Tag: Callie Hutton

Never Marry A Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Never Marry a Highlander: The Mackays of Dun Ugadale

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The MacKays of Dun Ugadale #2
Publication Date: 3/15/24
Period: Jacobean/Stewart Era – 1616
Number of Pages: 194

Craig MacKay is a highly skilled warrior. He’s handsome, he’s brave, he’s intelligent, he’s honorable, and the ladies love him as much as he loves them. He has always claimed he’ll never marry – so – what is he doing volunteering to marry the woman to whom his brother is betrothed? His brother, Robin, their Laird, is in love with another woman. Robin will marry the woman to whom he is betrothed out of honor, but he’ll be miserable – and Craig knows it. It was an arranged marriage that was foisted upon Robin and Craig is pretty sure the betrothed’s brother won’t care which MacKay brother marries his sister as long as one of them does. Turns out he is right – and he has a new bride.

Lady Lenora Gunn Gordon is a widow and the sister of Laird David Gunn. Lenora’s world is one of abuse and distrust. The males who should have protected and cared for her used her as a punching bag instead. Her father didn’t even recognize her when he saw her in the hallway, David beat her and then married her off to an abusive husband who also beat and raped her, and after her husband died David took over the abuse again. No, Lenora does not trust any man – and never will. She has no choice but to accept the change in betrotheds, and why should she care since it has all been her brother’s choice? This MacKay will be just one more man to control and abuse her.

I enjoyed getting to know Lenora and Craig as they negotiated their way over the many pitfalls along the way to their HEA. Lenora fought a hard battle to keep from coming to trust and love Craig, but it was one she couldn’t win. Craig was always kind, caring, concerned, and interested and he wore her down – she couldn’t help coming to care for him. The same was true for Craig. He never expected to come to care for the termagant who became his wife. He expected they would both lead their individual lives. I enjoyed seeing the two work through their differences.

I missed reading the first book in this series and will begin reading it as soon as I finish writing this review. That means that I really enjoyed this book – and that this book can be read as a standalone. You’ll want to read the first book, but you don’t have to enjoy this one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To Charm a Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Medieval (1066-1540), Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

To Charm a Highlander (The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle Book 5)

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #5
Publication Date: 11/30/23
Period: Medieval Scotland
Number of Pages: 184

This was another delightfully entertaining story of the Sutherlands of Dornoch. I have enjoyed all of the books in the series, but this one was particularly sweet and poignant.

Lady Donella Sutherland is the slow-witted sister to the Laird of the Sutherlands, Haydon Sutherland. Haydon dotes on Donella but has low expectations of her. That was not always the case. Once upon a time, Donella was vivacious, happy, curious, and interested in everything around her. Then, around her fourteenth year, something happened to her and she became vague, sad, and disinterested in everything around her. Haydon doesn’t know what to do or how to help her, so he just loves her and lets her be. That is how it goes until she trips and hits her head, which brings her back to being the way she was. She was, however, very lucky to have someone catch her.

Callum Gunn has been turned out by his clan because his vicious brother has spread lies about him. Fraser, his brother and newly minted Laird, claims that Callum caused their father’s death. He didn’t, but Fraser won’t listen. So, Callum leaves his clan and wanders around a bit looking for a new home. He likes the Sutherland clan because they are honest and trustworthy in their dealings, so he petitions the Laird to become a member of the Sutherland clan. Haydon is just declining the request when Donella trips on the stone stairs and Callum dashes to catch and save her. After that, Callum becomes a member of the Sutherlands – but Haydon is still wary of him.

I love Callum and Donella together – he is so sweet and gentle with her as she remembers and has to deal with what happened to her in the past. He never rushes her and always allows her the space she needs – but he’s always close enough to support her should she need it. I also love that Donella respects Callum for who he is and doesn’t buy into those silly rumors for even a second.

I thoroughly enjoyed the short, entertaining story and I hope you will as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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