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The Border Chronicles #2
The Border Lord's Bride
The Border Chronicles, continues with this tale of a woman rescued, a man enraptured, and a love unanticipated by fate....
Duncan Armstrong, laird of Duffdour, has sworn not to wed unless it is to a lass he truly loves. But when he needs a favor from King James, Duncan never expects what he's forced to pay in return: the taking of a bride neither loves nor desires.
When Highland heiress Ellen MacArthur's marriage plans are thwarted by a murder attempt, she has no choice but to beg the king for help. The cost for her urgent plea: to surrender her heritage and become a lord's bride.
The price to be paid by two strangers thrown together by fate is higher than they can imagine. And more dangerous than the passion--and betrayal--that could consume them.
Duncan Armstrong, laird of Duffdour, has sworn not to wed unless it is to a lass he truly loves. But when he needs a favor from King James, Duncan never expects what he's forced to pay in return: the taking of a bride neither loves nor desires.
When Highland heiress Ellen MacArthur's marriage plans are thwarted by a murder attempt, she has no choice but to beg the king for help. The cost for her urgent plea: to surrender her heritage and become a lord's bride.
The price to be paid by two strangers thrown together by fate is higher than they can imagine. And more dangerous than the passion--and betrayal--that could consume them.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
70 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
215 books1,137 followersBertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 21, 2017
3.75 stars!
April 5, 2008
I now know why I stopped reading romance novels. The characters repeated themselves so much that I became bored, and skimmed through a lot of this book. If you explained it to your sister in law, you don't have to explain it to your husband, the priest who rescues you, the king, the little girl who lives down the lane, and her mother. sheesh. It felt like the author was just trying to make a bigger book.
August 2, 2014
A Rich Historical Scottish Bodice Ripper
While the book started a bit slow and contains more historical information and food descriptions than some might think necessary (though one meal description had my mouth watering), once I got into this romance, I found it addictive. Her writing style is unique, full of detailed descriptions of events, some repeated in various conversations and a fair amount of "head hopping" (giving many different perspectives and some in only a few lines). But here's the important point: once the story ended I found myself wanting more.
THE BORDER LORD'S BRIDE tells the story of Ellen MacArthur who was raised by her much loved grandsire. He has betrothed her to a McNabb and Ellen is content with his choice, but the MacArthurs who live on Skye with the MacDonalds are not happy. One in particular intends to take her for his bride, Ellen's grandsire notwithstanding. To protect her, she is sent to King James' court where she becomes the friend of Jamie Stewart and his aunt. Called home by her grandsire at 18, the king asks Duncan Armstrong, laird of Duffdour, to protect her on the trip home. When they arrive they find the MacArthur who wants her has killed both her grandsire and her betrothed. Through a series of events, Duffdour is required by the king to wed Ellen. Will they be able to find love and passion as events conspire to challenge their happiness?
If you love a romance that does not float on the surface of the historical background and if you like to probe the depths of the characters' emotions, I think you will like this one.
This is the 2nd in the Border Chronicles series (see complete listing below), which tells the stories of the men and women who made the border between England and Scotland home in the 15th century. It was a fascinating time in England and Scotland's history and Small's writing reflects her deep research into the times. The books are 400+ pages and take a while to read but they are well worth your time.
So you have the whole Border Chronicles series, here it is in order:
-A Dangerous Love
-The Border Lord's Bride
-The Captive Heart
-The Border Lord and the Lady
-The Border Vixen
-Bond of Passion
While the book started a bit slow and contains more historical information and food descriptions than some might think necessary (though one meal description had my mouth watering), once I got into this romance, I found it addictive. Her writing style is unique, full of detailed descriptions of events, some repeated in various conversations and a fair amount of "head hopping" (giving many different perspectives and some in only a few lines). But here's the important point: once the story ended I found myself wanting more.
THE BORDER LORD'S BRIDE tells the story of Ellen MacArthur who was raised by her much loved grandsire. He has betrothed her to a McNabb and Ellen is content with his choice, but the MacArthurs who live on Skye with the MacDonalds are not happy. One in particular intends to take her for his bride, Ellen's grandsire notwithstanding. To protect her, she is sent to King James' court where she becomes the friend of Jamie Stewart and his aunt. Called home by her grandsire at 18, the king asks Duncan Armstrong, laird of Duffdour, to protect her on the trip home. When they arrive they find the MacArthur who wants her has killed both her grandsire and her betrothed. Through a series of events, Duffdour is required by the king to wed Ellen. Will they be able to find love and passion as events conspire to challenge their happiness?
If you love a romance that does not float on the surface of the historical background and if you like to probe the depths of the characters' emotions, I think you will like this one.
This is the 2nd in the Border Chronicles series (see complete listing below), which tells the stories of the men and women who made the border between England and Scotland home in the 15th century. It was a fascinating time in England and Scotland's history and Small's writing reflects her deep research into the times. The books are 400+ pages and take a while to read but they are well worth your time.
So you have the whole Border Chronicles series, here it is in order:
-A Dangerous Love
-The Border Lord's Bride
-The Captive Heart
-The Border Lord and the Lady
-The Border Vixen
-Bond of Passion
February 11, 2026
My book for Season 2 Episode 6: Tit-ular Time Travel was The Border Lord's Bride by Bertrice Small. Published in 2007, it was not the Scottish romp I was expecting or hoping for.
