Month: May 2024

Never Marry A Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Never Marry a Highlander: The Mackays of Dun Ugadale

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The MacKays of Dun Ugadale #2
Publication Date: 3/15/24
Period: Jacobean/Stewart Era – 1616
Number of Pages: 194

Craig MacKay is a highly skilled warrior. He’s handsome, he’s brave, he’s intelligent, he’s honorable, and the ladies love him as much as he loves them. He has always claimed he’ll never marry – so – what is he doing volunteering to marry the woman to whom his brother is betrothed? His brother, Robin, their Laird, is in love with another woman. Robin will marry the woman to whom he is betrothed out of honor, but he’ll be miserable – and Craig knows it. It was an arranged marriage that was foisted upon Robin and Craig is pretty sure the betrothed’s brother won’t care which MacKay brother marries his sister as long as one of them does. Turns out he is right – and he has a new bride.

Lady Lenora Gunn Gordon is a widow and the sister of Laird David Gunn. Lenora’s world is one of abuse and distrust. The males who should have protected and cared for her used her as a punching bag instead. Her father didn’t even recognize her when he saw her in the hallway, David beat her and then married her off to an abusive husband who also beat and raped her, and after her husband died David took over the abuse again. No, Lenora does not trust any man – and never will. She has no choice but to accept the change in betrotheds, and why should she care since it has all been her brother’s choice? This MacKay will be just one more man to control and abuse her.

I enjoyed getting to know Lenora and Craig as they negotiated their way over the many pitfalls along the way to their HEA. Lenora fought a hard battle to keep from coming to trust and love Craig, but it was one she couldn’t win. Craig was always kind, caring, concerned, and interested and he wore her down – she couldn’t help coming to care for him. The same was true for Craig. He never expected to come to care for the termagant who became his wife. He expected they would both lead their individual lives. I enjoyed seeing the two work through their differences.

I missed reading the first book in this series and will begin reading it as soon as I finish writing this review. That means that I really enjoyed this book – and that this book can be read as a standalone. You’ll want to read the first book, but you don’t have to enjoy this one.

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

Of Ravens and Wolves by Kelley Heckart

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Historical Fiction, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment


Of Ravens and Wolves

Magic demands its price.

In the sequel to Of Water and Dragons, Nemu and Ambiorix must fight to survive in the wild lands of the Caitt in northern Caledonia where they have sought refuge after Ambiorix’s desertion from the Roman army. Another more sinister danger also stalks them, a result of Nemu’s dark magic. Their idyllic world is about to be shattered, and their relationship tested.

This is a revised 2nd edition.

Genre: Historical fiction fantasy romance

Tropes: Revenge, Soul Mates, Magic, Dark Past, Strain on Marriage

Available in Kindle, Print, and Kindle Unlimited

Amazon Buy Link

EXCERPT:

The Caitt priestess waited for Nemu in the deepest shadows. She gestured for her to sit beside her on a flat rock.

“You are one of the Ancient Ones.” Her voice sounded hollow, ringing through the pines and into the night.

“As are you.” Nemu searched her eyes for the truth, but the priestess could mask her thoughts well. “Why have you sent for me?”

The skinned wildcat head draped over hers like a hood, the fangs flashing sharp and deadly like twin crescent moons. The priestess’s eyes resembled a cat’s, unblinking and yellow in the darkness.

“I did not send for you. You came to me for an answer.”

A nighthawk screeched nearby.

“You know about my dreams.” Nemu swallowed hard.

“Do not follow the raven. Follow the wolf. The wolf will show you the way.” The night devoured her cryptic words.

“And I will know what the dreams mean?”

“You will know who you really are.” The gleam in her eyes softened, reflecting pity.

Nemu looked away for a moment. She turned back to the priestess and found herself sitting alone, the space beside her cold and empty.

Review Quote

“Heckart’s work offers beautiful poetic descriptions rich in detail. Reading this book is a sensual pleasure. It is especially a joy to read about the idyllic agrarian lifestyle and the sense of people’s connection to the land, to the tribe, and to the spirit world. The richness of detail in descriptions create a powerful aura that positively fills this world.”

Reviewed by Snapdragon at the Long and the Short of It

About the Author


With nearly 20 years of writing and editing experience, Kelley Heckart’s writing focus is steamy, paranormal romance novels. The author of 14 full-length novels, Kelley cleverly plays on the page using fantasy and paranormal elements throughout ancient, medieval, and contemporary timelines. And she fills her romance novels with history, mythology, and mysticism. Her bold characters tell stories through the eyes of fierce warriors, powerful women, gods and goddesses, faeries and vampires, and beyond. These characters are intertwined with one another through captivating, sensual storytelling, and she thrives when using her gift of fantasy and romance.

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