Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

The Pleasures Of Passion By Sabrina Jeffries

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

The Pleasures of Passion (Sinful Suitors, #4)The Pleasures of Passion by Sabrina Jeffries

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Sinful Suitors #4
Publication Date: June 20, 2017

Sabrina Jeffries writes wonderfully witty dialogue and unforgettable characters. I have long awaited this book because I did so want to see Nial get his happy ending. He had sacrificed so much for his family, specifically his sister, so he definitely deserves to find love and happiness.

This book is certainly more sedate than the previous three. I’m not saying that as a bad thing, it is just that the bad guy and the crime, etc. is less intense. As in, there isn’t anybody trying to kidnap, rape and/or murder the heroine. It is a story about second chances and the damage that keeping secrets can do.

BTW – I’ll add that if you haven’t read the first three books in the series you really should. First is because they are really, really good and second is because you’ll appreciate this story so much more from the background you learn in the other books.

When he was young, Nial fought a duel and killed a man. Because they wanted to keep the reason for the duel a secret, they couldn’t let it come to a trial. Nial would surely have been exonerated had there been a trial. In order to avoid the trial, Nial had to escape to the continent. He begged his love, Brilliana (I hate that name) to go with him, but she couldn’t because of her deathly ill mother. He also couldn’t tell her the real reason he had fought the duel. Many things happened through the time Nial was exiled, but the worst of it was that Brilliana married someone else. Each of them have reason to believe that the other betrayed them and each of them have secrets they feel they can’t share.

This story deals with Nial and Brilliana being forced to work together to solve a counterfeiting crime in order to save her father and them getting to know and love each other again. Love comes quicker than trust and they must each determine whether they can trust the other or not.

“I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

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The Reluctant Highlander by Amanda Scott

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The Reluctant HighlanderThe Reluctant Highlander by Amanda Scott

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Highland Series #1
Publication Date: June 13, 2017

This delightful novel is filled with history and romance. The book covers some turbulent times in ancient Scotland — 1429-1431. It is a time when the king is trying to bring peace and continuity to his governance but many of the Highland lords don’t like his policies and they are supporting another to rule parts of the country. It is a time filled with subterfuge and the king isn’t sure who he can trust and depend upon. It is a dangerous time to be a Scot – not the most dangerous in their history, but still unsettled and turbulent.

Sir Adham MacFinlagh is a true hero in every sense of the word and I really liked him. Also he’s a true Highlander and warrior. Adham has a bit of a sad family history, yet he’s remarkably well adjusted and happy in his family relationship. He is a firm supporter of the king even though he doesn’t agree with everything the king wants to do.

Lady Fiona Ormiston is the daughter of the kings most trusted advisor. She’s smart, sassy and independent even though she’s in service to the queen. She thinks Highlanders are all barbarians and is surprised to find she likes Adham when she meets him while she’s out for a midnight swim in the loch (yes, she snuck out).

Through the machinations of the king and Fiona’s father Adham and Fiona find themselves married to each other. I’ve read several reviews that say this book is very short on romance and that they didn’t have time to fall in love. Well – I beg to differ. The book covers well over a year in time and although Adham is away a lot to do the kings work, he comes home regularly. The book plainly says that, so they have all of that time to learn to love and appreciate each other without each visit being specifically spelled out.

There is, of course, a set of bad guys aside from the turbulence and battles that take place. It is nice to see them get their comeuppance.

One thing I really liked was the ‘Glossary’ at the beginning of the book. I would have liked it to have been a little bigger, but I was happy that it had one at all because most of the books don’t.

“I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

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