Scottish and Irish Romances

(November 12, 2003)

From the number of people who ask for books set in Ireland or Scotland, that region fascinates many of us. Cheryl Hassler has compiled a list of romances that feature Irish or Scottish characters or settings.

To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through our OPAC. Happy Reading!

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Legacy of Secrets by Elizabeth Adler.
RC 37314.
Shannon Keeffe and Eddie Sheridan have come to Ireland to learn about their ancestors. Shannon also hopes to learn why her father was killed. The story of the Sheridan, O'Keeffe, and Molyneux families is narrated by Maudie Molyneux, daughter of Ciel, sister of the infamous Lily. As they sit by the fire each night, Maudie explains why Lily fled to America and the havoc she caused in so many lives. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex.

The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy.
RC 39883.
When handsome Louis Gray abandons Mary Helena Healy to marry a rich woman, "Helen" settles for Martin McMahon, a pharmacist in an Irish village. But after two children and a decidedly dull life, "Lena" is reunited with Louis. They both enjoy successful careers and the faster pace of London. But Lena longs for a relationship with her daughter, Kit, so she concocts a scheme whereby she can contact Kit but protect her true identity.

Ravenburn by Laura Black.
RC 13642, BR 4046.
In nineteenth century Scotland, 18-year-old Katie Irvine is treated like a stepchild since the death of her father, Lord Ravenburn. She has few clothes, little society, and only the outdoors and books as companions. Drawn to a little local island, Katie finds a true friend and love in the isle's abandoned ruined castle.

Shadows on the Tor by Susan Brand.
RC 12203.
A young American sculptress comes to a picturesque Scottish village to recover from a disastrous love affair. She meets fellow artist Jamie Drummond, a stormy tempered, young Scot, who is rumored to have caused the death of his wife.

The Duke by Catherine Coulter.
RC 42797.
Ian Carmichael, Duke of Portmaine, has also just become Earl of Penderleigh and plans to travel to Scotland to visit his recently inherited property. His fiancée, Lady Felicity, is less than pleased at his departure during the London season, but Ian relishes the chance to escape. Yet he is unprepared for the people and problems he encounters when he reaches Penderleigh Castle. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex.

Georgina by Clare Darcy.
RC 34680, BR 1794.
A young English lady who has been raised by her grandparents upsets them by refusing a proposal of marriage offered by a respectable young man, so she is sent to Ireland where she falls in love with an Irish man of whom they thoroughly disapprove.

The Dower House by Annabel Davis-Goff.
RC 47772.
In post-war Ireland, young Molly Hassard and her upper class Anglo-English family live in genteel poverty. In order to change their fortunes, Molly and her cousin Sophie eventually relocate to England. But Molly misses the Irish traditions and longs to return to rekindle her secret love for a fellow countryman.

The Princess by Claire Delacroix.
RC 48796.
Ireland, 1171. When King Henry II captures Castle Tullymullagh, he gives the land to Gavin Fitzgerald. He promises Princess Brianna to one of Gavin's sons. But Brianna, scheming to regain her family's land, sends the young men on a quest. The Bride Quest series, Book 1. Series Code BRQ. Some descriptions of sex.

Dublin Crossing: Romance and Adventure in the Viking Era by Sandy Dengler.
RC 37135.
Ireland, A.D. 793. Twenty-year-old Shawna believes her God will protect her and the people of the island of Lambay off Ireland's coast. Yet when the island is attacked by men from dragonships, Shawna is left alone except for her three nephews. They escape to the mainland where Doyle Dalaiin takes them in, and Shawna finds herself comforted by his son, Connleigh, a man of God.

Highland Velvet by Jude Deveraux.
RC 37983.
Captured Scottish clan leader Bronwyn MacArran is outraged that she is expected to marry English Stephen Montgomery. When Stephen misses the wedding, Bronwyn sets her sights on Roger Chatworth, who claims to embrace Scottish ways. Only after love-struck Stephen forces the marriage does she learn of the longstanding feud between the Chatworths and Montgomerys. The Velvet Saga series. Series Code VEL. Strong language, violence, and explicit descriptions of sex.

