When a Warrior Woos A Lass by Julie Johnstone

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

When a Warrior Woos a Lass (Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts Book 6)When a Warrior Woos a Lass by Julie Johnstone

Series: Highland Vows: Entangled Hearts, #6

Release Date: December 18, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first Julie Johnstone book, but it certainly won’t be my last.

Lena MacLeod is the widow of an evil man and has the scars to prove it – inside and out, she feels broken and cannot abide being touched. She returned to her brother’s home in hopes of healing, but now two years later, she is no closer than she was when she first arrived.

Alex MacLean has known Lena for years and cares for her, but he too has scars and knows the darkness in him would destroy her. They meet again at her brother’s wedding and are both shocked when the king arrives and commands them to wed. The king also has a mission for Alex, but it will involve keeping more secrets from Lena.

The king and Alex come to an agreement, but in doing so, it makes Alex appear to be a traitor. Lena is confused, Alex is kind and gentle with her, he praises her strength and urges her to let go of the pain holding her prisoner. In his care, Lena begins to heal and is on her way to being the woman she was before she married Findlay Campbell. But she knows that Alex is keeping secrets and knows those secrets could kill any love blossoming between them. Repeatedly she asks him to trust her and share with her – but Alex feels intense guilt and shame from his past and refuses.

Lena’s half-sister Marsaili has agreed to go with Lena to her new home, but Lena knows there is something Marsaili is keeping from her. When Lena learns Marsaili’s secret, she is shocked and not sure who to turn to, she wants to tell Alex, but Marsaili has sown seeds of doubt and while she longs to trust him, his refusal to share his past makes it impossible for her to do so. So she writes to her brother. When Alex intercepts her letter, he knows it is time to enact the king’s plan. He plans to take Marsaili and confront the Stewart, but he has no intention of letting Lena join them.

Lena learns they are planning to leave and is heartbroken, but when she learns his true mission, she insists on joining them. They arrive at the Stewart’s castle and Alex’s past comes rushing back. Alex must seemingly betray Lena’s brother Lachlan and take him prisoner. He leave to do the Stewarts bidding and Lena is left at the castle. Lena learns much about Alex’s past and is used to punish Alex – but Lena has grown strong and she will not break. When Alex saves her, she begs him to share his past, telling him that the secrets will destroy the love they share. But even after he does so, they are not done yet, they still have to complete their mission and save Marsaili and Lachlan.

This was a very well written story, it flowed well and was almost impossible to put down. It had secrets, shame, heartache, steamy love scenes, healing, acceptance, action and some very evil villains. But it also had sweet, tender moments as well as a truly beautiful love story and a very hard won HEA.

This is the sixth book in the series and I will admit feeling a little lost at times, events in the past are eluded to, but not having read the previous books, I wasn’t really sure what happened – but those past events played a significant role in this book and while I can imagine what happened, I was not given enough backstory to know for sure. Which is why I gave this book 4 stars vs 5 stars. I am sure if you have been following the series, you will have a much better understanding of the past events and LOVE this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC*

Satyr’s Son by Lucinda Brant

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)3 Comments

Satyr's Son (Roxton Family Saga, #5 )Satyr’s Son by Lucinda Brant

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Roxton Family Saga Book #5 (Audiobook)
Publication Date: 12/6/17

Alex Wyndham’s voice is like liquid chocolate oozing down your throat – smooth, lush, decadently appealing and sensual. His portrayal of the different characters is flawlessly done and it makes you feel as if you are eavesdropping on the lives and conversations of everyone in the book. He flows flawlessly from character to character, accent to accent and gender to gender. You feel the emotions of each character.

This book was so good that I didn’t want it to end – but all of Lucinda Brandt’s books are that way for me. I kept wanting to pause the playback of the book because I wanted to prolong the enjoyment and at the same time I wanted to speed up the playback because I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. So, this is quite a wrap-up for the Roxton series and I will miss these old friends.

Lord Henri-Antoine (Henry) Hesham is the second son of the fifth Duke of Roxton and brother to the sixth. He is rich beyond belief and has been coddled and spoiled all of his life. Not only does he have the looks and temperament of his father, he has the same reputation for debauchery as well. He goes from bed to bed – even going so far as to ‘share’ the mistress of one of his friends. He’s also very, very private because he has an illness that is much misunderstood and maligned during that time. Beneath all of that debauchery hides the heart of a romantic who is sweet, generous, caring and loving. It is so much fun to watch Lisa as she peels the layers back to reveal the real man who lies beneath the façade.

Lisa Crisp was orphaned at age nine and became dependent on relatives who didn’t want her (the Warners). She wasn’t exactly abused, she was just ignored – she was like the furniture, just there. She was given the opportunity to attend a boarding school for young ladies where she befriends ‘Teddy’, a member of the Cavendish/Roxton family. They were best friends until Lisa was sent down in disgrace. She lost touch with Teddy until, out of the blue, she receives an invitation to attend Teddy’s wedding and it is made plain to Lisa’s relatives that it is unacceptable for Lisa to refuse the invitation.

Lisa is calm, intelligent, trustworthy and beloved by the patients, the ‘poor sick’, at Dr. Warner’s clinic. She even volunteers as an amanuensis for those ‘poor sick’ enabling them to send letters home. Her work at the clinic enabled her to recognize that Henry was having a seizure when she first saw him. She secured and treated him while protecting his privacy – all without having any idea who he was. She actually goes through a fair portion of the book without knowing who he is. Because of his dress, speech, and mannerisms, she knows he is of the aristocracy, but doesn’t have a name to go with it.

Henry’s best friend is getting married – to Teddy – so he and Lisa find themselves at the same two-week wedding get-together. Lisa and Henry find themselves more and more attracted to each other. It is fun to watch Henry open up and blossom and Lisa come to realize that she is a worthy individual. Then, throw in a couple of shrewish ‘friends’ from school and another ‘friend’ bent on revenge and you find a lot of wrenches in the works. Can Lisa and Henry overcome the obstacles thrown in their way? Will Henry’s family accept a union between them? You’ll just have to read this lovely book to find out.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”