Category: Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454)

In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or Medieval Period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is the middle period of the three traditional divisions of Western history: classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period. The medieval period is itself subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages.

The Highlander’s Substitute Wife by Terri Brisbin — Blog Tour

On By BarbaraIn Author Collaboration Series, Barb's Reviews, Blog Tour, Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment
Released: January 25th 2022 by Harlequin Historical

The Highlander’s Substitute Wife

She’s the best wife…

…he never wanted!

Ross MacMillan lifts his bride’s veil…and discovers it’s not the woman he’d agreed to marry but her beautiful younger sister, Ilysa MacDonnell! The new MacMillan chieftain must accept Ilysa as his wife, for retaining his clan’s lands depends on her father’s support. But why is she there? Are her aims to help him or her father? Drawing out Ilysa’s secrets will kindle an alliance more powerful—and passionate!—than Ross ever imagined…

Highland Alliances:  Convenient marriages to save their clan!
Book 1: The Highlander’s Substitute Wife by Terri Brisbin

Book 2: The Highlander’s Tactical Marriage by Jenni Fletcher

Book 3: The Highlander’s Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin

Purchase Link – www.books2read.com/HighlandersSubstituteWife

Author Bio:

Award-winning, USA Today best-selling author Terri Brisbin is a mom, a wife, grandmom! and a dental hygienist and has sold more than 3 million copies of her historical and paranormal romance novels and novellas in more than 25 countries and 20 languages around the world. Her current and upcoming historical and paranormal/fantasy romances will be published by Dragonblade, Harlequin Historicals, and Oliver Heber Books, too.

Visit www.terribrisbin.com for more info about Terri, her works, and upcoming events.

Connect with her on FB at www.facebook.com/terribrisbinauthor or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/terribrisbin

Social Media Links –

www.facebook.com/terribrisbinauthor

www.instagram.com/terribrisbin

Barbara’s Review

Ross MacMillan was made clan chief after the Campbell’s attacked them and killed his uncle, the former chief. Ross knows alliances must be made – and made quickly – if they are going to keep the clan safe. The best way to do that is with strategic marriages for himself, his brother Fergus, and his sister Elspeth. Ross’ marriage to Lilidh MacDonnell is arranged to occur by proxy because Ross has to see to the needs of his clan after the attack. Ross sent his cousin Dougal to represent him and Dougal was ever vigilant to see if trickery was afoot. The MacDonnell chieftain is widely known to be sly and calculating with only his interests in mind. Too bad for Dougal that he wasn’t quite vigilant enough – but – how could he know?

Ilysa MacDonnell has spent the last three years in a nunnery after having been banished by her father. Ilysa had planned the rest of her life there because she was comfortable being useful and helping others. It was a far cry from the cruelty and abuse of living in her father’s home. She doesn’t miss the fripperies and silk gowns because she actually enjoys the sturdier work dresses she has chosen to wear. All of that changes when, in the middle of the night, a group of warriors barge into the nunnery and forcefully remove Ilysa. Yes, her father is plotting again, and she appears to be in the middle of it.

Ilysa is only told she is marrying the new MacMillan chieftain – and she is made to heavily cover her face and hair for the ceremony. She notices the priest has misspoken her name, but he is new to her, so it must just be an error. Or not …

Ross is expecting some mischief from the MacDonnel chieftain but certainly doesn’t expect to receive the wrong bride. That is a strong insult to the MacMillan clan and any other chieftain would quickly blame Ilysa for what has happened and take his anger out on her. Ross doesn’t do that – but he doesn’t trust her either. He’s quite sure MacDonnell has put one or more spies into his household – Ilysa for one, but she is also accompanied by soldiers and he knows he cannot let his guard down for a moment. He’ll do his duty and consummate the marriage, but that will be all of the contact they have.

Ilysa is filled with fear because that is what she’s lived with all of her life. Ross hates to see his new wife cower when he comes near – and he hates to see the fear in her eyes. Can he trust her – maybe? Can he convince her to trust him?

Ilysa and Ross have so much going against them. There are multiple enemies and multiple plots against them. Can they learn to love and trust each other? Will one of those insidious plots tear them apart? Can they love enough, trust enough, to weather what fate has in store for them? You’ll just have to read this engrossing story to see for yourself.

Highland Wolf by Lynsay Sands

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Highland WolfHighland Wolf by Lynsay Sands

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Brides, #10

Release Date: January 25, 2022

The book opens with Claray MacFarlane being dragged to the chapel to marry. She was visiting her cousin when her uncle proceeded to force her to marry her father’s neighbor Laird MacNaughton, in a plan to obtain her father’s estate. But thankfully she is saved from that fate when she is rescued by the warrior known as the Wolf – Conall MacDonald. He tells her he has been sent by her father to bring her home. And they set out immediately to avoid a confrontation with the MacNaughton. What Claray doesn’t know is Conall is actually Bryson MacDonald – her betrothed, whom she has been led to believe died 22 years ago. Something that is a bit a tender subject, since her father has refused to consider any other suitors for her.

When his entire family and most of his clan were murdered, he escaped and made his way to his uncle Ross MacKay who changed his name and sent him to be raised by the Sinclairs. For years he has been working as a mercenary, intending to return to his family home Deagh Fhortan. Only a handful of people know he didn’t die with his family, Claray’s father among them. For years he has been asking Conall to marry Claray, and for years Conall has put him off. But now that she is in danger, he knows the time has come. During their travels back to her father’s house, he has come to know her and is very attracted to her, which is evidenced by the heated kisses they share. But he also admires her and is amused by her and her proclivity to find wounded/abandoned animals.

They reach her father’s home and they are met by the MacKay and two of her Buchanan cousins. They marry and set off to reclaim Deagh Fhortan. They arrive and have their work cut out for them, but things are going well between them and it seems like they will have their HEA. But it is soon clear that someone is still trying to kill them – but is it the MacNaughton or the person who killed Conall’s family?

This was a fun addition to the series and the book was classic Lynsay Sands. The book is chock full of humor, steamy love scenes, wonderful characters, more than one deranged lunatic, a great supporting cast, several rescued animals, a couple of surprising twists, and finally a well-deserved HEA. I will admit that book did have a bit of a “Disney Princess” feel to it, but with steamy love scenes instead of bursts of spontaneous song. But it was fun and I enjoyed it. It is the tenth book in the series, but this book is very loosely connected and can easily be read as a standalone title.

*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.*