For those who love Scottish romances and appreciate a fish-out-of-water story, Rebecca Hagan Lee’s A Hint of Heather is likely to please. This charming tale reverses some standard expectations of the Scottish romance. A Highland clan kidnaps a spouse for its laird – but this time the laird is a woman and the lucky victim is a British soldier, an architect and an earl.

Clan MacInnes has been nearly destroyed by the war between the Jacobites and the armies of George I, “German George.” The new laird, Jessalyn MacInnes, is the only survivor of her father’s large family, and her clan faces starvation. Their only hope is the promise the Ancient Gentlemen of the clan made to the old laird on his deathbed – that they would go fetch Jessalyn’s betrothed from the garrison where he is an officer in the British Army.

Neil Claremont, Earl of Derrowford, hates the poverty of Scotland and is eager to get back to his studies in London. He’s blissfully unaware that his powerful grandfather has arranged his marriage to one of his former in-laws. While chained to his bed for daring to disagree with his foolish, foppish commanding officer, Neil is kidnapped by Highlanders who drag him off to his wedding over his objections. Both parties agree to the wedding, at least for temporarily, but Neil soon finds himself in the doghouse with his lovely bride when he promises Jessalyn a spectacular wedding night and fails to deliver. How can he gain the affection of this intriguing woman?

Neil and Jessalyn are both enormously likable characters. Jessalyn is a proud, strong woman leading her clan as best she can. She is capable of her role in the clan and is willing to sacrifice for her people, though she is also a believable woman with desires of her own. While Neil doesn’t react well to his captivity (would anyone?), he is willing to own up to his mistakes and find ways to correct them. The sweeping romantic gesture he makes to apologize for mocking his barefoot bride sealed my affection for him, and incidentally knocked the grade of this book up to a B+. And the love scenes in the appropriately named Laird’s Trysting Room sizzle.

The novel also features the sort of well-defined supporting characters that enrich the world of a romance novel. I was particularly touched by the story of Neil’s grandparents. And there’s plenty of derring-do in the Highlands and a creepy villain for those who like adventure.

I found A Hint of Heather to be a real treat. Readers looking for a strong heroine and a dashing hero, or those who love Scotland, should check this one out.