Category: Christmas

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.*

A Winter Wish by Christi Caldwell

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

A Winter Wish (The Read Family Saga Book 1)

Barbara’s Rating 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Read Family Saga #1

Publication Date: 9/22/20

Number of Pages: 144

This was a short, sweet read, and a lovely introduction to the Read family who will be featured in this series. The story is well-written and the characters are compelling.

Merry Read’s family is in service to the Holman family – the Earl and Countess Maldavers. Merry’s father is the Maldavers family steward and her mother is the housekeeper. Her brother Diccan is in training to replace his father as steward and Merry has been training to replace her mother as housekeeper. Merry’s sister Matilda is also in service there, but we didn’t learn what her position is.

As a child, Merry played with the two younger Holman boys, but the older son, Lucas, Viscount Grimslee was always aloof and condescending toward them. When invited to participate in a game or other activity, he haughtily declined. Now, as an adult, Merry has nothing but disdain for Lucas.

Lucas was never, ever, allowed to forget that he was to inherit the title. He was constantly schooled in his responsibilities – he was told who he could associate with, what his attitudes were to be, how he was to regard others – especially servants, and mostly that he wasn’t to allow his feelings to show. He lived with those edicts until four months ago when his brother was accused of treason and he was forced to break his own betrothal because of the scandal. Since then, drink and debauchery have become his constant companions – it is just easier not to feel when he’s drunk.

Lucas’s mother is determined to end the drunkenness, so she decides to move their Christmas celebration to London where Lucas is living. In order to prepare the house for the festivities, his mother has Merry go to London to make the arrangements and to do the decorating. Then, she assigns Lucas to be Merry’s helper. Uh Oh – we all know where that is going.

I certainly enjoyed the read, but I felt it was a bit too short because we were left with unanswered questions. I am sure the author did her research and she has the right of it, but, to me, the circumstances just didn’t ring true when it came to Merry, her travels, her education, etc.

I am sure this is going to be a fun series that we will all enjoy.

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