Captured by a Laird (1) (Douglas Legacy) Paperback – September 9, 2014

This is the first book in the Douglas Legacy series, and it centers around Alison Douglas, a recent widow and sister of the very powerful Archibald Douglas, former consort and now husband to the Queen. As the story begins, Alison has called upon her brothers for help in securing her castle now that the despicable, much older man she was forced to wed at 13 died. While her brothers arrive soon after she sent her missive, they tell her that they are unable to stay as they are needed in fighting a battle, and they leave her without providing her with any of their men for protection as they don't feel anyone will care much about the holdings she occupies as the closest neighboring clan is chieftain-less after its leader and his brother were executed by the area's warden for treason. Alison is extremely unhappy with her circumstances, but she has learned she has no sway as a female - her former husband ridiculed her and encouraged the castle staff to mock her as well; thus, Alison desperately wants to be left a widow to raise her two small daughters to be independent and allow them freedoms she never had. But she soon realizes that fate has other plans...David Hume is out for revenge. His father and uncle were lured to their deaths under false pretenses, and he intends to avenge their murders by creating a fearsome reputation to control the borderlands and begin executing his plans to secure his clan's standing for generations to come. One of those objectives is to take Blackadder Castle, the neighboring lands to his clan's holdings, and establish his claim on it by wedding the widow who currently resides within. When he storms the castle, he expects to find a biddable woman, as he has heard rumors that she was very subservient to her husband, but what he finds when he throws open the door to her chambers is a beautiful, petite woman attempting to hold a sword that weighs nearly half as much as she does with 2 wee lasses behind her prepared to fight to the death. David is almost literally struck dumb by her beauty and his reaction to it - he never considered that she might be so young and certainly didn't think she'd be as bonny a lass as she is. Once he regains his ability to think, he quickly disarms her and tries to assure her that he means no harm to her or her daughters.As far as Alison is concerned, another forced marriage is one of the worst things that could happen to her after she has just survived the horrors of her first husband's treatment. And to be wed to the Beast of Wedderburn himself must be a fate worse than death given the man's ruthless reputation. But she has little choice - she must ensure her daughters are safe, and when her brothers fail to come to her rescue, she relents. But when her new husband treats her with gentleness and orders the servants to be respectful of her or face his wrath, she realizes things may not be as dire as they seem. And when she begins to know the man behind the legend, she finds there is much more to him than she originally believed. But what will happen when her former husband's relatives decide to try to reclaim the castle for themselves? And will David's actions in his pursuit of vengeance lead down the same path that led to his father and uncle's destruction?What I liked:--- The main characters were very likeable - the H was the kind of rough around the edges alpha male that had much more depth and heart than appeared on the surface; despite the ordeals suffered in her first marriage, the h learned to stand up for herself and showed strength--- Fast-moving plot; solid action and intrigue; likeable secondary characters--- Steamy goodnessWhat I didn't like as much:--- A little bit of a slow burn, but once it got going, it was good stuff--- Some inconsistencies with Alison's character (ex, sometimes she acted tough and other times she was stubborn about things that seemed inconsistent with the times - MILD SPOILER she got angry when David arranged marriages for her daughters to his younger brothers because he knew that they would treat the girls well as he was basically raising them and it would ensure his legacy with respect to the holdings - that's pretty common for the time, especially considering that Alison was wedded off at age 13, so her outrage about it was a little overdone END SPOILEROverall, an interesting story line with romance, suspense, and intrigue that kept me glued to the pages!Plot --- 4.5/5Main Characters --- 4.5/5Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5Steam Level* --- 3.5/5Violence --- nothing graphicLanguage --- not egregiousPOV --- 3rd*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

I have read this book many times and always have enjoyed it. Just reading it talk about the sisters in the upcoming books had me anticipating them greatly! Awesome Writer! And Love the historical notes!

