HIGHLAND THIEF by Alyson McLayne

September 9, 2021
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The Sons of Gregor MacLeod, Book 5

From the publisher:

This Strong Laird is no Match for the Stubborn Lass He’s Long Had His Heart Set On

When a Highland laird decides to marry, nothing can stand in his way…not even the bride.

No one ever accused Kerr MacAlister of being a nice man. Everyone would agree, however, that when the laird makes a promise, nothing can stop him. Which is why everyone knows Isobel MacKinnon will end up his wife.

Isobel spent most of her childhood in love with the tall, dark, and sexy Scot. It wasn’t until she was fifteen and failed to entice Kerr into kissing her that things turned sour. Now, Kerr is the one trying to entice her, but Isobel won’t be swayed…no matter how tempting he might be.

Then Kerr discovers she may be eloping with someone else, and he has a choice to make―is this Highlander’s fate to steal her away himself, to a place where both love and danger lurk, or let her go and face losing her forever?

This author was new to me, as was the time period; the book starts off in 1453. Isobel has something most women of the day do not. Her mother granted her permission to choose her own husband, where pretty much all marriages are arranged by families but Isobel can say no. Most unusual. But the laird of their neighboring clan, Kerr, has decided to marry her even though she isn’t very nice to him. He knows he did something to make her angry, but he doesn’t know exactly what it was.

Isobel is sister to the laird, and while he is in charge of all their people as judge and jury, Isobel handles the little discrepancies that help make peace among their people. The way she does this is by setting traps or tricking them, ultimately humiliating the offender and making everyone happy that justice has been served. But she’s never been able to trick Kerr, he sees everything. But she’s not done trying.

Kerr realizes that the only way she will agree to marry him is if they spend some time together. Isobel plans a trap for him, telling him she is going to elope with another man. He finds her waiting by a boat, and the next thing you know he jumps in it with her and starts rowing away to the other side of the loch. The only fear Isobel has is of the water as she can’t swim, so she is panicky. Kerr tries to get her agree to go back, but she is angry and won’t do anything he wants. That leads them right into the middle of an army that is trying to take over Kerr’s clan.

There is a lot of action and fighting in this story, along with some humor. Kerr and Isobel have a steamy relationship, both in bed and out, but eventually they find their way to marriage and their happy ending.

This was a fast read and while the tricks plotline grew old for me, for the most part I enjoyed this. It’s always a pleasure to visit the Scottish Highlands, even if I can’t get there in person!

9/2021 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HIGHLAND THIEF by Alyson McLayne. Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 24, 2021). ISBN: 978-1492654629. 384 pages.

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A SCOT TO THE HEART by Caroline Linden

July 8, 2021
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Desperately Seeking Duke, Book 2

From the publisher:

The second book in the clever, sexy Desperately Seeking Duke series from USA Today bestselling and RITA award–winning author Caroline Linden.

An Officer and a Scotsman

Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch grew far from the wealth and status. Nothing shocks him more than learning that he now stands as heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. There is much for Drew to learn and adjust to—but first he goes home to Edinburgh, to tell his mother and three sisters of their startling good fortune.

A Lady and a Temptress

Ilsa Ramsay yearns for some adventure and fun, not another husband. When she discovers the handsome soldier who sweeps her off her feet for a rollicking dance is her friend’s brother, soon to be an English duke, she tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss, then another, and another… says otherwise.

An Irresistible Attraction

Drew means to marry a respectable, dignified Englishwoman—a very proper future duchess. The spirited Ilsa is none of that. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.

Oh, Diana Gabaldon, you’ve set the bar too high! My first exposure to Scottish historical romance was the Outlander series, and as it takes years for each book in the series to come out, I’ve found other Scottish historical romances to fill the “droughtlander” (which I believe was first used about the Outlander TV series, but still applies!) I don’t expect these filler books to be comparable, and they are not, but they do fill a void. Especially today, because romance has gone through the #metoo movement as well, so the Scottish heroes may be misogynistic and dominant, but they treat their women well, especially in the bedroom. I can live with that.

