă plăcerea unei povești intense și pasionale, condimentată din plin cu suspans.
Impresiile mele le găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
Ce poate face noaptea fiica cea mare a unui duce?
Din câte lucruri necuvenite ne pot trece prin minte, distilarea și contrabanda cu whisky este ultimul lucru la care ne-am putea gândi... Totuși, Lady Christina McMorlan nu face acest lucru pentru propriul ei beneficiu, ci din dorința de a-i ajuta pe oamenii din zonă.
Ce să caute un om ce deține un club de jocuri de noroc în Edinburgh în castelul McMorlan lucrând ca grădinar?
La prima vedere am spune că nu are nici o logică, dar, aflăm că Lucas Blake este hotărât să afle cine l-a ucis pe fratele lui vitreg, Peter.
Avem parte de o lectură plină de răsturnări de situație, de pericole ce amenință să distrugă vieți și de secrete ascunse ce par a nu fi descoperite niciodată.
Peste toate acestea, avem parte de o frumoasă poveste de dragoste, chiar dacă apar piedici.
Ușoară și relaxantă, acest ultim volum al seriei ne oferă plăcerea unei povești intense și pasionale, condimentată din plin cu suspans.
Impresiile mele le găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
September 18, 2018
2 Estrellitas. Ha sido un libro bastante sosete, y que no ha aportado mucho al género, ideal para leerlo en la playa y sitios así, que es lo que he hecho. Aunque ha estado entretenido, no he podido destacar mucho en positivo de ésta novela, salvo que me ha parecido bastante aburrida.
No sabía lo que iba a encontrarme, porque "Juego de engaños" es el tercer libro de una serie, y sí, no suelo leer los libros salteados, pero con Harlequin suelo ser más permisiva, y la verdad, el libro me costó solo 3€ y los anteriores no los tengo.
Como no he leído los anteriores, no conocía a los protas, ni a los protagonistas de las primeras novelas. Aquí tenemos la historia de Lucas y Christina. Lucas es el hijo bastardo de una princesa rusa y un noble escocés, que ha tenido que lidiar toda su vida con el estigma de lo que es, ser de una clase social a la que no pertenece, e igualmente no querer estar a la altura de los que le rechazan. Ahora es un hombre hecho a sí mismo y dueño de un club de juego en Edimburgo.
Christina es la hija mayor de un duque escocés. Perdió a su madre cuando estaba comprometida, y al fallecer esta su vida cambió, a petición de su padre, tuvo que asumir el rol de su madre, ser la dueña de su casa, y cuidar de sus hermanos menores, y por ello tuvo que sacrificar su felicidad junto al hombre que amaba. Ahora tiene 33 años y es una solterona sin esperanzas de futuro, salvo lo que siempre se ha sabido de ella. Aunque en su vida pública es la perfecta dueña del castillo, en la intimidad es también quien cuida de todo el clan, pues es la líder de una banda de contrabandistas de whisky; personas que destilan su propio whisky ilegal para no pagar las abusivas tasas que les impone el gobierno inglés.
La historia empieza cuando Lucas descubre lo que le pasó a su hermano Peter, él era el menor, el legítimo, y el heredero del principado ruso. Peter viajó a Escocia para conocer a su hermano mayor, y también su país, pero una estancia en el castillo de Kilmory, fue lo que puso a Lucas sobre aviso, Peter falleció en las tierras de Kilmory, y Lucas está convencido de que alguien en el castillo sabe lo que sucedió, y todo parece apuntar a la banda de contrabandistas que lidera Christina, así que, disfrazado de plebeyo, se hará pasar por un criado en busca de trabajo en el castillo, para poder investigar el asesinato de Peter.
Lucas estaba convencido de que encontraría las pruebas suficientes para saber qué ocurrió, pero cuando conoce a Christina, la hija mayor del duque de Forres, la solterona en la que nadie se fija, querría creer que ella tendría las respuestas, pero nada más lejos de la realidad, cuando conozca a la verdadera mujer que se esconde bajo el recato de una solterona.
Pues aunque éste argumento sea bastante tópico, podía haber tenido mucho más interés en la pluma de otra escritora, pero a mí se me ha hecho sosete y aburrido. Quizás no sería el mejor momento en que lo he leído, pero la verdad que no puedo sacar mucho reseñable de él salvo que es una novela prescindible, para pasar el rato y que entretiene lo justo cuando no tienes otra cosa más interesante que leer. Por mi parte, creo que la olvidaré al poco de haber acabado esta reseña.
No son muchos los libros que he leído de Nicola Cornick, quizas éste sea el segundo o el tercero, pero la verdad, no creo que sea una autora a la que recurra mucho más, salvo que tenga algo interesante que me llame la atención.
No sabía lo que iba a encontrarme, porque "Juego de engaños" es el tercer libro de una serie, y sí, no suelo leer los libros salteados, pero con Harlequin suelo ser más permisiva, y la verdad, el libro me costó solo 3€ y los anteriores no los tengo.
Como no he leído los anteriores, no conocía a los protas, ni a los protagonistas de las primeras novelas. Aquí tenemos la historia de Lucas y Christina. Lucas es el hijo bastardo de una princesa rusa y un noble escocés, que ha tenido que lidiar toda su vida con el estigma de lo que es, ser de una clase social a la que no pertenece, e igualmente no querer estar a la altura de los que le rechazan. Ahora es un hombre hecho a sí mismo y dueño de un club de juego en Edimburgo.
