Month: May 2017

Courting the Corporal by Heather McCorkle

On By TracyIn American Historical, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

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Courting the Corporal by Heather McCorkle

Release Date: 06/27/17
Series: Emerald Belles, Book 2

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*

I read the previous book in this series, Honor Before Heart and I liked it – but this book, blows the first book away. This book is about Catriona O’Brian aka Cat (Ashlinn’s (from HBH) sister in law) and Corporal Patrick Fergusson aka Rick (Sean’s (from HBH) best friend).

The story starts in New York, Cat has learned the truth about Michael’s death and about the property he purchased in California. Cat has decided to go an stake her claim on the land and start a new life. Her marriage to Michael, though envied by many, was nothing short of a nightmare. She tells her dearest friends of the claims and they decide that since there are three claims, they will all go together. Deciding to celebrate, Cat goes to buy a bottle of wine and literally runs into Rick. She doesn’t know who he is and she gives him a set down.

Sean asks Rick to act as the ladies guide to California – he agrees because he feels that he owes Sean, but he dreads having to accompany “society ladies”, his past experience tells him that this will be an excruciating journey and doubts the ladies will be able to make the journey. He is shocked and delighted when he goes to visit Sean and finds Cat, the rather rude woman from the spirit shop – now he dreads the journey even more, because she is exactly the type of pampered princess he cannot abide.

They plan to leave in a week with an escort of armed men and the ladies belongings, but news comes that Ainsworth (the man that sold them the claim) has petitioned to reclaim the land as no one has claimed it, Cat is given until the middle of August to stake her claim or lose it. That means that they have less than two months to make the journey and there is no way it can be done with a wagon train. It is decided that Cat and Rick will go immediately by horseback and the others will follow.

These two set out, both with preconceived notions about the other and secrets from their past that have caused said notions. As they travel, they begin to realize how wrong they were and a friendship forms. They survive much together on this trek and their friendship and mutual respect blossom into love – but before they can start a future together – they must survive the cross country journey that is brimming with danger.

This book started out a little slow, but once Rick and Cat set out, the story takes off at a gallop and doesn’t slow down until the final page. The book has a bit of everything, social prejudice, a hero with PTSD, a heroine who has been abused, Indian attacks, bison, a crazy villain set on preventing Cat from staking her claim, tornadoes, some steamy love scenes and finally healing and acceptance.

I really loved this story and would highly recommend the book – it is the second in the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone title.

A Fine Madness by Elizabeth Essex

On By TracyIn Novella, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Fine Madness (Highland Brides Book 3)A Fine Madness by Elizabeth Essex

Release Date: May 2, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a book provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*

This was a charming little story about Hamish Cathcart, the third son of an earl and Rory’s (from Mad for Love) half brother and Elspeth Otis, orphaned daughter of John Otis, infamous author of a banned book. This is the third book in the series, but it appears to run concurrently with Mad About the Marquess and I thought it tied the three books together nicely.

Hamish is in a bind, his father has decided that it is time for him to marry and has given him about 5 weeks to pick a bride or be cut off. Hamish has no desire to dance to his father’s tune and is determined to find a way to make his own fortune. As luck would have it, opportunity knocks in the form of Lady Ivers – sister to John Otis. She suggests that Hamish revive and revamp her late brother’s book and points him in the direction of the original publisher.

Elspeth is at home with her two aunts (her mother’s sisters) celebrating her 24th birthday when she is surprised by a delivery from her aunt (Lady Ivers) from Edinburgh – since she has never had any contact with her father’s family, she is shocked to find out that her aunts have kept the knowledge that Lady Ivers has sent her letters and gifts over the years from her. She makes a rash decision and leaves the cottage and travels to Edinburgh – much to the dismay and contempt of her aunts. Unsure of her welcome, Elspeth is delighted by the warm welcome she receives from Lady Ivers. Lady Ivers explains to Elspeth that the trunk that was delivered to her was actually her father’s and encourages Elspeth to explore the contents and pick up where her father left off on the manuscript within. She then points in the direction of the original publisher of her father’s book.

When Hamish and Elspeth first meet, it is definitely not love at first sight – but after Elspeth leaves and Hamish reads the book she has written – he is blown away and sees the means to make his venture a success and to escape the marriage noose his father is trying to trap him in.

Hamish and Elspeth meet again at Lady Ivers home and agree work together to publish the book. Hamish realizes that Elspeth is not the mouse he first thought and the more time he is with her, the more he wants her and not just for the book. Elspeth is also smitten by Hamish – but she has lead a small life and is sure that a worldly man like Hamish would never want a girl like her. When they meet at a ball and things become heated between them – Elspeth’s upbringing resurfaces and she is ashamed of herself – so when Lady Ivers tells her one of her aunts is ill and asking for her – she bolts.

Hamish is not willing to let Elspeth walk away and sets out after her. Just as he convinces her that should be together – a misunderstanding sends Elspeth running again.

I really enjoyed this book – it is well written, has an interesting storyline, likeable characters, no real villains (unless you count the aunts as villains – which they kind of were), a couple of steamy-ish love scenes, a quickly resolved misunderstanding and a wonderful declaration scene.

This book could easily be read as a stand alone title – but it does tie the other two books into the series very nicely.