Never Love a Highlander

Third time’s the charm for Banks’s third McCabe novel (after Sept. 2011’s Seduction of a Highland Lass). Caelen, the youngest McCabe brother and the family’s last remaining bachelor, is duty-bound to take uppity Rionna McDonald as his bride. Alas, even their wedding night proves a dud when the tomboyish lass imbibes a bit too much ale and passes out cold. This is hardly a propitious omen as the McCabe and McDonald clans join to battle archenemy Duncan Cameron. Even though this marriage of convenience doesn’t please either Caelen, still smarting from a former love gone sour, or Rionna, who’d prefer to wear trousers and spar with the men, they must make the best of it for the sake of the clans. Banks nicely balances bedroom and battlefield action as Rionna’s tough swordsmanship and Caelen’s tender lust propel the couple and the clans toward harmony. (Nov.)