The MacInnes Affair by Blair MacDowell

It is hard to believe that it is the last day of September.  An Amish Christmas Bakery by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Irvin comes out on October 1 along with Mumbo Gumbo Murder by Laura Childs and Terrie Moran.  The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini plus A Mrs. Miracle Christmas also come out tomorrow. There are many delightful new books coming out in October (now I just need to finish the September list first)!

The MacInnes Affair by Blair McDowell takes readers on a journey to Scotland.  Lara MacInnes is spending the summer in Scotland to research her ancestor, Lachlan MacInnes and learn more about Clan MacInnes.  She is staying at Athdara Castle owned by the Glendenning family until she finds permanent accommodations.  On her first day, Lara encounters the rugged Iain Glendenning, the owner’s son, who raises Scottish Highland cattle along with horses.  Lady Aileen Glendenning offers to let Lara live in the stone cottage on the property and she eagerly accepts.  Lara and Iain are looking for a desk in the attic and come across an old trunk.  Inside Lara finds a beautiful blue dress from the 1800s with seed pearls and lace which looks familiar to Iain.  In the bottom of the trunk, Lara uncovers five journals belonging to Elspeth Glendenning.  As Lara reads the journals, she learns that Elspeth had met and fallen in love with her ancestor, Lachlan MacInnes.  Curious as to how the pair from two feuding clans came to be together, Lara and Iain dig into the past.  They soon learn that their forebearers did not have an easy path.  Murder, money and revenge do not lead to a happily-ever-after.  As Lara and Iain spend more time together, they fall in love.  Will they be able to lay the past to rest?

 

The MacInnes Affair is a captivating tale. Lara MacInnes has just gotten out of a relationship and has decided to spend the summer in Scotland researching Clan MacInnes.  She meets the handsome Iain Glendenning her first day and finds herself intrigued by the Scotsman.  The pair come across several diaries belonging to Elspeth Glendenning, an ancestor of Iain’s, that begin in 1850.  When Lara reads the diaries and finds that Elspeth was involved with her ancestor, Lachlan MacInnes.  Wanting to know more about Lachlan, Lara with help from Iain begins digging into the past.  They soon find themselves embroiled in a hundred and fifty year old mystery.  The MacInnes Affair is a story that captured and held my attention from beginning to end.  I liked the characters and the rugged landscape of Scotland.  Blair McDowell’s descriptions brought the book alive.  I enjoy being able to visualize the scenery like Athdara Castle surrounded by the woods and the stone cottage where Lara resided.  The dual-time line added depth to the story.  The author’s research is evident from the clothing, the food, modes of transportation, and attitudes of the people.  The ending of The MacInnes Affair left me smiling.  The MacInnes Affair has a dashing hero, a charming lady, warring clans, a Scottish estate, and historical intrigue.

The MacInnes Affair is out today and available through Amazon.  I hope you find The MacInnes Affair as captivating as I did.  You can find a complete list of books that Blair McDowell has written on her Amazon page.  Thank you for dropping by today.  I plan on reviewing An Amish Christmas Bakery by Amy Clipston, et all tomorrow.  May you have a charming day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader