Category: Top Pick – Highly Recommended

The Highlander’s Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander's Stolen Bride (Highland Alliances, #3)The Highlander’s Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Alliances, #3

Release Date: March 29, 2022

After the death of his father, Calum Campbell, the new head of the banished Campbell clan, just wants peace and to return to Scotland. After his father’s antics, he has little hope that Ross, the MacMillan Chieftain will listen to him, but Calum has a plan, he will abduct Ross’ sister Elspeth and hold her hostage until Ross agrees to a meeting.

Elspeth is on her way to meet her soon-to-be betrothed when the Campbells take her. The Campbell chief killed her father and uncle and were banished from Scotland by the king, their lands given to several clans, including hers. But the Campbell is back and wreaking havoc in an attempt to regain their lands. She is sure they are evil, but once they get to Ireland, she realizes that they are starving and Calum is not his father, he wants peace and a chance to save his clan. She agrees to help them and writes to Ross and sets up a meeting.

Things become complicated by the attraction between them, and each wants to be true to their clans. They hope the meeting with Ross will clear the air and peace can be achieved. But things don’t go as planned and when she learns of more Campbell attacks while she was in Ireland, her father in Calum’s innocence waivers – but when her betrothed grabs her, it is Calum who saves her and when he swears he doesn’t know anything about the attacks, she decides to appeal to her other brother for help. But when they come across another “Campbell” attack in progress, they realize the truth and know that things are going to get much worse unless they can convince Ross that Calum is innocent, which is a seemingly impossible task and makes their chances for a HEA even more unlikely.

This is the final book in the collaboration trilogy following the MacMillan siblings and in my opinion, this one is the best of the three. Calum and Elspeth have such great chemistry and of the three couples, they have the most to overcome. The book is filled with action, intrigue, betrayal, steamy love scenes, shocking revelations, big twists, a nail-biting-hanging on the edge of your seat-OMG ending, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I loved this book and highly recommend it. This is the third book in the series, and while you could read this as a standalone title, I would strongly recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

How to be a Wallflower by Eloisa James

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

How to Be a Wallflower (Would-Be Wallflowers, #1)How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Would-be Wallflowers, #1

Release Date: March 29, 2022

After the death of her mother Julia, Miss Cleopatra “Cleo” Lewis, the owner of the very successful Lewis Commodes company, sets out to fulfill her mother’s last wish and has reconciled with her estranged grandfather. Julia was a “free spirit” and though raised as a proper lady, she eloped with the blacksmith’s son and proceeded to live life on her own terms, which included taking lovers and following traveling acting troupes. When Cleo tells her dresser that she has agreed to participate in the season with her grandfather and plans to don the role of a wallflower since her own experience and her mother’s behavior has left her with no desire to marry, her dresser suggests that Cleo visit Quimby’s Emporium for her attire. It is here that Cleo meets Jacob “Jake” Astor Addison and then proceeds to buy the Emporium out from under him.

Jake is in London to visit his dearest friend, Merry the Duchess of Trent, and to convince Martha Quimby to relocate to the States and design costumes for his theaters – something he thought was a done deal until he is thwarted by Cleo. Before their meeting Jake had planned to return to America and marry a very nice girl, he even purchased a ring, but all that changed after Cleo came into his life, and now nothing will stop him from winning her – not even a ridiculous agreement to pick each other’s wardrobes. Jake plans to win Cleo’s heart, one kiss, and one kipper at a time, and it seems like he might be successful, that is until a well-meaning letter results in an unexpected visit that may cost him the love of his life.

What a great start to a new series! This was a well-written, nicely-paced story with wonderful characters. The story is both fun and piquant, it is filled with emotion, witty banter, a relationship-shy heroine, a brawny, kipper-loving hero, a great cast of secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, an opal ring, and a very sweet ending complete with an epilogue. I really loved this book and Jake has taken his place in my top five of all-time heroes. I also loved Cleo, but I agree with another reviewer who stated that her resistance to marriage was dragged out a little too long – not so much as to be annoying, but enough to be a bit tiresome. All in all, it was an excellent read and I can’t wait to read the next installment!

*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.*