Category: Scottish/Highlander

Carnage from the Cursed Crown by Deb Marlowe

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Carnage from the Cursed Crown (The Kier and Levett Mystery, #5)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Kier and Levett Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 8/7/24

Oh! My Goodness, this was the best book of the series so far. Kara Levett and her betrothed Niall Kier (newly minted Duke of Sedwick) are in East Lothian, Scotland to inspect his new estate, Tallenford Priory. The estate has been closed and in the care of the Crown for many years, so they have no idea whether it is habitable or not. In the meantime, they will be staying with the Earl of Balstone on his neighboring estate until they can examine the priory and make it habitable. Except, their hostess is very unwelcoming and condescending and their host, well, he appears a bit off his rocker.

Niall and Kara are both determined not to get involved in the investigation when their neighbor’s archaeological assistant is murdered. It seems the murderer has other plans and draws them not only into murder investigation but the investigation of other crimes as well. It seems to be a domino effect with clues in one investigation leading to clues in many other crimes. They know they must follow the clues to the end and solve all of the crimes because multiple attempts have been made on Niall’s life – and that just won’t do.

One of the outstanding things about reading this series is the absolute trust and belief Niall and Kara have in each other. Their love for each other never wavers and their belief in the other’s intelligence and abilities is absolute. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them dissect the clues and follow them to the end where villains get their just desserts and the heroes get the loveliest, most heartwarming final chapter I think I have ever read.

If you are looking for an excellent mystery, with lots of clues and lots of mysteries, along with a bit of romance, this book would be an outstanding choice. The characters are interesting and the mysteries are compelling. This author has done an excellent job of providing the perfect mix of romance and mystery and I am so glad to have read it.

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

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Maggie and the Pirate’s Son by Rose Prendeville

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Maggie and the Pirate’s Son (Brides of Chattan #3)Maggie and the Pirate’s Son by Rose Prendeville

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Brides of Chattan, #3

Release Date: July 30, 2024

When Maggie Budge nee Mackintosh learns that her father has chosen another husband for her, now that her year of mourning is over, Maggie decides that one husband was more than enough and bolts. She stows away on a ship in the harbor and plans to start a new life, wherever the ship takes her. But things go bad quickly as she is seasick and severely dehydrated when she is found by Sebastian “Bash” MacLeod, the captain’s son and boatswain/sailing master of the Pirate ship, Auldfarrand’s Revenge. Bash hides her in plain sight and plans to send her back to Scotland as soon as they make landfall, but until they do, Maggie is introduced to the crew as a young boy, Magnus and has her act as his cabin boy. Maggie actually takes well to life on the sea, and soon finds herself falling hard for Sebastian. But there are things she doesn’t know and when the captain’s quest to find his lost treasure almost costs Bash his life, Maggie wants nothing more than to return home, with Bash by her side. Unfortunately, Bash is practically a prisoner on the ship and doesn’t believe he is worthy of Maggie’s love. What will it take for these two to find their HEA?

Born to a Jamaican woman who sadly passed away not long after arriving in Scotland to find Bash’s father, he spent the first nine years of his life being passed from family to family until his father, Cornelius “Mad” MacLeod takes him on his ship and refuses to let him leave. When he meets Maggie it is practically love at first sight for him. He will do anything to protect her, including taking a beating for her and saving her from the other crew members, by letting them think what they will about him. He would love nothing more than to leave the ship and start a life with her, but with his crazy father on a quest for his lost gold and a navy captain hot on their heels, happy ever after seems impossible. Even if he could leave the ship, he has nothing to offer her and that will never do! It will take a miracle to give him the life he has always dreamed of with Maggie, and Bash has never been that lucky. When all seems lost, a miracle comes in the most amazing way possible, proving sometimes good things happen to good people!

This was a very good story with incredibly likable characters, Sebastian especially. This is not your typical HR read, but it is a very good read nonetheless. I did think the story lagged in places, but overall, it held my attention and really drew me into the story. The book has secrets, danger, great secondary characters, buried treasure, pirates, steamyish love scenes (with a virgin hero!), friendships, life or death moments, reunions, and finally a very sweet ending complete with an epilogue featuring cameos from characters from the previous books. I would happily recommend this book to HR readers, especially those who like a good pirate story!

4.5 stars, rounded up.

*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. *