Christina es la hija mayor de un duque escocés. Perdió a su madre cuando estaba comprometida, y al fallecer esta su vida cambió, a petición de su padre, tuvo que asumir el rol de su madre, ser la dueña de su casa, y cuidar de sus hermanos menores, y por ello tuvo que sacrificar su felicidad junto al hombre que amaba. Ahora tiene 33 años y es una solterona sin esperanzas de futuro, salvo lo que siempre se ha sabido de ella. Aunque en su vida pública es la perfecta dueña del castillo, en la intimidad es también quien cuida de todo el clan, pues es la líder de una banda de contrabandistas de whisky; personas que destilan su propio whisky ilegal para no pagar las abusivas tasas que les impone el gobierno inglés.
La historia empieza cuando Lucas descubre lo que le pasó a su hermano Peter, él era el menor, el legítimo, y el heredero del principado ruso. Peter viajó a Escocia para conocer a su hermano mayor, y también su país, pero una estancia en el castillo de Kilmory, fue lo que puso a Lucas sobre aviso, Peter falleció en las tierras de Kilmory, y Lucas está convencido de que alguien en el castillo sabe lo que sucedió, y todo parece apuntar a la banda de contrabandistas que lidera Christina, así que, disfrazado de plebeyo, se hará pasar por un criado en busca de trabajo en el castillo, para poder investigar el asesinato de Peter.
Lucas estaba convencido de que encontraría las pruebas suficientes para saber qué ocurrió, pero cuando conoce a Christina, la hija mayor del duque de Forres, la solterona en la que nadie se fija, querría creer que ella tendría las respuestas, pero nada más lejos de la realidad, cuando conozca a la verdadera mujer que se esconde bajo el recato de una solterona.
Pues aunque éste argumento sea bastante tópico, podía haber tenido mucho más interés en la pluma de otra escritora, pero a mí se me ha hecho sosete y aburrido. Quizás no sería el mejor momento en que lo he leído, pero la verdad que no puedo sacar mucho reseñable de él salvo que es una novela prescindible, para pasar el rato y que entretiene lo justo cuando no tienes otra cosa más interesante que leer. Por mi parte, creo que la olvidaré al poco de haber acabado esta reseña.
No son muchos los libros que he leído de Nicola Cornick, quizas éste sea el segundo o el tercero, pero la verdad, no creo que sea una autora a la que recurra mucho más, salvo que tenga algo interesante que me llame la atención.
September 25, 2014
The perfect combination of intrigue, passion and romance.
This is the third and final book in Nicola Cornick’s enjoyable Scottish Brides series
Lady Christina is the eldest of the MacMorlan sisters and, at the age of 33, considered to be the ‘old maid’ of the family…the dutiful daughter, keeping house for her father, the Duke of Forres. While he selfishly indulges in his academic studies, Christina also runs the estate and cares for the welfare of her father’s tenants. None of her family suspects that, at night, she becomes The Lady, leader of a successful whisky smuggling gang.
I love Christina’s dual personality…the staid spinster who is easily overlooked and the brave woman who is willing to risk her life to support and protect her people from those who would exploit them. Her family see her as a passionless woman but, in her youth, she had been wild and reckless but sacrificed her own happiness to take care of her father and younger siblings after her mother dies.
When Lucas’s half-brother, Peter, is murdered whilst on a trip to Scotland, Lucas is determined to bring the murderer to justice. The Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth, is convinced that the infamous Kilmory smuggling gang are involved and Lucas volunteers to go to Castle Kilmory and, posing as a footman, infiltrate the smuggling gang and discover the identity of his brother’s murderer.
I do love a hero who has had to drag himself up by his bootstraps and Lucas did that and more. The legacy of being the illegitimate son of a Scottish laird and a Russian princess and his anger over his father’s abandonment of himself and his mother has fuelled Lucas’s determination to succeed. The hardships he endured taught him to be hard, strong and ruthless. Now he runs the most prestigious gambling salon in Scotland, rejecting the title and lands inherited from his father. Emotions have no place in his life…they weakened a man.
Lucas is totally unsuited to this role as footman, more used to giving orders rather than taking them. His irreverence results in some amusing exchanges with Christina and this is one of my favourites, when they are discussing plans for her father’s grotto:
“Here you have them, Mr Ross. I hope they will give you an idea of what my father has in mind.” Her gaze fell on the top book and she bit her lip, recoiling slightly. “Oh, my goodness! I assume papa does not intend his statues to be quite so overendowed.”
“I now have a mental image of the garden grotto as a woodland glade in which satyrs ravish innocent maidens,” Lucas said, enjoying her discomfiture. He was sure that for a moment her gaze had flickered to his groin as though comparing him to the preposterously huge men in the book.
“Pray remove that image from your mind, “Christina said sharply. “We do not require you to use your imagination, Mr Ross. Not at all.”
It was easy to sympathise with Christina’s insecurities about herself…a complexion that had lost its youthful sparkle and a chin that was showing signs of sagging (I know the feeling well) and I loved that Lucas saw her as beautiful and desirable.
His hand closed over hers and she froze, catching her breath. Her face was in profile and he could see the curve of her lips and a pulse beating in the delicate hollow of her throat. Beneath his hand her fingers trembled. The awareness shimmered beneath them like a heat haze.
The romance was perfectly paced…an intoxicating mix of heart-warming tenderness and delicious sensuality. I could feel the deep emotional connection between Christina and Lucas which made their love for each other both genuine and believable. I enjoyed seeing how Lucas’s love for Christina enables him to come to terms with his painful past.