Let's Talk About the Author
Bertrice Small is a New York Times best selling writer of historical and erotic romance novels. She authored over 50 novels in those genres as well as the fantasy/romantasy category. She received numerous awards during her career and her Skye O’Malley books were perhaps her most popular. Those books are actually being turned into a series for Apple TV. This was announced in Spring 2024 but I can’t find any current information on a release date for the show. Small did pass away in 2017 at the age of 77 and her son, Tom, currently handles her estate and carrying on the legacy of her literary works.
I think this blog article by IntrovertReader on sweetsavageflame.com really sums up Small’s writing style – at least as far as I can tell based on this book. Quote: “Small’s usual romps where the heroine is captured by some salacious sultan/wh*r*master/caliph and enslaved into his harem.” IntrovertReader also comments on Small’s “usual sexcapades” where “the heroine (and hero) cavort with every staff and orifice in plain sight.”
So that pretty much tells you what we’re getting into here. So let’s talk about The Border Lord’s Bride.
My Spiciness Ranking
This is an historical romance with lots of triggering items. There’s an age gap romance (the hero is more than twice the heroine’s age). I’m giving it a Scotch Bonnet ranking in honour of our specialty ranking for our Scottish/Irish themed month. Otherwise, this falls into habanero ranking on our Spicy Scoville Scale. But if we had Ghost Pepper on our scale -- which is higher on the chart -- I would probably give it that. It fell just short of the Carolina Reaper ranking. And I’m definitely accompanying this one with pepper spray.
If there is a complete opposite to milk and cookies wholesome romance writer, Debbie Macomber, I would say it’s Bertrice Small. I was honestly not prepared for this book – and I’m saying that after having read wild werewolf smut. I almost could not finish it because it was so disturbing to me.
But let’s begin with the main characters.
The Main Characters
Duncan Armstrong is our "hero." (Though I found myself questioning that designation more than once while reading the book.) A laird and border lord in his mid to late 30s, he is friends with King James. I found Duncan to be an ethical, moral man and loving husband but in terms of a hero … a little lackluster and, frankly, pretty useless when he was needed most.
Ellen MacArthur, our heroine, is a Scottish highland beauty raised by her grandfather. She’s a spirited redhead and the true hero of this novel in my personal opinion. Ellen is smart and strong but also elegant and polite and knows when to be reserved in certain situations. I liked her a lot as a character.
The Storyline
The story begins when she is 16. She’s engaged to her cousin, Donald McNab, who her grandfather has named as his heir. This arrangement is considered favorable for Ellen and their clan and the wedding is set for about a year later.
However, some other blood relatives don’t like this plan and want one of their family members – Balgair MacArthur – to marry her so they can claim the lands and inheritance. Ellen and her grandfather refuse to alter their plans to follow what the MacArthurs want. So Balgair and his father make plans to bride nap her to force her into the marriage. Grandpa is no fool, though, and he suspects that’s what will happen. So he sends Ellen to live at court under King James until the time he sends for her. Which will be when he is either nearing the end of his life or it’s time to marry Donald.
Ellen spends a year at court becoming friends with the King and then receives word she needs to return home. The King entrusts her return home to his friend, Duncan, and Duncan and his men escort Ellen to her highland home. However, they discover Balgair has just murdered both her granddad and Donald. He also used trickery to force her granddad into signing a new will naming him as his heir and instructing Ellen to marry him.
Ellen demands she be allowed the proper mourning time of one year. She will only marry Balgair if King James says she must once Duncan goes back and tells him what’s happened. Balgair says he’s going to give her one month before she must marry him, and swears to Duncan and a priest he won’t force her to marry before the month is over.
So Duncan leaves her there to her own defenses with no protection. Not shockingly at all, Balgair goes to Ellen that very night (after she’s just buried her kin) and attempts to rape her. She very smartly keeps a small knife with her at all times (as her grandfather taught her to) and stabs Balgair repeatedly and leaves him for dead. She immediately chases after Duncan so he can take her back to King James and the King can decide what to do from there.
That Keeps Going ...
There’s a lot of time that goes by … about another yearish as Ellen is shuffled around at court and under Duncan’s family’s care. Eventually, the King decides Ellen’s estate and lands are forfeit. He decides to let the MacArthur’s and McNab’s battle out who will get them, and provides her with a small dowery for her “trouble.” Then commands she and Duncan marry.
She’s barely 19 or 20 at this time and he, again, is twice her age. They’re not in love with each other but they have developed a solid friendship. So their relationship and marriage seem promising. They get married and have sex. And when I say sex, I mean a lot of sex. Copious and gratuitous amounts of it. Podcast fans know I like my books a little spicier … but it was actually getting to the point of too much sex. And this is totally one of those books where she’s a virgin with no sexual experience but somehow manages to orgasm twice the first time she has sex with no foreplay. And then, of course, orgasms every time she consummates her relationship with Duncan.
Where Things Head South of the Border
As a border lord, Duncan has some enemies – particularly English opposing border lords. One of these men eventually kidnaps Ellen. And this is where the book went south for me and I almost couldn’t finish reading it. At first, Ellen spends a month in a dungeon, largely ignored. Then she’s brought to a tower where things get nasty. The man who kidnapped her is a sadist, serial rapist and murderer. He drugs and sexually assaults her. And his assaults include aggravated sexual battery, violence and abuse that I can’t even get into because it’s just too much for me.
