Much Ado About a Scot

All the King's Men #5

by Gerri Russell

She needs a husband to secure her lands and her child’s legacy, even if she has to drag one from prison…

Isobel Seton is about to lose everything unless she can convince a man to marry her. Twice widowed, no man in Haddington will say “I do”—until she finds a handsome stranger locked up in the village pillory. She offers to free him in exchange for marriage. He agrees, but with rules: no questions about his past and the marriage will only last two months—not a day longer.

Alexander Godric Ross—one of King James VI’s top soldiers—is undercover and on a mission. He’s to infiltrate a network of spies he believes are helping the king’s nemesis, Lord Bothwell. Aiding Isobel Seton is exactly the cover story he needs. Yet, as the nights pass, Alexander finds himself losing his will, falling for his wife and succumbing to a passionate love affair.

When a mysterious fire destroys her crops and Isobel is arrested for witchcraft, Alexander finds himself facing his most cunning enemy yet as he sets out to save his wife.

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Romance

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Gerri Russell is the award-winning author of historical and contemporary novels including the Brotherhood of the Scottish Templars series and Flirting with Felicity. A two-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award and winner of the American Title II competition sponsored by RT Book Reviews magazine, she is best known for her adventurous and emotionally intense novels set in the thirteenth- and eighteenth-century Scottish Highlands. Before Gerri followed her passion for writing romance novels, she worked as a broadcast journalist, a newspaper reporter, a magazine columnist, a technical writer and editor, and an instructional designer. She lives in Bellevue, Washington, with her husband and three black cats.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much Ado About a Scot (All the King's Men #5) by Gerri Russell is a story of a resourceful woman, Isobel Seton during difficult times. One of King James VI undercover men comes to the rescue, well sort of. Honestly, Alexander Godric Ross is using her circumstances to further his work for King James, until he isn’t. Until it is more, a matter of life and death, a matter of the heart. Again the accusations of witchcraft come up in this story.

This is part of the series following the people and their lives during the time of King James VI reign. Many are his enemies and many are his supporters. It is a harsh time for all but especially women. Ms. Russell reels you into the story so that you can feel as if you are right there with these people losing crops, facing dire straits with resiliency, and finding love.

An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5/5*

This is a suspense filled historical romance in which another of the seven King's men draws the short straw and is sent on an undercover mission to discover the whereabouts of Lord Bothwell, the cousin  and treasonous enemy of King James VI.

This time it is Alexander Godric Ross who is the soldier concerned. He has ascertained where they suspect Bothwell is staying and that the twice widowed Isobel Seton who owns the neighbouring estate needs help urgently to get her harvest in. A staged encounter has her rescuing him from the pillory on condition he handfasts with her for two months rather than the usual year and a day. So starts an action packed story filled with intrigue, plots, accusations of witchcraft, secret tunnels. broken promises and romance. It is a great addition to this series, with the King's men having to come to the rescue yet again! It is a story that proves sometimes the short straw is the lucky one!

Thank you to Tule Publishing for my copy of this fascinating book which I voluntarily read and have honestly reviewed.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much Ado About A Scott is another treasure in the All The Kings Men series!

Isobel Seton requires a husband to secure her farm from near certain loss. Trouble is no one who knows her would consider marriage to Isobel as her two previous husbands died under suspicious circumstances. Rumblings among the locals suggest she might have something to do with their untimely deaths. A handsome stranger arrives in town and is put on display in shackles for thievery and appears to be drunk to boot. As Isobel walks through town she sees him as an opportunity to gain much needed help in harvesting her crops to pay debts owed saving her farm for both she and her son. But Isobel doesn’t want just help, she wants marriage. Xander boldly agrees to handfast with Isobel to help her yet she is unaware of his true purpose for being there. The handsome Alexander Godric Ross, known as “Xander Godric”, is one of the kings top soldiers sent there on a mission to bring Lord Bothwell, the king’s enemy to trial. Xander does not have falling for the beautiful Isobel in his plans. You know the saying... the best laid plans of mice and men. There are many surprising twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged throughout this story. You know Xander’s brothers-in-arms will also make an appearance as well.

History reminds us how far we have come in society today and hints of years gone by surface and can be painful if not carefully attended to. There was a time, not so long ago even in our country, where a woman could not own property. The recent passing of Justice Ruth Badger Ginsburg reminds us how real and how recent these events were and are! I do not often reflect on this but in purchasing my first home the title page read: My name, a single woman. The fear of loss Isobel must have felt would have been real, scary and all encompassing. Thus, her decision to align and marry an unknown man who might just be able to save her!