There was an interesting cast of secondary characters; the merciless excise man, Mr Eyre, who is a vicious adversary, the selfish Duke of Florres, Christina’s father and Gertrude, Christina’s viper-tongued sister-in-law. Robert and Lucy ( The Lady and the Laird ) and Jack and Mairi ( One Night with the Laird ) are on hand to lend their support.
There is plenty of drama and excitement and the identity of Peter’s murderer came as a big surprise. The one thing that I could have wished for was a charming Epilogue with a glimpse of the future. Yes, I’m a real pushover for all those cute children.
A captivating and sensual love story and a satisfying finish to this enjoyable series.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
Scottish Brides series (click on the covers for more details):
This is the third and final book in Nicola Cornick’s enjoyable Scottish Brides series
Lady Christina is the eldest of the MacMorlan sisters and, at the age of 33, considered to be the ‘old maid’ of the family…the dutiful daughter, keeping house for her father, the Duke of Forres. While he selfishly indulges in his academic studies, Christina also runs the estate and cares for the welfare of her father’s tenants. None of her family suspects that, at night, she becomes The Lady, leader of a successful whisky smuggling gang.
I love Christina’s dual personality…the staid spinster who is easily overlooked and the brave woman who is willing to risk her life to support and protect her people from those who would exploit them. Her family see her as a passionless woman but, in her youth, she had been wild and reckless but sacrificed her own happiness to take care of her father and younger siblings after her mother dies.
When Lucas’s half-brother, Peter, is murdered whilst on a trip to Scotland, Lucas is determined to bring the murderer to justice. The Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth, is convinced that the infamous Kilmory smuggling gang are involved and Lucas volunteers to go to Castle Kilmory and, posing as a footman, infiltrate the smuggling gang and discover the identity of his brother’s murderer.
I do love a hero who has had to drag himself up by his bootstraps and Lucas did that and more. The legacy of being the illegitimate son of a Scottish laird and a Russian princess and his anger over his father’s abandonment of himself and his mother has fuelled Lucas’s determination to succeed. The hardships he endured taught him to be hard, strong and ruthless. Now he runs the most prestigious gambling salon in Scotland, rejecting the title and lands inherited from his father. Emotions have no place in his life…they weakened a man.
Lucas is totally unsuited to this role as footman, more used to giving orders rather than taking them. His irreverence results in some amusing exchanges with Christina and this is one of my favourites, when they are discussing plans for her father’s grotto:
“Here you have them, Mr Ross. I hope they will give you an idea of what my father has in mind.” Her gaze fell on the top book and she bit her lip, recoiling slightly. “Oh, my goodness! I assume papa does not intend his statues to be quite so overendowed.”
“I now have a mental image of the garden grotto as a woodland glade in which satyrs ravish innocent maidens,” Lucas said, enjoying her discomfiture. He was sure that for a moment her gaze had flickered to his groin as though comparing him to the preposterously huge men in the book.
“Pray remove that image from your mind, “Christina said sharply. “We do not require you to use your imagination, Mr Ross. Not at all.”
It was easy to sympathise with Christina’s insecurities about herself…a complexion that had lost its youthful sparkle and a chin that was showing signs of sagging (I know the feeling well) and I loved that Lucas saw her as beautiful and desirable.
His hand closed over hers and she froze, catching her breath. Her face was in profile and he could see the curve of her lips and a pulse beating in the delicate hollow of her throat. Beneath his hand her fingers trembled. The awareness shimmered beneath them like a heat haze.
The romance was perfectly paced…an intoxicating mix of heart-warming tenderness and delicious sensuality. I could feel the deep emotional connection between Christina and Lucas which made their love for each other both genuine and believable. I enjoyed seeing how Lucas’s love for Christina enables him to come to terms with his painful past.
There was an interesting cast of secondary characters; the merciless excise man, Mr Eyre, who is a vicious adversary, the selfish Duke of Florres, Christina’s father and Gertrude, Christina’s viper-tongued sister-in-law. Robert and Lucy ( The Lady and the Laird ) and Jack and Mairi ( One Night with the Laird ) are on hand to lend their support.
There is plenty of drama and excitement and the identity of Peter’s murderer came as a big surprise. The one thing that I could have wished for was a charming Epilogue with a glimpse of the future. Yes, I’m a real pushover for all those cute children.
A captivating and sensual love story and a satisfying finish to this enjoyable series.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
Scottish Brides series (click on the covers for more details):
September 3, 2014
2.5 stars
Lucas is traveling to the castle to find out who killed his brother but when he gets there he finds himself fascinated with the Lady Christina. They have some good banter at first, which I was enjoying and just starting to warm up to them as a couple, when suddenly they jump in the sack. The middle is basically them sleeping together. The ending is a bit rushed with Lucas, very suddenly, realizing who killed his brother and Christina being arrested for being a whisky distiller. The writing is good but I'm not sure anything really happened here. I've been kind of meh to this whole series, so if you liked the previous ones, you'll probably enjoy this one too.
Lucas is traveling to the castle to find out who killed his brother but when he gets there he finds himself fascinated with the Lady Christina. They have some good banter at first, which I was enjoying and just starting to warm up to them as a couple, when suddenly they jump in the sack. The middle is basically them sleeping together. The ending is a bit rushed with Lucas, very suddenly, realizing who killed his brother and Christina being arrested for being a whisky distiller. The writing is good but I'm not sure anything really happened here. I've been kind of meh to this whole series, so if you liked the previous ones, you'll probably enjoy this one too.
October 20, 2014
Originally posted
HERE
.
First thing: what were they thinking when they made this cover? It’s not 1978 anymore, and the first two in the series had much classier covers!