Ellen keeps waiting for Duncan to come rescue her but months have gone by and he never shows up. So she has to make a decision as to whether she is going to try to escape. But the opportunities for that are very limited. And the only other options are to throw herself from a castle window or succumb to her kidnapper's nefarious plans.
This is where Ellen perhaps shows some of her greatest cunning and intelligence as she is able to escape. With the help of some monks and other border lords, she eventually makes her way back to Duncan. There are additional challenges that ensue. But, honestly, by this point in the book, I was so disgruntled. And the rest of it made me even angrier and more frustrated. So I’m just going to leave it at that and give my final thoughts on this book.
What I Enjoyed About the Book
I’ll start with things I enjoyed about this book. I liked several of the female characters including Ellen, her sister-in-law Adair, and Duncan’s sister who is a nun. These are all spunky women and I really appreciated them.
I appreciated that Duncan and Ellen’s relationship developed over time and through friendship. They know each other for almost a year before they're wed and begin their sexual relationship. There was a natural and realistic progression to their growing feelings for each other.
And it’s clear Bertrice Small is a huge history lover and well-researched with the knowledge available at the time she wrote the book. There were lots of history elements – especially regarding King James and historically accurate foods for the time period – greatly interwoven into the story.
However – and now I’ll move into the challenges I had with this book – the constant, lengthy and repetitive historical references regarding King James frankly bogged down the book.
What Challenged Me About the Book
Many stories regarding the King and royal family were repeated ad nauseum and could have been an entirely separate book. Instead of spending paragraphs and pages repeating the same information over and over again, Small could have summarized them or just left them out and not repeated them … repeatedly.
There was the same problem when Ellen was explaining how she escaped the clutches of the kidnapper. Paragraphs and pages were spent with her retelling literally the same story over and over but to different people.
And, in a similar but disturbing vein: her kidnapper’s sadistic fantasies about what he will do when he recaptures Ellen are repeated multiple times in great detail with sodomy and sexual battery. I found it completely disturbing and unnecessary and, frankly, upsetting. Small could have just said something like “He fantasized about what he would do when he found her and how he would torture her” and left it at that. Nope, Small spends several paragraphs and pages going into depth about the sick imaginings and keeps revisiting them.
I was also upset by Duncan’s lack of empathy or concern for Ellen’s mental and physical well-being when she returns to him and that he didn’t make any real or concerted efforts to find her, even with his resources and connections as a border lord and their favor with the King. And his focus is entirely on whether or not there was penile penetration by her assaulter. Whatever, Duncan.
Final Thoughts
Bertrice Small is a talented writer who put a lot of historical research into this book. She has a devoted fan following and a tv series in the works. While I appreciate good research and strong female characters and generally enjoy more spicy and erotic romance novels, I did not enjoy this book. I found the repeated and extensive sexual assault scenes and fantasies to be disturbing and too much for me personally. And Duncan’s lack of compassion, and his hyperfocus on whether or not a human penis was put in her, is annoying and disappointing.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the book, you can listen to the podcast episode on your favorite podcast streaming service
Let's Talk About the Author
Bertrice Small is a New York Times best selling writer of historical and erotic romance novels. She authored over 50 novels in those genres as well as the fantasy/romantasy category. She received numerous awards during her career and her Skye O’Malley books were perhaps her most popular. Those books are actually being turned into a series for Apple TV. This was announced in Spring 2024 but I can’t find any current information on a release date for the show. Small did pass away in 2017 at the age of 77 and her son, Tom, currently handles her estate and carrying on the legacy of her literary works.
I think this blog article by IntrovertReader on sweetsavageflame.com really sums up Small’s writing style – at least as far as I can tell based on this book. Quote: “Small’s usual romps where the heroine is captured by some salacious sultan/wh*r*master/caliph and enslaved into his harem.” IntrovertReader also comments on Small’s “usual sexcapades” where “the heroine (and hero) cavort with every staff and orifice in plain sight.”
So that pretty much tells you what we’re getting into here. So let’s talk about The Border Lord’s Bride.
My Spiciness Ranking
This is an historical romance with lots of triggering items. There’s an age gap romance (the hero is more than twice the heroine’s age). I’m giving it a Scotch Bonnet ranking in honour of our specialty ranking for our Scottish/Irish themed month. Otherwise, this falls into habanero ranking on our Spicy Scoville Scale. But if we had Ghost Pepper on our scale -- which is higher on the chart -- I would probably give it that. It fell just short of the Carolina Reaper ranking. And I’m definitely accompanying this one with pepper spray.
If there is a complete opposite to milk and cookies wholesome romance writer, Debbie Macomber, I would say it’s Bertrice Small. I was honestly not prepared for this book – and I’m saying that after having read wild werewolf smut. I almost could not finish it because it was so disturbing to me.
But let’s begin with the main characters.
The Main Characters
Duncan Armstrong is our "hero." (Though I found myself questioning that designation more than once while reading the book.) A laird and border lord in his mid to late 30s, he is friends with King James. I found Duncan to be an ethical, moral man and loving husband but in terms of a hero … a little lackluster and, frankly, pretty useless when he was needed most.
Ellen MacArthur, our heroine, is a Scottish highland beauty raised by her grandfather. She’s a spirited redhead and the true hero of this novel in my personal opinion. Ellen is smart and strong but also elegant and polite and knows when to be reserved in certain situations. I liked her a lot as a character.
