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#BookReview #ComingSoon #ScottishHistorical #DragonbladePublishing
Book:’’ The Swan Laird ” formerly ‘’The Swan Maiden”
Author: Susan King
Series: Celtic Hearts, Book #3
Release Date: April 26, 2024
Publisher: Dragonblade
Length: 312 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
This is the third book and the conclusion of the Celtic Hearts series. It is another revised edition originally titled “The Swan Maiden.” The hero is Sir Gawain the Knight, not the goshawk, who was last seen in “The Hawk Laird” but like the previous two books the author has upgraded and rewritten.
Scotland, 1300-1306
Sir Gawain Avenel makes sure no one knows he is really Scottish born and birth name was Gabhan MacDuff, as his Scottish Laird father and Grandfather were killed by the English. They burned down their castle, his mother and he escaped to her homeland in England, changed his name, was not allowed to speak gaelic, and he could no longer wear his plaid either and had to wear English clothes. His mother eventually met his loving step-father Sir Henry Avenel, now Gawain had three step-brothers, eventually his mother and his step-father had two twin daughters. If his Scottish origins were discovered it could easily put his very life in danger and his entire English family would be accused of being traitors! He pledged himself to the Hammer of the Scots, King Edward the I of England and became a Knight especially having a step-father who was so very respected and well connected among the English nobility. The King is now testing Gawain to see if he will be loyal or betray him again!
Although trouble seems to find Gawain where he had spent some time in an English prison for running with rebel Scot’s and helping James Lindsay and his wife. He had a soft spot for the Scots; he had a lot of guilt as it cost his English family some problems and tragedy. He had also saved a young girl who was Juliana Lindsay-from drowning some six years ago while trying to escape the English who were pursuing her. Somehow all the swans in her loch seemed to protect her, he had named her the Swan Maiden and she named him the Swan Laird. She would not see him until six years later under very different circumstances.
Six years later the King wants to humiliate Juliana Lindsay and eat one of her favorite Swans cobs she named Artan! All the men at this feist try to make a fool of her to make her an example to force her to obey King Edward, except it only makes her despise all these Sasseanchs even more with a passion! The cruel sheriff Sir Walter de Soulis had arrested her and her little brothers as rebels from The Abbot who was their Guardian. They had her in a dungeon and now in golden chains and dressed like a swan. It was Gawain who was kind to her and her swan cobb trying to protect her against the men who were unkind and trying to humiliate her!
Gawain is shocked when the King orders him to marry this bonny lass! Juliane is even more beautiful than she was six years ago although she looks at him with such hatred! He would be bringing her back to Scotland to her castle at Elladoune though eventually there will be a garrison something Juliana will loathe and they want her to sign an oath of loyalty to the KIng. Gawain wants a real marriage and Juliana just wants to escape plus they both carry secrets not trusting each other. Will they ever trust each other and be able to escape people that want to hurt them both and discover love? Read and find out.
Susan King has been one of my go-to-authors for close to thirty years! I think I have read every book she has written. She does amazing research on all of her stories that is always so awe-inspiring and impressive. I seem to always learn something new in each of her books. In this book I learned a lot about swans in this book that I did not know and I found so fascinating. I loved the Arthurian names for the swans and our hero Sir Gawain too! I look forward to reading “The Scottish Bride” next coming in June in her new Highland Secrets series!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Celtic Hearts
Book 1 - The Hawk Laird
Book 2 - The Falcon Laird
Book 3 - The Swan Laird
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Laird-Medieval-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CZ7KWHMN
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-swan-laird-susan-king/1145381949?ean=9781963585414
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Book: Keeper of the Light
Author: Laura Strickland
Series: The Three Sisters MacBeith, Book #3
Publisher: Dragonblade
Length: 320 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire
Scotland !620
This is the third book of The Three Sisters MacBeith trilogy. This story centers on the youngest fey sister Saerla MacBeith and Chieftain Rory MacLeod, the dark hearted villain of this series. It is light versus darkness.The cruel greedy selfish MacLeod Chieftain still wants to steal all of Clan MacBeith’s lands and holdings. Except Rory took an arrow in his back with a near fatal injury on this last battle that nicked his lung. He is a man that should never underestimate the power of a woman, especially the power of three ginger haired sisters who all have supernatural abilities.
