Category: Scottish/Highlander

The Highlander’s Christmas Countess by Anna Campbell

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

The Highlander's Christmas Countess (The Lairds Most Likely, #8)The Highlander’s Christmas Countess by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Lairds Most Likely, #8

Release Date: November 17, 2020

Quentin MacNab has been living with his uncle Hamish Douglas, Laird of Glen Lyon, acting as his assistant for the last six months. But recently he has noticed the new stable boy, Kit. He is sure something is not right about the boy and takes the opportunity to get him alone while gathering greenery for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. His suspicions are confirmed when they are caught in a blizzard and forced to take shelter – Kit is actually Christabel Urquhart, the Countess of Appin!

To escape her step-brother, Neil Maxwell’s plan to force her to marry his friend and steal a good portion of her inheritance, Christabel flees Appin and takes refuge with her father’s former head groom at Glen Lyon. She only has to keep hidden until her birthday on Christmas Day when she will reach her majority and will no long be subject to Neil. But her truth is revealed when she and Quentin have to spend the night in a woodsmen’s hut.

The next day they are rescued, but Emily, Hamish’s wife points out that while posing as a stable boy would cause some damage to her reputation, spending the night alone with Quentin will be a scandal she will not be able to withstand. She suggests that Kit be revealed to everyone as the Countess and that they marry ASAP. A solid, sensible plan – but will marriage be enough to save her from Neil? And will a forced marriage bring them the HEA they each long for?

I thought this was a well written, quick, uncomplicated read. The book has a bit of action, warm love scenes, cameos with other “Lairds” and their families and of course a HEA. I did feel like the conflict with Neil was resolved a bit to quickly which made the ending a smidge anti-climactic, but overall, I enjoyed the story and would happily recommend it. This is the eighth book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone title.

The Taming of a Highlander by Elisa Braden

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Taming of a Highlander (Midnight in Scotland #2)The Taming of a Highlander by Elisa Braden
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Midnight in Scotland, #2

Release Date: December 8, 2020

At the end of The Making of a Highlander the reader learns who was responsible for Broderick MacPherson’s imprisonment, but the why was a bit vague. Well, in this installment of the Midnight in Scotland series we learn the whole twisted story!

After the marriage of her brother John to Annie Tulloch, his sister Lady Katherine “Kate” Huxley decides to stay in Scotland for a while – she claims that Scotland is her muse and staying will help her finish her novel/play, but the truth is Kate doesn’t want to return to London and the marriage mart – she is the youngest of the Huxley children and has no desire to succumb to the “mind infection” like her siblings have – otherwise known as falling in love. But when she sees Broderick beating and possibly killing a man, marriage may be the only way to save him from returning to jail.

Broderick MacPherson has endured more than any person should, framed for a murder he didn’t commit and then ruthlessly beaten in prison to save a friend, he is no longer the man he used to be. Filled with darkness and rage, he wants justice and to make the man who was responsible for his torture punished. He finally tracks down the man and is mindlessly beating him when he hears a cry –he leaves the man to investigate, only to find his prey has escaped when he returns. He has no desire to marry, but when Kate blackmails him, he has not choice if he wants to stay out of jail and get his justice.

Kate figures marriage to Broderick is the perfect solution, she will be able to stay in Scotland, remain relatively independent and will be in no danger of falling in love – but things don’t always work out as planned and not only does she fall in love, but her desire to ease his pain almost gets her killed!

This was a well written, fast paced, very intense and at times dark story with wonderful characters and moments of lightness to even out the darkness. Broderick and Kate are absolutely fantastic leads and you can’t help but root for their HEA. The story is full of emotion, pain, betrayal, witty banter, bad singing, steamy love scenes, mystery, intrigue, a VERY evil villain, a dash of paranormal, great secondary characters, hold your breath moments, a nail-biting ending and a much deserved HEA. This is the second book in the series (and it has ties to the Rescued from Ruin series) and while it could be read as a standalone title, I would recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience.

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