Tag: Anna Campbell

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 Highlander’s Christmas Lassie by Anna Campbell Featured in the Anthology: Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal by Various Authors

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

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The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Series: Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal Anthology

Release Date: October 9, 2020

Malcolm Innes, Laird of Dun Carron, is traveling to the town of Muirburgh in December because Fergus Mackinnon, Laird of Achnasheen told him that he might find what he has spent the last 18 years looking for – his son!  But when he finally makes it to the farmhouse, he finds much more than he was hoping for – not only is his son alive and well but so is the woman he has never stopped loving, even after he was told she was dead!  But rather than be thrilled to be united with her love, Rhona Macleod is angry and tells him to leave.  Stunned that she is alive, he agrees to go, but he will be back.  He prepares to go when his son Patrick intervenes and tells him that he can stay in the barn and that he will try to talk to his mother. 

Rhona is furious, how dare Malcolm show up and pretend to be happy to see her?  He is the reason she was sent away from Dun Carron!  When she calms a bit, she brings a meal out to the barn and they talk.  Soon it becomes clear, they were both betrayed that day and she is amazed to learn that he has never married and has spent the last 18 years looking for Patrick because he was told that Rhona was dead.  But even with this revelation, Rhona is not convinced that this is the miracle that Malcolm believes it is – 18 years is a long time and she is not the same girl he knew – can they pick up the pieces of their broken love and have a second chance at happiness?

I loved this story, it is part of the anthology “Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal” that I can’t wait to finish reading! The story reminded me of the book Betrayed by Bertrice Small, however, this novella is definitely its own tale, but, if you liked that book – you will LOVE this novella.  It is a well written, nicely paced story complete with a crushing betrayal that tears them apart, warm love scenes, revelations, surprises, a love that never died, a HEA and a sweet epilogue.  This is story has a tie-in to the Lairds Most Likely series, but it is definitely a standalone title.  This novella is part of an anthology, but even if it is the only story you read in the collection – it is worth the money you paid for this story alone!   

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