Moonlight Raider

Scott’s first Border Nights historical, her 60th novel, is a whirlwind of love and action in 15th-century Scotland. After Molly Cockburn runs away from her abusive husband, Ringan Tuedy, on their wedding night, she is discovered hiding in the shrubs by Lord Walter “Wat” Scott of Rankilburn. Wat, still grieving over the death of his father, takes Molly in to protect her. After hearing her story, he is sure that the marriage between her and brutish Ringan is illegal and swears to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if that means marrying her himself. Molly is distrustful of men, having grown up with raider brothers and been forced to marry a man she doesn’t like, but slowly she comes to trust Wat and his family. Mutual attraction and affection develop, but Ringan is an ever-present threat. Watching both Wat and Molly grow and change is the central draw of the novel, and their evolving feelings drive the story. The secondary plot of hunting down a notorious raider pushes the story to its frantic, page-turning finale. (Oct.)