I’m a huge fan of Connie Brockway’s McClairen’s Isle series. Every detail plays to one of my favorite romance themes: the island in Northern Scotland, the proud rakish men (and their fascinating and witty sister), the dissolute castle nicknamed “Wanton’s Blush.” I recommend all three novels, but my favorite of the series is The Passionate One, the story of Ashton Merrick. The book opens when Ash’s ruthless father bribes him into escorting Rhiannon Russell, his father’s ward, to McClairen’s Isle—so that the perverted old man can make Rhiannon his fourth wife. And his father has a nasty habit of losing his wives to early graves.

Ash is notorious in London as a rakehell gambler and the last thing he wants is to tangle with an innocent, lovely girl like Rhiannon. But tangle he does. As befits its name, The Passionate One is incredibly hot. Ash tries to stay away from Rhiannon, but the moment when he says “We’re near a place where there is no return…I am not a nice man, Rhiannon.  I’ve little honor and less restraint,” I dare you not to be turning the pages as fast as you can. The Beltaine night scene is one of the most deeply romantic (and passionate) scenes in any historical romance: you must read it.

~ buy this book ~