Category: Elizabethan Era (1558-1603)

The Elizabethan era is the epoch in the Tudor period of the History of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Historians often depict it as the golden age in English history.
Preceded by: Tudor period
Followed by: Jacobean era
Monarch: Elizabeth I

Seven Nights with the Scot by Gerri Russell

On By TracyIn Elizabethan Era (1558-1603), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews, Tudor Era (1485-1603)Leave a comment

Seven Nights with a Scot (All The King’s Men, #1)Seven Nights with a Scot by Gerri Russell
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: All the King’s Men, #1

Release Date: February 21, 2019

Vivian Sinclair is the ward of King James of Scotland and to save her life, he marries her off to his old friend Dugald Campbell. Vivian is a gifted healer and the king believes she will be able to help Dugald. And Dugald will help her, keeping her safe from the witch trials that have reached a frenzied peak. The king doesn’t believe Vivian is a witch, but he knows that her gift of healing and her visons of the future would have her condemned. He knows she is not happy with his decision, but it is the only way he can help her.

Six months later, Vivian’s husband is dying and has called for his son Rupert. Rupert is King James’ “witch hunter” Dugald tells him that Vivian is not a witch – but innocently betrays her by telling Rupert of her visions. Rupert declares her a witch and promises to destroy her once his father passes. Frantic, Vivian tries to escape, she stays with Dugald until he passes and then sneaks out of the castle. She makes her way to the village and has a vision – a child will be killed by a horse – she knows she should keep going, but cannot leave a child to die. She saves the child and is injured in the process.

Quinn Douglas is one of the King’s Elite Guard – he has been sent by his brother to collect Vivian. The king betrothed her to Reid Douglas when he learned Dugald was dying. As Reid is on a mission for the king, he sends his twin and fellow guard to bring Vivian to his castle. Quinn tends to her injuries and tells her of the king’s decree – she is not happy, but knows with Rupert following her, she is safer with Quinn than on her own.

They set off and it soon becomes clear that Vivian is being hunted and they will not be safe until they reach Reid’s home. As they run for their lives, Quinn falls in love with her – but knows that they can never be, she is promised to his brother. Vivian feels the same and when she has several visions, she tries to distance herself from Quinn. But when she has a vision that includes Quinn and the rest of their party being trapped by Rupert, she takes a leap of faith and trusts him with her biggest, most dangerous secret – her ability to see the future.

But even knowing the future might not be enough to save her when Rupert catches them.

This was a very exciting read, with lots of action, suspense, sexual tension and a very evil villain. I enjoyed the fast paced flow of the book, especially the end, when there are several nail-biting moments, unexpected twists and an ending that must be read to be believed. I am not sure if the copy I read is the final version, but there were some minor title errors and a fair bit of modern verbiage – nothing that really detracted from the story, but definitely were not period correct. Even with those small details, I would happily recommend this book and look forward to reading about the rest of the “King’s Men”

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

Between a Highlander and a Hard Place by Mary Wine

On By TracyIn Elizabethan Era (1558-1603), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews, Tudor Era (1485-1603)3 Comments

Between a Highlander and a Hard Place (Highland Weddings, #5)Between a Highlander and a Hard Place by Mary Wine
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Weddings, #5

Release Date: October 30, 2018

Symon Grant needs to marry, he and his cousin Brenda are the last of their line and both childless and widowed. Symon cared for his wife and has mourned her for four long years, but the time to move on has come – he owes his clan an heir.

Athena Trappes is the on the brink of marrying Galwell, the son of Baron Scrope. He has asked for her hand and promises to see to the contracts soon. But when Galwell betrays her, Athena has to flee or see her family destroyed. Her uncle has her dress as a boy and travel with a friend of his to Scotland, he promises to gain support against Galwell so that she might return home.

Athena travels for weeks with Myles and when they stop in a village, she abandons her disguise and joins the May Day revels. She catches the eye of Symon, she is the first woman in years to elicit a response from him and there is no way he is going to let her get away. They share a kiss and she disappears. He looks for her and is more determined than ever to find her. Athena sees him looking for her, but knows nothing can come of it, no matter how attractive he is, or tall, or handsome – no, nothing can come of it. But what she doesn’t know is her impromptu dance didn’t just catch Symon’s attention – it also revealed her true identity to a very unscrupulous man, Will Tinker, who is traveling with Myles. Will takes one look at Athena’s beauty and decides that she will make him rich.

He abducts her and plans to sell her to a brothel – but she outsmarts him and escapes – right into Symon’s waiting arms. Symon learned that Will had nefarious plans for Athena and is going to save her – he isn’t sure if she is the woman he wants to marry, but he knows he can’t leave her to the fate Will has in store for her.

When he finds her outside the brothel, he insists that she go with him – he says it is not safe for her to be alone and promises to notify her uncle. She goes, but has no plans on staying. When they arrive, the clan thinks she is his bride – they both deny it and there are quite a few amusing scenes based on the assumption he will marry Athena.

For their part, they can’t keep their hands off each other and Brenda appoints herself the guardian of Athena’s virtue. They grow closer and Athena decides that she will marry Symon, but before she can let him know, Will Tinker turns up again, with a new plan!

Athena is saved yet again by Symon, but the rescue is not without casualties and their celebration is cut short by the king’s men. They are forced to attend King James and he throws a wrench into their happiness by revealing the truth of Athena’s parentage and threatens to tear them apart.

Another abduction, escape and rescue are thrown into the mix as well as the arrival of Brenda’s annoyingly persistent suitor Bothan Gunn and a decision by the king that sends everyone reeling.

This was a fun story, a bit wordy and repetitive at times, but overall a well written, fast paced, steamy, exciting story with great leads, secondary characters and multiple villains. Ms. Wine does a great job of setting up the next story without detracting from Symon and Athena’s hard earned HEA. This is the 5th book in the Highland Weddings 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.*