Though I’m a huge fan of this author and have enjoyed the other books in this series, I nearly didn’t get past the first few pages of this book. I’m glad I did, though, because I really enjoyed it. It was a thousand times better than most of the other historical romances I’ve read recently.
The reason I nearly stopped reading was because I have ZERO interest in reading books that romanticise Russia. I started this book only days after Russians invaded and annexed a city in Ukraine members of my family live in and they had to flee to the other side of the country.
The current genre fiction trend for romanticising Russia upsets me.
I put the book aside for a few hours, picked it up again, and loved the rest of it.
Claimed by the Laird is probably the best “old maid/spinster” themed book I’ve read. You really feel for Christina and her sacrifices and her pain. She had all of her hopes and dreams taken away from her and is making the best of the life she didn’t choose for herself. When Lucas’ secrecy and apparent betrayal is heaped on top of that, you can feel everything she feels. She is one of the most sympathetic heroines I’ve read in this genre.
Nicola Cornick has struck gold with her mix of Regency and Highland romance. All the society and manners of one subgenre and the wildness and adventure of the other. I love her blend of historical touches to go with the interesting characters and clever dialogue. She makes you really like her main characters, even when they’re doing something you don’t agree with.
I also enjoyed reading the secondary romance, which was given a few featured scenes.
I also like how self-contained these books are, even though they’re part of a series. There are definitely a few past storylines that are referred to here and there, but nothing that is going to frighten newbies.
One thing I was a little confused about was the fact the death of Christina’s sister wasn’t mentioned once in the entire book. Unless my memory has disappeared, the first book deals with the death in childbirth of one of the sisters, and yet even when Lucas was discussing the death of his brother – and when Christina talked of the death of her mother – the sister was forgotten.
So, in the end I really liked Claimed by the Laird. I just replaced Russia with something else as I read and I got by! A good bet for both Regency and Highland romance fans.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
First thing: what were they thinking when they made this cover? It’s not 1978 anymore, and the first two in the series had much classier covers!
Though I’m a huge fan of this author and have enjoyed the other books in this series, I nearly didn’t get past the first few pages of this book. I’m glad I did, though, because I really enjoyed it. It was a thousand times better than most of the other historical romances I’ve read recently.
The reason I nearly stopped reading was because I have ZERO interest in reading books that romanticise Russia. I started this book only days after Russians invaded and annexed a city in Ukraine members of my family live in and they had to flee to the other side of the country.
The current genre fiction trend for romanticising Russia upsets me.
I put the book aside for a few hours, picked it up again, and loved the rest of it.
Claimed by the Laird is probably the best “old maid/spinster” themed book I’ve read. You really feel for Christina and her sacrifices and her pain. She had all of her hopes and dreams taken away from her and is making the best of the life she didn’t choose for herself. When Lucas’ secrecy and apparent betrayal is heaped on top of that, you can feel everything she feels. She is one of the most sympathetic heroines I’ve read in this genre.
Nicola Cornick has struck gold with her mix of Regency and Highland romance. All the society and manners of one subgenre and the wildness and adventure of the other. I love her blend of historical touches to go with the interesting characters and clever dialogue. She makes you really like her main characters, even when they’re doing something you don’t agree with.
I also enjoyed reading the secondary romance, which was given a few featured scenes.
I also like how self-contained these books are, even though they’re part of a series. There are definitely a few past storylines that are referred to here and there, but nothing that is going to frighten newbies.
One thing I was a little confused about was the fact the death of Christina’s sister wasn’t mentioned once in the entire book. Unless my memory has disappeared, the first book deals with the death in childbirth of one of the sisters, and yet even when Lucas was discussing the death of his brother – and when Christina talked of the death of her mother – the sister was forgotten.
So, in the end I really liked Claimed by the Laird. I just replaced Russia with something else as I read and I got by! A good bet for both Regency and Highland romance fans.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
October 13, 2020
The final book in the series, Claimed by the Laird, sees the eldest McMorlan daughter, Lady Christina, find her own happiness after her sister's have all married well. Following the death of her mother on the eve of her marriage, she was forced to give up her future, and take on a maternal role for her younger siblings. Now in her thirties, and decidedly on the shelf, she suffers the indignation of comments and remarks made by her sister-in-law, and others, about her own happiness. However, she's more than busy running the estate on behalf of her absent minded father, the Duke of Forres, as well as being the head of the local whiskey-smuggling gang on the side. When the crown and Home Secretary become personally involved in the smuggling activities occurring on the estate, Lucas Black is sent to spy. He's on the lookout for the murderer of his younger half-brother, Peter, so masquerades as the under-gardener to get close to secrets. However, his every meeting with Christina is filled with chemistry and desire, and it soon seems like both might be falling for the other. Will they manage to come through the over side, or will their past catch up to them?
I did enjoy this book, but it was my least favourite of the series. Christina was an enjoyable character, but seemed a bit lacklustre at times, and the whole wicked sister-in-law story was a little boring. Lucas being in fact the illegitimate son of a Scottish nobleman and a Russian princess was a stretch, and the secrecy between the two was something I found myself struggling with. The plot lines surrounding Peter's death, the smuggling, and Christina's niece's secret marriage, were fun, but all in all, it was missing something for me.
I did enjoy this book, but it was my least favourite of the series. Christina was an enjoyable character, but seemed a bit lacklustre at times, and the whole wicked sister-in-law story was a little boring. Lucas being in fact the illegitimate son of a Scottish nobleman and a Russian princess was a stretch, and the secrecy between the two was something I found myself struggling with. The plot lines surrounding Peter's death, the smuggling, and Christina's niece's secret marriage, were fun, but all in all, it was missing something for me.