The Storyline
The story begins when she is 16. She’s engaged to her cousin, Donald McNab, who her grandfather has named as his heir. This arrangement is considered favorable for Ellen and their clan and the wedding is set for about a year later.
However, some other blood relatives don’t like this plan and want one of their family members – Balgair MacArthur – to marry her so they can claim the lands and inheritance. Ellen and her grandfather refuse to alter their plans to follow what the MacArthurs want. So Balgair and his father make plans to bride nap her to force her into the marriage. Grandpa is no fool, though, and he suspects that’s what will happen. So he sends Ellen to live at court under King James until the time he sends for her. Which will be when he is either nearing the end of his life or it’s time to marry Donald.
Ellen spends a year at court becoming friends with the King and then receives word she needs to return home. The King entrusts her return home to his friend, Duncan, and Duncan and his men escort Ellen to her highland home. However, they discover Balgair has just murdered both her granddad and Donald. He also used trickery to force her granddad into signing a new will naming him as his heir and instructing Ellen to marry him.
Ellen demands she be allowed the proper mourning time of one year. She will only marry Balgair if King James says she must once Duncan goes back and tells him what’s happened. Balgair says he’s going to give her one month before she must marry him, and swears to Duncan and a priest he won’t force her to marry before the month is over.
So Duncan leaves her there to her own defenses with no protection. Not shockingly at all, Balgair goes to Ellen that very night (after she’s just buried her kin) and attempts to rape her. She very smartly keeps a small knife with her at all times (as her grandfather taught her to) and stabs Balgair repeatedly and leaves him for dead. She immediately chases after Duncan so he can take her back to King James and the King can decide what to do from there.
That Keeps Going ...
There’s a lot of time that goes by … about another yearish as Ellen is shuffled around at court and under Duncan’s family’s care. Eventually, the King decides Ellen’s estate and lands are forfeit. He decides to let the MacArthur’s and McNab’s battle out who will get them, and provides her with a small dowery for her “trouble.” Then commands she and Duncan marry.
She’s barely 19 or 20 at this time and he, again, is twice her age. They’re not in love with each other but they have developed a solid friendship. So their relationship and marriage seem promising. They get married and have sex. And when I say sex, I mean a lot of sex. Copious and gratuitous amounts of it. Podcast fans know I like my books a little spicier … but it was actually getting to the point of too much sex. And this is totally one of those books where she’s a virgin with no sexual experience but somehow manages to orgasm twice the first time she has sex with no foreplay. And then, of course, orgasms every time she consummates her relationship with Duncan.
Where Things Head South of the Border
As a border lord, Duncan has some enemies – particularly English opposing border lords. One of these men eventually kidnaps Ellen. And this is where the book went south for me and I almost couldn’t finish reading it. At first, Ellen spends a month in a dungeon, largely ignored. Then she’s brought to a tower where things get nasty. The man who kidnapped her is a sadist, serial rapist and murderer. He drugs and sexually assaults her. And his assaults include aggravated sexual battery, violence and abuse that I can’t even get into because it’s just too much for me.
Ellen keeps waiting for Duncan to come rescue her but months have gone by and he never shows up. So she has to make a decision as to whether she is going to try to escape. But the opportunities for that are very limited. And the only other options are to throw herself from a castle window or succumb to her kidnapper's nefarious plans.
This is where Ellen perhaps shows some of her greatest cunning and intelligence as she is able to escape. With the help of some monks and other border lords, she eventually makes her way back to Duncan. There are additional challenges that ensue. But, honestly, by this point in the book, I was so disgruntled. And the rest of it made me even angrier and more frustrated. So I’m just going to leave it at that and give my final thoughts on this book.
What I Enjoyed About the Book
I’ll start with things I enjoyed about this book. I liked several of the female characters including Ellen, her sister-in-law Adair, and Duncan’s sister who is a nun. These are all spunky women and I really appreciated them.
I appreciated that Duncan and Ellen’s relationship developed over time and through friendship. They know each other for almost a year before they're wed and begin their sexual relationship. There was a natural and realistic progression to their growing feelings for each other.
And it’s clear Bertrice Small is a huge history lover and well-researched with the knowledge available at the time she wrote the book. There were lots of history elements – especially regarding King James and historically accurate foods for the time period – greatly interwoven into the story.
However – and now I’ll move into the challenges I had with this book – the constant, lengthy and repetitive historical references regarding King James frankly bogged down the book.
What Challenged Me About the Book
Many stories regarding the King and royal family were repeated ad nauseum and could have been an entirely separate book. Instead of spending paragraphs and pages repeating the same information over and over again, Small could have summarized them or just left them out and not repeated them … repeatedly.
There was the same problem when Ellen was explaining how she escaped the clutches of the kidnapper. Paragraphs and pages were spent with her retelling literally the same story over and over but to different people.
And, in a similar but disturbing vein: her kidnapper’s sadistic fantasies about what he will do when he recaptures Ellen are repeated multiple times in great detail with sodomy and sexual battery. I found it completely disturbing and unnecessary and, frankly, upsetting. Small could have just said something like “He fantasized about what he would do when he found her and how he would torture her” and left it at that. Nope, Small spends several paragraphs and pages going into depth about the sick imaginings and keeps revisiting them.
I was also upset by Duncan’s lack of empathy or concern for Ellen’s mental and physical well-being when she returns to him and that he didn’t make any real or concerted efforts to find her, even with his resources and connections as a border lord and their favor with the King. And his focus is entirely on whether or not there was penile penetration by her assaulter. Whatever, Duncan.
