Borrowed Dreams

Scottish Dreams #1

by May McGoldrick

From USA Today Bestselling Author

BORROWED DREAMS

Book 1 of the Scottish Dreams Trilogy

Prequel to the Pennington Family Series

THE PROPOSAL
Driven to undo the evil wrought by her dead husband, Millicent Wentworth must find a way to save her estate and free the innocent people he enslaves. Her only hope is a marriage—in name only—to the notorious widower, the Earl of Aytoun.

THE GROOM
Devastated by the tragic accident that killed his wife and left him gravely wounded, Lyon Pennington, fourth Earl of Aytoun, is tormented by the accusations that blame him for the catastrophe. Filled with despair, he lets his mother lure him into a marriage of convenience—for the sake of a good-hearted woman on the verge of financial ruin.

THE DESIRE
Under Millicent’s gentle gaze, Lyon begins to regain his strength and his wounded heart begins to heal. And soon Millicent discovers that beneath his unruly beard and grim demeanor, Lyon just may be the most handsome—and caring—man she’s ever encountered. For the first time in her life, she realizes that she is alive—alive with a smoldering desire for the one man she’ll love forever…

Holt Medallion Winner for Best Historical Romance

Romantic Times Award Winner for Best British-Set Historical Romance

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Marriage Of Convenience, Scotland, Regency

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2003

About the author

May McGoldrick, Nik James, and Jan Coffey are pen names for USA Today bestselling authors Nikoo Kafi and Jim McGoldrick. Together, they have crafted over fifty fast-paced, conflict-filled historical, contemporary, and Western novels, and two works of nonfiction.

Nikoo’s education and training was in engineering. She worked in robotics and submarine shipbuilding. Before earning a PhD in sixteenth-century Scottish and English literature, Jim pursued a hundred and one jobs, including a decade in submarine construction.

Storytellers at heart, Nikoo and Jim were always searching for careers that gave them time for both family and writing. Then, after thirteen years of marriage, they recognized each other’s creative strengths. Nikoo is all about characters and feeling. Jim is about action and sense of place. Their first attempt in writing fiction together produced their award-winning novel, The Thistle and the Rose. Since then, their stories have touched the hearts and minds of millions of readers all over the world. Their work has been translated into over a dozen languages and counting.

Nikoo and Jim are four-time Rita Finalists and the winners of numerous awards for their writing, including the Daphne DeMaurier Award for Excellence, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award, three NJRW Golden Leaf Awards, two Holt Medallions, and the Connecticut Press Club Award for Best Fiction.

The authors make their home in California.

Here is a complete catalogue of May McGoldrick, Nik James and Jan Coffey’s work, in chronological order.
Each book stands on its own.

MAY McGOLDRICK

Macpherson Clan Series
The Thistle and the Rose
A Midsummer Wedding (novella)
Angel of Skye
Heart of Gold
Beauty of the Mist

The Intended
Flame
Tess and the Highlander
The Dreamer (Highland Treasure)
The Enchantress (Highland Treasure)
The Firebrand (Highland Treasure)

Much Ado About Highlanders (Scottish Relic)
Taming the Highlander (Scottish Relic)
Tempest in the Highlands (Scottish Relic)

Arsenic and Old Armor
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Pennington Family Series
The Promise
The Rebel
Borrowed Dreams
Captured Dreams
Dreams of Destiny
Romancing the Scot
It Happened in the Highlands
Sweet Home Highland Christmas (novella)
Sleepless in Scotland
Dearest Millie (novella)
How to Ditch a Duke (novella)
---

Royal Highlander Series
Highland Crown
Highland Jewel
Highland Sword
---

A Prince in the Pantry (novella)
Ghost of the Thames
---

Made in Heaven
Thanksgiving in Connecticut (novella)

NIK JAMES
The Winter Road (novella)
High Country Justice
Bullets and Silver
Silver Trail Christmas

JAN COFFEY
Trust Me Once
Twice Burned
Triple Threat
Fourth Victim
Five in a Row
Silent Waters
Cross Wired
The Janus Effect
The Puppet Master
Blind Eye
Road Kill
Mercy (novella)
Tropical Kiss
Aquarian
When the Mirror Cracks

NONFICTION

Marriage of Minds: Collaborative Fiction Writing
Step Write Up: Writing Exercises for 21st Century

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www.JanCoffey.com

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Reviews

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

..

