The Scottish Witch (The Chattan Curse, #2) by Cathy Maxwell

• Title: The Scottish Witch: The Chattan Curse
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback, 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (October 30, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062070231
• ISBN-13: 978-0062070234

Author's Website: http://www.cathymaxwell.com/

Over 200 years ago, a curse was cast upon the male members of the Chattan family. For Charles Chattan had made promises that he didn't keep. He had betrayed and disgraced the daughter of a powerful witch which incited the young woman to take her own life. He thought that by leaving Scotland he'd escape the reach of Fanella's fury and wrath. But he was wrong. DEAD wrong.

"Watchers of the threshold, Watchers of the gate, open hell and seal Chattan's fate.

When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from Above.

Crush his heart. Destroy his line;

Only then will justice me mine."

Now, some 200 years later, Harry Chattan has found his way to Glenfinnan, Scotland looking for a way to break the curse. His brother, Lord Lyon, has fallen in love and as the curse stated he is slowly losing his lease on life. Harry's mission is to find a witch who can counter the spell and break the curse. He'll pay handsomely for anyone who can assist him in any way.

Portia MacLean knew it was wrong to take advantage of someone, but her family was in dire straits. They were about to lose the roof over their heads because the couldn't afford to pay the rent, and when she heard about the man in search of a witch offering a reward, well, she found she couldn't resist. She left a message at the front step of the house he was staying at that read,'Meet me at the Great Oak, tomorrow, midnight.' and she signed it Fanella, after a name she found is a book which contained the spells of a witch. Unbeknownst to Portia, that would be the beginning of Harry's end.

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This was the second book in The Chattan Curse series and while you'll probably want to read the first book by the time you finish this one, you don't necessarily have to read the first one first. You'll get enough background information to know what is going on and won't feel lost.

Harry loves his brother and is determined to do everything in his power to save him. He'd even go as far as sacrificing his own life in order to save that of his brother's. He doesn't have a lot to go on, but knows the witch who originally bestowed the curse upon his family was named Fanella and lived in Scotland hundreds of years ago. He's chased rumors and clues which have led him to Glenfinnan and he has high hopes of finding a witch who can help him put an end to the curse. When he meets Portia at the Great Oak, she is disguised in an outfit she's deemed worthy of a witch, and he feels in his gut that he's found the right person to help him. When she doesn't show the next night as they'd planned, he realizes he's been had and begins to search for her.

Portia is the more mousy looking of the two MacLean sisters. She's loyal and normally trustworthy. If it hadn't been for her family's precarious position she would have never ever have tried to deceive Harry. It's just the three of them--her, her mother and sister and there aren't that many ways for the trio to earn money. She hopes Harry will never discover her true identity, but of course if he didn't, then the book would be no fun.

This was a delightfully fun read. The couple appears to be magically drawn to each other and I loved them both. Neither wished to fall in love, but mysterious forces seemed to be at work to ensure they did. Overall I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 Roses. I definitely will be reading more of this series. I love the author's style of writing. It magically seems to ensnare me right into the book.

Order of The Chattan Curse series: