Tracy’s Reviews – Page 379 – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Hunting for a Highlander by Lynsay Sands

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Brides, #8

Release Date; January 28, 2020

Dwyn Innes was invited to Buchanan Castle to meet the remaining unwed Buchanan brothers and possibly make a match. She meets Geordie Buchanan by accident when she climbs a tree to escape the taunts of the other “Brides”. Dwyn is no beauty, but she knows she is not ugly and her bosom certainly entices men, however, she knows she can’t compare to the other lovely ladies at the castle, so she is surprised when the handsome man joins her in the tree and even more surprised when he steals a kiss.

Geordie was not aware of Jetta’s plan to find brides for himself, Alick & Rory and he tells his eldest brother Aulay that he is not ready to marry. But the more time he spends with Dwyn, the more he likes her and begins to think that marriage to the buxom beauty might be exactly what he needs.
As they spend more time together and grow closer, a series of “accidents” befall Dwyn, first her feet are cut, which results in Geordie carrying her around, he decides that he must marry her, but while he is meeting with her father she is poisoned, thankfully the poison was not meant to kill her, but she is violently ill, but that doesn’t keep Geordie from her side and makes him more determined than ever to wed her. They handfast and share an amazing night together, they both know they have deeper feelings and it seems like HEA is a given, but when a trip to Geordie’s favorite spot turns deadly, “until death do us part” seems a lot closer than it did just a day ago!!

This was a well written, fast paced, fun story with a lot of steamy love scenes, laugh out loud moments, quite a bit of tongue in cheek humor and a lot of focus on the heroine’s ample bosom  – it was just an amusing, easy read that didn’t devolve into outright silliness, but at the same time was not weighted down by too much drama. I loved Geordie and Dwyn as a couple, they are so well suited for each other, Dwyn is no wilting flower, she is smart, brave and adventurous – exactly the type of woman Geordie never knew he always wanted! I felt that their relationship progressed at a believable pace and they are complemented by a wonderful cast of secondary characters. Additionally, the story features a very well-executed “who dunnit” as well as a pretty nasty villain whose punishment certainly fits the crime. On the downside, there is a lot of modern verbiage as well as a ton of title/address errors, but it for the sake of the story, I was willing to ignore these things and just enjoy the story for what it was: a fun, steamy, entertaining read. This is the eighth (yes, the 8th) book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone title and I am very happy to recommend this title.

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

Her Scandalous Pursuit by Candace Camp

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Mad Morelands, Prequel

Release Date: January 28, 2020

Lady Thisbe Moreland is attending a lecture at the Covington Institute when she meets Desmond Harrison. They hit it off immediately and Thisbe can’t wait to see him again, as a female scientist too many people don’t take her seriously, but Desmond treated her with respect and admiration. They make plans to meet again, but Thisbe doesn’t tell him who she really is – the eldest child of the Duke of Broughton. She is scared that he won’t continue to see her if he knows the truth.

Desmond is also a scientist, he works for the once revered, now scorned Professor Gordon. The professor has come under ridicule for his insistence that ghosts exist – Desmond is not a believer, despite his own experience with the spirit world, but he is loyal to the professor who took him under his wing. Desmond grew up poor and is the son of a transported convict, even without knowing who her family is, he knows she is far above him in station, but he is unwilling to give up what they share and knows that eventually it will end.

When Professor Gordon’s benefactor, Mr. Wallace learns of an artifact called the Eye of Annie Blue that might be able to have the professor prove his theory, the entire team is excited. Professor Gordon writes to the owner of the artifact, the Dowager Duchess of Broughton and asks if he might be able to borrow it for study. But the duchess refuses, crushing their hopes. The professor and Mr. Wallace become obsessed and when they learn the Dowager is in town, they ask Desmond to steal it – he refuses, but agrees to check out the Dowager’s house to see if it is even possible to enter. While looking at the house, which he knows will be impossible to enter, Thisbe comes running out – she thinks he has figured out who she is and has come to see her. She invites him back to call and when his professor learns of their connection, he tries to convince Desmond to steal it – again he refuses.

Desmond is surer than ever that nothing can transpire between him and Thisbe, no matter how nice her family is to him and when her grandmother (the Dowager) has a prediction that Desmond’s love will kill Thisbe, he is sure they have no future. Thisbe has been having her own share of strange incidents in the form of dreams, but she rationalizes them and tells Desmond to ignore her grandmother’s “prediction”. She really cares for him and begins to imagine a future with him – until secrets are revealed and Desmond lets her believe the worst to save her life.

This was a well written, fast paced, page turner that held me in thrall from the first page to the last. I loved Desmond and Thisbe, they share such an incredible chemistry that you know they are meant to be, the love scenes are sparse, but they are potent and very touching without being overly graphic, the secondary characters are wonderful and even the villains are engaging. There is a bit of drama, some humor, a healthy dose of paranormal, some heartache and finally a very sweet and hard-won HEA. This is the seventh book in the series, but it is really the prequel to the “Mad Morelands” – you can read this book first or seventh without issue, but either way – read it! I loved this story and happily recommend it!

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

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