This is a tender story for MATURE audiences that offers a fresh and unusual twist on the Beauty and the Beast fable.

There will be complaints that this book was listed in the Religious/Christian category, which I understand. Thankfully, the sexual acts were not as explicit as some books are, but it was not completelly clean either. So I agree that it was listed in the wrong category and should be addressed by the author and her publisher post haste.

Aside from that, I was captivated by the plotline and characters, which compelled reading as much as possible in each sitting. I am behind on my reviews and have read many more books since I experienced the story presented in this book. So I must lean on the gleanings from others to help me out.

Blurb from Publisher:

"The Proposal

Driven to undo the evil wrought by her dead husband, Millicent Wentworth must find a way to save her estate and free the innocent people he enslaves. Her only hope is a marriage - in name only - to the notorious widower the Earl of Aytoun.

The Groom

Devastated by the tragic accident that killed his wife and left him gravely wounded, Lyon Pennington, fourth Earl of Aytoun, is tormented by the accusations that blame him for the catastrophe. Filled with despair, he lets his mother lure him into a marriage of convenience - for the sake of a good-hearted woman on the verge of financial ruin.

The Desire

Under Millicent's gentle gaze, Lyon begins to regain his strength and his wounded heart begins to heal. And soon Millicent discovers that beneath his unruly beard and grim demeanor, Lyon just may be the most handsome - and caring - man she's ever encountered. For the first time in her life, she realizes that she is alive - alive with a smoldering desire for the one man she'll love forever....

Contains mature themes.

This was a captivating story and provided exceptional, historical romantic entertainment. But, since it does contain mature themes and is listed in Christian category wih Amazon, I could not in good conscience rate it any higher.

Pennington Series Novels: 1st Generation:
Scottish Dream Trilogy, the Pennington Family series gets underway as threebrothers struggle with the memory of Emma, an enigmatic young woman whosetragic and mysterious death at Baronsford Castle threatens to divide the family forever.

- Borrowed Dreams
- Captured Dreams
- Dreams of Destiny

Stanford Gal: "While I can't vouch for the historical accuracy of Borrowed Dreams after having read the Susan Smith reviews, for me, Borrowed Dreams was well written and an excellent choice for historical romance fans. The narrative flows; the plot is intriguing; and the descriptions are evocative of place and time. The characters are layered and the nuances of their development kept me enthralled throughout. I'm thrilled this is book one of a trilogy so there are more May McGoldrick novels or me to enjoy."

Pennington Series Novels: 2nd Generation:
- Romancing the Scot
- It Happened in the Highlands
- Sweet Home Highland Christmas (RITA© Award Finalist)
- Sleepless in Scotland
- Dearest Millie

AMAZON LISTING CATEGORIES:
#116 in Historical Christian Romance
#116 in Religious Historical Fiction (Kindle Store)
#111 in Christian Historical Fiction (Books)

[Alba Turunen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Estrellitas. Me ha gustado mucho éste libro, me ha recordado a esas buenas novelas románticas que se publicaban hace años, y de las que hoy no se publica nada. Pero si no le doy las 5 estrellas es porque me han faltado cosas, otro capítulo y más desarrollo en el final, ha sido todo muy rápido y necesitaba más.

No es lo primero que leo de éste matrimonio llamado May McGoldrick, pero es cierto que el primer libro que leí no me gustó. Hace mucho que me recomendaron éste libro, y no me animaba por ese otro. Y sí, he tardado, pero la espera ha merecido la pena.

