The Pleasure of the Rose: The MacNeil Legacy - Book One

By Jane Bonander

Long a master of the historical and the heartfelt, Jane Bonander pens a sweeping Scottish romance, perfect for readers of Mary Balogh.

"Jane Bonander reaches out to her readers' hearts." —RT Book Reviews

As Fletcher MacNeil sat in a jail cell, the last thing he expected was a Scottish solicitor bearing news of an inheritance. Fletcher, half Comanche and half Scottish, is the only surviving heir to Castle Sheiling and a fortune beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he must escape his current predicament and travel across the ocean—to a world of loyal clans and kinsmen where Fletcher’s very appearance marks him as outsider.

Rosalyn Geddes, housekeeper of Sheiling, is relieved to hear that the new earl of Kintyre has been located in America. But the last thing she expected was the mysterious, darkly handsome man who appears on the castle doorstep. Rosalyn cannot believe he is a MacNeil, let alone the new earl. But there’s something about this man—a power and magnetism that draws her in.

Fletcher learns that his inheritance comes with a caveat—he must produce an heir within one year’s time or the fortune goes to a rogue cousin of the late earl. A marriage of convenience is proposed, and Roz reluctantly agrees. What begins as purely a business transaction blossoms into something more. Roz begins to feel herself open up to the possibility of love, but the question of whether Fletcher will leave her once he’s met the terms of the will continues to loom over their relationship. Can they overcome Roz’s tragic past and Fletcher’s uncertain future?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diversion Books
• Release date: Aug 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781682302880

Jane Bonander

Bestselling author Jane Bonander has published over a dozen full length novels and four anthologies, all dealing with the perils and passions of romantic historical fiction. She currently lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband.

Reviews for The Pleasure of the Rose

[libstaff2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A light-hearted romance that starts off as a marriage of convenience. The romance isn't exactly steamy; it's more of a blended family unit that grow to care for one another. I like both MCs, but the more interesting love story is that of the female lead's brother and best friend. Overall, a quick and easy read that's best for a rainy day.Net Galley Feedback

[eyes92c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Wild West meets the Wild Highlands!This is a very different take on the 'highlander' historical romance theme.The Isle of Hedabarr has lost its laird and the heir's whereabouts are unknown. Solicitor Geddes Gordon knows that the current presumed heir will wreck havoc with the island and its people. The only thing to do is to find the younger son, Shamus McNeil, who'd made his way to Texas and never thought to inherit.Unfortunately Shamus is dead. His son Fletcher, maker of arrows, McNeil however can inherit the title--except that Fletcher is half Commache.Still a duke is a duke, even if found in a prison waiting to be hanged. Fletcher is sprung from his cell and sets sail for the Scottish islands. His final condition on accepting his inheritance as the Duke of Kintyre is that Geddes will find his siblings and bring them to Scotland.At Castle Sheiling he meets Geddes' sister Rosalyn. Both are drawn to each other but Rosalyn wants nothing to do with the 'savage' lord--or does she? Certainly cliched assumptions about 'savages' on Rosalyn's part do intrude on their first meeting.So we have murder, a thwarted heir presumptive, intrigue, and a very interesting secondary woman, one Fenella Begley, Rosalyn's friend and Geddes' nemesis.Interesting twists to an age old theme. I enjoyed the difference and look forward to more in the series.A NetGalley ARC