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 Earl by Amy Jarecki

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

The Highland Earl (Lords of the Highlands, #6)The Highland Earl by Amy Jarecki

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lords of the Highlands, #6

Release Date: June 25, 2019

Lady Evelyn Pierrepont is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull and supporter of the Jacobite cause. She spies on her father and reports her findings to Claude Dubois, a French national who supposedly has contact with Prince James while he is in exile.

John Erskine, the Earl of Mar, Secretary of State for Scotland and member of Queen Anne’s cabinet is still grieving the loss of his beloved wife Margaret. But his father’s crushing debts will push him prematurely out of mourning, he needs a proper wife to mother his young boys and one with a substantial dowry to clear the debt. Though she is 16 years his junior, Mar decides that Lady Evelyn would be the perfect wife for him.

After a bit of a rocky start, they marry and Eve continues her spying, but she begins to question Dubois’ loyalties. When she is set up to be caught, Mar tries to intervene and is labeled a traitor. This sets into motion a wild and unpredictable quest to clear his name and maybe get a second chance at love.

This was a well written book with a lot going on: spying, lies, secrets, betrayal, steamy love scenes, wonderful secondary characters, action, adventure and a surprise cameo from Aiden, Marquis of Tullibardine!! I did like the interaction between Eve and Mar, it was not insta-love and I liked that they took time to get to know each other, I felt the emotions felt; anger, hurt and forgiveness, were very realistic and well done. I also like that Ms. Jarecki uses actual historical figures for her characters and gives the reader in-depth facts about the real person and how she worked the events of their life into her story. Honestly, I did not get the whole “Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets Outlander” feeling – the beginning was sort of like True Lies, but definitely not Mr & Mrs Smith.

This book is the sixth book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone title, which I am happy to recommend.

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

Highland Salvation by Lori Ann Bailey

On By TracyIn Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

Highland Salvation (Highland Pride #4)Highland Salvation by Lori Ann Bailey
Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Pride #4

Release Date: April 22, 2019

Maybe 3.5

This story picks up shortly after the climatic events of Highland Temptation, Finlay Cameron, the bastard son of the English Earl of Middlesbrough and Catriona, the aunt of the Cameron laird is arriving at the McNab keep to deliver some bad news to Blair. Finlay has admired Blair from afar for years, but she was promised to Henry Graham and far above his touch. Finlay has to deliver this news and quickly ride to England and let the King know what is happening with the Covenanters in Scotland. He wouldn’t even be here if his friend John (Blair’s brother) hadn’t convinced him that Blair would handle the news better from him.

Blair has no desire to marry Henry, he is abusive and took far more than he should have from her, but she has no say in the matter, so when she learns that he is dead, she is relieved. That is until Henry’s vile cousin Bruce tries to blackmail her into marrying him. Salvation comes in the form of Finlay – he proposes marriage and she accepts. They leave the next day for the Cameron holding to get his laird’s blessing and then they marry and set off for England with several Cameron retainers in tow.

Finlay is happy to marry Blair, he knows Henry ruined her and he thinks she is pregnant, he can’t bear the thought that her child would be a bastard and he hopes that she can be his life partner and they can have the family he always hoped for. But when an attempt is made on his life, he wonders if Blair is trying to stop him from bringing news to the King – her father is known far and wide to support the Covenanters – could Blair be working on his behalf? For her part, Blair feels a little guilty for not telling Finlay about Bruce – especially when she spies him in the village, she worries that her marriage to Finlay may spark a clan war, but she hopes that Bruce will just give up now that she is wed. She wants to be happy with Finlay and hopes that he will let her be a partner.

But doubts, suspicions and secrets lay heavy between these two and more than one threat conspires to tear them apart.

This is the fourth book in the Highland Pride series and I would recommend reading the books in order – at minimum, read Highland Temptation before this story. The book is well written, but it is busy with numerous story lines, it is also a bit repetitious and the assumptions and doubts drag on for too long and make the ending feel rushed. Both Blair and Finlay are likable, the story lines are interesting and the epilogue ties up almost all the loose ends. I am glad I read the book, but I don’t think I would re-read it.

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