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

To Marry a Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander1 Comment

To Marry a Highlander (The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #2)Barbara’s rating: 4.4 of 5 Stars
Series: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #2
Publication Date: 4/8/22
Period: Jacobean/Stuart Era (1655) – Scottish Highlands
Number of Pages: 189

Conall Sutherland loves women and they love him, so why shouldn’t he take advantage of the favors offered to him? He has probably slept with most of the women in his part of Scotland – and any parts of Scotland he’s ever visited. He has three rules though – no innocents, no married women, and absolutely none of them should expect marriage. He makes that very clear to any and all. However, since his brother’s very happy marriage, those trysts have felt a little less satisfying. Still, he isn’t going to marry, so why not enjoy the bounty? His older brother, the Laird, has told him repeatedly that his lifestyle will come back to bite him – and bite him in a major way. Conall doesn’t buy that at all – goodness – he takes precautions and he always leaves the ladies happy – what could go wrong?

Maura MacEwan and Conall were childhood friends but grew apart when his lifestyle changed to one of lusting after every female in Scotland. Maura has always admired Conall and would welcome a future with him if he were a different man, but he isn’t, so that will never happen. Not being a quiet submissive young woman, she lets him know what she thinks of him and his ways every time they are near each other. He should certainly have no doubt about how she feels.

So, how did Conall get caught kissing the innocent Maura you ask? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out, but caught they were! Maura’s outraged brothers were torn between killing Conall and forcing marriage. Fortunately, they chose to force a marriage.

Many of Conall’s former conquests lived/worked at the castle and they harass Maura in hundreds of ways. Maura is up to handling those women, but when something totally unexpected and out of the blue happens – nobody will believe Conall. Why – well, remember his brother’s comments about his lifestyle coming back to bite him? Yep – and it had really sharp teeth!

This was a fun, entertaining read and I definitely recommend it. It is well written, well-paced and the characters are appealing. I hope you will give the book a read and will love it as much as I did.

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

View all my reviews

To Deceive a Highlander: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series1 Comment

To Deceive a Highlander: The Sutherlands of Dornoch CastleBarbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #1
Publication Date: 2/28/22
Period: Jacobean/Stuart Era (1653) – Scottish Highlands
Number of Pages: 187

Laird Haydon Sutherland is a man who is large and in charge! He brooks no argument; his decisions are final; he needs no advice; he knows a woman’s role is to provide bairns and keep the castle. Aren’t you already looking forward to him meeting the woman who will take him down a notch or two? If not, you certainly should be because Lady Ainslee Johnstone doesn’t take well to direction. Oil and water you say? Well, perhaps, but a lesser woman would soon become lost in the background.

With the hint of war in the air and a castle keep that needs a good mistress, Haydon decides it is time for him to wed. He doesn’t want love and affection. No, he wants a meek, mild, totally biddable wife who will do as she is ordered when she is ordered. He travels to Laird Johnstone’s to meet and arrange a betrothal with one of his twin daughters. Upon meeting them, he quickly determines that while they may look alike, that is where the similarities end. So, his choice is made almost as soon as they are introduced – it is Lady Isobel for him. She is quiet and biddable – just what he is looking for.

Lady Isobel and Lady Ainslee are very close – even for twins. They have never spent any time apart and even still share the same room though they are adults. When their father tells them of Laird Sutherland’s imminent arrival and a betrothal for one of them, they do not take it well. Typically, they each deal with the announcement in different ways. Isobel with quiet, shy, reluctant dread and Ainslee with loud, vocal, argumentative objections. When the Laird quickly chooses Isobel, Ainslee knows she has to do something to save her sister. Isobel could never withstand marriage to and life with such an arrogant oaf. The solution is simple – they are twins – they’ll just change places and Ainslee will marry Haydon. He’ll never know the difference – right?

Can they get away with it? Can Ainslee tame the savage beast? Well, you’ll just have to read the story to find out. I really liked Ainslee from the first, but I think it was Haydon who really kept me interested and reading because I couldn’t wait to see him get his comeuppance. I hope you’ll read the story and enjoy it as much as I did.

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

View all my reviews