Kilty Party (Clash of the Tartans #4)

A blood feud has raged between the Drummond and Blair clans for many years. English King William decrees that Shaw Drummond and Caitlin Blair wed in order to restore peace between the two families. It is an ambitious plan that unravels during the feast to celebrate their betrothal. The father of the groom and the father of the bride each allow their festering hatred to override their common sense, which leads to dire consequences for all of the members of both clans. Caitlin and Shaw hatch their own plan that results in rebellion, a dangerous mishap, extortion, and finally, to love. 

“Kilty Party” is full of the complicated political history of 17th-century Scotland and England. Rich descriptions of the geography, architecture, and social hierarchies engage all of the senses. Touted as a romantic comedy, however, it doesn't quite hit the mark. The main characters’ impulsive behavior and shortsighted actions detract from this talented author’s firmly established historical context. Shaw and Caitlin’s younger siblings are portrayed as more reasonable, while the members of their two families’ older generations lurch from one self-inflicted crisis to the next. Readers of the previous three entries in this interesting series will probably feel more emotionally invested in this installment than readers who experience it as a stand-alone. The historical footnotes are must-reads in this jolly romp about the personal impact of political intrigue on individuals. 

Cardyn Brooks