Month: September 2020

A Winter Wish by Christi Caldwell

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

A Winter Wish (The Read Family Saga Book 1)

Barbara’s Rating 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Read Family Saga #1

Publication Date: 9/22/20

Number of Pages: 144

This was a short, sweet read, and a lovely introduction to the Read family who will be featured in this series. The story is well-written and the characters are compelling.

Merry Read’s family is in service to the Holman family – the Earl and Countess Maldavers. Merry’s father is the Maldavers family steward and her mother is the housekeeper. Her brother Diccan is in training to replace his father as steward and Merry has been training to replace her mother as housekeeper. Merry’s sister Matilda is also in service there, but we didn’t learn what her position is.

As a child, Merry played with the two younger Holman boys, but the older son, Lucas, Viscount Grimslee was always aloof and condescending toward them. When invited to participate in a game or other activity, he haughtily declined. Now, as an adult, Merry has nothing but disdain for Lucas.

Lucas was never, ever, allowed to forget that he was to inherit the title. He was constantly schooled in his responsibilities – he was told who he could associate with, what his attitudes were to be, how he was to regard others – especially servants, and mostly that he wasn’t to allow his feelings to show. He lived with those edicts until four months ago when his brother was accused of treason and he was forced to break his own betrothal because of the scandal. Since then, drink and debauchery have become his constant companions – it is just easier not to feel when he’s drunk.

Lucas’s mother is determined to end the drunkenness, so she decides to move their Christmas celebration to London where Lucas is living. In order to prepare the house for the festivities, his mother has Merry go to London to make the arrangements and to do the decorating. Then, she assigns Lucas to be Merry’s helper. Uh Oh – we all know where that is going.

I certainly enjoyed the read, but I felt it was a bit too short because we were left with unanswered questions. I am sure the author did her research and she has the right of it, but, to me, the circumstances just didn’t ring true when it came to Merry, her travels, her education, etc.

I am sure this is going to be a fun series that we will all enjoy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kinsey’s Defiance by Madeline Martin

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Medieval (1066-1540), Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Kinsey's Defiance (Borderland Rebels, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Borderland Rebels #2
Publication Date: 9/15/20
Number of Pages: 248

OMGoodness – what an exciting, fast-paced, romantic read! We first learned of the Fletcher family in this author’s wonderful series, Borderland Ladies, where the brother, Drake is the Captain of the Guard at the English Werrick Castle. The first book in this series, Faye’s Sacrifice, introduced us to all of the sisters and we could already tell that Kinsey was going to be a hand full. Well, we have certainly found out that she definitely is!

Of all of the Fletcher children, Kinsey holds the strongest grudge against the English for her family’s treatment after the death of their father – who was English. She wants nothing more than to exact revenge against all of them – and when the opportunity presents itself, well – it is an opportunity she just cannot refuse. Little does she know the many ways that one quick decision will change her life.

Kinsey is fiery (not only in her red hair), strong, defiant, feisty, devastatingly beautiful, and totally disinterested in anything other than revenge. When a soldier who is off to fight the English offers her the opportunity to be his army’s archer, she jumps at it. They leave at dawn the following morning to attack Mabrick Castle and return its ownership back to the soldier’s family. Kinsey doesn’t understand the odd feelings this soldier invokes in her, but she knows she needs to steer clear of him.

William MacLeod, the only son of the MacLeod Laird, has to prove himself to his father in order to retain his right to inherit the Lairdship of the clan. William decides that he and his army will re-take Mabrick Castle from the English who took it from them. As he is traveling through the small village of Castleton, Scotland, he sees a vibrant, beautiful, fiery-haired woman who can wield a bow better than any man he’s ever seen. He approaches her and offers her a spot as an archer in his army. I mean goodness she’s beautiful AND skilled, so maybe he can have a great addition to his army and someone to warm his bed as well. After all, he is charming and handsome with a lovely smile. All of the wenches love him, why wouldn’t this one?

With Kinsey bound and determined to resist the flirtatious, and handsome William, it doesn’t take long for the tensions to mount between them. I love how Kinsey stood up for herself and how William respected her desires – until they found out that love had grown between them. When decisions have to be made, will love be the deciding factor? You’ll just have to read this exciting and romantic book to find out.

There is a nice excerpt for the next book, Clara’s Vow, and it looks to be just as exciting as this book. Can’t wait for it either.

Another great read from this consistently great author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.