"Sueños prestados" nos lleva a la Inglaterra y Escocia del siglo XVIII. Nuestros protagonistas, Lyon y Millicent son viudos y aparentemente no tienen nada en común. Millicent sufrió un matrimonio lleno de vejaciones y maltratos y no desea volver a casarse, sólo conseguir suficiente dinero para pagar las deudas que dejó su esposo y volver a su casa, formada por esclavos de su esposo liberados, y ahora convertidos en sus criados. Ahora Millicent acaba de comprar y liberar a una anciana con cierta fama de curandera, que será muy importante para el desarrollo de la historia, pues no sólo Millicent pujó por ella.

Lyon es el conde de Aytoun, un noble escocés vilipendiado y derrotado. De él se dice que asesinó a su esposa y por ello fue castigado. El mismo accidente que acabó con ella dejó a Lyon con parálisis y postrado en una silla de ruedas. Lyon no tiene nada que perder, y su destino está en manos de su madre, que no se dará por vencida hasta ver que su hijo pueda recuperarse.

Cuando Millicent consigue comprar y liberar a Ohenewaa, acude a su cita con la condesa viuda de Aytoun, que le hará una proposición muy escandalosa que puede acabar con sus problemas para siempre. La condesa viuda ha investigado muy de cerca a Millicent y sabe que ésta tiene la fuerza y el valor para lidiar con la situación de Lyon, así que, a cambio de que Millicent se case con Lyon, la condesa viuda pagará todas sus deudas.

Éste es uno de esos libros con una historia dura y difícil, además de muy tierna. Ves como poco a poco los personajes se van haciendo el uno al otro; como Lyon pasa de estar drogado y semiinsconciente por sus médicos, a soportar dolores y angustias indecibles, mientras tiene al lado una esposa que no ha pedido y le tiene todo el rato molestando.

Si algo me ha gustado ha sido el manejo de Millicent con su nueva situación. El tener un nuevo esposo que no puede aterrorizarla ni manipularla. Ahora tiene un esposo con una gran carga y depresión encima, que se muestra huraño y preferiría no seguir con vida. Pero poco a poco Millicent irá ganándose a Lyon y el amor no tardará en florecer entre ellos, a la vez que la propia fuerza de voluntad de Lyon para recuperar su cuerpo.

El libro ha estado genial, no lo niego. Tanto el romance como la historia de trasfondo, y no sólo sus protagonistas han sido maravillosos, también me han encantado la condesa viuda y Ohenewaa, la antigua esclava negra, ahora una reverenciada curandera, que hará más por Lyon de lo que cabría esperar, y cuya presencia será lo más importante de la trama.

Pero el libro tiene que tener su puntilla, como dije al principio, y es que me han faltado páginas. Todo acaba demasiado pronto y abrupto, sin siquiera esperártelo. Parecía como si los autores quisieran quitarse el libro de encima en seguida porque vencía el plazo de entrega, y me ha dado mucha rabia, porque me han quedado cosas sin saber, como qué fue de cierto personaje, o más de la recuperación de Lyon y el propio romance de los protagonistas.

En fin, no se puede tener todo, pero para mí el libro ha funcionado y me ha encantado. Al menos me he llevado mejor impresión con él de los autores y quizás me anime a leer algo más.

[Simoloverosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stelle a questo storico avvincente che mi ha coinvolta dalle prime pagine. E' il personaggio di Millicent che più mi ha colpito una donna costretta a sposare un uomo violento che l'ha segnata nel fisico e nello spirito ma nonostante tutto una donna forte, coraggiosa che affronta la sua vita a testa alta rimboccandosi le maniche quando, rimasta vedova, per far fronte alla mole dei suoi debiti decide di sposare il conte Lyon anch'egli profondamente provato da un matrimonio disastroso finito in tragedia. Millicent e Lyon avranno la loro seconda opportunità di riscattarsi da una precedente vita devastante e di trovare finalmente l' amore sincero. Da cornice a questa splendida storia d'amore c'è il contesto storico dello schiavismo di rilievo infatti anche il personaggio dell' anziana ex schiava nera guaritrice intorno alla quale ruotano cinici personaggi che attraverso intrighi e sutterfugi cercano di rapirla. Questo è il primo volume della serie consiglio vivamente di leggerlo ma, per capire alcune situazioni rimaste ancora da svelare è consigliata la lettura anche dei successivi volumi dedicati ai 2 fratelli di Lyon.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with a boatload of needy people and a lot of nice people that want to help them. It did leave a few unanswered questions. Who pushed the Emma the Earl's dead wife off the cliff? What were the Earl's brothers real feelings about him? Did the H/h have a girl or a boy? Last but not least what the hell were they doing in Scotland. The whole book read like a regency why make the earl a Scot.