September 2, 2014
The third book in the Scottish Brides series by Nicola Cornick is my favorite.
When I first started reading historical romance in 2011, British author Cornick was one of the first authors who captured my interest with her passionate stories and her fiery heroines in her Scandalous Women of the Ton series. Since then, I’ve been slowly reading her backlist. This is her newest series, set in Scotland and, while very entertaining and well written, the first two were not as exciting as that first series. Except for this one. I loved it.
Lucas is on the hunt for the killer of his youngest brother. He is from a titled family but has rejected his title and lands since his own family rejected him as a bastard. As such, “he loathed the aristocracy with their opulent lifestyle and their sense of entitlement.” He finds employment as a servant at Kilmory Castle where he has already met the lady of the house, Lady Christina MacMorlan. She is involved in whisky smuggling to aid the people of her estate when he runs afoul of them. She saves him from being killed and they form an instant attraction.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1qwRJAH
When I first started reading historical romance in 2011, British author Cornick was one of the first authors who captured my interest with her passionate stories and her fiery heroines in her Scandalous Women of the Ton series. Since then, I’ve been slowly reading her backlist. This is her newest series, set in Scotland and, while very entertaining and well written, the first two were not as exciting as that first series. Except for this one. I loved it.
Lucas is on the hunt for the killer of his youngest brother. He is from a titled family but has rejected his title and lands since his own family rejected him as a bastard. As such, “he loathed the aristocracy with their opulent lifestyle and their sense of entitlement.” He finds employment as a servant at Kilmory Castle where he has already met the lady of the house, Lady Christina MacMorlan. She is involved in whisky smuggling to aid the people of her estate when he runs afoul of them. She saves him from being killed and they form an instant attraction.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1qwRJAH
Read
August 20, 2014DNR beyond page 70
Claimed by the Laird has elements that echo N.C.'s lovely Scandalous Women and Brides of Fortune series, but its spark isn't as intense. The backstory for Lucas is compelling, just not enough to offset Christina's initial caullous treatment of Lucas, which made it hard for me to root for them to end up together. Ultimately, this is more about my lukewarm enthusiasm for this Scottish Brides series than it is about any aspect of N.C.'s writing. More specifically, smuggling is one of my least favorite topics in historical fiction, but the appeal of N.C.'s writing talents and POV lured me into giving it a go.
Claimed by the Laird has elements that echo N.C.'s lovely Scandalous Women and Brides of Fortune series, but its spark isn't as intense. The backstory for Lucas is compelling, just not enough to offset Christina's initial caullous treatment of Lucas, which made it hard for me to root for them to end up together. Ultimately, this is more about my lukewarm enthusiasm for this Scottish Brides series than it is about any aspect of N.C.'s writing. More specifically, smuggling is one of my least favorite topics in historical fiction, but the appeal of N.C.'s writing talents and POV lured me into giving it a go.
August 24, 2014
Nicola Cornick always works wonders for me. No matter how deep I am in my own work, or how much life distracts me with minutia, Nicola’s fabulous storytelling always paints a new world for me. CLAIMED BY THE LAIRD is no exception. Filled with smuggling, intrigue, hidden caves, secret identities, and a hot man, this book kept me turning the pages far into the night. And true love is in there, too. Nicola is a master of true love…she reminds me why I read romance in the first place, and why I write it. I can’t recommend this one highly enough.
August 14, 2016
This one dragged a bit for me, although I'm not sure why...smugglers, murder, and sympathetic characters abound. The end was dramatic and then quiet and then the mystery wasn't really explained very well. I think that the author got a bit lost at the end, but overall Cornick's writing is better than most of this genre.
October 17, 2014
Don't you love it when the really hot gardener you hired turns out to be a Russian prince?
August 29, 2025
La Cornick ha la capacità di farmi apprezzare anche i trope per cui solitamente storco il naso. In questo caso è riuscita a rendere l'inganno di Lucas plausibile ma soprattutto perdonabile.
Ho condiviso la sua voglia di vendetta, ma ho apprezzato ancora di più il fatto che si sia subito reso conto che tradire Christina e i contrabbandieri sarebbe stato sbagliato, non perchè loro non fossero fuorilegge, ma perchè nel torto era proprio chi la legge avrebbe dovuto farla rispettare.
Di Christina ho apprezzato la sua forza d'animo e la sua gentilezza, la sua dedizione nei confronti della sua gente.
Se già detestavo Lachlan nel primo libro, in questo ho seriamente sperato cadesse da cavallo e si frantumasse il cranio. Peggio di lui solo l'altra tizia, che comunque ha raccolto quello che ha seminato.
Ho condiviso la sua voglia di vendetta, ma ho apprezzato ancora di più il fatto che si sia subito reso conto che tradire Christina e i contrabbandieri sarebbe stato sbagliato, non perchè loro non fossero fuorilegge, ma perchè nel torto era proprio chi la legge avrebbe dovuto farla rispettare.
Di Christina ho apprezzato la sua forza d'animo e la sua gentilezza, la sua dedizione nei confronti della sua gente.
Se già detestavo Lachlan nel primo libro, in questo ho seriamente sperato cadesse da cavallo e si frantumasse il cranio. Peggio di lui solo l'altra tizia, che comunque ha raccolto quello che ha seminato.
