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Title: Border Lass
ISBN: 0446197998
Author:
Amanda Scott
Publicate Date: 2008-09-01
Publish: 2008-09-01
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $2.50
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $6.99
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1: Fourteenth century Scottish romance
'Border Lass' was a bit of an odd read because its pacing was rather variable. The narrative dragged throughout the book until the last fifth when it really picked up and lots of things happened. The story is full of political intrigue, family dynasties and travel by horseback but it is also a story of two people getting to know each other, learning each others' natures and realising that they suit.
Amalie Murray is a young noblewomen in service to the Princess Isabel. However she knows that her brother, at the behest of Thomas Fife, Governer of the Realm, wants her to marry a particular knight, despite the fact Amalie says she doesn't want to marry. She finds a champion in Sir Garth Napier, a knight who is also attached to Isabel's household, and finds herself verbally sparring with him at times. Sir Garth is trying to get to the bottom of the deaths of two men and knows that Amalie has overheard something. However events move on and Amalie may no longer be mistress of her own life - and Sir Garth may have to change some of his priorities in order to keep her safe.
Sir Garth and Amalie were pleasant enough characters, if someone one-dimensional. There were an awful lot of other characters in this story, though, and it did get a little confusing at times. The historical setting was interesting, at a time when border raids took place regularly and clans vied for power and to make alliances with other clans, but overall the dragging pacing of much of the book meant that it wasn't entirely satisfying.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book ?? Helen Hancox 2008
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2: Fall in love with a Knight
Border Lass by Amanda Scott
Amalie Murray has vowed time and time again that she will not wed. Her brother Simon seems adamant that she should, and he has seemed to have found the man for her. But Amalie, a maiden to Princess Isabel has discovered the right to refuse marriage even though she is still not of age. On Coronation Day at Scone Abby, Amalie meets Sir Garth Napier he infuriates her to no end, but she finds solace in him and a companion in which she can speak freely. She still plans to not to marry, especially that Harald Boyd her family has pretty much thrust upon her, but now she is beginning to feel very different in the presence of her knight. When he catches her listening in on a private conversation possibly about murder, he must find out all that she knows.
Sir Garth Napier is on a mission to discover the truth about who killed James and Will, he has an idea that Fife, the Governor had his hands in the muck. He has recently been appointed to join Princess Isabel's security staff, and finds himself growing quite fond of the saucy lady Amalie. He first met her after striking down her brother Simon after he was chastising Amalie in public. Then, he catches her listening in on a private conversation possibly about murder, he makes it a point to find get her to open up and tell him the secret. Also not in the mindset to wed, he can't help taking the pleasure of the lady's kiss. And as you know, a single kiss always leads to more...
Will her strong willed and stubborn family force her into a marriage that she does not want? Can she stop these feelings for the man sent to protect the Princess? Or does she really want to quell those feelings? She must also learn that not even her brothers can be trusted.
Border Lass by Amanda Scott is a phenomenal Historical Scottish Romance. The reader connects with the characters and is in a way brought into the story experiencing it first hand. I loved the detail, the blossoming love, and the stubbornness of the hero and heroine. Amanda Scott has been a favorite of mine to read for a while, and as she continues to produce her historical romances, they get better and better each time. 5 Hearts
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3: 4.5 blue ribbons for Romance Junkies
Amalie Murray has vowed to never marry despite the simple fact that as a young noblewoman it's expected of her. She's serving as one of the princess Isabel Stewart's ladies and sincerely hopes that Isabel can protect her from her any plans her family has of forcing her into a marriage - like they did her sister. She has deep-seated secrets that she fears have ruined any chance she has for a decent match.
With the demise of his father Sir Garth Napier assumes his title as a baron and he's been asked to seek info regarding the death of Isabel's first husband, James, second Earl of Douglas. He's unexplainably attracted to the young woman whom he's positive has overheard a conversation between dangerous men. He's got his ideals of how the woman he chooses to marry should behave and Amalie is far too opinionated and disobedient for him.
Amalie enjoys her friendship with Isabel but more importantly it provides the escape she needs to get away from her family who've been so overbearing. Sir Garth intercedes on her behalf when Amalie's brother Simon attempts to force her to obey him. Later when Amalie goes looking for a moment of solitude, she inadvertently ends up overhearing a portion of a conversation between two dangerous men. Sir Garth catches her in the act and physically removes her from the door before she's discovered by either of the speakers. Sir Garth vows to find out exactly what Amalie overheard but she's not about to trust him with such information. She's learned the hard way that men cannot be trusted and she believes that he's loyal to Fife, which makes him untrustworthy. Sir Garth, with Isabel's blessing, sets out to prove that he can be trusted and claims to have never told a lie. Times are troubled and a member of the royal family is determined to rule Scotland. Amalie's future may just depend on Sir Garth's dedication to protecting her but how will he feel when he learns about the secret that brought about her vow to never marry?
I developed a special fondness for Amalie after reading about her in the first book in this series, BORDER WEDDING. Amalie's a bold, brave character who really stands out throughout this story. Sir Garth is honorable, honest and trustworthy. He's exactly the sort of man Amalie needs especially since he refuses to give up on her. Amanda Scott does a brilliant job of blending this romantic story with the troubling times in Scottish history so that readers can feel like they're actually directly affected by the outcome of each scene.
I'm now anxiously waiting for Amalie's little sister Sibylla's story in BORDER MOONLIGHT coming in January 2009. There's some scary plotting which involves her brought up near the end of the book and she's such a happy little girl that I need to know just how her situation is going to turn out.
Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)
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4: Good addition to a good series
Those who have read Scott's Border Wedding already know Amalie, the main character in this book. Secrets from her past lead her to the conclusion that she never wants to marry, even though her family is pushing her to do so. For now she is working in Princess Isabel's employ and quite content with where she is.
Once Garth, a knight of the realm, comes into the picture, she doesn't change her mind. Though there is a strong attraction, she still doesn't want to marry and will do all in her power to keep her freedom.
Political rivalry sets the backstage for this romance. A new king has just been crowned, but not everyone is happy with the choice. One person in particular feels he was slighted and will do everything in his power to take over the entire kingdom. Murder, mayhem, and mystery ensue.
I actually enjoyed this book once I was able to get through the first few chapters. I haven't read the first book, Border Wedding, and that may be part of the problem. This book stands on its own, but the beginning of the book has several redundancies and too much description. Like any series of books, the trick is to make the book readable by itself, yet still make it flow with the other books. I feel like Ms. Scott had some trouble with this, and in her attempt made the beginning of the book stilted and difficult to enjoy.
Thankfully, once I was able to actually get into the storyline and find out who the characters were and what they were up to, I couldn't put it down. The actual story almost completely made up for the difficult first few chapters.
I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series, to be released January 2009. From the preview that I've read in the back of Border Lass, it seems to jump straight into the story and hold you there.
Armchair Interviews says: Like most series, it is to the reader's advantage to read the books in order for clarity and full enjoyment.
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5: Disapointed
If your looking for a scottish love story, this is not it. You are so bogged down in history of the book, that it is hard to even get into the story. From someone who loves romance books, you would be better off reading one of your shelf keepers instead of this.
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