The final book in the “All The Kings Men” series by Russell puts to close a horrible time in Scotland during the witch hunts and trials under King James VI of Scotland. Many innocent women and some men were accused of witchcraft suffered painful torture enough to make them confess even when innocent just to make it stop.

I always appreciate the historical research Russell weaves into every one of her books. Much Ado About A Scot is another treasure in the All the Kings Men Series! The book can be read as a stand-alone, yet I appreciate character connection between the books allowing for deeper relationships to develop with each novel released.

Highly recommend Much Ado About A Scot!

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚⚔️📚⚔️📚BOOK🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿REVIEW📚⚔️📚⚔️📚

“To make women learned and foxes tame has the same effect - to make them more cunning.”
King James I of England - VI of Scotland

Book: Much Ado About A Scot
By Gerri Russell

Series: All the Kings Men, #5

Release Date: October 1, 2020

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook of
1.Tartan Book Reviews
2. Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3. World of Historical Book Reviews
4.Celic Barb’s Kilted Book Reviews Blog

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Overallsd Rating: 5 Stars and 5 Kilts

2 August 1593

Alexander Godric Ross, is one of the Magnificent Seven working for King James VI. He is on a top secret mission to locate the traitor who is actually King James cousin, Francis Stewart, the fifth, Earl or Bothwell. He has attempted so many heinous crimes to kill his majesty, he really should have been executed or in Edinburgh’s Tolbooth prison by now. He has attempted abduction, hiring people with supernatural abilities, and murdering our sovereign while actually pooping on a chamber pot! Since he is a cousin and a family relation he has been very lenient on him. Now Alexander needs hard evidence to be able to convict this evil black guard, as Bothwell will do anything to steal his throne! Now rumors are flyinng Bothwell is going to try another murder attempt and is gathering a bunch of his brainwashed followers and possibly them into a cut throat army of spies!

The King’s spies updates the King and the Magnificent Seven that Bothwell is hiding in the village of Haddington, in the home of David Graham, at Dunbar Manor. Alexander has been keeping watch on both Graham’s home and Amelia Seton-whose lands border hers and the perfect place to spy from. In addition Alexander hears Isobel is in a bad situation losing two husbands and needing help with the harvest on her farm! The only way to obtain this is to go undercover with an alias name. Now he is known as the drunken thief, Xander Godric, to the people of Haddington plus his childhood name. Now his brother in arms were worried that he would be abused by the villagers, might get his ear nailed to wood, have his face branded with a T for thief or hand cut off!

Isabel Seton has hit rock bottom and her only option is a marriage to a complete stranger. Therefore, she offers this handsome prisoner an option for his freedom from the pillory. If she does not marry she will lose everything,her harvest, farm, property and son’s inheritance. She knows people call her names like witch and black widow, but Xander knows the woman just had some tragic bad luck. These small minded villagers were very cruel. He accepts her offer under his terms to end the marriage after two months and not a day longer and never asks questions about Xander’s past. Yet playing house as man and wife Xander falls completely in love with Isobel and her young son Jamie. He also soon realized Isabel’s life is in danger as someone burns her harvest as she is being set up for sorcery

Will Xander be able to save her in time? Will he abandon her when she needs him the most? Does Isabel think she brings bad luck to the men she loves? Does Xander and Isabel have a future? Will Jamie ever obtain a father figure that lasts? Read and find out!

Gerri Russell pens another magnificent about swoon worthy hero and a heroine who troubles broke my heart! Readers will love her fifth book book of “All the King’s Men” series and does not leave anything out. It is a book that can be read as a stand alone book or series order.

This is a fictional romance but again factual history is brought in this book. If you know Scottish history like myself Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell really was a great conspirator. He did try to arrange the King’s death through Sorcery, attempted murder and failed abduction. This was also a difficult time for women as this King is a big believer in witchcraft and witch hunts. King James VI is the son of Mary Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. Of course I loved the fictional romance between Isobel and Alexander very much too. For me this book was pure perfection.

Again another riveting, fast paced, page turning, romantic adventure that historical romance readers will love. This book is also filled with treachery, blaming innocent women for non existent crimes, false confessions, jealousy, royal troublemakers who want to sit on the throne, twists and turns not knowing what to anticipate next. Plus the treatment of women in the sixteenth century for witchcraft and how they tortured them was absolutely horrifying! It was how they got a forced confession which was absolutely frightening. If you read the true history. this part is very true which is truly heartbreaking. I absolutely loved this book so much and a book to definitely re-visit again.

All the King’s Men Series by Gerri Russell

1)Seven Nights with a Scot
2)Romancing the Laird
3)A Temptress in Tartan
4)A Laird and a Gentleman
5)Much Ado About A Scot

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advance copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.

