Category: Barb’s Reviews

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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The Reluctant Wife by Caroline Warfield

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The Reluctant Wife (Children of Empire Book 2)The Reluctant Wife by Caroline Warfield

Barb’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Children Of Empire – Book 2
Publication Date: April 26, 2017

This book is a delightful find and my very first by Caroline Warfield. Ms. Warfield paints such a compelling picture of the sights, smells, sounds and life in India that you feel you are there. Then, you add in a camel ride through a desert and a boat ride down the Nile and you are totally hooked!

Can you believe a Historical Romance novel where neither the hero nor heroine are part of the ton? Well, we have it here and it is a wonderful change. Yes, there are dukes and earls, but they aren’t the main characters in the book. Our hero is a military man stationed in India and our heroine is a widow with a past. We also get a glimpse of English society in colonial India and I think it is probably even more restrictive than it was in London among the ton.

I can only think that Captain Fred Wheatly has a split personality because of the two totally different ways he reacts to situations. He always does the exact right thing for the exact right reason and yet he always ends up in trouble. He is totally honorable and the people in the village where he is stationed respect him totally. Yet he doesn’t get promoted – why??? Well, the reason is that he treats people with respect rather than the brutality his superiors demand. Now – the other side of that split. He lives with his mistress and their two daughters in the village where he is stationed, yet he doesn’t even know his children’s names. I just can’t merge those two images of this man.

Clare Armbruster is a widow and the sister of Fred’s commanding officer. She and Fred meet during a public confrontation outside Fred’s house – just after his mistress has died. Fred’s house steward wants to sell the daughters because they are half-caste and the cook disagrees with him. Fred comes home amid the argument and Clare steps in to comfort and console the little girls.

Clare has always been put down and ignored by the men in her life and she’s looking to change that. All she wants is to sell the unmanageable house that has been left to her by an aunt and buy a small cottage where she can grow herbs. She has traveled to the small village near Bengal to get her brothers permission to sell the house.

There are many mean spirited and hateful people in the story, but there are also many wonderful and loving people as well. You’ll love the little girls – they just steal the show. Meghal is older and very, very curious – not to mention brave – and Ananya is younger and very shy. Jonny is also a very sweet and special young boy – but you’ll have to read the book to find his story!

I highly recommend the book.

** I received an eARC of this book from the author in return for my honest review **