Seasons by Anna Dillon.
RC 30474.
The Irish Easter uprising of 1916 is the climax of this story of romance and intrigue. Katherine Lundy arrives in Dublin from England in 1900 to become a servant in the household of Captain John Lewis. Katherine is torn between love for her employer, whom she suspects is a British spy, and Dermot Corcoran, a journalist committed to the cause of a free Ireland.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
RC 36535.
It is 1945, and Frank and Claire Randall are on a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands. One day, Claire steps into an ancient stone circle and is hurled back in time to 1743. She is nearly raped by one of Frank's ancestors before being rescued and forced into marriage. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. The Stone Circle series, Book 1. Series Code STC. Rita Award 1991, Best Romance category.

The Bride by Julie Garwood.
RC 52154.
Britain, 1102. Scottish lord Alec Kincaid is ordered by the king to wed an English woman. He impulsively settles on a baron's youngest daughter, Jamie, while his friend, Daniel, takes her sister, Mary. But Jamie resents the marriage since she is promised to another. Some explicit descriptions of sex.

The Magic Cup: An Irish Legend by Andrew Greeley.
RC 29168.
In this historical romance, Arthur and Guinevere, Tristan, the Holy Grail, and the Irish hero Art McConn are shown to have a common source in the story of King Cormac MacDermot in sixth century Ireland and his quest for the princess Delvcaem who is to be won by a certain magic cup.

Son of the Morning by Linda Howard.
RC 48552.
Grace St. John is translating manuscripts involving the Knights Templar when her husband and brother are murdered. Grace flees and finds herself transported back to fourteenth century Scotland, where she falls in love with Niall MacRobert, the guardian of a treasure. Explicit descriptions of sex, some strong language, and some violence.

A Gentle Feuding by Johanna Lindsey.
RC 21592.
When James MacKinnion comes upon a lovely lass bathing in a pool he falls in love, not knowing the woman is a member of the hated Fergusson family. The bloody feud between the two sixteenth century, rural Scottish clans threatens to keep the lovers apart. Descriptions of sex.

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught.
RC 29032.
Jennifer Merrick, a Scottish schoolgirl, makes a serious mistake when she fails to heed warnings about Royce Westmoreland, duke of Claymore. Although Jennifer wants nothing to do with the duke, her abduction by him results in a forced marriage. Will the duke be able to awaken a passion in Jennifer that turns her hatred into overwhelming love for him? Descriptions of sex.

Jennie about to Be by Elisabeth Ogilvie.
RC 21190.
Historic romance set in Scotland at the turn of the nineteenth century. Raised on the Northumberland moors, orphaned Jennie is a free spirit and a well educated, young woman. She falls in love with a handsome Scottish captain of the Royal Horse Guards who marries her and takes her to his family's estate. Her innocent love and trust turn to outrage when she sees her husband's family burn the farmers' cottages to make way for profitable sheep raising. Jennie Trilogy, Book 1. Series Code JEN.

An Ocean Apart by Robin Pilcher.
RC 48302.
When David Corstorphine's wife dies, he is unable to cope with his life, his children, or the family owned company. He retreats to his ancestral home in Scotland and spends his days gardening. But a forced trip to America brings him new hope. Some strong language.

Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts.
RC 49482.
A depressed Jude Murray flees Chicago for her ancestral cottage in Ardmore, Ireland. She soon discovers Gallagher's Pub and the siblings who run it, Darcy and her brothers, Shawn and Aidan. Jude encounters banshees and faeries, and also falls in love. Gallaghers of Ardmore, Book 1. Series Code GOA. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language.

Season of Wishes by Christina Skye.
RC 48251, BR 12165.
Jamee Night has already been kidnapped once as a teenager when bodyguard Ian McCall, the tenth laird of Glenlyle, is hired to protect her in Scotland. It is Ian's last job before his family's curse overtakes him, and he had not planned to fall in love with his charge. Some explicit descriptions of sex.

An Excess of Love by Cathy Cash Spellman.
RC 23413.
A romantic novel set during the beginnings of the Irish movement for independence and culminating in the 1916 Easter Monday holdout against the British Empire. Recounts the passions and patriotic fervor of two sisters and their offspring. Beth, unhappily married to an older Anglo-Irish lord, eventually finds happiness with an Irish freedom fighter. Her sister Constance runs off with a firebrand poet and playwright. Some strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex.

The Island Harp by Jeanne Williams.
BR 10520.
On a Scottish island in 1844, Mairi's home is torched, and the handsome Iain MacDonald enters her life. An ancient harp, for which Mairi's grandfather sacrificed his life, becomes her symbol of strength as she leads her family to rebuild. Prequel to Daughter of the Storm (BR 10521). Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence.