Month: January 2024

The Laird’s Kiss by Eliza Knight

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Laird's Kiss (Highland Lairds #2)The Laird’s Kiss by Eliza Knight

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Lairds, #2

Release Date: January 30, 2024

Lady Rhiannon Darce’s parents died when she was just a little girl and she was sent to live with her cousin Douglass at Appleby Castle, her uncle’s holding. But when Douglass went to Scotland to marry, Rhiannon’s brother Adam showed up at Appleby Castle while her uncle was away and took her back to her home, Darce Castle, and promptly demanded that she marry a man of his acquaintance, a merchant to whom Adam owed a great deal of money. When Rhiannon refuses to comply, he locks her up and refuses to out of her room until she agrees. Unbeknownst to Adam, Rhiannon manages to send three letters to Douglass begging for help, but when no help arrives, she figures she will just have to save herself. She manages to trick Adam into letting her out of her room for a walk, where she intends to get the lay of the land to plan her escape. Once outside the castle walls, she tests the guard with her by wandering deeper into the forest looking for her cat, it is there that she comes face to face with a handsome giant of a man, who has her cat and introduces himself as Ian Sinclair, brother-in-law of her cousin Douglass, and tells her he is there to take her to Douglass. Rhiannon isn’t sure she can trust him, but what choice does she have? And so starts an adventure unlike anything she ever imagined, one that could lead to either seeing her returning to her brother or finding the love of a lifetime.

Ian Sinclair is the second-born triplet of the Sinclair clan, a warrior, Laird of Balla Dorcha on Orkney Isles, and a confirmed bachelor because, unlike his brothers, Ian has no desire to set down roots and is always looking for his next adventure. This is exactly why he agreed to rescue Douglass’ cousin, but he had no idea the effect Rhiannon would have on him. As they race from England to the highlands while trying to stay ahead of her brother, the more he falls for her and begins to wonder if he could settle down for her. But before he can examine his feelings, he needs to get her to his brother’s holding, and with her brother nipping at their heels, and war with England brewing, it will be a miracle if they survive the journey.

This was a well-written, action-packed story with wonderful characters and lots of fun banter between Rhiannon and Ian. The story picks up where the previous book ends and is a non-stop adventure filled with sword fights, a treacherous ride, stolen kisses, danger at every turn, battles, confrontations with rival clans, steamy love scenes, a mischievous cat, and a HEA that didn’t seem possible. I loved Rhiannon and Ian and their journey to HEA was a fast, fun read. This is the second book in the series but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problem. I would be happy to recommend this title to my fellow medieval Highlander readers and I’m looking forward to Alistair’s story.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

The Duke’s All That by Christina Britton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander2 Comments

The Duke’s All That (Synneful Spinsters, #3)

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Synneful Spinsters #3
Publication Date: 2/6/24
Period: Regency (though it doesn’t feel like it)
Number of Pages: 336

This story sucks you in from the opening in 1808 and holds you prisoner through the main body thirteen years later. I have been anticipating the enigmatic Seraphina’s story since the beginning of the series, and it was worth the wait. Of all of the Oddments (the name a group of friends bestowed upon themselves), Seraphina was the one who seemed to hold the deepest, darkest secrets. Turns out that was true. Finally, we learn all of Seraphina’s secrets – and goodness – there are some doozies in there. After you learn of all she endured, you’ll wonder at the strong, resilient woman she became. However, I believe that strength and resilience were already a part of her makeup or she would never have been able to endure and overcome all she did.

Lady Seraphina Trew, daughter of the Earl of Farrow, had the temerity to fall in love with, and secretly marry, a boy who worked in her father’s stables, Iain MacInnes. Seraphina never cared about the difference in their status – she just loved Iain beyond measure – until he betrayed her. Not only did that break her heart and soul, it cost her thirteen years of terror, hiding, doing unspeakable things, and protecting her sisters to her own personal detriment.

Iain MacInnes loved Seraphina Trew beyond measure – until she betrayed him in a most unconscionable way. Somehow, he’d always known that she couldn’t really love him because he was so far beneath her. Iain couldn’t punish Seraphina for that betrayal, he still loved her – always would – but he could take revenge on the pompous aristocrats of her class. And he did – over and over – he outmaneuvered them at cards and any other way he could and amassed their estates and a fortune to boot. Iain became a very wealthy man.

Seraphina, now known as Seraphina Athwart, has a comfortable life on the Isle of Synne. She and her two sisters own the Quayside Circulating Library where they are finally settled and happy. Until a very bitter Iain shows up looking for a divorce from her. She has no choice but to go with him to Scotland for the divorce.

Iain, now the Duke of Balgair, has recently learned that his dead wife is not dead at all. Bitter pain and resentment drive him to look for her for over a year until he finally finds her. He’ll drag her back to Scotland to prove she is alive – and to get the divorce he wants.

Goodness – what a read! Seraphina has intrigued me since the first book and Iain, WOW! Just WOW. I adored them as a couple and I loved seeing them open up during that road trip and discover what really happened to them all those years ago. I love Iain’s compassion, caring, and ready acceptance that he still loved Seraphina and wanted her to continue as his wife. What I didn’t love was that Seraphina held on to her determination to have the divorce and be done with Iain for much too long. I would have rather seen her continuing as his wife and the two of them exacting revenge on her father. That didn’t happen! After all he cost them, after all of the cruelty, he didn’t really get any punishment at all. Anyway, I still loved the book, but I didn’t give it 5-stars because I hated to see her father walk away totally unscathed.

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

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