Month: July 2017

The Barbary Mark by Anne Cleeland

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

The Barbary MarkBarbara’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: None – Standalone
Publication Date: July 1, 2017

What a heroine!! What a story!! I love Anne Cleeland’s Acton and Doyle series and the heroine in this book is an ancestor of Doyle. I believe this book actually began as a serial on Cleeland’s website and was so popular that they published it. So, let me be honest – this is a book I would not normally have chosen for myself. Not even close. It doesn’t take place in England, Scotland or Ireland and it isn’t about a polite subject. However, I am so glad I have it and I think you will also love it if you give it a try!

Sionnan (Nonnie) Rafferty (yes, she is Irish) is washed ashore in Algiers and is taken to the Dey where she comes into contact with some good people and some very bad people. She meets the necromancer and there is definitely more to him than is apparent at first glance. Then, there is the Agha who is cruel and evil. The necromancer, of course, is another story. He is enigmatic and mysterious – and very, very enticing.

Nonnie and her friend Jamie have been sent to Algiers by the English Crown to find and eliminate whoever is funding and abetting Napoleon in escaping his imprisonment on Elba.

You’ll find Nonnie is fearless, brave and very intelligent in trying to keep herself (and others) out of the hands of the slave traders and to complete her mission. Then, we’ll have to add love into the picture for there is indeed love abounding in this book – we end up with more than one HEA.

It is an intriguing and interesting tale of the slave trade and the journey to its end. There are many twists and turns, but you’ll always find your way through. Also, be prepared for great waves of sympathy for the back stories of both Nonnie and Jamie.

An all-around interesting read and I hope you’ll give it a chance.

Never Kiss a Highlander by Michele Sinclair

On By TracyIn Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Never Kiss a HighlanderNever Kiss a Highlander by Michele Sinclair
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Release Date: July 25, 2017

Series: The McTiernay’s, #6

Twelve years ago Hamish left his home, his love and his birthright because it was clear the woman he loved was in love with his brother Robert. Hamish left and joined the McTiernay’s elite guard and has refused to return home ever since.

Over the years his brother Robert has tried to get Hamish to return home and each time Hamish has refused. In an effort to finally cut ties with his brother, Hamish agrees to temporarily return and help his brother. Since the marriage of yet another McTiernay brother to yet another woman Hamish thought he could love, he is ready for a change of scenery. Helping his brother rid himself of his backstabbing commander Ulrick is just what he needs.

Maired is the younger sister of Selah, Robert’s wife and Hamish’s former betrothed. She is eager for Hamish’s return and is shocked by the man who arrives….alone. Maired was expecting an army of McTiernay warriors and is dismayed that Hamish has arrived alone and has made it clear that he has no intention of involving the McTiernay’s in this matter.

If Maired is shocked by Hamish, it is nothing compared to his reaction to her, she is no longer the little girl he remembered, but a fully grown beautiful, spirited woman and for the first time in months Hamish is interested, very interested. But since he has no desire to stay, he will just ignore his lust, at least that was the plan 🙂

As Maired and Hamish grow closer, the more the passion simmers between them and after a mind melting kiss – which of course they both agree will never be repeated, they begin to fall in love. It is apparent to the reader that these two are meant to be, but it takes them considerably longer to figure that out.

Hamish realizes that he loves Maired and he also realizes that contrary to what he thought, he has never actually been in love before. But he still refuses to act on his feelings because he doesn’t plan on staying and he “knows” that Maired will not leave her family.

At times I wondered if these two would ever stop making assumptions about each other and finally talk, but the slow build up in their relationship really worked in this story. And when they finally marry, I was ecstatic! Even better, the story doesn’t end there! The threat of Ulrick still has to be dealt with and Ms. Sinclair throws the reader a curve ball. I will admit, after the build up to the return of Ulrick, I thought it was kind of anticlimactic and I thought to myself – that’s it, seriously? Well it wasn’t! Ms. Sinclair still had a few surprises for her readers which include a visit from Conor and Laurel!

This book was well written, flowed at a really nice pace, had lots of twists and turns, sibling spats, multiple weddings, steamy love scenes, surprises galore, a soulmate type of love and a wonderful HEA.

This is the sixth book in the McTiernay’s series, but I think it could be read as a stand alone title with no problem, although you would probably have a better understanding of Hamish if you at least read the prior book “Seducing the Highlander”. I loved this book and would happily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great Highlander story!

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