Not sure I'll read the next one. I would have liked to see the mystery of Emma's death solved and I hate a cliffhanger .

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me long enough to finish this book.

I had really high hopes for May McGoldrick, which is actually a pair of authors working together. But I read 2 books from the duo and decided their style is not for me. Their style is a bit abrupt for my taste. Things happening all of a sudden and not enough build-up. I feel like I don't know enough about the characters and the plots did not provide the opportunity for them to get to know each other either but boom there it is they slept together.

In this book the hero is bed-ridden. He was injured so became "crippled", gave up on life and was wasting away in bed when heroine came. Heroine was a widow who had suffered greatly in her first marriage and had no intention of marrying again. But when hero's mother approached her and asked her to marry said hero, somehow she agreed. I mean of course the writers tried to make it reasonable. I still found it odd. But anyways they got married and somehow heroine managed to get through to hero (of course because how else is the story going to progress?) So hero was on the mend and guess what he could not move his lower half but they had sex!

At this point the story kind of lost me. I mean I think it is great and all. I had trouble imagining it. Blame it on my po0r imagination. So because he was not able to move his lower half, she was on top. And people, that is how it is done.

I unfortunately, could not feel the chemistry between them. So I found the sex scene really odd. I was not convinced that they were attracted to each other at all. But it could be that I am never much for the "patient/caregiver" kind of story. Another prime example is flowers from the storm, which I still regret. How I wish I liked that story, but I digress.

There is also nothing Scottish about this book. I don't know why the writers had to make it Scottish. It could very well have been a Regency novel.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - voto


" Conosco tutte le sofferenze che avete dovuto subire durante il vostro matrimonio. Ma quello che vi propongo ora non ha nulla a che vedere con la situazione che avete sopportato sotto la brutale tirannia del vostro primo marito. Millicent fissò l’anziana signora, cercando di capire come faceva a sapere tutte quelle cose. La contessa stava parlando della sua vita come se fosse di pubblico dominio, e lei si sentì stringere lo stomaco. Provò un forte impulso di scappare: non voleva altro che uscire da quella casa e tornare a Melbury Hall. Per Millicent il matrimonio significava essere di proprietà di un uomo. Aveva sperimentato le catene di quel “felice” stato per cinque interminabili anni. Non esisteva protezione per una donna sposata. Il matrimonio era una condizione di abuso mentale e fisico. Punto. I voti nuziali non erano altro che una bestemmia inventata dagli uomini per dominare le donne. E dopo la morte di Wentworth, aveva giurato di non lasciarsi mai più soggiogare a una vita simile."

Millicent è la vedova di un mostro, un uomo che possedeva schiavi nelle sue piantagioni che non esitava ad usare e torturare come meglio credeva. Lei stessa ha subito abusi di ogni sorta, ed ora che è morto, lasciandola in gravi difficoltà economiche, lei usa il suo poco denaro, nel tentativo di recuperare più schiavi possibili, e portarli a vivere nella sua tenuta dando loro una nuova vita.

Per questo motivo, un giorno si trova all’asta per recuperare una vecchia schiava che è stata di proprietà di un medico, in affari col marito, e che Millincet sa, potrebbe finire nelle mani di un suo amico ancora più crudele di lui, che sembra volerla ad ogni costo. Il tentativo di salvarla riesce anche perché Jasper Hyde ha mandato uno dei suoi uomini, che di fronte alle continue offerte della donna, non crede di poter spendere tanto denaro per una vecchia che sembra in procinto di morire. Acquistare Ohenewaa però, pone Millicent in grossi problemi, ben presto infatti non potrà più fare fronte ai debiti contratti dal marito e non potrà più proteggere gli uomini e le donne che ha salvato.

