The Scoundrel's Pleasure is the second book in The MacNeil Legacy series by Jane Bonander. You don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one, but I think the added information you will get about the characters and how they come to be living in a castle can only be a bonus if you read the first book before this one. I have now read both books, and although the first one was good, this one was GREAT.

It's the story of Isobel Dunbar. She was always a good girl, did all that she was told, but when she was 15 she went to a fair where a burst of rebellion, and a gorgeous young man, saw her losing her virginity. Her first time was wonderful and she convinced herself that the young man must have feelings for her if he could make love to her in such a way. Imagine her shock when the next day she finds out that he has sailed off to America to look after the family ranch!

The young man in question is Duncan MacNeil, the brother of Fletcher MacNeil, the new Duke of Sheiling, whose story we read about in book one. Duncan is very immature, knows he's gorgeous and has slept with practically every pretty girl on the Island. His family hope that when he is in America, the responsibility over there will help him to grow up. So off he sails, and Isobel doesn't see him again for 9 years. In that time she's given birth to his son, because yes, she got pregnant after that one night of lust. She didn't tell his family, and she's brought the boy up by herself, but with the help of friends. She concocted a story about his father being killed at sea, made up a name for him, and made out they had married so she was now a widow.

Duncan returns to the island after a hard life in America where not only did he look after the ranch, but he also fought in the confederate war. He saw a lot and experienced a lot that made him grow up and fast. He returns to the island in order to help with the family's business, part of which is building and running a cannery. The perfect position for it happens to be the old whore house, which also happens to be Isobel's home.

Isobel is distraught when she realises that Duncan is home and that he is going to be around a lot. He is desperate to get her to agree to sell the house. Will he even recognise her, more importatnly can she keep Ian, her son, away from him? She needs to hide the fact that her son is also his son. What will he do if he finds out. Will he use his wealth and connections to take him away from her. It's her biggest worry. It's the main reason she never told his family about Ian, she didn't want them taking him away. Another worry is that she still has strong feelings for Duncan, and she never wants him to realise that. After all, she was just a one night stand, wasn't she?

I absolutely adored this story and love that it is out in time for Valentines Day. What better gift to give, even to yourself, than a lovely romantic story like this one. Our couple have a real chance for love and to give their beautiful son a home together, but there are a lot of obstacles to overcome. Many insecurities on Isobel's side mostly, which aren't helped when somebody from Duncan's past turns up on the Island with a child in tow. Along side the story of the budding relationship with our main characters, we also have a wonderful tear jerking story about Lily, a dear friend of Isobel who lives in the same house. She grew up with gypsies after being discovered abandoned by a river, and in this book we find out how she got to be there and who her real, still living, parents are.

This is a wonderful feel good romance that I can't find fault with. It's definitely worth it's high rating.

I voluntarily reviews an Advanced Readers' Copy of this book.
Reviewed for Buried Under Romance by AnnMarie

There are plenty twists and turns in this book that held my attention. How a night of passion had repercussions that were felt years later kept me guessing.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.

I have to admit at first I was shocked at the book- I was not a fan of the frolic and leave idea BUT It totally grew on me!! I love the MacNeil family. They are so warm and welcoming. The book also had some twists in it that I did not expect....it left me with questions about other characters which means I MUST READ MORE!
Jane is a new author to me and she has a new committed reader! I absolutely say check it out-It is not your debutante-duke fall in love story-but has complex characters with complex backgrounds!

Secrets exposed!

The MacNeil Legacy, where the 1860's Highlands and the New World intersect continues with Fletcher's younger half brother Duncan MacNeil. Since his arrival at the Isle of Hedabarr, Duncan has been out of step; a misplaced, bored, half Commache lad who's as handsome as sin, and as ready to indulge in as much of that as the young women of the island will allow. A recipe for disaster! In the end Fletcher, Duke of Kintyre reluctantly allows Duncan to return to the land he's missing. Just before leaving Duncan spends a few hours after the village fair with a gullible young woman Isobel Dunbar. Alcohol and experimentation equal seduction. Personally I find the young Duncan to be a thoughtless scoundrel.
Isobel falls pregnant from that unwise moment. A husband lost at sea is invented and all goes well for ten years.
Duncan returns from Texas ready to take up the family business. Looking for a site for a cannery that will provide work for the locals, Duncan fixes his sights aonthe run down property owned by Isobel. And so the two meet again. That leads of course to Duncan discovering Isobel's secret. I know, things eventually work out, but I still find the more mature Duncan is high handed and insensitive even with the flashbacks to his part in the civil war in Texas.
I frankly did not like Duncan as a youngster and am not that fond of him now. Even after Duncan's return to the Island with an obvious maturity and emotional growth, I wasn't that pleased with him. Duncan and Isobel's story, and the secondary stories feel somewhat contrived. That include events and entanglements involving secondary characters. Mysteries are uncovered and neatly tied coincidences trip over each.
Still the family continues to be of interest and I still find Fenella to be my favourite character.

