Category: Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714)

The Stuart Era is 1603-1714 and The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of James VI of Scotland, who also inherited the crown of England in 1603 as James I.
Preceded by: Elizabethan era
Followed by: Caroline era
Monarch: James VI and I

Highland Spy by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Highland Spy (The Mercenary Maidens, #1)Highland Spy by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Mercenary Maidens, #1

Release Date: March 14, 2023 – This is a revised & edited re-release

I liked this book, I was expecting a sort of “Point of No Return” type story and while there were some similar aspects between this book and that movie, this was definitely it’s own story. This is a very hard book to review without totally spoiling the story, so I am going to just give the basic premise of the story.

Ariana has been supporting herself by cheating at cards since her parents and her brother passed away, and up until she met Connor Grant she was getting away with it.

Connor is a displaced laird of a decimated clan, he runs a spy ring for King James and acts as his personal assassin. He has an agreement with the king, 10 years of service to the crown and then he will be free and his holdings returned to him. Connor uses women as his spies and believes he has found the perfect candidate when he catches Ariana cheating and blackmails her into joining his “girls”. Connor and Ariana share an instant attraction, but neither is in a position to act upon it. Connor never dallies with his “girls” and Ariana is noble born and therefore off limits as he has nothing to offer her.

Ariana reluctantly agrees to work with Connor and soon finds herself and another new recruit (Liv) sent off to the wilds of Scotland with Sylvi (one of Connor’s girls) for training. On the way to the castle, Liv becomes ill and Ariana fears for her life. Once they reach the castle, Ariana meets the other “girls”, Percy and Delilah. Percy is for lack of a better description – their “Q”. She comes up with gadgets and potions for the team and acts as the team’s healer. Percy immediately takes charge of Liv and with Ariana’s help, they slowly set her on the road to recovery.

Ariana begins her training and soon realizes that each girl has her own story and reason for being there. She takes well to the training and is soon ready to take on her first mission.

What follows is a mass of twists and turns in the plot, betrayal, secrets, more betrayal, more secrets, some steamy moments, followed by the hero acting like a jerk, followed by the heroine acting like an idiot, followed by the hero redeeming himself and the heroine learning what love really is. As always, the writing is impeccable and the story is gripping.

I would recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading the future installments featuring the rest of the “girls”.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that I received from NetGalley and the publisher*

Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

On By TracyIn Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Scottish/Highlander, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Never Cross a HighlanderNever Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: December 27, 2022

Ailsa Connery was born and raised in the Highlands, the daughter of a freewoman of African descent and a Scottish warrior. Prior to her death, her mother was a healer, a role that Ailsa had been trained to take over. But three years ago, while at a gathering she was mistaken by a guard for a slave purchased for the King, and ignoring her protests, she was pressed into service as a maid to Princess Elizabeth. And despite previous failed attempts to escape, Ailsa is sure her new plan is foolproof. Or it was until an interfering highlander decided to “rescue” her.

Kallum MacNeill is also of African descent and was raised as the son of the Laird’s brother but is known to many as the infamous Highland warrior known as Auld Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil. But unbeknownst to most, this fearsome warrior is also known by another moniker, The Shepherd, who for the last five years, has been secretly liberating enslaved people across Scotland and helping them escape to England. Which is exactly what he thinks he is doing for the woman who saved his life, but it won’t be long before the lovely and feisty lass sets him straight and demands to be returned to her clan!

This was a fascinating story, featuring a slow-burn romance between two amazing, unforgettable characters as they fall in love and overcome many obstacles on the journey to find their HEA. I thought the writing was good, although a little wordy, but not bad for a debut novel, the real issue was the pacing, the book was a slow read, until the halfway mark, where it leveled out until the rush to the ending. In addition to that, I was concerned about the inaccurate historical facts until I read the Author’s notes where she explains that this book is a work of fiction and that she did manipulate some historical facts to work with her story, stressing that this book was for the purpose of entertainment. I also appreciated her book suggestions to further educate readers on the issue of slavery in this era. Overall, this was a Highland adventure unlike any that you have ever read, touching on some sensitive issues as well as incorporating the problems that all people have when falling in love, with an added touch of danger and a dash of steam.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*