Border Lord [Mass Market Paperback]

Haywood Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2001

Proud and untamed...

Bastard son of English father and Scots mother, Duncan Maxwell is as untamed as the Scottish borderland he defends. Proud and stubborn, he had a fierce hatred for his father's kin, but with seven motherless children to feed, he can't afford to turn away the half-drowned English woman brought to his doorstep. her fine rings and clothes tell this powerful, fearsome warrior that she will ransom well. He doesn't expect this tart, no-nonsense female to take over his household, open her arms to his children, and duel warring emotions within his own heart.

Daring and determined...

Catherine Armstrong survives a murderous plot and shipwreck only to become hostage to the notorious Black Bastard of the Scottish Western March, a legendary outlaw who makes no secret of his hatred for anything English. She's determined to protect her family from extortion, but her handsome, compelling captor awakens the passion she has so long denied. Despite the whispers that he brings doom to any woman who dares to love him, Duncan Maxwell captures her heart. Yet Duncan is ruled by dangerous torment, and obsessed with the past she has unwittingly brought back into his life. But in this turbulent country where passion rages as wild as the wind over the moors, land and love are meant to be fought for..and won.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Haywood Smith crafts unusual and intriguing romances that weave history and passion together."--Romantic Times

"Smith delivers intelligent, sensitive historical romance for readers who expect more from the genre."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Haywood Smith: As a child I used to get spanked for my overactive imagination. Now I get paid for it! But I always balance my fictional adventures with fascinating facts and real-life setting so my readers can learn something while they're taking a magic carpet ride to exciting times and places.

If you enjoy reading about Catherine and Duncan, please write me at 3293 Whidby Road, Buford, GA 30518-1449. Hearing from readers is one of my greatest thrills. Include your address, and I'll write back. Or email me at [e-mail].

All of my books are available on order online or from your favorite bookseller. My stories may be read in any order, and each of them has its own special magic. I hope you'll try them all.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 370 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312978596
• ISBN-13: 978-0312978594
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #564,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times best-selling author Haywood Smith did not start writing till she was forty. Seven years of learning, writing, and rewriting later, St. Martins Press published the first of six critically acclaimed, best-selling historical novels about "strong women, hunky heroes, accurate history, and upbeat endings."

After a devastating divorce left her financially destitute, she switched to writing humorous Southern women's fiction about Baby Boomer women who help each other through their various trials with creativity, loyalty, and lots of fun, earning Haywood a place on the New York Times best seller list. ("I sent my ex a thank-you note.")

Haywood adored her mother-in-law, who lived across the street for twenty-five years, then moved in at Haywood's invitation after the divorce. In her mother-in-law's memory, Haywood wrote a fun, helpful handbook titled THE TWELVE SACRED TRADITIONS OF MAGNIFICENT MOTHERS-IN-LAW.

Haywood loves to do stand-up comedy about her life (It's been wild.) and waives her speaker's fee for women's charity fundraisers, Red Hat regional meetings, and Friends of the Library groups. Contact her at [e-mail] with EVENT in the subject line for particulars.

She also loves to hear from her fans at [e-mail] and personally answers all her e-mails.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rollicking tale of love between a stubborn Scot and a lady., July 7, 2001

By 

Affaire de Coeur - See all my reviews

This review is from: Border Lord (Mass Market Paperback)

Duncan Maxwell, known as the Black Bastard, had tried to make a life for himself. He had married four times with each of his wives succumbing to the harsh rigors of border life. There were a total of 52 people who depended on him for their very lives and sustenance. And their precious cache of salt had just been stolen, making the prospects of surviving the harsh winter very slim. The last thing Duncan needed was a half-drowned English woman who had washed up on his shore. Catherine Armstrong truly believed her stepfather loved her and would want her to return to her home once he knew where she was being held. But since she was in the process of leaving her home when she was shipwrecked, Catherine had no intention on letting this wild Scottish border lord find out who she was or where she was from. Besides, there was no money for her ransom except for the king's ransom in jewels she had sewn into the hem of her shift. And those jewels were all she had left of her inheritance from her mother. Nobody was going to take those from her, no matter how big, scary and gorgeous he was! Haywood Smith has written a rollicking, sexy story of two extremely stubborn people from opposite worlds who are forced to put up with each other in circumstances beyond their control. She brings to life the hardships of living in the Scottish wilds where the residents lived hard and loved even harder. A great read!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winning tale filled with great characters, March 23, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Border Lord (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1590 on the English-Scottish Western Marches border, Duncan Maxwell keeps the peace though he hates the English. Half of his heritage comes from an English lord who used his Scottish mother as a bed partner, but deserted her and her newborn.

The ultimate survivor, English lady Catherine Armstrong lives in spite of murder attempts and a shipwreck of the merchant vessel she sailed on. The infamous Duncan rescues Catherine. He sees the woman as a ransom prize that will bring needed money to help care for his motherless seven children. Instead of being a docile prisoner, Catherine takes over Duncan's household. As they begin to fall in love, he must not only overcome his prejudice towards the English, Duncan must deal with what he believes has to be a curse that has left him burying four previous wives.

BORDER LORD is an exciting historical romance that never allows the reader a moment to relax or put the book down. The story line is filled with action and a look at life on the Scottish side of the Borders. The lead protagonists are a charming pair with much to overcome if they are to forge a relationship, as his children seem to want. Haywood Smith showcases her abilities with a powerful sixteenth century tale that will elate her fans and send new readers seeking her previous works (see DANGEROUS GIFTS).

Harriet Klausner

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Finally a hero who likes Cats!, November 3, 2001

By 

Brenda Condit "satinskper" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Border Lord (Mass Market Paperback)

I was pleasently suprised by this book. I liked the fact that the heroine is not some young, extreamly beautiful girl but a mature(30 yrs old) handsome woman who keeps her hero on his toes. He has been married 4 times and all of his wives have died leaving him with 7 children. He really loves his kids and it is enjoyable to read about him playing with them and even accepting their pets. One of his daughters has a huge, and I do mean huge, collection of cats. I think the count is 25 or more. He even carries one around for a bit and seems to enjoy loving it. He may be a strong, demanding, powerful man but he is also one with deep feelings and passionate love for both his family, his land and his new bride.