Charming the Shrew

Rating:
Summary: I love the verbal sparring
Review: I just simply loved it. I like to read a book where the two main characters bicker and down deep they really like each other. I would recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: Richly Romantic!
Review: I loved this book! The characters were wonderful. Tayg is a riot as he pretends to be a bard (and is terrible at it) and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Catriona shed her prickly exterior with him over the course of the book. Plus, the setting was one of the most unique I've read in a Scottish romance. I loved Ms. Wittig's first book, The Devil of Kilmartin, but I liked this one even better. I can't wait for her next one!

Rating:
Summary: Richly Romantic!
Review: In 1307 Scotland, the Munroe brothers fight on the side of King Robert the Bruce. However, a year later, the clan heir Robbie is dead and the next sibling in line Toyg knows he must marry, but prefers not to at this time. He detests even more the ballads about his bravery especially since he feels some guilt that he survived while his beloved sibling died. His father sends Toyg on a mission to deliver a message from their nearby neighbor the Ross clan to the MacDonells announcing his son's upcoming marriage to the king's sister.

Meanwhile the shrew Catriona MacLeod learns that her dad arranged for her to marry the abusive Duff MacDonal. Catriona refuses so she runs away where she meets Toyg who is delivering a message from Duff to her odious older brother. Toyg soon realizes that there is a conspiracy against the king and he is the one delivering the information. While traveling together so he can warn the monarch and she can ask for a different spouse, the war hero and the shrew fall in love, but she is a pawn in the plot against the king so is unavailable for anyone but Duff.

CHARMING THE SHREW is an enjoyable medieval Scottish romance that fans will appreciate due to the constant battle between the lead couple. The conspiracy against the king pales next to the war of words that Toyg and Catriona exchange as each one tries to trump the other. Though the suspense is secondary, historical romance readers will take pleasure following the tirades of the twosome as they trek towards their monarch with several conspirators in pursuit.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: enjoyable medieval Scottish romance
Review: In 1307 Scotland, the Munroe brothers fight on the side of King Robert the Bruce. However, a year later, the clan heir Robbie is dead and the next sibling in line Toyg knows he must marry, but prefers not to at this time. He detests even more the ballads about his bravery especially since he feels some guilt that he survived while his beloved sibling died. His father sends Toyg on a mission to deliver a message from their nearby neighbor the Ross clan to the MacDonells announcing his son's upcoming marriage to the king's sister.

Meanwhile the shrew Catriona MacLeod learns that her dad arranged for her to marry the abusive Duff MacDonal. Catriona refuses so she runs away where she meets Toyg who is delivering a message from Duff to her odious older brother. Toyg soon realizes that there is a conspiracy against the king and he is the one delivering the information. While traveling together so he can warn the monarch and she can ask for a different spouse, the war hero and the shrew fall in love, but she is a pawn in the plot against the king so is unavailable for anyone but Duff.

CHARMING THE SHREW is an enjoyable medieval Scottish romance that fans will appreciate due to the constant battle between the lead couple. The conspiracy against the king pales next to the war of words that Toyg and Catriona exchange as each one tries to trump the other. Though the suspense is secondary, historical romance readers will take pleasure following the tirades of the twosome as they trek towards their monarch with several conspirators in pursuit.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: I love the verbal sparring
Review: Okay, I am a sucker for Scottish historicals. So when I heard that author Laurin Wittig had another Scottish medieval on the shelves (her wonderful debut novel was The Devil of Kilmartin), I could not wait to get my hands on it. And I am so glad I did. Charming the Shrew was delightful, especially the fun verbal sparing between the yummy hero Tayg and the shrew, Catriona. This witty, richly crafted story delivers both funny and poignant moments, making it a romance to savor. In fact, the only thing I didn't like about this book was reading the words "the end"! I eagerly look forward to this talented author's next romance.

Rating:
Summary: One for your Keeper Shelf!
Review: Okay, I am a sucker for Scottish historicals. So when I heard that author Laurin Wittig had another Scottish medieval on the shelves (her wonderful debut novel was The Devil of Kilmartin), I could not wait to get my hands on it. And I am so glad I did. Charming the Shrew was delightful, especially the fun verbal sparing between the yummy hero Tayg and the shrew, Catriona. This witty, richly crafted story delivers both funny and poignant moments, making it a romance to savor. In fact, the only thing I didn't like about this book was reading the words "the end"! I eagerly look forward to this talented author's next romance.

Rating:
Summary: Another need for 4 & 1/2 stars.
Review: Only slight imperfections, a somewhat slow beginning, & emotional power that isn't quite as compelling as some others keep this book from receiving 5 stars.

Tayg is a fine hero, a charmer uncertain how to step into his deceased brother's shoes and unwilling to be forced into marriage by his parents. Cat is not quite the shrew indicated -- don't expect a remake of Shakespeare here. But she does use shrewishness as a defense against what she has come to expect of men, thanks to her brothers & father. Tayg's kindness and sincere compliments allow glimpses of the softer woman beneath the armour.

One the plot starts moving, the pace is good, keeping the reader interested in the book. The truths behind Cat's eldest brother's machinations is handly extremely well. And the ending is quite satisfying and heartwarming.

Most enjoyable, and I look forward to more from this author.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting Scottish Medieval
Review: Setting - 1308, Scotland ---- Well, when you get right down to it, both of the protagonists were running away. Catriona MacLeod, known throughout as the Shrew of Assynt, was running from an arranged marriage her insufferable and mean spirited eldest brother had arranged for her. Catriona had vowed that she would bow to no man's demands and live life on her own. Tayg Munro, warrior and supporter of Robert the Bruce, had returned home the hero. With his elder brothers death, he is now the heir apparent to lead his clan and all that it entailed. His mother was pushing him to select a bride himself before she arranged a suitable match so Tayg promised her, that if he could not find someone himself, he'd capitulate to her wishes. Only first, he would undertake one more task for his country -- that of posing as a bard to carrying a message to the king keeping his eyes and ears open along the way to discover the political climate and who might be supporting his throne.

Trying to escape, Catriona "Cat" whose sense of direction was minimal, unfortunately ran in the wrong direction. She was caught in a snow storm, thrown from her horse, was swearing up a blue-streak and discovered by the `wandering Bard' who hadn't heard such colorful language since leaving the battlefield. Tayg thought he'd never met a more beautiful lass, or a more thorny one whose sharp tongue could cut like a rapier. Cat, thought he was certainly one of the most handsomest men she'd seen, and stranded as she was, would allow the `bard' to help her escape. Tayg not really needing another encumbrance on his mission for the king - no matter how beautiful she was - just couldn't abandon her in the middle of the snowstorm. Little by little she came to trust her `bard' as he discovered that her acerbic tongue was used as a shield she used in disguising her true softer self. Discovering a diabolical plot, they soon joined forces in their cross-country race to warn the king of treasonous activities. As the dangers around them flared, their passions ignited as well, hot and bold enough to consume them both in a passionate lovers embrace that would be pure bliss - if they survived!

For me this new author has penned an exciting Scottish Medieval romance starring two captivating protagonists. While I found what I felt were inconsistencies in the dialogs, I can still appreciate the engaging storyline and could identify with the shrewish tongue Cat used to erect a wall around her heart. This was a lovely story, fast paced and interesting. While it did not contain an enormous amount of sensual activity, it projected a great deal of sensual awareness and emotion. The `true' villain in the story was a surprise and was dealt with satisfactorily. I readily suggest that this be put on sub-genre fans wish and buy lists as a very enjoyable read. --- Submitted by Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com