I didn’t read the first book in this series (for a change) but I think it stands well on its own. From my research, it appears that this book includes an abbreviated synopsis of the first book, so we learn right away that the Captain is now the heir apparent to an English duchy, necessitating many changes in his life and that of his immediate family as well. In the beginning, he is in England, pretty much studying the role he will be filling with the Duchess and her manager. The Duke, we are told, is unable to procreate and is in failing health. Times being what they are, he could live for months or even years. Meanwhile, the Captain does ask the Duchess to help him find a wife, as the first requirement of being a Duke is ensuring an heir and a spare to avoid the situation they are now in.

After several weeks of Duke training, the Captain returns home to let his family know about their change in fortune. While out celebrating with his best pal, the Captain’s eye catches sight of a woman he describes as mesmerizing, a young widow named Ilsa. She impulsively kisses him, and both are surprised by the heat that little kiss ignites.

Ilsa is best friends with the Captain’s sister, so easy enough to see one another. But eventually a serious problem comes up, and the suspense takes over the second half of the book, moving it from light and frothy to a slightly darker place. I had some issues with this whole plot, it really pushed my boundaries of what I’m willing to believe to keep a story going. I didn’t believe a lot of it so that wasn’t as much fun for me.

All in all, despite my inability to suspend my disbelief, I still enjoyed reading this story, and I was very happy with the ending. Doubtful I’ll go back and read the first book though, and this is a trilogy (of sorts-there are apparently a couple of novellas as well) so I’m not sure I’ll read the next/last book. I have liked other books by this author, but none are at the top of my reading list.

7/2021 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A SCOT TO THE HEART by Caroline Linden. Avon (June 29, 2021). ISBN: 978-0062913647. 384 pages.

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HIGHLAND HERO by Cynthia Breeding

June 14, 2021
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Children of the Mist, Book 2

From the publisher:

If Juliana Caldwell said the sky was blue, Rory MacGregor would tell her it was gray with a storm due any minute. No man gets under her skin more than the arrogantly handsome Scot. When she is abducted by a rival clan, Rory is the last person she expects or wants to call her hero.

Rory is the best tracker the MacGregors have, so when his brother’s sister-by-marriage goes missing, he’s ordered to find her. But binding himself to the fiery English redhead with an opinion about everything is not how he saw this rescue going. To save her from the clutches of the villainous Cameron laird’s son, though, he must declare them handfasted.

When their escape goes horribly awry, Juliana and Rory are forced to take the long way home. Surviving blizzard conditions, meddling clanspeople, and a near-fatal ambush on the trail, nothing compares to the unexpected and unlikely passion that ignites between the rugged Highlander and his English warrior princess.

Each book in the Children of the Mist series is STANDALONE:
* Highland Renegade
* Highland Hero

Juliana was a wonderful heroine, feisty and strong. There is a warning at the beginning of this book that it deals with rape, and I have to say I found the way it was handled was with compassion and empathy. Nonetheless, I’m sure it is a trigger for some people and if that’s you, find another book.

Rory is determined to find his new sister-in-law, despite how they butt heads constantly. She’s been kidnapped by Neal, who’s in a rival clan, and he has a terrible reputation for cruelty, especially towards women. But the law in Scotland says he can force her to marry him if he so chooses, and he does.

Rory finds Juliana but the only way to convince Neal to let her go is by saying she is handfasted to him. Handfasting is sort of an engagement, except with all the rights and privileges of marriage. The only difference is that after a year has passed, they can end the relationship without a divorce or any kind of trouble. She agrees, and they make their escape. But Neal quickly learns he’s been duped, and he vows to get his bride back.

Meanwhile, Juliana comes to rely on Rory as they make their way home through blizzard conditions. And Rory can’t help but admire the strength Juliana exhibits, especially as she’s English, not Scottish. But when he kisses her, he can’t help but notice her reaction is one of fear, and he knows something is wrong there. He is so careful of her feelings and I just loved the way he treated her.

I really enjoyed this romance, and while there wasn’t a lot of sex what there was is pretty graphic so if you don’t like that, find another book. I liked these characters and their story, and I am always a sucker for anything Scotland. 

6/2021 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

HIGHLAND HERO by Cynthia Breeding. Entangled: Amara (June 14, 2021). ASIN : B094GSXWNF. 264 pages.

 

 

 

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