The Scottish Witch by Cathy Maxwell

A curse, a witch and a book of spells. And a cat. Maybe.
Historical romance set in Scotland. 2nd book in the Chattan Curse series. It can be read as a stand-alone romance.
Harry Chattan believes his family is cursed so he goes in search of a witch to remove it. Portia overhears the amount of money that is being offered to a witch that can remove a curse and after finding a book of spells, decides to try her hand at deceit.

First, historical romance is not my favorite genre. So saying that, there were several things that pissed me off in this book. Her deceit and not much guilt at taking money for it, but more the need for her to do that in the first place. No money left in the household because the women are supported by family, paying rent to a landlord that isn’t keeping the property up, and having to host properly simply because they are of a certain class.
Soapbox...
It also made me mad that he “forcefully” had to have her (yep, sex) with no foreplay whatsoever, and she still liked it? Ugh. More than once!
A relationship starts, and it does have a happy ending and a surprising twist that was interesting to the curse.
Overall an entertaining romance, probably best tho if you like the genre. For me, I couldn’t really like Harry after his forcefulness.

3.5 ( )

This book was very good. Well-written characters, good dialog, and a beautiful setting. I absolutely love books set in Scotland and Ireland, especially if they have a touch of paranormal to them. I hope Margaret can find a way to break the curse. I have the next book waiting on me at home, and I can't wait to get started! ( )

Good book. Harry has come to Scotland, where the curse began, in hopes of finding a way to break it. Now he is traveling all over the area looking for anyone who could be a witch. Portia and her mother and sister have come to live in Scotland to save money. Her father had left them destitute and reliant on the charity of family members. When she stumbles across what looks like a book of spells with the name Fenella in it, she decides to impersonate a witch and take some of Harry's money. This leads to them working together to find the answers Harry needs.

I liked both Harry and Portia. She is the practical backbone of the family. Her sister Minnie is beautiful and in love with the local doctor. Mom refuses to admit the dire straits they are in and is pushing Minnie to marry well, trying to drive away the doctor. One rainy day Portia discovers a book of recipes and spells and a small white cat. When she hears about Harry's search for a witch she decides to take advantage. When she meets Harry in her disguise she doesn't expect the zing of attraction. She also doesn't expect the impassioned plea for help from the arrogant Englishman. When he discovered who she was and confronted her, their passion overwhelmed them both and they began meeting secretly. I liked the way that Portia had put her family first for so long, but has come to realize that she wants something for herself too. She is sure this time with Harry won't end well but she's willing to risk it. I also like the way that she helps Harry even though she doesn't believe in witches and curses. As their affair heats up Portia discovers she's losing her heart to Harry, even though he has said he will not fall in love. I loved the way that she tried to protect him at the end.

Harry has changed a lot from the first book (Lyon's Bride). In that he was trying to fight his memories of the war with alcohol, opium and women. Now he has cleaned up his act and is determined to find a way to end the curse that is killing his brother. He has come to Glenfinnan in hopes of finding someone connected to the original Fenella who made the curse. When he receives a note from a "Fenella" who claims to be able to help him, he meets with her. He is desperate enough to beg for her help and agrees to meet with her the next night, but she doesn't show up. This infuriates him as he feels that she took advantage of his desperation and he tries to find her. When he does his anger turns to passion. He feels a connection to Portia that he has never felt with another woman, but because of the curse he refuses to allow himself to take a chance on love. I liked the way that they worked together to see what they could find out about the curse. I could see that Harry's connection to Portia was turning into love but he was still stubbornly denying it to her and himself. I loved the ending with his big declaration.

I also enjoyed the two secondary romances of Portia's mother and sister. Portia was furious at her mother's interference and I loved the pep talk that she gave to Minnie's suitor. Her mother was a real piece of work that I found to be terribly self-centered through most of the book. I loved the way that Portia finally stood up to her and told her off. I also liked Harry's part in the way that he encouraged the General in his pursuit of Portia's mother. The little white cat is an interesting twist. I have a suspicion about her place in the story so it will be interesting to see if I'm right. ( )

I need to start my review by stating…as a fact…I am a huge Cathy Maxwell fan. There are certain authors that have me yearning to be a better writer after reading their books. New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell is one of those authors. When Maxwell places pen to paper…or…fingertips to keyboard the inevitable happens. Magic. Pure unadulterated magic is what leaps of Cathy Maxwell’s pages as she engages readers with a sensational story, an engaging prose and living-breathing characters that take you on a stupendous journey.

I really enjoyed getting to know Harry Chatten and Portia MacLean in THE SCOTTISH WITCH. I admit, I bypassed LYON’S BRIDE: The Chatten Curse #1( which I will pull from my TBR pile and get to reading after writing this review), that being said, readers do not have to read a LYON’S BRIDE to understand the validity of the curse placed upon the Chatten family by a grieving mother/witch centuries ago.