Now he has captured one of the MacBeith’s treasures who is Saerla MacBeith, their youngest fey sister. She is a seer that has the sight and can predict visions about the future. However, the tables are turning on Rory MacLeod who started as the abductor thinking he could trade Saerla for the MacBeith lands and holdings. Soon he realizes he can never let her go like his best friend Farlan and cousin Leith, as a ginger haired, MacBeith, beauty, has also captured his heart too. Now it seems Rory is the captive and Saerla is the abductor in this battlefield of love.
Will Chieftain Rory MacLeod be able to put his sword aside and stop the senseless killing? Shall he discover he has all the treasure he needs with his special magic woman? Read and find out the conclusion in the beautiful series finale with a perfect epilogue that will touch any reader's heart!
Laura Strickland writes a breathtaking series that any Scotland lover will love as well historical romance readers. It is one of those rare remarkable series that is absolutely pure magic!
Furthermore it includes awe-inspiring, unforgettable, multi dimensional characters that will definitely touch your heart. It is definitely an emotional read so have some tissues on hand as it definitely had me sobbing like bairn! This can be read as a stand alone book but i think the extraordinary epilogue will make more sense if you read each book in number order. It was a dazzling series finale that was absolutely spectacular and I can not recommend it enough!
The Three Sisters, MacBeith
Keeper of the Gate
Keeper of the Hearth
Keeper of the Light
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance readers copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Buy Links:
hthttps://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Light-Three-Sisters-MacBeith-ebook/dp/B0CW1HG9K8
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/keeper-of-the-light-laura-strickland/1145060842?ean=9781963585261
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Book: Keeper of the Hearth
Author: Laura Strickland
Series: The Three sisters, MacBeath, Book #2
Publisher: Dragonblade
Book Length: 308 pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Scotland, 1620
This book centers on the middle sister Rhian MacBeath who has been the keeper of her mothers hearth since her mothers death and is also the lead healer of the MacBeith clan. She is also the daughter whose father was the former beloved chieftain Iain MacBeith, who was slain by a MacLeod warrior as was her elder brother Arrran was before him. This all happened after the previous Camraith MacLeod clan chief died, but his greedy son Rory was obsessed with taking all of the MacBeith’s lands and holdings.
Rory MacLeod thought it would be an easy claim with thinking they were a weak small clan Except he was mistaken, Rory has been losing the last couple of battles with the eldest and their fey youngest sister with supernatural abilities. These women are also warriors who fight alongside all the MacBeith warriors in the battlefields. Plus the fact that the clan’s lead healer Rhian MacBeith, has saved Leith MacLeod’s life who at first thinks she is his merciful angel.
However even when Leith realizes Rhian is a very special and beautiful woman he immediately starts to fall in love with this MacBeith healer. Leith’s heart has never been in the battle. He would rather enjoy life with laughter and love than killing people for a parcel of land if he was to be honest, He is an enemy of Rhian’s clan and cousin of their chieftain Rory MacLeod. Rory already feels betrayed by his best friend Farlan who is now an outcast of the MacLeod clan. Will Rory be able to deal with another betrayal this time with one who is related to him?
Chieftain Rory MacLeod is absolutely enraged and now more determined than ever to take over all of Glen Bronach including the MacBeith lands and holdings! Furthermore it has become personal, and he is still raging over the fact that his best friend has betrayed him choosing his enemy the MacBeith woman over his loyalty to him and his clan! Now the MacBeiths have his cousin Leith MacLeod sitting in their prison.
Rory now fears he just might lose another member of his brotherhood as Leith, Farlan and Rory were like brothers and the best of friends since childhood. Rory has no idea that Rhian has been keeping his cousin alive who had saved him not realizing what clan he was from at first. Yet even when she did know she did not yell to her clan warriors to finish him off and soon romantic feelings are starting to develop between the two from enemy clans. As another enemy to lovers story continues in the second installment of The Three Sisters MacBeith series.
