BLOG TOUR – A Laird in London by Catherine Tinley

A Laird in London

There’s a new Laird in town

Will he leave with a wife?

Angus MacDonald has just arrived in London to reclaim his land when he rescues Lady Isabella Wood from a cattle stampede! Their instant attraction is undeniable, but Isabella must wed this Season and Angus isn’t looking for a bride. His wild Hebridean home is a world away from London Society, so Isabella is completely out-of-bounds. Even if their connection is unlike anything he’s felt before.

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Author Bio:

Catherine Tinley is a multi-award-winning author of witty, heartwarming historical romance. Her first novel, Waltzing with the Earl, won the Rita® Award for Best Historical Romance in 2018, while Rags-to-Riches Wife won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2021 as well as the HOLT Medallion, and A Waltz with the Outspoken Governess won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2022.

She has loved reading and writing since childhood and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, maternity campaigning, and being President of a charity, she now manages a maternity hospital. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, cats, and dog and can be reached via her website, or find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Full links are here.

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Tracy’s Review:

A Laird in LondonA Laird in London by Catherine Tinley

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Lairds of the Isles, #2

Release Date: December 27, 2022

After months of trying and failing to purchase the adjoining estate of Lidistrome from Viscount Burtenshaw, Angus MacDonald, Laird of Broch Clachan, decides to go to see the man in London. The Englishman’s family was given the estate by the King after the battle of Culloden, but no one has ever visited the island or even maintained the property, which is falling into disrepair, yet they continue to collect and raise the rents, which has seen many families leaving, which is something that Angus cannot stand to see happening any longer. So Angus and his sister Eilidh set out for London, but soon find that without connections, London society is almost impossible to infiltrate, and without going about in society, his chances of meeting Lord Burtenshaw are almost nil. In an attempt to meet people, the siblings have been walking in the park, and thanks to a stampede of cows, they make the acquaintance of Miss Isabella Wood, when Angus saves her from being trampled.

Isabella is having a bad day, first, she is in London for the season and second, she must find a husband before the season ends, or her eldest brother and guardian, Viscount Burtenshaw will find one for her. But things begin to look up when she literally runs into a handsome Scotsman who saves her life. Days later, Isabella gets her middle brother Max to join her for a walk and they meet the MacDonald siblings again, and after a bit of wariness on Max’s part, a true friendship between them starts, but Eilidh warns Isabella that Angus is not in the market for a wife and if he were, he would marry a girl from the island. Isabella tries to take that advice to heart, but can’t seem to stop herself from falling for him. Angus feels the same for her but is sure that Isabella could never be happy in his remote section of Scotland and tries to ignore his feelings and stick to the task at hand – which surprisingly becomes easier when he learns that Isabella is Lord Burtenshaw’s sister. But when Isabella becomes betrothed and Lord Burtenshaw makes it clear that he will never sell Lidistrome to him, Angus admits defeat and makes plans to return to Scotland empty-handed and broken-hearted. Just when it looks like HEA is impossible, help comes from the last person you would expect, but will Angus be in time to claim Isabella, or are they destined to be star-crossed lovers?

This was a well-written, interesting romance with very likable characters. The book wasn’t quite what I was expecting and moved a lot slower than I would have liked. What I really like about this book was the “fish out of water” trope with Angus and Eilidh, it was a fresh twist and I appreciated that. I also enjoyed the inclusion of Beau Brummell, as well as the St. James herd, both were incorporated into the story perfectly. The book is a no-steam romance, with love scenes limited to kisses, and there is definitely a second romance brewing, which I am hoping will be the next book. Overall, it was a nice read, it was a little slow but still enjoyable.

*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.*

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Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

Never Cross a HighlanderNever Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: December 27, 2022

Ailsa Connery was born and raised in the Highlands, the daughter of a freewoman of African descent and a Scottish warrior. Prior to her death, her mother was a healer, a role that Ailsa had been trained to take over. But three years ago, while at a gathering she was mistaken by a guard for a slave purchased for the King, and ignoring her protests, she was pressed into service as a maid to Princess Elizabeth. And despite previous failed attempts to escape, Ailsa is sure her new plan is foolproof. Or it was until an interfering highlander decided to “rescue” her.

Kallum MacNeill is also of African descent and was raised as the son of the Laird’s brother but is known to many as the infamous Highland warrior known as Auld Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil. But unbeknownst to most, this fearsome warrior is also known by another moniker, The Shepherd, who for the last five years, has been secretly liberating enslaved people across Scotland and helping them escape to England. Which is exactly what he thinks he is doing for the woman who saved his life, but it won’t be long before the lovely and feisty lass sets him straight and demands to be returned to her clan!

This was a fascinating story, featuring a slow-burn romance between two amazing, unforgettable characters as they fall in love and overcome many obstacles on the journey to find their HEA. I thought the writing was good, although a little wordy, but not bad for a debut novel, the real issue was the pacing, the book was a slow read, until the halfway mark, where it leveled out until the rush to the ending. In addition to that, I was concerned about the inaccurate historical facts until I read the Author’s notes where she explains that this book is a work of fiction and that she did manipulate some historical facts to work with her story, stressing that this book was for the purpose of entertainment. I also appreciated her book suggestions to further educate readers on the issue of slavery in this era. Overall, this was a Highland adventure unlike any that you have ever read, touching on some sensitive issues as well as incorporating the problems that all people have when falling in love, with an added touch of danger and a dash of steam.

*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.*