Category: Scottish/Highlander

Highland Promise by Alyson McLayne

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

Highland Promise (The Sons of Gregor MacLeod #1)Highland Promise by Alyson McLayne

Series: Sons of Gregor MacLeod, #1

Release Date: October 3, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very enjoyable read, I hadn’t read anything by this author before, but I really liked her writing style and will definitely be reading the future books in this series!

The book opens with the set up for the series, in which Gregor MacLeod has defeated five other clans and demands that they foster their sons with him. He will raise the boys as brothers and teach them to be honorable warriors. The fathers have varying reactions, but in the end they all agree.

Darach MacKenzie first meets Caitlin MacInnes when he rescues her from his greatest enemy, Laird Fraser. Caitlin has been beaten and is barely coherent when Darach saves her – she is grateful to him, but doesn’t entirely trust him. So she only tells him part of her story – leaving out some very important details. Darach is attracted to Caitlin, but he has been burned by love and is not willing to let this woman into his heart, no matter how lovely or charming she is!

Caitlin is a delightful heroine, she is kind, naïve, innocent and funny, she also is trouble looking for a place to happen – no intentionally, but trouble seems to follow her, especially as she is a trifle impulsive. Even with all the problems she causes, everyone who meets her, likes her and she has a very giving nature and gift with both animals and people.

As Darach comes to know Caitlin better, the more he wants her, but marriage is not something he is willing to consider – or is he? Once he finally decides to marry her, all hell breaks loose and the secrets Caitlin has been hiding may tear them apart.

I really liked this book, it vaguely reminded me of Mary McCall’s book – which coincidentally is also titled “Highland Promise”. It is a moving story with characters that have suffered a lot pain and betrayal, but it is lightened up considerably by Caitlin’s misadventures and charming personality and Darach’s responses to her. The writing is good, the story moves at a good pace, it is amusing, has steamy love scenes, great secondary characters, evil villains, a soulmate type of love and a satisfying ending.

I did feel like the end of the book was rushed a little bit, but it didn’t really take anything away from my overall enjoyment of the story. I would be happy to recommend this title and look forward to reading future books about the rest of the “brothers”.

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

The Scot Beds His Wife by Kerrigan Byrne

On By TracyIn Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Scot Beds His Wife (Victorian Rebels)The Scot Beds His Wife by Kerrigan Byrne

Series: Victorian Rebels, #5

Release Date: October 3, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Kerrigan Byrne has delivered another amazing installment in her Victorian Rebels series!

The blurb for this book doesn’t even begin to skim the surface of this book and in my opinion is a tad misleading. Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne is a man-ho – he is a gorgeous man and takes full advantage of his effect on women. He uses his “wiles” to get what he wants and right now he wants Erradale and the only thing standing in his way is Alison Ross.

When Samantha Masters met Alison Ross traveling to Scotland was the last thing on her mind, after all, it isn’t every day that you rob a train and kill your husband. Desperate to get away, she agrees to Alison’s outrageous scheme. Go to Erradale, assume Alison’s identity and prevent Gavin from claiming her lands. Alison doesn’t’ really want Erradale, she just doesn’t want Gavin to have it or an Mackenzie for that matter – understandable considering Gavin’s father killed hers.

It is impossible to give an in depth review of this book without spoilers, so all I am going to say is – READ THE BOOK! The writing is stellar, the story flies, there are secrets upon secrets, steamy love scenes, heartbreak, deception, betrayal, life and death moments, a heroine with a very dirty mouth and a hero who likes it. There are wonderful secondary characters, cameos from Liam and Mena and the introduction of “the Rook” – who may or may not be another brother – but after reading about him, I am going to re-read the Highwayman to see if I can find the connection! The book is a little dark, but not as dark as some of the previous books and of all the heroes she has written, Gavin is the only one that I would consider “reformed” at the end of the book.

I can’t recommend this series highly enough – this book is the fifth book in the Victorian Rebels series, but it could be read as a stand alone title, however, you will enjoy it much more if you have at least read the previous book “the Highlander”.

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