MAD, BAD, AND DANGEROUS IN PLAID – Suzanne Enoch
A Scandalous Highlanders Novel, Book 3
St. Martin's Paperbacks
ISBN-13:  978-1-250-04162-3
March 2015
Historical Romance

Glengask, Scotland

After Rowena turned eighteen, she ran away from her brothers, Ranulf, Arran and Munro, and went to London, determined to get the Season she deserved.  The idea of the sister of Ranulf, the head of Clan MacLawry, going to London was unthinkable, because her safety is precious to their whole clan.  Leaving Lachlan, Viscount Gray, and one of the Chieftains of Clan MacLawry, is Rowena's real reason for her trip. She has known Lachlan since she was two years old, and told him since she could talk that she was going to marry him; however his determined ignoring of her only heightens her determination to go to London where men will actually like to be around her.

It's now three months later, and after Ranulf and Arran came to London to bring her home, Arran eloped with a woman from the dreaded Campbell Clan. Ranulf is waiting for Rowena to arrive at Glengask with his soon to be bride.  Rowena is also bringing her new best friend, Jane, and many other men and women from the Season that fit the new persona she wants to be.  A sensitive man in London who enjoys the arts, books, parties and the theater is just what she wants, and perhaps one of the many men who come with them will be the lucky one.  Rowena is ready to tell Lachlan she will agree to stop aggravating him and move on to a more civilized life in London.

Lachlan is surprised when Ranulf discusses Rowena with him and suggests Lachlan tell Rowena there is no way he is interested in marriage, and let Ranulf look for a husband for her that will bring a good advantage to the clan.  Lachlan and Rowena agree any affection for each other never happened, and Rowena is determined to find someone who lives in England; however Ranulf intends Rowena have a match with a Highlander.  Unfortunately, the more Lachlan sees the new Rowena, the more attracted he is to her.  Is it too late to change his mind, and will Rowena accept him as the Highlander he is, and not her idea of what he is?

Suzanne Enoch again brings us the story of Ranulf and Clan MacLawry.  Clan is everything to Lachlan and the MacLawry brothers, and having Rowena chase after him for years has been wearing on him, until he sees how she has changed.  Rowena has tried her best to forget Lachlan and finally realized that he wasn't interested in her that way; and is doing her best to find someone else, preferably in London.  When Ranulf wants her to make a match to help their clan, Rowena accepts the fact that her future might lay in Scotland, especially when he says she can pick one of the three men he has in mind for her.

Secondary characters include the men of Clan MacLawry: Ranulf, Arran and Munro.  Rowena has a possible beau in Lord Stamston from London, and Ranulf's choice, Lord Robert Cranach.  Dermid Gerdens and Charles Calder put their lives on the line if Ranulf catches them after what they do to his sister.

MAD, BAD AND DANGEROUS IN PLAID contains another in the story of Scottish pride in Clan MacLawry and each one of its leaders.  Ranulf's and Arran's stories are THE DEVIL WEARS KILTS (November 2013) and ROGUE WITH A BROGUE (July 2014).  If you're Scottish or appreciate men and women with a fierce loyalty to their friends, the Clan MacLawry is a great example.  But what is especially enjoyable is seeing Lachlan finally realize Rowena is so much more than he ever thought, and she makes him fight for every kind word.  Next is brother Munro (Bear's) story, SOME LIKE IT SCOT, out in October 2015.  If you enjoy Scottish or historical romance, this is the perfect choice this month.

Carolyn Crisher