October 21, 2024
'Claimed by the Laird'... hmmm not sure about that. 'Seduced by the Gardener' more like. It was surprisingly good. I had no idea this was book 3 in a series, but hey it works as a stand alone. I loved that the heroine was older, wiser, braver and generally more badass than the hero.
Dare I say this, but I think there were a few too many sex scenes in this book. Now they were good n steamy, but I have to confess by the end of the book I was skipping the sex just to hurry along to the climax of the book (no pun intended). If a pervert like me is skipping past the sex then the author has deffo put a bit much in.
Dare I say this, but I think there were a few too many sex scenes in this book. Now they were good n steamy, but I have to confess by the end of the book I was skipping the sex just to hurry along to the climax of the book (no pun intended). If a pervert like me is skipping past the sex then the author has deffo put a bit much in.
November 18, 2020
The romance is okay, just typical Mills and Boon her problems his problems they can't love anyone but hell yeah they're madly in love with the worst person.
The book is very lacking in terms of telling about the plot itself, i.e. lady smuggler vs. mysterious laird. There's not much action or adventure.
The book is very lacking in terms of telling about the plot itself, i.e. lady smuggler vs. mysterious laird. There's not much action or adventure.
June 9, 2019
Ok not as good as the first two in series. The sisters were more interesting then the whiskey smuggler spinster. The H was way more interesting would of preferred him with some one else. I finished just to see how it ended
July 13, 2024
A delightful and delicious novel. I loved the h and h. I felt that the ending could have been stronger. There are lovely twists and turns that will blind the reader. The villains were mysterious. The characters were well-developed. In my book 5 stars is hard to come-by.
July 23, 2025
not clean, but a good read
I loved this story, although I thought the story could have held up on its own without all the sex. Honestly it seemed to sully the beautiful, mystery love story. But I know some really like a good, dirty book. This has a lot of it all.
I loved this story, although I thought the story could have held up on its own without all the sex. Honestly it seemed to sully the beautiful, mystery love story. But I know some really like a good, dirty book. This has a lot of it all.
June 5, 2021
I thought this was the best book of the series. Even though Christina started out as a not very nice character, she grew on me and by the middle of the book I liked her a lot.
March 7, 2024
A perfectly charming read. Very tame, felt a tad rushed at the end with all the reveals crushed together
July 21, 2014
He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…
An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.
Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…
The stories and female protagonists are always intriguing in this series by Nicola Cornick: Scottish Brides, in which Claimed by the Laird is the third book.
Lady Christina should be only a lonely woman no more young, according to the custom of the time, the classic spinster, dedicated in caring for the needs of her family, after the death of her mother. The good and dear Christina, which doesn't strike at first sight because of her beauty and on which all count for her reliability. Few know actually about her secret life, perhaps from this point of view, the members of her clan know more about her, and also who live in the village or her servants, they all know that the woman is the head of a gang of smugglers of whisky, while her family members are unaware of everything.
It isn't boredom or the need for adventure that has pushed her to make this choice, but the desperate need for money of ordinary people and the habit of these smugglers to use excessively violent methods, while thanks to her presence they manage to remain within acceptable limits.
Lucas could be a Prince, he's anglo-russian, he could be, because he is an illegitimate child, his childhood was anything but happy because of prejudice of aristocrats and now he refuses to be a part of that world, he's grown up and his title and his money would be very welcome. He also has his secrets when he met Lady Christina in disguise, to be taken as part of the service staff, and carry out his mission.
Lucas with his character is definitely notoghe best choice for the part, too accustomed tgene respected and he always likes to have the last word and Lady Christina isn't so weak and conciliatory as everyone seems to think.
Lucas discovers Lady Christina's secret and this complicates their relationships. Both if them feel a deep attraction for each other, but they fight against it for different reasons. She could be the instigator of the murder of Lucas' brother, while he younger than Lady Christina , more beautiful and without money. An affair with her employee would give rise to a scandal, that the woman can't afford , she must avoid attentions, which she has managed to do in all these years.
The exchanges of banter between Lucas and Christina are fun, thanks to the man irreverence and ability to cause reactions in Christina, which almost always go beyond ladylike and compassate responses. Lucas is very good at "reading" people and interpreting their reactions and he needs to understand who is really Lady Christina: is she the woman who cares about everything and everyone, with a deep sense of Justice or is she a cold and ruthless person who hides behind a facade?
A nice story with two protagonists unique and an excellent plot, written very well in its romance, very passionate, and enriched by the mystery linked to death of Lucas's brother. There are both the point of views of the two protagonists, and these is great for these characters so complex, it helps to understand better their behavior and reactions and empathize with them.
I loved both of them, Christina and Lucas, they're perfect for each other, very different, but together they're a lovely couple.
Scottish Bridebene one of my favourite historical romance series, along with its author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the kind preview.
RATING: 4 stars
TITLE: Claimed by the Laird
AUTHOR: Nicola Cornick
SERIES: Scottish Brides #3
PULISHER: Harlequin
PUBLICATION DATE: July 2014, 29
January 17, 2017
By far the most consensual and least abusive of Cornick's novels (that I've read so far). Unfortunately, that can't save it from interminable sex scenes, waffling protagonists and a plot that focuses too much on forbidden! love! and too little on the actual human beings that are supposed to populate it. Also, what the hell was that backstory?
July 29, 2014
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Lady Christina is considered a old maid, she's well in to her thirties and is not married. She runs her fathers house hold and raised her brothers and sisters after her mother died. Now that all of them are married she's still stuck running her father's home, so she knows she'll never marry or have a family of her own. Her life during the day may be boring but at night it's fast and dangerous because she runs a gang of whiskey smugglers. She's The Lady and she is trying to do the best she can to take care of the people that are in her clan. She was doing well with all of it until a stranger shows up.
