LANA AND THE LAIRD is Book 3 in Sabrina York's "Untamed Highlander" series. I have been anxiously waiting for this book since Lana Dounreay and Lachlan Sinclair, Duke of Caithness first locked eyes in HANNAH AND THE HIGHLANDER. In LANA AND THE LAIRD, Sabrina York has managed to keep the wonder and magic of that first meeting between Lana and Lachlan. I enjoyed getting Lachlan's perspective for some of the events that happened in the first book in this "Untamed Highlander" series. I recommend reading this series in the correct reading order to gain a better understanding of the sequence of events that bring the characters to the climax of LANA AND THE LAIRD.

Lachlan Sinclair is a duke and a laird but he is also a haunted man and, he believes, a cursed one as well. I was immediately intrigued by Lachlan when he was first introduced, but I like discovering more about him in LANA AND THE LAIRD. The curse that every Duke of Caithness will never live past the age of thirty has a kind of fairy-tale feel, and it is something that weighs heavier on Lachlan as he gets older. Adding to his stress is the fact that he sometimes is plagued by the ghost of his father appearing to him at night. Lana meets him at exactly the right moment in his life, proving to be a breath of fresh air and exactly what he needs. That Lachlan and Lana saw each other in dreams before ever meeting in person, only adds to the feeling of enchantment with their romance. Lachlan also gives support to Lana by taking her seriously and believing that she can see and communicate with ghosts -- something she was often ridiculed for throughout her life.

LANA AND THE LAIRD is a perfect example of my favorite type of romance in which the conflict in the story comes primarily from outside forces, rather than any conflict between the hero and heroine. I love stories in which the hero and heroine work together as a team to battle villains and solve mysteries. I had a good idea early on who might be behind Lachlan's nightly ghostly visitations, but the reasons behind them, and the additional parts of the puzzle make for an entertaining mystery. The excitement and danger builds as the story progresses and Lachlan finds out more about his family's history and lost treasure.

LANA AND THE LAIRD is a tale of mythic treasure, ghosts, fated love, and scheming blackguards. The romance between Lachlan and Lana is both sweet and loving, and wildly passionate. Sabrina York does a terrific job of combining mystery, adventure, and a captivating romance. I love this hero and heroine and rejoiced when they got their happily ever after. I look forward to Sabrina York's next historical romance.

Book Summary

LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD

Lachlan Sinclair cannot escape his accursed heritage in his Highlands homeland. Somewhat resigned to the fate that destroyed his ancestors, he is prepared to live his life without an heir, without a wife―without love. But when he meets the woman of his dreams in the flesh, the bewitching lass makes him want to throw away his cursed, restrained existence…and unleash the highlander within…

Lana Dounreay has only seen the Duke of Caithness in her dreams as a wild, rugged man, while in reality, his life has been cramped by curses and cravats. He may have forgone his kilt and lost his brogue, but Lana knows that the heart of a true Scotsman beats within his broad, muscular chest. But what plans does the mysterious, passionate Lachlan have in mind for her―and can she convince him that love is stronger than all else?