Category: Scottish/Highlander

The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Smuggler's Christmas Rogue: (Scot to the Heart #5)The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue: by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Scot to the Heart, #5

Release Date: July 2, 2024

During her first season, Miss Sheena MacGregor met and fell in love with Camdyn Oaks, Earl of Irvine and heir to the Marquess Walsingham. She believed that he loved her too, but on the night he begs her to elope with him, her brothers and uncle arrive from Scotland as well as Camdyn’s father, and the ugly truth of how they met is revealed and just like that Sheena’s heart is broken. She immediately returns to Scotland determined to forget she ever laid eyes on Camdyn. But fate has other plans and a year and a half later, Sheena and her brother Ewan find themselves in need of shelter for the night and must to her dismay, end up at Oakley Park, the home of the Marquess Walsingham.

Camdyn Oaks, now Marquess Walsingham, is still in love with Sheena, though he tries to move on, he soon realizes that she is the only woman for him and sets out to win her back. Her family stands by her refusal to see him or even speak of him, but her uncle finally listens to Camdyn’s side and agrees to help him by letting him know when they go to Edinburgh and what events they will attend, but he will not force Sheena to talk to him. Happy for the chance to see her again, Camdyn returns to his estate to wait for word, but a few days before Christmas, Sheena and her brother arrive on his doorstep seeking shelter. Overjoyed by the unexpected opportunity to reconcile with Sheena, Camdyn welcomes them with open arms. But it is clear that Sheena wants nothing to do with him and plans to leave the next morning. But when help for his cause comes from an unlikely source, Camdyn will not waste a second of the limited time he has, because he knows that Sheena is his only chance for happily ever again and he won’t let her slip away a second time without a fight.

The was a very sweet second chance for romance between feuding families. Sheena was hurt deeply and unwilling to give Camdyn a chance to explain himself and refused to believe his claims of love, I understood her bitterness, but I felt that she held on to that bitterness a bit longer than necessary. Other than that small quibble, I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this novella.

Note: This story was previously published in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology and is part of the Scot to the Heart series with a connection to the Trents.

*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. *

Never Marry A Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Never Marry a Highlander: The Mackays of Dun Ugadale

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The MacKays of Dun Ugadale #2
Publication Date: 3/15/24
Period: Jacobean/Stewart Era – 1616
Number of Pages: 194

Craig MacKay is a highly skilled warrior. He’s handsome, he’s brave, he’s intelligent, he’s honorable, and the ladies love him as much as he loves them. He has always claimed he’ll never marry – so – what is he doing volunteering to marry the woman to whom his brother is betrothed? His brother, Robin, their Laird, is in love with another woman. Robin will marry the woman to whom he is betrothed out of honor, but he’ll be miserable – and Craig knows it. It was an arranged marriage that was foisted upon Robin and Craig is pretty sure the betrothed’s brother won’t care which MacKay brother marries his sister as long as one of them does. Turns out he is right – and he has a new bride.

Lady Lenora Gunn Gordon is a widow and the sister of Laird David Gunn. Lenora’s world is one of abuse and distrust. The males who should have protected and cared for her used her as a punching bag instead. Her father didn’t even recognize her when he saw her in the hallway, David beat her and then married her off to an abusive husband who also beat and raped her, and after her husband died David took over the abuse again. No, Lenora does not trust any man – and never will. She has no choice but to accept the change in betrotheds, and why should she care since it has all been her brother’s choice? This MacKay will be just one more man to control and abuse her.

I enjoyed getting to know Lenora and Craig as they negotiated their way over the many pitfalls along the way to their HEA. Lenora fought a hard battle to keep from coming to trust and love Craig, but it was one she couldn’t win. Craig was always kind, caring, concerned, and interested and he wore her down – she couldn’t help coming to care for him. The same was true for Craig. He never expected to come to care for the termagant who became his wife. He expected they would both lead their individual lives. I enjoyed seeing the two work through their differences.

I missed reading the first book in this series and will begin reading it as soon as I finish writing this review. That means that I really enjoyed this book – and that this book can be read as a standalone. You’ll want to read the first book, but you don’t have to enjoy this one.

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