Month: June 2022

To Vex a Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

To Vex a Highlander (The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle Book 4)

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle
Publication Date: 6/17/21
Period: Medieval Scotland
Number of Pages: 171

Can you imagine showing up to your wedding to a woman you’ve never met – only to find out – oops – you have met her – and you didn’t like her – and she feels the same way about you? That is the way the marriage of Malcolm Sutherland and Lady Christine Ross begins. Things have to look up from there because they are already at the bottom.

Neither Malcolm nor Christine had ever expected to marry for love, but they did want a spouse they could like and respect – but neither thinks they got what they’d wanted. Being pragmatic Scots, though, they were determined to at least make an amicable marriage of it. Goodness though, Malcolm certainly hoped his new wife didn’t hate bed sport.

Christine is constantly chafing at Malcolm’s over protectiveness. She’s headstrong and impulsive and he is constantly trying to get her to think before she acts and not to take off on her own. Christine feels as if he is locking her up and treating her like a child.

While Malcolm is away chasing down reivers, Christine gets word that her father is in danger and she immediately heads out for Ross lands to see what is going on. Yes, her impulsiveness has landed her right in the middle of trouble – again. Will she survive long enough to tell Malcolm she loves him?

This is a short, entertaining read with memorable characters and a villain who gets the appropriate punishment for their crime (YAY). It is well-written, nicely paced, and well-plotted. However, I hate loose ends and it was never made clear (or even hinted at) who wrote the note to Christine to get her to her father’s castle?

I can recommend this book and this series.

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

View all my reviews

The Worst Lord in London by Anna Campbell

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Worst Lord in London (Scoundrels of Mayfair, #1)The Worst Lord in London by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Scoundrels of Mayfair, #1

Release Date: May 31, 2022

If you read “Two Secret Sins” in the Scandal in Mayfair series, then like me, you might have been wondering about the mysterious woman who joined Lord Shelburn in the race – Well, wonder no more! And if you didn’t read that book, don’t worry, you can read this one without reading that one – but be warned, this book will have spoilers for “Two Secret Sins”

When Kate Starr was only 16 years old she fell in love forever. The object of her undying affection didn’t even speak to her that night, but he danced with her sister and by doing so, won Kate’s heart. Now 14 years later, Kate is the owner of Starr Cotton Mills, she is independent, successful, rich, and very much alone. She has agreed to enter a marriage of convenience with another factory owner that was set up by her cousin’s husband and they travel to London to sign the settlements. She and her cousins have just arrived at The Angel coaching inn to find the place in an uproar. Then she sees the love of her life atop a racing carriage, looking at her and when he asks her to join him, she doesn’t think twice and takes off with him!

Leighton Anstey, the Earl of Shelburn is intrigued by the lovely woman who impulsively agrees to be his partner in the race and wonders if he can lure her into a tryst. Leighton is a rake through and through with no intentions of settling down anytime soon and Kate is too tempting to pass up. He suggests a brief affair and to his surprise, she agrees! But once he learns of their past connection and her girlish crush, he warns her that he is not the man she believes and tells her to guard her heart. Kate assures him that she is not looking for forever and the two embark on not only a steamy affair but begin a true friendship.

Things are going well, but Kate knows her heart is already lost and decides to leave before she makes a fool of herself, besides that, she knows that her cousins must be frantic and she still needs to work things out with her almost betrothed. She sneaks out and never expects to see Leighton again. But when Leighton wakes to find her gone – will he let her go without a fight or will he be grateful that she understood the terms of their tryst and move on to the next affair?

This was a well-written, nicely paced story with wonderful characters and more emotion than I was expecting! The book is steamy and satisfying, with great secondary characters, a sinister plot twist, a hero who claims he is not a knight in shining armor (but who really is), and finally a very sweet HEA. This book is the first book in a new series and is loosely connected to the previous series, I loved this story and happily recommend this title to fans of historical romances.