Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch: Brides of Chattan

By Rose Prendeville

In 1725, a secret convent has been established on the Aberdeenshire coast.

 

Jory Mackintosh is more excited by healing herbs than husbands or holy prayers. She craves freedom—and a chance to sneak into medical school. Instead, on the eve of her escape, she becomes an unwilling pawn in her family's schemes with a rival clan.

 

Finlay Shaw, the disgraced younger brother of the laird, has spent ten long years atoning for his past failures, but nothing can wash away the stain of fratricide. When the clans order him to escort Jory to her new life as a nun, thus securing an alliance with the freshly formed Black Watch, it's his last chance for redemption. Too bad for Finn, Jory has no intention of following orders.

 

Trapped on the road together, often with only one bed between them, the two butt heads and match wits, forced to acknowledge the dark shadows that have haunted them both for years. Can they learn to trust each other, and themselves, to fly in the face of their families' wishes, or will they choose the solitary futures they always believed they deserve in this unorthodox runaway bride story?

 

Editorial Reviews

 

"Determined heroine, sympathetic hero - up to a point - with an excellent mix of hijinks and danger. Rose Prendeville is an author to watch and Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch is a delightful historical romance. Highly recommend!" —Elizabeth Everett, A Lady's Formula for Love

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eridani Press
• Release date: Sep 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781955643078

Reviews for Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch by Rose PrendevilleThoroughly enjoyable way to spend the day today and a nice introduction to a new series. What I liked: * Finlay Shaw: youngest brother, living under a black cloud due to something that happened when he was fifteen, trying to find his place again in the clan, healing touch, kind, honest, gentle, feels drawn to Jory* Jory Mackintosh: orphan, raised by her uncle’s family, well-liked by her cousins, healing abilities, has scoliosis, defensive, has dreams of studying medicine, acts before she thinks, feels drawn to Finn, has been told she will be a nun* Finn’s friends who assisted when needed * The childhood intersections and connections Finn and Jory shared* The growth of the relationship as the journey toward the convent took place* That the two became more trusting and better able to communicate over time* The way their backstories influenced them* That I felt the two were equally matched and well suited* That the bad guys were exposed and thwarted* The happy ending for the couple* Reading a new-to-me author and knowing there is another book in the series to look forward to* The cute coverWhat I didn’t like:* Who and what I was meant not to like* Knowing that expectations of and for women (and men) in this era were often set in cement and not necessarily what they might have wantedDid I enjoy this book? YesWould I read more in this series? YesThank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – this is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

[eyes92c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A determined maid!So Finlay Shaw, the “Shaw Wretch”, received his moniker when as a youngster he was persuaded away from his watch. That led to tragedy at the Battle of Preston, “where his callow blunder cost many mens lives.” Ten years later and he still Carrie’s the name and his shame. It’s 1725 and he’s to escort a young maid to a secret convent in Aberdeenshire as part of a Chattan clan agreement. Marjorie Mackintosh (Jory) is a young woman who has curvature of the spine. Men don’t find her attractive. So far Jory’s bridegrooms have failed at the last moment. Jory’s father had been killed at Preston and Jory is in the care of her uncle.Her uncle has decided to give her into a nunnery run by their enemies the Gordon’s, in the hope that they will constrain the actions of the Watch. Vain hope! but then nothing to loose and everything to gain. The Gordon’s asked for Jory by name. Now you and I might be suspicious but the we’re following the general drift and occasionally going, Huh!The thing is Jory is planning to take her dowry and escape enroute! She tries and there’s a few funny, and quite poignant moments.There’s also several heart-stopping advents, some occasional light relief times, many Oh My’s and other times of frustration with our main characters. A storyline of deception, trust and betrayal.Of course redemption for both characters lends a hand in this Highlands historical romance. Sparkling, and often hilarious times makes this a winner.An Xpresso Book Tours ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change