Captured By A Laird (The Douglas Legacy) by Margaret MalloryOne of my very favourite authors is the late, great Kathleen Woodiwiss. She wove an excellent story, full of vengeance, cunning, revenge, lust and love. This book reminds me greatly of her story The Wolf and the Dove. Although it was written in 1974, there seems to be something about feuding Lords and ladies of the castles that keeps making this an interesting plot line.Alison is not your typical heroine. She has been widowed by a repugnant man that she despised. She despised him so much that she took his bed into the yard and burned it. The only shining light in her life is her two beautiful daughters. She hasn’t had an easy life, being married at 13 to a brute who humiliated her daily and make her life hell. Once she is free of him she thinks that she has the freedom she has longed for. With political men surrounding her life, she is remarkably naïve in this hope.Her knight in shining armour is the ‘Beast’, David Wedderburn. He takes her castle and forces her to marry him. The author is descriptive in the cattle raiding and fear mongering he unleashes on the border lands, but it doesn’t distract that David is actually a very good person. He wants vengeance for his father and uncle’s murders and the injustices done to his clan, but he shows leniency and mercy to his enemies.He is startled when he meets Alison. The plan was always to marry her, but he is blown away by her beauty and grace. He thanks his lucky stars, but quickly learns that he will have to woo his new bride. She desperately wants to be the kind of wife that a husband turns to in confidence, but with her brothers and Clan Douglas blowing in the wind, he doesn’t take her interest seriously. The story revolved a lot around the two of them getting to know one another.The daughters and David’s brothers play a large part in the story. They make the new family unit more complete. The challenges of David’s brothers are borne by Alison and in turn he takes his role as step father to heart. Alison’s mother gave her a black stone to guard herself with. I love how the author wove in the mysticism of Scottish culture into the story. It’s such a beautiful part of the culture and the stone definitely served its purpose.As Alison is a widow and has borne children, she clearly knows what happens in the marital bed and is revolted by the thought of returning to it. David must woo her gently. He awakens lust in her and for the first time she feels pleasure. She understands how great it can be between a man and a woman. David is a patient and gentle lover. The love scenes are so well written and you actually felt Alison’s joy at this surprising revelation and happiness in her new union.But the enemies at the gate don’t stay there for long. There is a lot of plotting and evil lurking and swirling around the new family at Blackadder. Alison and David’s newfound peace is tested again and again. The new lovers are still carrying deep scars and they drive them apart. Only when the ultimate sacrifice must be made, do the two of them work together to thwart their enemies.The ending was so great! When I look at the models on the cover of the book, I truly imagine that this is what their life will be like. I loved the epilogue that shares a glimpse into the future. Clan life is everything in Scottish culture and reading this story made me wish I was part of one too.Reviewed by www.kiltsandswords.com

This historical romance is endearing even with the gruesome events that take place. It gives a good insight of life as it was in the sixteenth century.David is out for revenge and for protecting his clan and family. After losing his close ones, he sets out to make a name for himself, where he is feared by all. After invading the territory of his enemies and meeting Alison, he remains his sullen self, but upon meeting Beatrix and Margaret, the little darlings bring out a side that nobody else sees. He is at constant loggerheads with Alison when deep down he feels for her. Will his attitude towards her change? Will hers?It's an enthralling tale where two souls who have suffered through bad experiences slowly begin to hope and love. The epilogue is the icing on the cake. Intriguing.

This was a wonderfully romantic and passionate book about finding and gaining trust and love. Each chapter contains twists and turns and as you follow this fast and furious tale, you find you become more and more engrossed. David Hume and Alison Douglas's love story is poignant and strong. But it is also very enjoyable because of David's brothers and Alison's two daughters. Margaret really captures the mood of the time with the dark and cruel reality a backdrop to this wonderful read. I loved it!

Sadly not for me. Yes I love feisty women and the thought of a very well toned Scotsman in nothing but a kilt can certainly bring on palpitations. But I just got totally confused by the hierarchy of it all. Who was on which side and why. But then in the next breath they were on somebody else's side.Why one clan would side with another. What a widows rights were (if any)So instead of reading this as an escape from my day to day life, I felt as though I was studying for a history exam.

Not read this author before but will read more of her stuffShe really did try hard but I couldn't feel the love between these two h & H, not even when having bodice ripping sex she was trying a bit much and something wasn't tying it together Do like the fact that there are children involved and not a naive virgin heroine. Lets read on.

Has been so long side I chowed down on a good solid Scottish historical and boy did I enjoy captured by a Laird and finding out that it was partly based on a real life David and Alison makes it all the more sweeter. Loved that fact and fiction were interwoven to make this fabulous tale of intrigue, politics and love set against the Scottish landscape. I so hope Alison, David, Alison's daughters and Davids brothers and the whole Hume clan lived a long, fruitful and happy life.