Category: Christmas

The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

The Highlander's Christmas Bride (Clan Kendrick, #2)The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Clan Kendrick #2

Release Date: October 29, 2019

Donella Haddon retired to a convent 3 years ago when her cousin Alec, who is her betrothed, married another woman and her mother tried to kill him, but now the nuns have decided that Donella doesn’t have a true calling and have asked her to leave. Her uncle Earl Riddick is in business negotiations with Logan Kendrick and asks him to escort Donella home.

Logan Kendrick has only recently returned to Scotland after many years of self-imposed exile in Canada after the death of his brother Nick’s son. But his time is Canada wasn’t all self-crimination – Logan built a successful business, married his love, who also happened to be his partner’s daughter and fathered a son. He lost his wife shortly after his son Joseph’s birth and hasn’t stopped grieving. But when he meets Donella, there is no denying the attraction between them. However, things do not start out well and almost as soon as they start out for her uncle’s, they are set upon and the Murray’s attempt to kidnap Donella. Logan is forced to abandon the coach and take Donella into the wilderness. After a grueling journey, they finally arrive at a cottage and take shelter and wait for Alec to arrive to take Donella home. When Alec arrives and finds them in the bed, he demands that Logan marry her – she refuses and they part.

Logan returns home and finds out that his grandfather had returned from Canada with his son. Although he was scared that Nick would be upset, everyone immediately accepts him. But he is still a little quiet around everyone.

Back with her family, Donella tries to convince her family to let her join another convent, but they insist that she go to the family home and prepare a Christmas celebration – since Evie (Alec’s English wife) celebrates and so does Donella since she is a catholic. They send her to stay with the Kendrick’s until Alec and Evie can join her. At the Kendrick’s she immediately bonds with Joseph and grows closer to Logan. It appears that they are on track to their own HEA, but not everyone is happy with that plan. Former lovers and loves will interfere and secrets may tear them apart if they can’t find a way to move on from their pasts.

I thought this was a pretty good story, it did seem to drag a bit and I don’t know if I completely believe Logan is truly in love – the man seems to “fall in love” at the drop of a hat, so I don’t know if I trust his love is true. I did enjoy catching up with Nick, Victoria, Alec and Evie, as well as getting to know Donella. She was likeable, but a bit misguided. I loved her interactions with Joseph and was touched by the bond between them. This is the second book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Betrothed by Christmas by Jess Michaels & Elizabeth Essex

On By TracyIn Anthology, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Betrothed by ChristmasBetrothed by Christmas by Jess Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: None

Release Date: October 15, 2019

This was a loosely interconnected novella duo by Jess Michaels and Elizabeth Essex, featuring two ladies who don’t want to marry finding their HEAs – my average rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up.

A Lady’s Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels – 5 stars – Lady Evangeline & Thomasina “Tamsin” Lesley meet at a ball, both worry that if they don’t find a husband, their fathers will choose for them. When Tamsin says she doesn’t want to marry, Evangeline has a suggestion, they should consider “male wallflowers” and she chooses Henry Killam, aspiring astronomer and younger son of Viscount Killam. Henry like Evangeline – always has – but she is out of his league. She is the daughter of a duke and he is the second son, whose father threatens to cut off if he doesn’t give up his “work”. But Evangeline offers a solution – marry her. What follows is a steamy and delightful tale of a woman who erroneously believes she has fallen for a man she can manipulate.

A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex – 4 stars – Miss Thomasina “Tamsin” Lesley has until Christmas to find a husband or she will be married off to her father’s heir, her cousin Edward, an odious man who only wants her because she is beautiful. But in reality Tamsin doesn’t want to marry at all, she wants to live in London with her Aunt Dahlia and write, but her mother refuses to consider that option. So when Evangeline suggests being “lightly ruined” so her mother will reconsider and introduces her to Simon Cathcart, the second son of a second son and a former soldier who has been dubbed “Simple Simon”. She immediately likes him, he is handsome and very agreeable. She explains that she doesn’t want to marry and asks for his help in convincing her mother that she is no longer marriageable. Simon agrees mostly to alleviate his boredom and because he likes her too. But as time passes and she gets to know Simon and learns his secrets, maybe being ruined isn’t the way to finding her HEA or is it?

Both stories where well written and entertaining, I thought all the characters were likeable and that the stories were paced well. Jess Michaels’ offering was a bit steamier, but they were both had love scenes that were on the warm side. Personally, I thought the whole “lightly ruined” ploy was a bit unbelievable and complete ridiculous, but it was a very entertaining read regardless. I enjoyed this book and would be happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*