Masquerade Marriage by Anne Greene

A SECRET LIST

He was born to a clan of noted warriors and musicians. Yet to protect his loved ones and escape the dark fate of his brothers, he abandons his identity. Hiding from relentless soldiers who want him dead, he vows to protect the woman he loves more than life, more than freedom, more than Scotland. But his presence throws her into danger.

A VOW HONORED

She weds a stranger to save his life. But do vows make a marriage? When does a marriage become a marriage? What if she holds a different love inside her heart?

A SACRIFICE MADE

Steeling himself against the pain, he condemns himself to a life of heartbreak without her. Wanting her desperately, knowing he can’t have her, he surrenders her and heads alone to certain death. Outlawed, with a price on his head, does she love him enough to give up castle, lands, and family, and risk the agony of surrendering her heart a second time?

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EXCERPT FROM MASQUERADE MARRIAGE

Like a determined hero, the fugitive warrior strode through the door at the far end of the tiny stone kirk.

Megan’s eyes widened. Her clenched jaw relaxed. Some of her dread dissolved.

“Impressive.” Molly, Megan’s Irish maid, whispered from where they stood together in the vestibule.

He stopped in front of the hand-carved altar and half-turned toward her. Megan pulled in an uneven breath. This Highlander, wearing formal kilts, was no scrawny lad grown older, nor was he a big, hairy Scot with a bushy beard. The tall, strapping soldier stood with legs braced as if about to do battle.

Her heart skipped. Though she’d known Brody when she wore short skirts, this blond warrior was far more than she expected. Her pulse throbbed in her temples. Doubt niggled her brain. Brody was too tall, too obviously a Highlander. How could she hope to pass him off as a Lowland Laird? He appeared to have too big a chip on his shoulder to let her command him.

Brody’s thick sandy hair swept the collar of his linen shirt. Lace-trimmed cuffs matched the white jabot at his muscular throat. A silver broach clasped his crimson and black tartan to his wide right shoulder. His Claymore, dirk, and thick sword belt startled her.

Megan suppressed a shudder. The English outlawed kilts. With his dress, Brody spat in the face of the English and further imperiled his life. Why?

His intense sapphire stare blazed a trail across the empty wooden pews toward her. His eyes made her feel dizzy as if she just danced a fast reel with a lively partner.

Molly grinned and handed Megan the bridal flowers.

What had she gotten herself into?

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Masquerade Marriage begins on April 16, 1746 in Scotland during the battle at Culloden. Brody MacCauley survives the battle. Orders to kill all remaining highlanders cause him to hide to stay alive. He is given an option that will protect himself and his remaining family. He struggles with hiding his identity and pretending he is something he is not, a lowlander.

Lady Megan MacMurry is the younger daughter of a lowlander family. The purpose of marrying Brody is two-fold. She wants to help one of the highlander survivors but also wants a way out of an arranged marriage to a violent man. She picks his name off the list because she recognizes it from their childhood. She thought he hated her because he picked on her to no end but....

From the first page I was drawn into this time period. The facts of the war at that time are intertwined throughout the book. I fell in love with Brody and Megan very quickly. This book is a wonderful historical romance that is filled with love, adventure, strong characters and wonderful storyline. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in some exciting Christian romantic fiction. I look forward to more books from Anne Greene.

Check out her website: http://www.annegreeneauthor.com/