Ma inaspettatamente arriva la proposta della Contessa vedova di Aytoun, che sembra sapere di lei ogni cosa, ed è disposta a saldare ogni suo debito e darle una generosa rendita, purché lei sposi suo figlio, il Conte di Aytoun. Un uomo che dopo una caduta non muove più le gambe e un braccio, vive perennemente assonnato dal laudano, e i medici disperano che le sue condizioni possano mai cambiare. E non ultimo, tutti pensano abbia assassinato la sua prima moglie. Per Millicent tutto sembra un incubo tremendo, ma l’assicurazione che in caso di guarigione potrà ottenere un rapido divorzio e le condizioni critiche dell’uomo, la spingono ad accettare. Non sapendo che questo le avrebbe portato non pochi problemi, ma anche la possibilità di essere finalmente felice.

È un libro dalla trama incredibilmente varia e complessa, non abbiamo solo una storia d’amore, ma anche continui tentativi da parte di Jasper Hyde di mettere le mani sull’anziana donna che crede sia la fonte di tutti i suoi problemi, e per cui ha in mente crudeltà indicibili. Ohenwaa stessa è un personaggio bellissimo e pieno di mistero, una donna che ha saputo unire ciò che ha imparato, vivendo con il suo padrone bianco, alle conoscenze antiche del suo popolo in cui era una principessa. In un primo tempo, non è ben sicura di quello che Millicent vuole da lei, ma non appena si rende conto di quanto sia buona e generosa quella donna che ha vissuto nel terrore come loro, decide di aiutarla a curare il Conte, che pur con i suoi scatti d’ira e il suo desiderare di morire crede un uomo onorevole.

Millicen ha paura, teme di fidarsi dell’uomo, eppure imparando a conoscere quel marito ombroso e pieno di angosce e rimpianti, sente per la prima volta desideri che non ha mai provato. Il loro è un amore che nasce molto lentamente e ci saranno molte prove da superare, prima che tutto sia sereno nelle loro vite.

Primo di una serie che racconta le vicende dei tre figli della Contessa vedova di Aytoun, vede come filo conduttore il bisogno di scoprire la verità sulla morte di Emma Douglas, prima moglie del Conte. Nata nella proprietà vicina a quella degli Aytoun in Scozia, la giovane era riuscita ad incantare tutti e tre i giovani, ma aveva sposato Lyon solo perché era l’erede, rendendo la sua vita un inferno. Non paga di questo, non aveva esitato a mettere l’uno contro l’altro i tre fratelli, al punto che credendo che Lyon fosse il colpevole, lo avevano lasciato solo e se n’erano andati senza mai voltarsi indietro. E solo alla fine della serie si avranno abbastanza indizi, per scoprire chi sia stato ad uccidere una donna che pur con la sua bellezza molti avevano imparato ad odiare.

Bei personaggi, una trama varia e interessante per un libro che non ha mai attimi di noia, e che ho trovato davvero molto ben fatto. Uno storico di classe che consiglio davvero, ed adesso non rimane che aspettare di scoprire dove si sia rifugiato Pierce, e dove lo abbia portato il suo desiderio di allontanarsi dalla famiglia.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of an oddly paced book. There ended up not being a ton of conflict in the romantic relationship??? There were more POVs than I'm used to--which isn't a bad thing--and more plots left dangling than I expected. But I'm not very tempted to read on.

I'm not qualified to judge, but just not sure about the portrayal of slavery and African culture.

Owned ebook 1/2 for the month
Overall owned book 1/5 for the month

[Autumn (Triquetra Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was decent. I wasn't too sure if I would like this after the first few chapters, only because it seems to be a little too "mushy" for my tastes. I like romance novels, sure, but I also like to read something with substance instead of fluff.

I feel like part of this book is fluff, mostly on Millicent's part - although given the time period I suppose that this was what the authors were trying to convey.

I've noticed that in the book Lyon aka Aytoun aka Lord Aytoun is a very nice round character. He goes from being a crabby, S.O.B. to making a turn around to being a very good husband.

