Category: Restoration Era (1660-1714)

The Restoration of the English monarchy took place during the Stuart period. It began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under the Stuart King Charles II. It followed the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.More at Wikipedia
Preceded by: Interregnum
Followed by: Georgian era
Monarch: Charles II, James II, William III, Mary II, Anne

A Rose in the Highlands by Heather McCollum

On By TracyIn Restoration Era (1660-1714), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Rose in the HighlandsA Rose in the Highlands by Heather McCollum
Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Roses School, #1

Release Date: September 24, 2018

Evelyn Worthington flees to the Highlands with her maid and her sister Scarlet to avoid marriage to Lord Philip Sotheby. Her brother Nathaniel recently purchased a forfeited castle and has given Evelyn three months to prove she can support herself. Their father left instructions in his will that if Evelyn didn’t marry Philip, she would be left penniless and her inheritance would go to Nathaniel and Scarlet. Nathaniel gives her an opportunity to remain unwed, but he can only hold off Philip for so long.

Evelyn’s idea is to start a school at the castle and Scarlet has her own reasons for going with her. They arrive during a storm and are shocked at what they find – a burned castle and a hostile, half dressed highlander ordering them to leave, at sword point! When Evelyn tries to explain that she owns the castle and shows him the bill of sale, he burns it and orders her off his land.

Greyson “Grey” Campbell is the chief of the Campbells or Breadalbane and Finlarig Castle. His father was killed by the English and they told him his lands were forfeited for treasonous acts against the crown. The English soldiers under the command of Capt. Cross go as far as to try and burn them out of the castle, severely injuring Grey’s cousin and commander, Aiden. When the English girl shows up saying she is now the owner, he is angry and acts rashly, but he is firm, this is his castle. She follows him in and immediately starts making plans for her school. He plays along, but tells his clan to hinder her.

Evelyn is a wonderful heroine, she is intelligent, kind, compassionate and truly horrified by what the soldiers have done to these people. If she was not so desperate, she would give Grey back his castle, but for now, that is not an option, so she sets out to befriend (and bribe, if necessary) the clan. Grey is attracted to her and finds himself softening to her, despite his desire to clear his parents names and reclaim his castle.

I really enjoyed the story, it is well written and interesting, with wonderful characters, steamy love scenes, really vile villains, secrets, lies and a seemingly impossible HEA. My major problem with the book was the complete butchering of titles – it is really a personal pet peeve and doesn’t affect the story – but it irked me to no end and cost the book a 1/2 star. Aside from that, I liked the book and would be happy to recommend it and look forward to next installment.

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

The Blood Reaver by Barbara Devlin

On By TracyIn Novella, Restoration Era (1660-1714)4 Comments

The Blood Reaver (Pirates of Britannia Book 6)The Blood Reaver by Barbara Devlin
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Pirates of Britannia, #6

Release Date: April 24, 2018

Turner Reyson aka the Blood Reaver meets Rose Armistead in a brothel in Port Royal. She is waving a gun and demanding the return of her stolen trunk. He wants her and what he wants, he gets.

Her trunk returned, Rose leaves, Turner follows, introductions are made and she negotiates passage back to Charles Town for herself, her mother and her brother. Turner agrees for three reasons, he needs the money, the possibility of Spanish galleons and he wants her.

He convinces his crew to pretend to be merchants and then sets his plan to seduce her into motion. But Rose is much more than he expected and when she learns the truth, even the love she has for him may not be enough for a HEA.

This was a great novella, well written and fast moving story with pirates, a heroine who is a shrewd negotiator, a lusty sea captain, sea battles, steamy love scenes, treasure and a great HEA complete with an epilogue! This is the sixth book in the Pirates of Britannia series, but can easily be read as a stand alone title.