I found myself wrapped in Portia and Harry’s story from the get-go. One of my favorite scenes is at the very beginning where Maxwell introduces readers to Portia. Sheets of rain are falling as Portia MacLean charges up the dark attic stairs trying to miss the leaks in the roof. I found myself on pins-and-needles as I climbed the stairs along with Portia. A shiver went up my spine as I watched Portia shove wooden crates from her legs. Digging herself out of the mess so she could investigate further. I held my breath as Portia picked up an empty bucket off the floor and startled when a book fell to the floor. Maxwell is at her best as she gives us intimate detail through superb imagery that only a master wordsmith could do.





I’m a character driven reader. Besides the stimulating protagonists THE SCOTTISH WITCH had characters that jumped off the pages. I have to start with the cat, Owl. Readers I will not give too much away, but I what I will tell you is to keep your eyes and this felines antics. Maxwell always fills her stories with bewitching characters that resonate with a reader long after the book covers are closed. I have come to appreciate the time and dedication Ms. Maxwell gives in creating such magnetically charged characters that keep me coming back for more.

THE SCOTISH WITCH has paranormal elements but is a historical romance through and through. Our hero, Harry and heroine, Portia are a genuine couple who are dedicated in breaking the curse. Even though they both believe if either fall in love that Portia could quite likely be the death of Harry, neither can deny the potent attraction between the, Maxwell captures the lover desperate plight and angst which gives THE SCOTTISH WITCH it tortured and tormented prose. Which is, a love within reach, but one that Harry will not give into…nor will he.

I have to place THE SCOTTISH WITCH as one of my favorite Maxwell’s books. With each book Maxwell continually gives her readers exactly what they yearn for; a dynamic prose, sexual tension between the protagonist to burn up the pages, a love story to beat all the odds and places her stories in provocative setting such as Scotland that gives Maxwell’s book that something more that other romances lack. ( )

Review: I need to start my review by stating…as a fact…I am a huge Cathy Maxwell fan. There are certain authors that have me yearning to be a better writer after reading their books. New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell is one of those authors. When Maxwell places pen to paper…or…fingertips to keyboard the inevitable happens. Magic. Pure unadulterated magic is what leaps of Cathy Maxwell’s pages as she engages readers with a sensational story, an engaging prose and living-breathing characters that take you on a stupendous journey.

I really enjoyed getting to know Harry Chatten and Portia MacLean in THE SCOTTISH WITCH. I admit, I bypassed LYON’S BRIDE: The Chatten Curse #1( which I will pull from my TBR pile and get to reading after writing this review), that being said, readers do not have to read a LYON’S BRIDE to understand the validity of the curse placed upon the Chatten family by a grieving mother/witch centuries ago.





I found myself wrapped in Portia and Harry’s story from the get-go. One of my favorite scenes is at the very beginning where Maxwell introduces readers to Portia. Sheets of rain are falling as Portia MacLean charges up the dark attic stairs trying to miss the leaks in the roof. I found myself on pins-and-needles as I climbed the stairs along with Portia. A shiver went up my spine as I watched Portia shove wooden crates from her legs. Digging herself out of the mess so she could investigate further. I held my breath as Portia picked up an empty bucket off the floor and startled when a book fell to the floor. Maxwell is at her best as she gives us intimate detail through superb imagery that only a master wordsmith could do.





I’m a character driven reader. Besides the stimulating protagonists THE SCOTTISH WITCH had characters that jumped off the pages. I have to start with the cat, Owl. Readers I will not give too much away, but I what I will tell you is to keep your eyes and this felines antics. Maxwell always fills her stories with bewitching characters that resonate with a reader long after the book covers are closed. I have come to appreciate the time and dedication Ms. Maxwell gives in creating such magnetically charged characters that keep me coming back for more.

THE SCOTISH WITCH has paranormal elements but is a historical romance through and through. Our hero, Harry and heroine, Portia are a genuine couple who are dedicated in breaking the curse. Even though they both believe if either fall in love that Portia could quite likely be the death of Harry, neither can deny the potent attraction between the, Maxwell captures the lover desperate plight and angst which gives THE SCOTTISH WITCH it tortured and tormented prose. Which is, a love within reach, but one that Harry will not give into…nor will he.

I have to place THE SCOTTISH WITCH as one of my favorite Maxwell’s books. With each book Maxwell continually gives her readers exactly what they yearn for; a dynamic prose, sexual tension between the protagonist to burn up the pages, a love story to beat all the odds and places her stories in provocative setting such as Scotland that gives Maxwell’s book that something more that other romances lack. ( )