Lucas Black needed to know what happened to his brother. He went on a tour and never came home. His tutor didn't know what happened and no one seemed to care about it. So Lucas Black became Lucas Ross and went undercover in the home of Lady Christina to find out what happened and who was responsible for his brother's murder.
Along the way Lucas becomes attached to Lady Christina and he has a hard time keeping his distance. Lady Christina fights him at every turn, but he's persistent.
I truly enjoyed this book. I loved Lucas and his flirtatious attitude. He saw Christina for who she was just as she did him. The author left enough out that you really didn't know who was the murderer, but kept you hanging on to find out who it was! The others in this series were great reads and I think you'll love them! Leave the author some love in the form of a review!
Lady Christina is considered a old maid, she's well in to her thirties and is not married. She runs her fathers house hold and raised her brothers and sisters after her mother died. Now that all of them are married she's still stuck running her father's home, so she knows she'll never marry or have a family of her own. Her life during the day may be boring but at night it's fast and dangerous because she runs a gang of whiskey smugglers. She's The Lady and she is trying to do the best she can to take care of the people that are in her clan. She was doing well with all of it until a stranger shows up.
Lucas Black needed to know what happened to his brother. He went on a tour and never came home. His tutor didn't know what happened and no one seemed to care about it. So Lucas Black became Lucas Ross and went undercover in the home of Lady Christina to find out what happened and who was responsible for his brother's murder.
Along the way Lucas becomes attached to Lady Christina and he has a hard time keeping his distance. Lady Christina fights him at every turn, but he's persistent.
I truly enjoyed this book. I loved Lucas and his flirtatious attitude. He saw Christina for who she was just as she did him. The author left enough out that you really didn't know who was the murderer, but kept you hanging on to find out who it was! The others in this series were great reads and I think you'll love them! Leave the author some love in the form of a review!
June 27, 2014
CLAIMED BY THE LAIRD by Nicola Cornick is a fast paced Scottish Historical Romance. #3 in the "Scottish Brides" series, but can be read as a stand alone. See, "The Lady and the Laird", and "One Night with the Laird.
Faced paced and adventured filled. Where Regency England units with the Highlands!
A smuggler who you will, never guess who is the ring leader, but you do what you have to to support your family, your clan and your siblings. And a gambling and a spy who learns more than who is the ring leader of the famous Forres Gang.
Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is so much more than she appears. Lucas Black, is the spy sent to break up and bring to justice the famous Forres leader. Seduction and passion bring these two together. But will duty, and justice tear them apart?
I love this series, but I also love Scottish warriors, passion, seduction and love. Pride goth before a fall, rather said fall is love,seduction or providing for your clan.
A wickedly delicious romp though Scotland. I would highly recommend this title, especially, if you enjoy Scottish romance, smugglers, and spies. Lots of danger, secrets, betrayal and seduction. But most of all the true power of love and trust. I absolutely loved this title. Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Faced paced and adventured filled. Where Regency England units with the Highlands!
A smuggler who you will, never guess who is the ring leader, but you do what you have to to support your family, your clan and your siblings. And a gambling and a spy who learns more than who is the ring leader of the famous Forres Gang.
Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is so much more than she appears. Lucas Black, is the spy sent to break up and bring to justice the famous Forres leader. Seduction and passion bring these two together. But will duty, and justice tear them apart?
I love this series, but I also love Scottish warriors, passion, seduction and love. Pride goth before a fall, rather said fall is love,seduction or providing for your clan.
A wickedly delicious romp though Scotland. I would highly recommend this title, especially, if you enjoy Scottish romance, smugglers, and spies. Lots of danger, secrets, betrayal and seduction. But most of all the true power of love and trust. I absolutely loved this title. Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
September 18, 2014
I loved Christina and Lucas. I thought they were perfect together.
Ms Cornick writes a very good story. She was able to make me feel the emotions. I felt the love, lust, betrayal, confusion and anger as if I was living them myself. In my experience it is rare for me to be drawn in so emotionally and for that I would give this book 5 stars.
The reason I decided 4 stars instead of 5 is because if the ending. It was so rushed and so anticlimactic that I felt cheated. There is also a secondary romance in the book involving Christina's niece - which in my opinion added nothing to the story and was just filler material. I was waiting for a big reveal and again was left wanting.
This is the end of the trilogy - but there was no epilogue and I didn't feel like Lucas got the closure he needed. We know Lachlan runs away to the continent - but we don't know what his motivation was or what happens to him.
So bottom line, this could have been the best book in the trilogy, the writing was superb and the plot was interesting. But the ending ruined the book for me. Perhaps if I hadn't been so emotionally invested I would have been happy with the ending. But, since I was so drawn into this book, I felt disappointed instead. I would recommend the trilogy but I wouldn't consider this book a keeper.
Ms Cornick writes a very good story. She was able to make me feel the emotions. I felt the love, lust, betrayal, confusion and anger as if I was living them myself. In my experience it is rare for me to be drawn in so emotionally and for that I would give this book 5 stars.
The reason I decided 4 stars instead of 5 is because if the ending. It was so rushed and so anticlimactic that I felt cheated. There is also a secondary romance in the book involving Christina's niece - which in my opinion added nothing to the story and was just filler material. I was waiting for a big reveal and again was left wanting.
This is the end of the trilogy - but there was no epilogue and I didn't feel like Lucas got the closure he needed. We know Lachlan runs away to the continent - but we don't know what his motivation was or what happens to him.