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[Tracey Cramer-Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening scene when Zander and Isobel met (and were married) was very different and drew me in. I liked that Zander wasn't intimidated by a strong woman, but rather admired her for it. I didn't particularly feel the love between them, though; mostly just lust and mutual respect (perhaps because of the short time frame). The unravelling of the mystery was well done, but many of the characters seemed cliche and were not given the time to develop (including King James, who appeared to be a complex character). I didn't love the witchcraft angle; being a standard romance (as opposed to a dark romance), the terror of this facet wasn't fully utilized. Though Zander's friends insisted he had crafted a solid 'defense,' to me it just seemed as if he got lucky that the conversation ('trial') went the way it did so that he was able to 'rescue' her. The epilogue felt too one-dimensional; I would expect Isobel to have some repercussions of her experience (nightmares perhaps) and find it hard to continue living/raising my son amongst people who had turned against her. For me, the story just didn't go deep enough. 3.5 stars.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a Scottish historical, especially when there’s a hint of intrigue, a spot of danger and of course a sensual romance. Fifth in Gerri Russell’s All The King’s Men series set in 1593, this story sees Alexander Ross assume the garb of a drunken thief in order to secure work with Isobel Seaton so that he can spy on her neighbour.
I liked the neat use of the the Scottish custom of handfasting to bring Xander and Isobel together. The instant zing between these two was also nicely handled though I thought it was drawing rather a long bow to have them head over heels in love in just a matter of days. Despite this, the story intrigued me. I loved Isobel’s little son Jamie and the mischief he managed to get up to. With one thing after another going wrong for Isobel there was plenty to keep me interested and while the ending was perhaps tied up just a little too neatly I was left with a smile on my face.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about irony...

King James, the perpetrator of horrendous torture and murder of accused "witches" was also a homosexual (not even alluded to in this story), which I think he must have glossed over in the bible he was responsible for... Or maybe the witch frenzy was intended to distract from that. 🙄

I found it difficult to believe he would inspire the unfailing loyalty of these seven men, especially after Isobel was swept up in the witch fever and tortured.

It was also curious that David Graham, who cheated and stole from Isobel's family for years, suddenly became a beloved family member in the end.

Lots of intrigue and danger and a pretty good story in general, though the real villain gets away scot-free.

I guess we're just supposed to be happy that true love wins in the end. *shrug*

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a horrific time to live. The trials, back stabbing, lying, cheating all to try and kill King James VI. THE WORST WAS HIS OWN COUSIN FRANCES. After 3 years the Kings devoted guards finally catches Bothswell. He is brought to trial and manages to turn things in his favor as always.
In order to trap him the 7 guards draw straws to see who will be the one to go work on the land if Isobel. Xander gets the short straw. He pretends to be drunk and steals bread to get put in the pillory to draw Isobel’s attention.
She pays his fine, they marry in a hand bind ceremony that is to last 1 tear. There is so much action, twists and turns, a horrible neighbor who really is not, and much more. Read in to see where this ends. Lot of twists and turns and surprise endings

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I started reading this and then I had to put it down for a few months because I was really busy, but all the while I kept thinking about it and wondering what happened to the characters. That is a true test that a book is well written...when you keep thinking about them. It's been a year since I read it and I've been wanting to write this review for a long time. I still remember the book. I like howthe author weaves a little of history in with the ignorance of people back then and how gullible they were. I felt so sorry for the woman and loved the hero! Who doesn't love a man who takes on another man's child! Not that should ever be a thing, but it sure makes for a good hero. Another great book from Gerri Russell!

[Laura D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isobel is trying to run her farm and raise her son. She has not had good luck in the marriage department having buried two husbands already. The towns people think she is a witch. When she is desperate for help she marries a stranger to save her farm. Alexander works for the king. He will do whatever is required to protect him, even if that means marrying a stranger. They are both using each other to get the results they need. What happens when it feels like so much more? Fun read.

[Patricia A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story

I am very interested in knowing how accurate a portrayal of James VI this is. Was he really such a petty, tyrannical , vindictive man? Or was he written this way to make a better story? The romance was well written if formulaic- about what I expect from a historical romance but the background is intriguing. Yes. I'd recommend this to love story aficionados.

[Kimberly Borup · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Highland Romance

Witch trials, treachery, murder, and more are a part of this tale. Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without a love story twisting through the lines. An entertaining read.

[Sylvia R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great Plot

I was swept into 16th century Scotland with its rugged landscape and strong characters. The theme was suffering and joy go hand in hand. These are the elements that are felt in this story.

[Stella Shahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I love reading about scots and the 14th century. Very different times back then. This was a great story with lots of action and characters.