From Publishers Weekly
The bone-chilling dampness of Scotland and the crackle of a hearth fire are nearly palpable in Coffman's (The Italian, etc.) atmospheric 18th-century Highland romance. Desperate to escape an arranged marriage to the narcissistic English Lord Rockingham, legendary French beauty Sophie D'Alembert, granddaughter of Louis XIV, slips out of the country on a boat bound for Norway. Her circumstances change abruptly when the ship gets caught in a storm and wrecks off the coast of Scotland. Nearly dead from battling the frigid seas, Sophie is rescued by a gallant young Scotsman who entrusts her to his imposing older brother, Jamie, the earl of Monleigh. Uncertain of the earl's political leanings and unwilling to be sent back to France or to Lord Rockingham, Sophie feigns amnesia. Jamie mistrusts Sophie, but he's unable to resist his growing attraction to her. It soon becomes apparent, however, that the couple can't avoid Rockingham indefinitely. The manner in which Sophie and Jamie finally overcome Rockingham will make some readers raise their eyebrows in disbelief, but the events leading up to their confrontation are compelling. This lush, well-told tale will remind readers why the Highlands are such a popular and superb setting for romance. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This sweeping historical romance set in the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie provides the reader with an intimate glimpse of the life of French, English, and Scottish aristocracy. Sophie, granddaughter of the Sun King, is the beautiful and resourceful cousin whom Louis promises to the detestable English duke of Rockingham in exchange for the duke's support against the English king. When her bid at escape fails and she is shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland, landing in the care of Jamie, earl of Monleigh and chief of Clan Graham, she pretends amnesia but finds herself in a trap of her own making when she falls in love with Jamie. Some jarring moments occur when Coffman uses quotes from time periods well after this story takes place and switches from a Scottish brogue to modern-day English, sometimes within the same sentence, but overall this is a fast-paced tale of adventure, intrigue, lust, betrayal, and, finally, redemption through love. Lynne Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Publishers Weekly
"Coffman's writing enriches the historical romance genre . . ."

Book Description
What's an honorable Scot to do when a beautiful woman washes ashore beneath the family castle? Give her to his brother? When Tavish Graham stumbles upon the naked body of Sophie d'Alembert, he thinks she is dead. But it doesn't take him long to discover that Sophie is very much alive and more woman than he can handle, so he leaves her with his brother, James, the Earl of Monleigh. Beautiful, young and French, Sophie finds herself in the wild, strange land of the Scots. Terrified and not willing to trust James, she fails to tell him that she is the granddaughter of Louis XIV -- and that she is fleeing a forced marriage to the hated English Duke of Rockingham. Reluctantly, Sophie begins to fall in love with the rugged Highlander. And before she can reveal the truth of her past, James discovers her royal connection, and wonders what else she is keeping from him. Can James resist her, or will he defy the might of England and France for a lover as wild and passionate as himself?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What's an honorable Scot to do when a beautiful woman washes ashore beneath the family castle? Give her to his brother?

When Tavish Graham stumbles upon the naked body of Sophie d'Alembert, he thinks she is dead. But it doesn't take him long to discover that Sophie is very much alive and more woman than he can handle, so he leaves her with his brother, James, the Earl of Monleigh.

Beautiful, young and French, Sophie finds herself in the wild, strange land of the Scots. Terrified and not willing to trust James, she fails to tell him that she is the granddaughter of Louis XIV — and that she is fleeing a forced marriage to the hated English Duke of Rockingham.

Reluctantly, Sophie begins to fall in love with the rugged Highlander. And before she can reveal the truth of her past, James discovers her royal connection, and wonders what else she is keeping from him. Can James resist her, or will he defy the might of England and France for a lover as wild and passionate as himself?

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly