Title:
Charming the
Shrew
Author:
Laurin Wittig
Published By:
Berkley Sensation
ISBN:
0-425-19527-9
Release Date:
Available Now
Format:
Print
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A Scottish tale of loyalty and betrayal…
Tayg Munro of Culrain was always happy to be the second son of the Chieftain. A handsome lad, Tayg was popular with the lasses. His position within the clan was one of respect without having the burden of responsibility. His brother Robbie was born to be a Clan Leader. Robbie was fair-minded, sober on occasion and had spent hours cloistered with their father to prepare for his future role. He had even married without love because it was expected of him. When the clan went fighting for King Robert the Bruce, Robbie was not supposed to die. Tayg's carefree life would never be the same. The role of chieftain would someday be his. His parents now expected him to marry and produce bairns quickly. Marriage-minded mothers had handsome Tayg clearly in their sights. Even the songs of travelling bards portrayed Tayg as a great hero, not a battle-weary warrior. It seemed that lasses from all over the district wanted to marry the brave future chieftain. When Angus, Tayg's father receives an invitation to attend the wedding of the King's sister, he decides to send Tayg to give him a break. Tayg decides that he will travel disguised as a bard so that lasses will not try to trap him into marriage.
Catriona MacLeod cannot believe how cruel her father is being. He has arranged to marry her off to Duff "Dogface" MacDonell. Dogface is a man that she has hated since her childhood. Her brother Broc intends to strengthen ties with the MacDonnell tribe and cares little for his nagging sister anyway. Catriona has a far-reaching reputation as a shrew. She is the younger sister to many brothers and has had to fight, nag and struggle to outwit her siblings. Her past treatment by the males in her life has left Catriona anything but biddable. She refuses to marry Dogface and decides that she must leave Assynt Castle. Tayg the Bard is on his way to deliver a missive from Duff MacDonnell to his intended shrewish bride at Assynt. He realises that a snowstorm is approaching and hurries onward but then Tayg comes across a black-haired beauty shouting a tirade of insults to her runaway horse…
Laurin Wittig gradually draws her reader into the story. The author shows how Tayg's determination not to marry changes to a determination not to become involved with the woman he is trying to assist. He tries to focus on his mission to King and clan whilst fighting his own growing lust for the girl. Catriona dislikes her reputation as an ugly shrew. She knows that Tayg is trying to help her and wants to behave civilly with the man. Although she is drawn to the bard, she has her own purpose in seeking the King, which is at odds with her increasing awareness of this man. Ms. Wittig delivers an excellent Scottish romance. The author has captured the inner turmoil of the tribes in this period of history and set her romance around it. The characters are well developed; their emotions and actions fit well with this time frame and the story progresses very naturally. This is endearing Scottish tale had this reader hoping that there will be many more from Ms. Wittig.
Reviewed by: Naomi