I wish I saw the same in Millicent. She seemed to stay pretty flat, especially in regards to her confidence. Throughout the novel she sees herself as less and that she's not worthy of the great Lord of Scandel.

However, towards the very end I see that she has changed, but only because of outside circumstances. I feel like Jo and that situation changed her drasitcally, and if not for Jo then she would've continued to be a weaker character.

Jasper Hyde was highly annoying throughout the entire book and I find it a bit annoying that we've only gotten a bit of his story on the very last pages of the novel before the Epilogue. You'd think that we'd get some of that thoughout the novel so that we can more fully understand him instead of being bored with his storyline.

Ohenewaa was decent and I loved the way her and the Dowager interacted. Reminded me of my grandmother and grandfather. Great dynamic.

Overall a decent book, the love scenes weren't too steamy if that's something that you're not into. From other books I've read (think Christine Feehan) the sex was all but nonexistent here.

[Amarilli 73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 Erano due strani uccelli, pensò, entrambi attratti dalla stessa coloratissima bacca che in passato avevano trovato tanto amara. Ed entrambi erano incapaci di ignorarla.

Primo libro che leggo di quest'autrice e subito promossa.
Ho apprezzato quasi tutto: personaggi, trama, verosimiglianza, pure il richiamo al contesto storico.
Già la coppia protagonista è molto particolare: Millicent è una vedova con un passato di abusi e violenze alle spalle, determinata a rimediare agli errori del marito; per questo ha trasformato ciò che resta del suo patrimonio immobiliare in una casa-rifugio per sé, i vecchi domestici e gli ex-schiavi liberati del malvagio consorte. Tra questi, una donna saggia e anziana, riverita come una guaritrice, che però si porta dietro uno strascico di nemici.

Lyon, al contrario, mi ha ricordato un po' "La figlia del matematico", per quel suo essere un nobile malato (e al tempo venivi curato con i salassi o con il laudano per calmarti), malvisto, in odore di sospetto e sul filo del rasoio per essere spedito a Bedlam (dove finiva chiunque non dava veloci segni di guarigione ed era divenuto un impiccio per i pur nobili familiari).
Una volta che Millicent ha stipulato con la contessa madre un particolare accordo di interessi, Lyon diviene una sua preoccupazione e la sua guarigione un vero obiettivo.
La fortuna vuole che Millicent, oltre ad essere onesta e fedele ai propri obblighi, sia anche aperta alle soluzioni più pragmatiche e molto più determinata della media femminile dell'epoca.

La prima parte, con Lyon barbuto, diffidente e scorbutico, è molto bella, credibile e dolce. Azzeccati anche i vari domestici che gravitano intorno.
La seconda parte post-guarigione è meno realistica e un po' più fiabesca, con Millicent e Lyon trasformati in conti illuminati e dediti alla protezione del popolo. Ma la storia d'amore resta comunque ben costruita, lasciando il giusto tocco di mistero per il proseguo (sia per la soluzione del mistero di Emma, che per l'arrivo dei due fratelli minori del conte).
Insomma, sono più che propensa a proseguire e sarei pure curiosa di leggere il prequel della serie.

[Chloe Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! So much sorrow and so much love wrapped up in 1 great little book! I'm moving straight onto the next one

[Karla✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gustó, solo que el final me pareció muy precipitado y me quedaron muchas incógnitas, qué espero en los siguientes libros se resuelvan como el quien es el asesino de Emma y que pasara con Violet :(

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never heard of this author but liked the sound of the story when I read the back cover at a book sale. I'm so very glad I bought this book!

The husband and wife team who wrote this book did such a wonderful job and I cannot wait to get the other two books in the trilogy from my library (as well as others) to read!

It is the story of two broken souls who through fate and some meddling from a loving mother, are brought together. A man with terrible injuries and a woman nearly destroyed by her first marriage. They both help each other to heal.

I couldn't put this book down. Read the whole thing in one day and will certainly read it again! Well worth reading!

