Category: Author Collaboration Series

The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie by Anna Campbell Featured in the Anthology: Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Author Collaboration Series, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

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The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Series: Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal Anthology

Release Date: October 9, 2020

Malcolm Innes, Laird of Dun Carron, is traveling to the town of Muirburgh in December because Fergus Mackinnon, Laird of Achnasheen told him that he might find what he has spent the last 18 years looking for – his son!  But when he finally makes it to the farmhouse, he finds much more than he was hoping for – not only is his son alive and well but so is the woman he has never stopped loving, even after he was told she was dead!  But rather than be thrilled to be united with her love, Rhona Macleod is angry and tells him to leave.  Stunned that she is alive, he agrees to go, but he will be back.  He prepares to go when his son Patrick intervenes and tells him that he can stay in the barn and that he will try to talk to his mother. 

Rhona is furious, how dare Malcolm show up and pretend to be happy to see her?  He is the reason she was sent away from Dun Carron!  When she calms a bit, she brings a meal out to the barn and they talk.  Soon it becomes clear, they were both betrayed that day and she is amazed to learn that he has never married and has spent the last 18 years looking for Patrick because he was told that Rhona was dead.  But even with this revelation, Rhona is not convinced that this is the miracle that Malcolm believes it is – 18 years is a long time and she is not the same girl he knew – can they pick up the pieces of their broken love and have a second chance at happiness?

I loved this story, it is part of the anthology “Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal” that I can’t wait to finish reading! The story reminded me of the book Betrayed by Bertrice Small, however, this novella is definitely its own tale, but, if you liked that book – you will LOVE this novella.  It is a well written, nicely paced story complete with a crushing betrayal that tears them apart, warm love scenes, revelations, surprises, a love that never died, a HEA and a sweet epilogue.  This is story has a tie-in to the Lairds Most Likely series, but it is definitely a standalone title.  This novella is part of an anthology, but even if it is the only story you read in the collection – it is worth the money you paid for this story alone!   

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*

Redeeming Her Viking Warrior by Jenni Fletcher

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Author Collaboration Series, Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, VikingLeave a comment

Redeeming Her Viking Warrior (Sons of Sigurd #4)Redeeming Her Viking Warrior by Jenni Fletcher

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Sons of Sigurd, #4

Release Date: September 1, 2020

Danr Sigurdsson has come to the Isle of Skye looking for answers about the massacre three years ago that killed his father, sister in law and his brother’s betrothed, but when he confronts his late father’s wife Hilda, he new husband Joarr injures him and he is forced to run. He collapses in the forest and would have died for sure if not for the help of a silent woman with silver-blonde hair. He tries to talk to her, but she doesn’t speak. She tends him and after a few days leaves. He is weak, but he finds her living alone in the woods and doesn’t stop talking until she finally speaks. She is unlike any woman he has ever known (and there have been MANY), he wants her, but he made a vow of celibacy and can’t forget his true purpose, no matter how enticing he finds her.

Sissa has lived alone for years and trusts no one, especially not warriors. After an attack on her village by raiders leaves her alone save the company of her wolf, Tova, she would have perished if not for the kindness of a Gael healer, Coblaith. Unable to understand each other’s languages, Sissa stopped talking but Coblaith taught her healing skills and quite by accident she began to help the villagers, but she never spoke to anyone – until the Norseman and that was only to tell him to shut up and leave her alone – but the man will not listen! She agrees to let him stay and slowly they form a friendship. But the past has taught her a painful lesson of loss and as much as she likes him and enjoys his company, she believes she must guard her heart or suffer the pain of losing him.

This book was set in ancient Scotland and was a well written, fast paced book with wonderful characters and a lot of emotion. I really loved this book, Danr is such a great hero, I loved that he talked all the time – usually heroes are cast as the strong, silent type, so to have a chatty hero was a refreshing change of pace. And Sissa was far from your typical heroine, she is strong, capable and stubborn, she harbors so much pain that she almost forces the love of lifetime to walk away – thankfully, Danr was not willing to go without a fight! The book has a bit of everything, action, a quest for vengeance, heartbreak, betrayal, warm love scenes, reconciliation, wolves and a very sweet HEA. This book is the fourth book in an author collaboration series that follows five brothers in an interconnected plot to find out who killed their father – I did not read the three previous books before reading this installment and had no problem whatsoever following the ongoing story line – but it did make me want to go back and read the other books!! I am happy to recommend this title, I think it might be one of the best books I read this year and will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*