Final Thoughts
Bertrice Small is a talented writer who put a lot of historical research into this book. She has a devoted fan following and a tv series in the works. While I appreciate good research and strong female characters and generally enjoy more spicy and erotic romance novels, I did not enjoy this book. I found the repeated and extensive sexual assault scenes and fantasies to be disturbing and too much for me personally. And Duncan’s lack of compassion, and his hyperfocus on whether or not a human penis was put in her, is annoying and disappointing.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the book, you can listen to the podcast episode on your favorite podcast streaming service
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2015
This is really not a romance. This is a book of history, which I enjoyed, but it was extremely repetitive. The "romance" was more like disconnected sex scenes, and I didn't like that. There was a point that I was going to quit reading this book, but I did push on through the end. Spoiler alert: Ellen did not get raped. If someone's review had said she was raped, I would have definitely quit reading it.
Okay, I already said that I enjoyed the history in the book. Sometimes it was awkward, like it had to be forced, such as when King Jaimie told Ellen about his family's history. It seemed like there was a lot of repetition in order to fill a page requirement.
I didn't like the scenes that were probably supposed to be the "romance." They were crude and not romantic at all. The characters were shallow, and the words said they were in love, but there were no emotions that the book showed. I didn't feel it.
Toward the end of the book, Ellen, who is about 20 years old, is said to have better military strategy than Duncan's men or another border lord's men. Really? I highly doubt it. She seemed to take over, and the strong female persona turned into a pushy "let-me-tell-you-what-to-do" persona. Earlier in the book Duncan had complimented her on maintaining her peace while he spoke to the men at the table. After all, he was the lord, not her. That idea went out the window at the end of the book.
I give this book a 3 out of 5, but that is only because I really enjoy history. I won't continue with books in this series.
Okay, I already said that I enjoyed the history in the book. Sometimes it was awkward, like it had to be forced, such as when King Jaimie told Ellen about his family's history. It seemed like there was a lot of repetition in order to fill a page requirement.
I didn't like the scenes that were probably supposed to be the "romance." They were crude and not romantic at all. The characters were shallow, and the words said they were in love, but there were no emotions that the book showed. I didn't feel it.
Toward the end of the book, Ellen, who is about 20 years old, is said to have better military strategy than Duncan's men or another border lord's men. Really? I highly doubt it. She seemed to take over, and the strong female persona turned into a pushy "let-me-tell-you-what-to-do" persona. Earlier in the book Duncan had complimented her on maintaining her peace while he spoke to the men at the table. After all, he was the lord, not her. That idea went out the window at the end of the book.
I give this book a 3 out of 5, but that is only because I really enjoy history. I won't continue with books in this series.
December 16, 2019
The book was very redundant. We get it, your the unimportant wife of an unimportant border laird. I also felt as if there was TOO MUCH in the way of history. It felt as it the author was trying to convey to her readers just how much she knew about Scotland and England's history and it seemed as if she droned on about it to fill pages. It didn't feel like a romance novel, it felt like a history lesson. All the history, I feel, took away from the story.
January 25, 2011
horrible book... *shudder...shudder* what can i say..
August 3, 2023
A historical romance that takes place during the reign of James IV of Scotland. Has plenty of Bertrice Small sizzle.
January 8, 2021
By and1515
Ellen, was considered to be a bonnie lass and was dearly loved by her grandfather.
She had a good life and was well content with the groom whom her grandfather personally selected for her.
However when distant relations descended on their beloved home with their arrogant options that one of them would make a better match then an outsider.
But her grandfather wouldn't change his mind he thought them bullies and thrash who didn't deserve his treasure and insisted they leave his home.
Ellen knew sending her away was the only way her grandfather could protect her.
Because he knew desperate people were dangerous and would probably try and steal her.
With her time at the King's court coming to and end she was looking forward to returning to her beloved home.
She knew something was wrong the moment they walked into the great hall.
She nearly came undone at the madness taking place before their eyes all she could do was pray.
Ellen wasn't about to give up without a fight and fight she did and when he didn't move again she ran as fast as she could hoping to catch up with Duncan and his men.
Duncan knew there wasn't anything he could have done to stop what happened to her family.
He'd been shocked when the lass caught up with them.
Once more she was at the King's court this time trying to explain the horrible events they'd walked in and the terrible loses she'd suffered.
Duncan found himself sheltering the brave lass, her tiring woman, and his sister who would join them for propriety sake while the good King decided what to do for her.
And when his final judgement came it would have to be enough she would never see her beloved home again but her new path wasn't a bad one indeed he gave her the best he could and more.
The English were becoming more daring with each new raid stealing what ever goods and live stock they could get there hands on.
Even so life was good she and her husband were enjoying the new marriage romance that even with the addition of the heir didn't damper said feelings.
However Ellen was unwittingly drawn into a trap and was snatched by a enemy trying to get back at her family.
And when he meant to shame her she needed him to lose all reason for there in his foolish pride laid her only hope of escaping.
Once she sees her husband again being a man he can't help himself but speak foolishly.
Even though she'd barely been home poor Ellen was sommoned to again to the Scottish King's court because she was the only one who could point the finger in the right direction.
Fortune favors the bold and this plan would hopefully put and end to all the threats on the borders.
