Lead Review

• Book: The Legend of Lady MacLaoch
• Location: Scotland
• Author: Becky Banks

Cole Baker has always been proud to be Cole Baker-all-American, no-nonsense, overly frisky Cole Baker. It isn’t until one Christmas evening when her grandfather breaks news that her name isn’t Cole Baker at all. She’s actually Cole Minary, and is introduced a Scottish surname she’s never even encountered in her life. Curiosity and a hard head have Cole setting out on a quest to find about her bloodlines, but she discovers more than what she could have ever hoped for, instead.

Fictional Scottish history and dark, brooding mystery ignite the pages of The Legend of Lady MacLaoch. An ancient curse brings Cole to Scotland and into the arms of Rowan MacLaoch, chieftain of the MacLaoch clan. He is the modern version of the sexy Scottish hero (kilts and all!!!!) and though I’ve never read a Scottish historical before, I’m pretty sure I could get used to them. Cole and Rowan’s chemistry is undeniable, and is a gorgeous demonstration that love can often both be happenstance and eternal, if not redeeming. Rowan is a romance hero I’ve gone ahead and fallen in love with (who saw that one coming?), and Cole is an independent, admirable heroine. She however, does come off as extremely rude at times. I know it’s supposed to be portrayed as “feisty”, but if I was acquainted with her in real life, I feel I’d constantly tingle with the urge to bitchslap her.

The plot is surprising, but not shocking in terms of the conclusion. It’s fairly predictable, in fact, it’s just that there are minor twists within the story I never see coming.

Banks’s writing is suspenseful and provocative. The story is consuming; I was unable to put it down! Her characters are witty-a fine combination of hilarious and smart-and in the end, they are definitely the type that linger. I am impressed by Banks’s marvelous debut; definitely pick this one up if you’re in the mood for heated romance mixed with a striking image of Scottish history, as well as the intrigue of mystery and revelation.
(shared from thestephanieloves blog – Books a la Mode)

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