Georgian Era (1714-1837) – Page 260 – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Category: Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era is a period in British history 1714 to 1830. The kings were all named George: George I, George II, George III and George IV. The sub-period of the Regency is defined by the Regency of George IV as Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.
Preceded by: Restoration
Including: Regency era
Followed by: Victorian era

To Redeem a Highland Rake: A Historical Scottish Romance by Collette Cameron

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Heart of a Scot #2
Publication Date: 12/12/18
Number of Pages: 176

One of my favorite things about this novella is that neither of the main characters has a title. Both are commoners and the hero isn’t rich – and the heroine doesn’t come with a huge dowry.

Nineteen-year-old Arieen Gillian Kinna Fleming is determined to break her betrothal to the odious, womanizing, pompous, wiley, snake-in-the-grass Viscount Quartermain. She didn’t choose to be betrothed to him and the more she has learned of him, the more she has become determined not to become his wife. She only has a week left before the wedding. The night of the masquerade ball will be her only opportunity to do anything to cause a break in the betrothal. Her plan – well – she’s going to wait until he sneaks out for an assignation and then she’ll ‘discover’ them and cry foul. Then, he’ll be forced to end the betrothal. (Yes, she is that naïve). When that plan goes horribly, horribly awry, she finds herself disowned, homeless and with no funds at all. Now, what is she going to do?

Coburn Lain Calan Wallace wasn’t meant to wed. He likes his life just as it is. He is second in command to his cousin Logan who is Laird of his clan. No, he isn’t rich, nor is he likely to be and that is just fine with him. His only valuable possession is his horse – and again, that is fine with him. So, why is he finding himself so drawn toward that winsome lady pirate across the room? He’d love to have a dance, but the dragon of a woman who is her companion made it quite clear that he was not welcome to make the lovely pirate’s acquaintance. Since he’ll be returning to Lockelieth Keep tomorrow, he’ll probably never find out who she is.

When Coburn tries to be gentlemanly and stop her from stumbling upon an assignation, she is furious and does all she can to escape from him. Goodness, she is a spitfire. After an unfortunate set of events occur, Coburn finds himself trying to do his best to save Arieen.

I enjoyed this story, but somehow, I just didn’t feel the romance and I didn’t care overly much for Arieen. She was definitely naïve, and she just never seemed to get it. By that I mean, she never really seemed to grasp the seriousness of her situation. There was also a scenario that was brought up in the epilogue that just didn’t make sense because we are left wondering – well, what happened? Had that point been introduced earlier and then the epilogue could have further fleshed out those relationships, it would have left me with fewer questions.

Anyway – I enjoyed the story and I hope you will as well.

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“I requested and received this e-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.”

Highlander Ever After by Paula Quinn

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Heirs #8
Publication Date: 12/18/18
Number of Pages: 400

I understand this is the last book in this excellent series and I’m sorry to see it end. It has been an excellent series with wonderful characters. This addition to the story is well-written, well-plotted and the characters are memorable – not to mention that it includes nice visits with former heroes and heroines.

In the first few chapters, I thought I didn’t like Sina at all. However, as I thought about it, her reactions were very true-to-life. She was a young lady not accustomed to anything other than court-life. She was betrothed to a man she loved and all was right in her world. Then, in the dead of night, she is taken, at the order of Queen Anne, to be married to a Highland savage. She was just taken – no time to pack or even say goodbye. As soon as she arrived, she was expected to marry a man she had never met but greatly feared. She showed quite a bit of spunk trying to fight the marriage but finally had no choice. Was she unhappy – you bet! Did she make everyone aware of her unhappiness – you bet! Could she have had more sympathy for Adam — yes she could have. Adam was in the same situation as Sina, he was forced into the marriage as well, but at least he didn’t have to leave his home, family, friends and live in a place where everything and everyone made you afraid. So, I came to like and respect Sina even though I thought the thing with ‘loving’ William went on a little too long.

Melusina (Sina) de Arenburg is a Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Anne (last of the Stuart monarchs). She is also the illegitimate daughter of the future king, George (first of the Hanoverian monarchs). Sina and Anne have become close during Sina’s tenure as Lady-in-Waiting – at least Sina thought they had. Then, when Anne had Sina gathered up and taken to the Scottish Highlands to be wed to a Highland savage, she couldn’t believe Anne would betray her like that. When she arrived at Camlochlin Castle she was terrified, but not so terrified that she couldn’t at least try to get out of it – but – to defy the Queen. Oh! What a dilemma. Well – she might have to marry him, but she didn’t have to make it easy on him and she surely didn’t have to consummate the marriage.

Adam MacGregor is the oldest son of the clan chief. Adam is tall, strong, handsome as sin, and loves his life as a single man. He has no ambition to follow as clan chief and is actively promoting his sister to fill that role. Then, a coach arrives with a female aboard and orders for him to marry her. Although Adam has no desire to marry, especially not a stranger, he knows he must follow the Queens orders so he can keep his clan safe. The MacGregors have been proscribed, but they have been mostly left alone because of the MacGregor’s relationship with Queen Anne. This marriage is Anne’s way of keeping the MacGregor’s safe after she dies. Adam sucks it up and decides to make the best of the marriage. Since they have no choice but to wed, they might as well make the best of it and try to be happy. Well – he might as well try, because apparently, Sina has no intention of cooperating.

I loved watching Adam slowly but surely wooing Sina. Who could resist him? He’s wonderful, thoughtful, caring and interested. Sina fights the attraction, but it is useless. Just as Sina comes to the conclusion that she cares, Queen Anne dies, Sina’s father becomes King and he demands Sina’s return to court. How can Adam let her go when she has come to mean so much to him? How can Sina leave when Adam has come to mean so much to her? Again, they have no choice.

Half of this novel takes place at Camlochlin Castle on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands and the other half takes place in London. It was fun watching Adam show up all of those dandy London Lords. Could Adam win over the King and leave London with his wife? You’ll definitely be rooting for Adam and Sina to find their HEA.

I hope you’ll enjoy the book as much as I did. If you find yourself disliking Sina in the beginning, just remember who she is and what has happened to her – and – put yourself in her place. Would you handle that any better than she did? I wouldn’t.

“I requested and received this e-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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