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi amiga tenia razon! es un libro muy lindo! Son dos personajes que han sufrido tanto y aun asi encuentran la forma de sanarse mutuamente. Me encanto al inicio las peleas xD eran bastante divertidad. Me gusto mucho

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous book! Moving on to "Captured Dreams," the second book in this trilogy. :)

[Omega696 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply adore that couple. And their quarrels.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

May McGoldrick doesn’t disappoint! Borrowed Dreams, the first book in the Scottish Dreams trilogy by May McGoldrick is a delightful tale of two people who turn their tragic pasts into a triumphant loving relationship built to stand the test of time!

Borrowed Dreams hero, Lyon, and heroine Millicent, are multi-faceted and well written characters that drive the story, and are surrounded by a cast of major and minor secondary characters. The major secondary characters support Lyon and Millicent, and play an integral part to the storyline, which is at times heart-wrenching, but overall beautifully uplifting!

[Accidental Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad gave me this book. I rather enjoyed it. I just bought the next one in the series. It’s a real feel good type of book. Made me smile quite a bit. It has a little bit of everything. Tragedy, romance, greed and valiance. Give’er a try, I don’t think ye be regrettin’ it! Oh, did I mention one of the MC’s is Scottish? All the better. ;-)

[Laura]

Surprisingly good, one of those romance novels where I never would have just picked it up based on the back cover, but I suppose saw it recommended somewhere. I think part of what made the story so appealing is that it is written by a husband/wife team, so neither the Hero nor the Heroine acted crazy unreasonable or villainous. Every time they might have misunderstood each other and caused the "EPIC HURDLE" that other books would have created, one of the characters would actually communicate with the other one and clear it up. I love that.

The overarching mystery drama was a bit silly, but not so much that I was laughing or throwing the book across the room. In fact, I may read the other two in the trilogy so I get closure. Even though the backs of the books don't interest me, the authors clearly have talent.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story moved forward quickly. The characters were interesting and changed as events happened. Millicent wants to help people and she shows her new husband her determination to help him regardless of how bad tempered he can be. People worked together to keep the people they cared about safe. I cared about the minor characters and how they fit into the story.

[Lindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this one.

[Tane · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-read so many times that i lost count.
an amazing read!

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

It's so nice to read a book that pulls you in on the first page! I had not read the book that introduced our heroine Millicent, but will certainly read it now. Millicent and hero Lyon are sympathetic characters who are also smart and likable. I did not want their story to end. I also love how the authors are able to show each character's vulnerability without drowning us in ongoing pity parties. Millicent and Lyon communicate and listen to each other! Their love blooms as they each help the other overcome past trauma. I am a fan and can't wait to read on!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strength and courage

This is the two words that discribe this book to me.It is a wonderful story, of strength and courage . that Millicent and her house hold possessed, and the broken stranger she married to save the people she loved, and in doing so she saved herself and him,. This story has wonderful characters,to fall in love with.
Thank you! ♥️

[vickieallred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner

Astonishing story with believable characters. I enjoyed everything about this heartwarming tale of history and fictional events woven into a tale of faithful and endearing hope for a better tomorrow for all. An inspiring tale about life, love for all mankind, and compassion and equality .

[CONNIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that this is one of the best books that I have read in a long time.
It kept me engaged from beginning to end with twists and turns and, great chemistry between the main characters.
I highly recommend it.

[Janet Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing

Lyon and Millicent have an intriguing situation but very understandable. A fun romance with lots of drama and a touch of mystery. Enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I loved this story. I think the struggles were very real and told well. I enjoyed the characters. I hope to learn more about the brothers and the murder. Would recommend! 5 stars!

[Charlotte Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Dreams: Pennington Family

This was an excellent read and an exceptional story. When two broken people are thrown together in a marriage of business, little is usually expected from the union.

[Cryssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
A lovely romance with mature characters who communicate their feelings. The story touches on serious issues like the Scottish Clearances and slavery and does so without falling to cliches. My only quibble was that the excellent subplot should have been more strongly tied to the struggle of the main characters.

[Monica Rizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innamorata di ogni capitolo. Mi ha rapito completamente. Bellissimo.