Duncan realizes he still has plenty to learn about his beautiful wife and needs to figure out how prove he believes her and will never doubt her again.
Ellen, was considered to be a bonnie lass and was dearly loved by her grandfather.
She had a good life and was well content with the groom whom her grandfather personally selected for her.
However when distant relations descended on their beloved home with their arrogant options that one of them would make a better match then an outsider.
But her grandfather wouldn't change his mind he thought them bullies and thrash who didn't deserve his treasure and insisted they leave his home.
Ellen knew sending her away was the only way her grandfather could protect her.
Because he knew desperate people were dangerous and would probably try and steal her.
With her time at the King's court coming to and end she was looking forward to returning to her beloved home.
She knew something was wrong the moment they walked into the great hall.
She nearly came undone at the madness taking place before their eyes all she could do was pray.
Ellen wasn't about to give up without a fight and fight she did and when he didn't move again she ran as fast as she could hoping to catch up with Duncan and his men.
Duncan knew there wasn't anything he could have done to stop what happened to her family.
He'd been shocked when the lass caught up with them.
Once more she was at the King's court this time trying to explain the horrible events they'd walked in and the terrible loses she'd suffered.
Duncan found himself sheltering the brave lass, her tiring woman, and his sister who would join them for propriety sake while the good King decided what to do for her.
And when his final judgement came it would have to be enough she would never see her beloved home again but her new path wasn't a bad one indeed he gave her the best he could and more.
The English were becoming more daring with each new raid stealing what ever goods and live stock they could get there hands on.
Even so life was good she and her husband were enjoying the new marriage romance that even with the addition of the heir didn't damper said feelings.
However Ellen was unwittingly drawn into a trap and was snatched by a enemy trying to get back at her family.
And when he meant to shame her she needed him to lose all reason for there in his foolish pride laid her only hope of escaping.
Once she sees her husband again being a man he can't help himself but speak foolishly.
Even though she'd barely been home poor Ellen was sommoned to again to the Scottish King's court because she was the only one who could point the finger in the right direction.
Fortune favors the bold and this plan would hopefully put and end to all the threats on the borders.
Duncan realizes he still has plenty to learn about his beautiful wife and needs to figure out how prove he believes her and will never doubt her again.
August 22, 2020
I'll preface by saying that I love everything Bertrice Small writes whether contemporary or historical!
In this book, we follow the life of Duncan and Ellen. Duncan took a vow to himself to never marry again after his awful first marriage. However he needs a favor from the King and Ellen, an heiress, has begged the King for help. His proposal to solve both issues: marry the two! Hence begins a story of their life together along with the danger, betrayal and love that they will find.
This is one of my favorite books in the series! Small always writes with wonderful descriptions of history, the land, food and life. I also LOVE Ellen!! She is feisty, loyal to a fault and strong. You would have wanted her to be your friend back then. This book is full of characters that grow as you read and you get to delve into what they're feeling and the depth they possess. Also the two don't just fall in love but you see it grow as they go about their daily life as married people.
If you love historical Scottish romance then you will love this one. The one thing that annoyed me was that there are many moments in the book where the story of how they got to where they are is repeated and it is just unnecessary!
In this book, we follow the life of Duncan and Ellen. Duncan took a vow to himself to never marry again after his awful first marriage. However he needs a favor from the King and Ellen, an heiress, has begged the King for help. His proposal to solve both issues: marry the two! Hence begins a story of their life together along with the danger, betrayal and love that they will find.
This is one of my favorite books in the series! Small always writes with wonderful descriptions of history, the land, food and life. I also LOVE Ellen!! She is feisty, loyal to a fault and strong. You would have wanted her to be your friend back then. This book is full of characters that grow as you read and you get to delve into what they're feeling and the depth they possess. Also the two don't just fall in love but you see it grow as they go about their daily life as married people.
If you love historical Scottish romance then you will love this one. The one thing that annoyed me was that there are many moments in the book where the story of how they got to where they are is repeated and it is just unnecessary!
April 26, 2025
In my younger days, I loved Bertrice Small's Skye O'Malley series. I haven't read one of her books in decades. Reading this one, I am reminded of what I liked about her work: the "real" historical characters that are woven into the story in supporting roles. (Elizabeth I in the O'Malley books, James IV in this one). It's the second in a series, an I had read the first. While I don't remember all of that story, past incidents were referred to and they seemed familiar. But that book was not important to the plot of this one.
That said, I agree with other reviewers that there was too much repetition here. It did not need to be 450+ pages long. We've gone through the adventure with Ellen, we don't need to hear her re-tell it to everyone who asks. Being a Bertrice Small book, we know it's going to be a bodice ripper, and the spicy scenes can be skimmed over without taking away from the actual story.
I liked the POV that Perkin Warbeck really was a pretender -- opposite of another book by another author that I have recently read.
That said, I agree with other reviewers that there was too much repetition here. It did not need to be 450+ pages long. We've gone through the adventure with Ellen, we don't need to hear her re-tell it to everyone who asks. Being a Bertrice Small book, we know it's going to be a bodice ripper, and the spicy scenes can be skimmed over without taking away from the actual story.
I liked the POV that Perkin Warbeck really was a pretender -- opposite of another book by another author that I have recently read.