So bottom line, this could have been the best book in the trilogy, the writing was superb and the plot was interesting. But the ending ruined the book for me. Perhaps if I hadn't been so emotionally invested I would have been happy with the ending. But, since I was so drawn into this book, I felt disappointed instead. I would recommend the trilogy but I wouldn't consider this book a keeper.
July 21, 2014
Claimed by The Laird is the third book in the series, and I really had a fun time with this one. It is a story based on a man searching for the murderer of his brother, and a woman that will do anything to save her people...even resort to illegal activities. Christina is a nobleman's daughter, and the only one that can save the tenants from the higher taxes, with the making and distribution of whiskey. She isn't afraid of consequences, or of a man posing as a servant, whose kisses makes her blood boil. Claimed by The Laird is a very unique story, and it quite a solid romance. Not a story to fully get into, but one that you slowly get involved with and learn to fall in love with it gradually. This story is a lighter tone than you expect, but I really loved that quality. The characters in the story are endearing and charm you. It is the perfect read on a warm summer's day at the park or a evening listening to the crickets. Its sweet, charming, and enough romance to satisfy those sweet urges!! TASTEFUL AND DELECTABLE WITH EVERY CHAPTER!
July 8, 2014
From the description I wasn't expecting the hero to be masquerading as a servant in order to spy on the heroine's household. But this was a pleasant surprise. I've read stories with heroines hiding in plain site as servants before, but never the hero. I was also surprised by how long the ruse lasted for. We got to see the heroine hesitate in her feelings and lust for the hero because she didn't want to use a servant. I really liked this whole set up and seeing her reaction when it finally comes out that he is in fact not a servant but a Russian prince and Scottish laird.
I liked this heroine a lot. She's smart and compassionate. I do wish we could have seen more of her in her role as leader of the whiskey-smuggling gang. We pretty much only get to see her in that role at the beginning of the book. But I liked how hard she works with no help from her family to support her clan.
Lovely story. Irresistible hero. Sympathetic heroine. I enjoyed this one very much.
ARC provided through NetGalley.
I liked this heroine a lot. She's smart and compassionate. I do wish we could have seen more of her in her role as leader of the whiskey-smuggling gang. We pretty much only get to see her in that role at the beginning of the book. But I liked how hard she works with no help from her family to support her clan.
Lovely story. Irresistible hero. Sympathetic heroine. I enjoyed this one very much.
ARC provided through NetGalley.
December 3, 2016
Review - I preferred this one to the previous one in the series One Night with the Laird, but my favourite in the series is still the first one The Lady and the Laird. I loved Christina as a heroine, doing what she could to help the people of her village, and I admire her backbone in standing up for what she believes in. Lucas I was unsure about at first, but he grew on me throughout the novel. Cornick does wonders again!
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Christina MacMorlan / Lucas Black / Duke of Forres
Setting? - Scotland
Series? - Scottish Brides #3
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Christina MacMorlan / Lucas Black / Duke of Forres
Setting? - Scotland
Series? - Scottish Brides #3
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
June 1, 2014
It was a moving and touching romance story. She is overlooked by her family and he by society. Lucas seeks answers to his half brothers death, little did he suspect that he would find the women of his dreams leading a double life. She not only runs the family estate but she is the head of the whiskey smuggling gang.
Can Lucas break down the barriers that Christina has built around her heart? Fun read, great steamy scenes. It's a who done it, with a twist of family intrigue and family secrets. It's not necessary to read the first two books in this series, but they will make an appearance now and then in this book. She had a unique storyline that will grab the reader's attention and make him/her want to read on.
Can Lucas break down the barriers that Christina has built around her heart? Fun read, great steamy scenes. It's a who done it, with a twist of family intrigue and family secrets. It's not necessary to read the first two books in this series, but they will make an appearance now and then in this book. She had a unique storyline that will grab the reader's attention and make him/her want to read on.
December 16, 2014
I have not read any of the other books in this series. I don't often read historical romance even though I do enjoy it.
Lucas and Christina are not typical historical romance characters, which I found to be refreshing. Lucas shuns the snootiness of society and even as an aristocrat, refuses to accept it. Christina is a spinster at 33 and is the one who runs her father's household. She isn't some frightened virgin, though, as so many historical females tend to be. She is a strong character.
While I found there was a little more sex in the book than expected, it wasn't overwhelming. It did add a little fluff to the story, though.
I am going to add the other 2 books from the series to my TBR list.
*I received this book from the publisher to review*
Lucas and Christina are not typical historical romance characters, which I found to be refreshing. Lucas shuns the snootiness of society and even as an aristocrat, refuses to accept it. Christina is a spinster at 33 and is the one who runs her father's household. She isn't some frightened virgin, though, as so many historical females tend to be. She is a strong character.
While I found there was a little more sex in the book than expected, it wasn't overwhelming. It did add a little fluff to the story, though.
I am going to add the other 2 books from the series to my TBR list.
*I received this book from the publisher to review*
May 29, 2023
This is the book I read again and again. I find all of Cornick’s books both plot and character driven, but this one is the best! Essentially, she writes very interesting stories. I loved Christina and Lucas; I loved that they had suffered, had had their own independent experiences. I liked how they each had their own space, and that Christina was a strong, autonomous woman. I also liked that she was not so young, that she had had experiences. I love the subtleties in this story. I loved the lush love story. NK is my favorite romance author so far. I would love recommendations for other similarly well-crafted and well-written books, possibly based on historical events, like NK does.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews