Month: December 2018

A December with a Duke by Collette Cameron

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A December with a Duke: A Regency Romance (Seductive Scoundrels Book 3)A December with a Duke: A Regency Romance by Collette Cameron
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Seductive Scoundrels, #3

Release Date: December 14, 2018

Given the subject matter in this book, I was expecting a completely dark and depressing read. I was pleasantly surprised to find that while there are some very sad, very dark moments, overall the novella was sweet and uplifting.

Everleigh Chatterton is a widow with no desire to remarry. Two years with Arnold was more than enough to show her that men are not to be trusted. Everleigh is stunningly gorgeous and has had to fend off unwanted attentions for years. She was raped by her husband’s son and only married because she found herself with child. She gives birth to Meredith and loses her a short time later. She is completely devastated by the loss and as a result, she hates marriage, men and December.

She is attending Thea’s house party and notices the Duke of Sheffield looking at her, she made her position clear to him when they attended Thea’s wedding – not interested! But when a child wanders into the room and is looking for her Papa, Everleigh’s heart goes out to her. The child is taken with her immediately and she soon learns Sheffield is her “Papa”.

Griffin, the Duke of Sheffield hears Sarah and is shocked to see her in Everleigh’s arms – Sarah doesn’t like strangers and is prone to tantrums. He is further shocked when Everleigh offers to help settle her for the night. Griffin agrees and wonders if Everleigh is really the ice queen that she resembles – she mentions her daughter and that tomorrow is the anniversary of her passing. After settling Sarah, they return to the party. Everleigh is amazed that she told him about her daughter and that he doesn’t terrify or make her feel repulsed, as she usually does around men. He tells her about Sarah, she is the child of his friends from India – they passed away and Sarah was left alone, he took her in and plans to raise her as his own.

Over the next few days, they spend a lot of time together, she likes him, but she worries that she could never be what he needs, she is not even sure she could bear the touch of man and with her former sister in law causing problems, she wonders if she would be more trouble than she is worth. Griffin has no such reservations, Everleigh is everything he has ever dreamed of in a woman and he wants to marry her.

It will take some coaxing, kisses and a very cute little orphan, but Griffin is ready to do whatever is necessary to win her – even let her go.

I loved this story, it is inspiring and very emotional, I loved Griffin and never ever doubted that he was in love with Everleigh. Everleigh had a lot to overcome and I loved that she was willing to trust Griffin with her heart. This novella is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*

The Bride Chooses a Highlander by Adrienne Basso

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

The Bride Chooses a Highlander (The McKennas, #3)The Bride Chooses a Highlander by Adrienne Basso
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The McKennas, #3

Release Date: December 18, 2018

Katherine McKenna is the only daughter of Laird Brian McKenna and still unwed at 22, much to her father’s dismay. But Katherine has finally agreed to a match, Sir Hamish Drummond. Overjoyed, her father quickly makes plans to visit the Drummonds and sign the contracts. Katherine had hoped to find love like her parents and older brothers, but she is sure she will be content and grow to love Hamish. But when she learns that Hamish is in love with another woman, nothing will make her marry him and she bolts.

Lachlan MacTavish is Laird of the MacTavish clan, a poor, disgraced clan that was punished for choosing sides against the Bruce. He has tried hard to redeem his family and has worked twice as hard to keep his people from starving. He has petitioned the king for the return of his lands and hopes that he service to the crown has been enough. If Lachlan didn’t have enough problems, his younger half brother Robbie has been missing for almost a year, his other half brother Aiden thinks he should be leading the clan and his step-mother wants him to go to the McKenna’s and retrieve Robbie. Lachlan refuses to go after Robbie, so Aiden says he will go – Lachlan forbid him from doing anything to upset the powerful McKenna laird – they cannot afford to offend the man.

As luck would have it, Aiden comes upon Katherine fleeing and takes her captive. But when she escapes him, Lachlan knows they must find her and return her to her father – untouched and unharmed. He finds her in the woods, nearly frozen and ill, he plans to take her to a nearby convent, but the weather prevents it. He finds a hut and nurses her back to health himself. They only exchange first names, but she feels safe with him. When they share a kiss, Lachlan tells her the truth of who he is. She is upset, but understands his dilemma and agrees to try and calm her father.

They travel back to his castle and encounter Archibald Fraser – sworn enemy of the McKennas, thankfully Lachlan is able to convince Archibald that Katherine is just a cast out serving girl and they go on their way. When they reach his home, she is shock at the condition of the keep and the people. As she spends more time with Lachlan, the more she likes him and want to help him. But not everyone is happy that Katherine is there and a betrayal by Lachlan’s kin brings Archibald back looking for Katherine. Lachlan defeats him and makes a powerful enemy. Convinced he can no longer wait to return Katherine to her family, they make plans to leave, but before they do, Katherine’s younger brother Graham and her spurned betrothed show up.

Hamish demands Katherine marry him, she refuses and marries Lachlan behind his back to prevent her father from forcing her to marry Hamish. They arrive at the McKenna keep and will have to stand up to her father. The McKenna is not happy and tries to bribe Lachlan into setting aside the marriage and when that fails, he throws him in the dungeon.

Katherine has never been at odds with her father, but when she learns what her father has done, it doesn’t seem like they will ever find peace again. Katherine confesses her love to Lachlan and he to her, they vow they will find a way to be together, but they will still have a lot to overcome before they get their HEA.

This was a very good read, I loved Lachlan and Katherine! The book is well written and flows perfectly, there is action, betrayal, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters, a villain who finally gets his comeuppance and a very, very sweet epilogue. This is the third book in the McKenna series, but this book could easily be read as a stand alone title.

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