September 16, 2024
As I said in my review for the first book in the series, this is not a romance novel for the faint of heart or those only used to regency romps. This is a romance set in dark times and with appropriately dark plot points. And there is a lot of history woven into the story and a lot of visiting lords telling our hero and heroine what is happening outside their land. And tales of how X did Y and Z being told over, and over, and over again until finally everyone knows. I did skim some especially at the end.
The story itself is unique and interesting. The love between the main characters adorable to see blossom. I do think you need to read book one before this as there are a lot of overlapping characters and the world building will feel more complete if you do.
My final thought while reading, what happened to Peigi? She isn’t mentioned for the last few chapters at all!! I choose to believe she is fine and lives to 110 at least.
The story itself is unique and interesting. The love between the main characters adorable to see blossom. I do think you need to read book one before this as there are a lot of overlapping characters and the world building will feel more complete if you do.
My final thought while reading, what happened to Peigi? She isn’t mentioned for the last few chapters at all!! I choose to believe she is fine and lives to 110 at least.
August 25, 2025
3.5 stars
The plot was great, but outshined the romance, though I did like both Ellen and Duncan. I felt like I was reading historical fiction with graphic sex scenes more than historical romance. I loved how Bertrice Small included real historical figures and brought them to life like King James IV.
Like some other reviewers said, I did find it unnecessary how Ellen needed to repeat her escape to her husband; Small could have just written how she told her husband what we had just read about...
I'll definitely continue on with this series as not only did I enjoy the story, but I liked the full immersion in the historical aspect & I liked the size of the paperback. It's kind of crazy that I've had this book shelved since April 16, 2022, and I've finally gotten to it on August 22, 2024.
The plot was great, but outshined the romance, though I did like both Ellen and Duncan. I felt like I was reading historical fiction with graphic sex scenes more than historical romance. I loved how Bertrice Small included real historical figures and brought them to life like King James IV.
Like some other reviewers said, I did find it unnecessary how Ellen needed to repeat her escape to her husband; Small could have just written how she told her husband what we had just read about...
I'll definitely continue on with this series as not only did I enjoy the story, but I liked the full immersion in the historical aspect & I liked the size of the paperback. It's kind of crazy that I've had this book shelved since April 16, 2022, and I've finally gotten to it on August 22, 2024.
October 2, 2022
Good
Ellen will inherit her grandfather's lands upon his death and he makes a marriage contract to another clan. A distant cousin wants Ellen and the lands for his youngest son. When turned down she is sent to king James for safety. With a false letter she go to her grandfather to learn it a trick. Escaping with her life she runs into Duncan again he takes her back to the king. The king decides she is safer with Duncan . One day the kings calls them back to court and decides they will wed. With an English lord wanting revenge on her husband he takes her. With a trick up her sleeve she escapes . Good book
Ellen will inherit her grandfather's lands upon his death and he makes a marriage contract to another clan. A distant cousin wants Ellen and the lands for his youngest son. When turned down she is sent to king James for safety. With a false letter she go to her grandfather to learn it a trick. Escaping with her life she runs into Duncan again he takes her back to the king. The king decides she is safer with Duncan . One day the kings calls them back to court and decides they will wed. With an English lord wanting revenge on her husband he takes her. With a trick up her sleeve she escapes . Good book
May 13, 2018
The Border Lord's Bride
Acting like two cats with sore tails, Scotland and England must battle all along their border. The Border lairds and their families must always answer to their King and fight to keep what little they have. Marriagable women are few and far between, so when your King gives you one of his wards hand in marriage, you take it. Sometimes love comes sometimes it's to a cruel master they go. Luckily Ellen was given to Duncan Armstrong a laird that grew to love her furiously.
S
Acting like two cats with sore tails, Scotland and England must battle all along their border. The Border lairds and their families must always answer to their King and fight to keep what little they have. Marriagable women are few and far between, so when your King gives you one of his wards hand in marriage, you take it. Sometimes love comes sometimes it's to a cruel master they go. Luckily Ellen was given to Duncan Armstrong a laird that grew to love her furiously.
S
December 23, 2019
Long read
I got to a certain point when the main two characters Ellen and Duncan get married, and felt like it was close to being over, but in fact I was barely through half of the book. Almost all the conflict happened after the couple was wed which is pretty much the opposite of the rest of the books I read. Because of this, the story just seemed liked it would never end. And when it did end, it wasn’t an entirely satisfying ending, which is due in part to the style of writing.
I got to a certain point when the main two characters Ellen and Duncan get married, and felt like it was close to being over, but in fact I was barely through half of the book. Almost all the conflict happened after the couple was wed which is pretty much the opposite of the rest of the books I read. Because of this, the story just seemed liked it would never end. And when it did end, it wasn’t an entirely satisfying ending, which is due in part to the style of writing.
January 20, 2026
I haven’t read any other books from this author, but she really does not understand how to write romance—unfortunately. This book could be interesting as a historical fiction piece if you’re more into that though. There’s no yearning, no tension, no buildup. Nothing. Any smut feels out of place and repetitive—plus, the characters do not feel emotionally connected. Found myself skimming most of this book trying to trudge my way through it.
Read
February 24, 2021An old-fashioned bodice ripper. The heroine is sexually assaulted in the first 10% of the book - which can’t be a spoiler. It’s simply not to my taste.
To be fair, the author knows her history and the details of life at the time (enough to impress an amateur historian). I almost kept reading for that.
To be fair, the author knows her history and the details of life at the time (enough to impress an amateur historian). I almost kept reading for that.
