Category: Barb’s Reviews

To Marry a Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander1 Comment

To Marry a Highlander (The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #2)Barbara’s rating: 4.4 of 5 Stars
Series: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #2
Publication Date: 4/8/22
Period: Jacobean/Stuart Era (1655) – Scottish Highlands
Number of Pages: 189

Conall Sutherland loves women and they love him, so why shouldn’t he take advantage of the favors offered to him? He has probably slept with most of the women in his part of Scotland – and any parts of Scotland he’s ever visited. He has three rules though – no innocents, no married women, and absolutely none of them should expect marriage. He makes that very clear to any and all. However, since his brother’s very happy marriage, those trysts have felt a little less satisfying. Still, he isn’t going to marry, so why not enjoy the bounty? His older brother, the Laird, has told him repeatedly that his lifestyle will come back to bite him – and bite him in a major way. Conall doesn’t buy that at all – goodness – he takes precautions and he always leaves the ladies happy – what could go wrong?

Maura MacEwan and Conall were childhood friends but grew apart when his lifestyle changed to one of lusting after every female in Scotland. Maura has always admired Conall and would welcome a future with him if he were a different man, but he isn’t, so that will never happen. Not being a quiet submissive young woman, she lets him know what she thinks of him and his ways every time they are near each other. He should certainly have no doubt about how she feels.

So, how did Conall get caught kissing the innocent Maura you ask? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out, but caught they were! Maura’s outraged brothers were torn between killing Conall and forcing marriage. Fortunately, they chose to force a marriage.

Many of Conall’s former conquests lived/worked at the castle and they harass Maura in hundreds of ways. Maura is up to handling those women, but when something totally unexpected and out of the blue happens – nobody will believe Conall. Why – well, remember his brother’s comments about his lifestyle coming back to bite him? Yep – and it had really sharp teeth!

This was a fun, entertaining read and I definitely recommend it. It is well written, well-paced and the characters are appealing. I hope you will give the book a read and will love it as much as I did.

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

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Never A Duke by Grace Burrowes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Never a Duke (Rogues to Riches, #7)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Series: Rogues to Riches
Publication Date: 4/26/22
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 383

I always enjoy Grace Burrowes’ writing style – partially because she chooses wording that makes you feel as if you are actually in that period listening to a real conversation, and she does it without it sounding stilted. The characters are very likable and relatable, and I loved reading the author’s notes telling how she got the inspiration for this story. Sometimes, real-life really is stranger than fiction.

I really, really liked Lady Rosalind Kinwood. She is strong, resilient, intelligent, compassionate, outspoken, and very determined – all without being overpowering. You would think the daughter of an Earl would be spoiled and haughty, but Rosalind isn’t. She hasn’t had the ‘soft’ life most would expect because her father (and brothers) are obnoxious, overbearing, demeaning, and have no clue about how to handle their own money or the estates.

Edward (Ned) Wentworth had his life – as he knew it – snatched from him when he was about eight. His father was press-ganged by the Navy, leaving Ned and his brother to fend for themselves. That is where Ned met the duke and where his life was forever changed for the better. Ned is dedicated to the Wentworth family, dedicated to the bank he manages, loves his found family beyond belief, and believes strongly in justice. Goodness, he is a wonderfully honorable man.

When Rosalind approaches Ned to help her find out what happened to not one, but two of her lady’s maids, Ned accepts and they begin asking questions. It doesn’t take them long to learn that many young, unmarried, attractive, virtuous women have gone missing. The investigation causes Ned and Rosalind to spend time together – and to come to care for each other. Their love grows, but, of course, there are many obstacles in their way – and most of those obstacles are her father and brothers. What can they do to overcome those obstacles? Mmmmm – you’ll just have to read the book to find out.

I absolutely LOVED the solution to the mystery – and the ending of the book was absolutely wonderful. Talk about a feel-good HEA that checks all of the boxes – this was it. It was also wonderful to visit with characters from previous books and see where they are in their lives. I can certainly recommend the book – and the series. I hope you’ll read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

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

View all my reviews