It first happens in England, then in Scotland, and it's nice to 'hear' both sides of the argument. The scenes that center on political talk are very insightful. The Jacobite history comes to life in this novel, and I see from the preview of Blood of Roses that the next installment will take place during the battle of Culloden. Men in kilts and tartans sound far more delicious, and Canham describes their traditional dress beautifully. Also, it helped that most of the novel takes place in Scotland. Bewigged and corseted men have always put me off, but I somehow managed to enjoy picturing this time period as I read the book. You will not be bored! The early Georgian era has always been a bit iffy for me. You get action, adventure, intrigue, villains and romance throughout the book. Now THIS is a historical romance novel! You literary get a history lesson as the sexual tension between the protagonists grows with each passing chapter.

Now how did that happen? And will she be able to embrace the Scottish lifestyle as her own? Amid all of the drama, something happens to Catherine. The Campbells have been a thorn in Alex's life for many years, and they are determined to make his life miserable and get even for past misdeeds at all cost. But during the journey she discovers that the English aren't Cameron's only enemy. Aghast, she makes every possible attempt to escape, but Alex is always one step ahead of her. It is only through their journey to their 'marital home' that Catherine discovers that Raefer Montgomery is actually Alexander Cameron, a Scottish Jacobite who has assumed the identity of a merchant to spy on the English. This doesn't sit well with either party, but they have no choice but to oblige. She succeeds with her scheme - so much so that Hamilton challenges Raefer to a duel. When she meets a tall, dark and handsome stranger with gorgeous dark eyes and a mysterious countenance, she decides to make her suitor jealous by flirting with the strange man, a successful merchant by the name of Mr. Catherine Augustine Ashbrooke, a young English debutante, has one thing in her mind: to marry Hamilton Garner, a lieutenant for the dragoons. Full of history, adventure and sensual romance, The Pride of Lions is indeed a treasure. The moment I extracted the book, dusted it off (shamefully admitting that my TBR pile is not only huge, but some of the books have gathered dust as well) and began to read, I knew I had a special book in my hands. The Canham novel sank somewhere in the heap of my TBR pile, never to be opened. I especially loved the Jacobite history, and was so voracious for a historical novel set during that same conflicting period between England and Scotland that I bought Marsha Canham's The Pride of Lions. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series made a big impression on me.

The Blood of Roses by Marsha Canham