A NetGalley ARC
(February 2017)

Publisher's Description:

Jane Bonander, the bestselling author of The Dragon Tamer, writes a lush, sexy romance set in the Highlands of Scotland.

Only a short time after a single tryst changes their lives, Duncan MacNeil voyages over the sea to make his fortune in America. Isobel Dunbar stays in Scotland, giving birth to a spirited boy she names Ian. To protect her reputation, and to prevent Duncan’s wealthy, land-owning family from taking Ian away from her, Isobel concocts a story that the village comes to believe—that Ian’s father died, leaving her a poor widow. The truth, she hopes, will never be discovered, and her son will never meet his father.

When Duncan returns, weary of being out the New World and ready to take on greater responsibilities in his family’s holdings, his first order of business is to buy up the run-down brothel by the water, where Isobel has been living. He can’t understand why she refuses to sell, and he certainly cannot understand why she harbors such a resentment towards him. Then he realizes who this beautiful woman once was. Can an irresponsible boy grow into a man who makes amends? Can Isobel ever trust him to make amends, knowing that the truth puts everything she holds dear at risk.

This passionate, powerful story is Jane Bonander at her best—sweeping Scottish historical romance with characters who linger long past the final page.

My Thoughts:

Although this is basically a good story I found the journey back and forth from present to past somewhat distracting.. I know that some of these details led to what happens between the hero and heroine but felt them unnecessary at times.
Our hero returns after leaving abruptly some ten years ago.
Our heroine at first finds his return somewhat disturbing.
Will the secret of what happened between them all of those years ago, although brief, keep them apart or bring them together?
That is the question that needs to be answered in this compelling and somewhat confusing story.
I gave this book 3.5 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization.
The sensual content is brief and does not really add to or take away from this story so it gets 2.5 of 5 flames for heat.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title.

This was a wonderful, exciting and adventurous tale of a highland romance at it's best. The author sure knows her craft when writing and it shows. I really enjoyed reading this second book in the MacNeil Legacy. It had me at first chapter and never let go.
Duncan MacNeil is the brother to the new Lord of Sheiling from the first book in the series. He is wanting to explore new horizons and go to America where he can grow up a bit. Before he goes, he meets a lovely young woman at a fair. Her name is Isobel Dunbar. She is a good girl whose life has been very boring. She meets Duncan who is handsome and treats her as a grown up. When he coaxes Isobel to her very first intimate encounter, she is overwhelmed with love for this man. She finally found someone who will love her for all time. But, then she finds out that he left for another country and didn't tell her. Some months later, she is expecting a child, and tries to contact his family. They are not at the castle and the servant shoos them away.
Nine years later, Duncan returns to home to enjoy his life and begin a future business of a cannery. He wants to help his family and knows what building to buy that will serve his needs.
He meets a young woman who won't sell to him and although she seems familiar, he won't give up. Isobel feels threatened by Duncan who really is far above her station. Her son Ian might be taken away by Duncan if he realized the boy was his.
This was such a good read about lovers in the past who meet again. Isobel still has strong feelings for Duncan, but what can she do?
I really liked the flow of story line and words that made this a terrific book.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

One careless night of passion and rebellion and Isobel Dunbar's life is changed forever. With Duncan MacNeil, the father of her child, gone to sea never to return, Isobel fears that the MacNeil's will try to take her precious child away from her if they were to learn of his existence. So she concocts a story and makes herself a widow, and begins a new life where she can raise her son. But when Duncan returns and is determined to buy the building where she has made her home, Isobel is determined to resist him...in every way possible. For the scoundrel still has the power to set her blood on fire. But with so many secrets and insecurities between them, could Isobel ever trust Duncan with her heart and their beloved son?
THE SCOUNDREL'S PLEASURE by Jane Bonander is an entertaining, historical romance with plenty of ups and downs to hold your interest throughout. Isobel is my favourite character as she is such a strong-willed, resourceful heroine. THE SCOUNDREL'S PLEASURE by Jane Bonander is the second book of The MacNeil Legacy but can easily be read on its own.

The Scoundrel’s Pleasure is the second book in The MacNeil Legacy series. The story begins with Isobel Dunbar losing her virginity to Duncan MacNeil, the brother of Fletcher MacNeil, the new Duke of Sheiling, (book 1). The outcome is their son, Ian who Isobel has hidden from his family, in fear of them taking Ian away from her. Duncan had left the island that Isobel and his family lived on to find his fortune in America. Everyone believes that Isobel is a widow but with Duncan’s return and desire to purchase her home, Isobel is fearful that he will discover her secret.
Isobel fights her attraction to Duncan, believing him to be the immature young man who stole her innocence. However, Duncan has returned, having matured from his experience in the Confederate war and cannot understand Isobel’s resistance to him. What follows is a romance that is fast paced and complex. Well worth the read!
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Scoundrel’s Pleasure by Jane Bonander
The MacNeil Legcy #2

One encounter with Duncan MacNeil changed 15 year old Isobel Dunbar’s life forever. Eleven years later Duncan returns from the United States to settle down on the Isle of Hedabarr. Finding out he has sired a son he proposes to Isobel and they marry. Sounds fairly straightforward BUT there are twists and turns, supporting characters and side stories that add color and complexity to this historical romance. This is not the most believable historical romance I have read but it flew by quickly and I would like to find out how some of the characters turn out in future books of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Diversion Books for the copy. This is my honest review.