Read
October 15, 2022This isn’t a romance book it’s a history lesson. I DNF at 50%. I couldn’t take anymore of the retelling of everything and all the history. There was barely anytime for Ellen and Duncan to get to know each other. Let alone fall in love. I wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t connect with the characters and all the information dumping.
April 21, 2025
I am not sure what to make of this book. The character Ellen keeps changing from a force to be reckoned with to a small girl and not in the times that’s she needed to do so to survive. There were too many random characters named that fit in history but there really wasn’t a need for it. Just the king and Ellen’s story would have been the same.
July 16, 2018
Enjoyable!
Not one
to disappoint, Beatrice Small has produced yet another page turner. I love reading her romance stories and escaping the daily worries for just a little while. I am a sucker and not afraid to admit it.
Not one
to disappoint, Beatrice Small has produced yet another page turner. I love reading her romance stories and escaping the daily worries for just a little while. I am a sucker and not afraid to admit it.
May 9, 2017
I'm liking this series about medieval life in Scotland. Though, at times the prose is a bit overdone, overall the books are enjoyable.
April 21, 2018
Another great book.
I enjoy BertriceSmall's books - some more than others. This series is one that I have really enjoyed. In my opinion it is better than some of her others.
I enjoy BertriceSmall's books - some more than others. This series is one that I have really enjoyed. In my opinion it is better than some of her others.
March 29, 2019
Another great book
Best historical fiction . Another great read by Beatrice Small, she weaves a great tale between truth and fiction, end
Best historical fiction . Another great read by Beatrice Small, she weaves a great tale between truth and fiction, end
April 15, 2019
Good, but lengthy and too heavily focused on the small details that frustratingly kept adding to the plot.
August 27, 2025
Enjoyable, but not at all memorable.
August 13, 2020
I'll preface by saying that I love everything Bertrice Small writes whether contemporary or historical!
In this book, we follow the life of Duncan and Ellen. Duncan took a vow to himself to never marry again after his awful first marriage. However he needs a favor from the King and Ellen, an heiress, has begged the King for help. His proposal to solve both issues: marry the two! Hence begins a story of their life together along with the danger, betrayal and love that they will find.
This is one of my favorite books in the series! Small always writes with wonderful descriptions of history, the land, food and life. I also LOVE Ellen!! She is feisty, loyal to a fault and strong. You would have wanted her to be your friend back then. This book is full of characters that grow as you read and you get to delve into what they're feeling and the depth they possess. Also the two don't just fall in love but you see it grow as they go about their daily life as married people.
If you love historical Scottish romance then you will love this one. The one thing that annoyed me was that there are many moments in the book where the story of how they got to where they are is repeated and it is just unnecessary!
By Staci McIntyre
In this book, we follow the life of Duncan and Ellen. Duncan took a vow to himself to never marry again after his awful first marriage. However he needs a favor from the King and Ellen, an heiress, has begged the King for help. His proposal to solve both issues: marry the two! Hence begins a story of their life together along with the danger, betrayal and love that they will find.
This is one of my favorite books in the series! Small always writes with wonderful descriptions of history, the land, food and life. I also LOVE Ellen!! She is feisty, loyal to a fault and strong. You would have wanted her to be your friend back then. This book is full of characters that grow as you read and you get to delve into what they're feeling and the depth they possess. Also the two don't just fall in love but you see it grow as they go about their daily life as married people.
If you love historical Scottish romance then you will love this one. The one thing that annoyed me was that there are many moments in the book where the story of how they got to where they are is repeated and it is just unnecessary!
By Staci McIntyre
July 17, 2016
I liked the first book a little better than the second in this series. I found the heroine to be very likable, and I actually liked her husband a bit better than the hero of the first book. The question that kept going through my mind throughout the book was, "Were men SUCH slimy pigs back then?" Men these days seem sort of tame compared the men in the book. They are like animals, and view women as wenches or whores. It was rather shocking. The bedroom scenes just got ridiculous; there were so many, I got to the point where I was skipping them, honestly. Roger Colby was just a disgusting, vile person, and I assume that was the point of the author, to make him very unlikable. However, I began to found his actions and fantasies to be pretty vile, and had to skim them over. I have read a lot of romance novels, and they get a little heated, but this author seems to be really pushing the envelope, I think. It's not really my style in that area. The history of the book was very interesting, and I enjoyed the friendship that Ellen held with the King; it was ice to see a normal friendship between a man and woman in the book. The book does tie in with the first book, and some of the characters make an appearance, which I always enjoy.
March 8, 2015
I just finished this book and I am writing with mixed emotions. For some reason I thoroughly enjoy reading about the Highlands. This was a new author for me so I was cautious but I enjoyed the plot pretty quickly. Yet, I got to the point where I was kind of surprised the book was still going. I really like a good love story with strong characters who face difficulties together before and during marriage, but I felt that what I enjoyed was skimmed over and the author spent more time on things such as the royal history and other events. I personally like to watch character relationships grow, to hear about Highland villages, battles, and life. Some of this was present so the book was a fun read, just not my favorite.
October 14, 2007
ok, This is another book with a great story line, witty charaters and a bit of daring. The characters in this book have an instsant attraction and their love was put to the test. As we know with all stories that have a decleration of love in the beginning they will be seperated and their love put through the test. I've read all kinds of stories and beatrice small went for the original story base.
I like this book but it is not an all time favorite.
I like this book but it is not an all time favorite.
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