3.5 Stars

Fifteen year old Isobel Dunbar goes to the village fair & there she sees Duncan MacNeil brother of the Duke of Sheiling, he singles her out & he seduces her. He voyages over the sea back to America to make his fortune. Ten years pass & Duncan returns to Scotland however whilst he was in America, Isobel gives birth to a spirited boy she names Ian. To protect her reputation and to prevent Duncan's wealthy family from taking Ian away from her, Isobel concocted a story that her neighbours believe, she claims Ian's father married her and then died in a shipwreck, leaving her a poor widow. The truth, she hopes, will never be discovered, and her son will never meet his father.
When Duncan returns, weary of the New World and ready to take charge of his family's business, his first plan is to buy a run-down former brothel and convert it to a cannery as it is next to the coast. Only this is where Isobel now calls home. He can't understand why she refuses to sell, and he certainly cannot understand why she harbours such resentment towards him. Then he realizes who this beautiful woman once was to him. Here are flashbacks to Duncan’s time spent fighting for the Confederacy. There is immediate chemistry between Duncan & Izzy although she in particularly tries to deny it. It was good to catch up with characters from the earlier book. This is the second in the series but could be read as a stand-alone novel but if like me you love series then I’d recommend reading the first book. A well written well paced book that kept me turning the pages. A mystery was solved & that was very touching. I look forward to reading more in the series.
My one quibble is that Scotch whisky has no e, if it has an e then it’s Irish.

This was a really sweet story about second chances and redemption. Some bad choices made by Isobel and Duncan when they were younger eventually leads to a really beautiful happily ever after. I really enjoyed Duncan's flashbacks. They made you understand how Duncan changed from a young womanizer to a mature gentleman. I also really loved Hamish! I was so glad that despite being in love with Isobel he had her and Ian's best interests at heart and he pushed them towards the future that they deserved. This is a really beautiful story about misunderstandings and misconceptions and how they get turned around for the better. There's romance and just enough steam to keep you wanting more. I just hope Hamish gets his HEA! I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My review is live on Goodreads and I will post my review on Amazon when the book is released.

3.5/5. A second chance romance. Young Duncan MacNeil, a half-Indian Scottish lord, was busy sowing his wild oats indiscriminately during his visit back to his family's island home in Scotland where his brother was the laird. One of his conquests was 15 year old ginger-haired Isobel Dunbar, innocent despite being raised by her aunt who owned the town brothel, she had always regarded herself as unattractive and hence was easily swept away by the smooth-talking, all-touching Duncan. Duncan returned back to America soon after their one sexual encounter but unbeknownst to him left a lasting memento with Isobel, a son she named Ian.

Ten years passed by before Duncan returns to the island once more, following his harrowing years fighting for Texas during the civil war. In order to protect Ian, Isobel has been passing herself off as a widow. They come face to face, both recognising one another again even after so many years. The past unravels for them and the truth gets revealed slowly.

This was a pleasant and easy read, but although the writing was good, the story and its characters didn't lure me in on an emotional level.
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This novel was a good read. You do not need to read the first book in the series, but there are some characters that are in the first novel who appear and the first novel has some of their backstory which applies to some of the plot in this novel. I enjoyed the author's writing and the story line. I liked how the author incorporated plot from the first novel and answered a few questions that were left answered in the first novel.
Isobel meets Duncan MacNeil when she is 15 and they make love, which leaves her pregnant. Duncan was a wild child and wanted what he wanted. He never knew about his son Ian until he returns from America. Duncan fought in the civil war and worked on a ranch in Texas, which later became his. I really liked how the author discussed Duncan's time in America during the civil war and what he endured there, which affected him in several ways. Fletcher and Duncan want to open a cannery but need the land Isobel owns. She does not want to lose the only home she has and does not trust Duncan with her heart and she fears that his family will take Ian away from her, a fear she has had for many years and does not allow many people to become close to her. Isobel also does not have the fund to keep the property from falling into disarray. She worries about the people who live with her. She thought he loved her all those years ago. Duncan and Isobel dance around each other. He Duncan finds out about his son, he confronts Isobel and believes marriage is the solution to this problem. She reluctantly agrees to marry Duncan. Duncan realizes he loves Isobel, but his past comes back and causes Isobel to believe that she is not meant for happiness. Will Duncan and Isobel be able to overcome these obstacles and have the happily ever after they both desire?