Laura Strickland is a writer I have been reading for many years and she never disappoints. I am always swept into her intriguing plot twists with her swoon worthy heroes and feisty heroines, that always have me gasping for air not knowing what is going to happen next. I have absolutely loved this series so very much. A series readers do not want to miss. You can read any book as a stand alone but I highly recommend the entire series.
The Three Sisters, MacBeith
Keeper of the Gate
Keeper of the Hearth
Keeper of the Light
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Hearth-Three-Sisters-MacBeith-ebook/dp/B0CP6Z6HQ9
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/keeper-of-the-heart-laura-strickland/1144512756?ean=9781961275881
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Book: Keeper of the Gate
Author: Laura Strickland
Series: The Three sisters, MacBeath, Book #1
Publisher: Dragonblade
Book Length: 310 pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Northwest Scotland
1620
This book is about two enemy clans the MacBeith’s and the MacLeod’s. In this latest skirmish, it is where the eldest daughter Moira fought right next to her father and chief Iain MacBeith. She is shocked her father is now dead. She did not realize he received a deadly blow. She also realized that the MacLeod’s don’t realize her father is deceased and must cover this up or else her enemies will take advantage of the situation completely. Furthermore, Moira’s clan has taken Farlan MacLeod as a prisoner who happens to be the Chieftain, Rory MacLeod’s best friend. This only means more difficulties for Moira and her clan as Rory will be out for blood trying to save Farlan!
Moira MacBeith is the eldest sibling as her younger sisters are Rhian and Saerla. Moira has no choice but to secretly take over as chieftain without anyone else’s knowledge. As their enemies would take advantage of the situation if any of their enemies discover her father is dead and fell in battle. Now Moira is very bitter and seeks revenge for her father’s death and must hide this. The problem is Farlan MacLeod has been taken as hostage during the last battle who also happens to be Rory MacLeods best friend who is now Chieftain for the MacLeods. Rory swears he is determined to take all of the MacBeith lands and holdings.
Farlan sees she plans to use him as a weapon against his own clan. The problem is Faarlan is very attracted to this warrior Queen Moira who seems to be his equal in all ways. The problem is Moira begins to have feelings for her enemy too. Unfortunately her clan will see this as a betrayal thinking she is a traitor. Who will Moira choose? The warrior who owns her heart from an enemy clan or her clan and family? Read this fast paced romantic adventure and find out.
Again Laura Strickland, my go to author who I have been reading for many years, wrote another dazzling winner! A wonderful fast paced enemy to lovers story any Scottish historical reader will absolutely love!
The Three Sisters, MacBeith
Keeper of the Gate
Keeper of the Hearth
Keeper of the Light
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Gate-Three-Sisters-MacBeith-ebook/dp/B0C2BD3VMT/
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Book: Payton and the Passionate Partisan
Author: Anna Markland
Series: Highland Whisky Kings, #2
Length: 226 pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Payton King is the middle brother as he and his brothers run a whisky distillery in the Scottish Highlands.This book follows the previous book where each brother tries to find a wealthy heiress to marry. Except each brother wants to find a woman they could also love and have a caring and supportive marriage too. Especially since their parents had such a dreadful marriage where there was only bitterness and spite, where they couldn't even stand the sight of each other! The saga continues with the second book of the Highland Whisky Kings series…
About 1808 where the hero travels to England, Spain and his homeland in Scotland…
Payton King goes to England, a place he truly detests and is quickly engaged to the English, Miss Jasmine Foxworthy. He does not realize she is as poor as a church mouse with a father who has a gambling addiction! He did not investigate her at all, he only saw all her attractive curves and he proposed, of course she thought this Scot was wealthy owning a whisky distillery. They are both going to be surprised after they both walk down the aisle and say their I do’s without any wealth. Now Payton is already starting to regret his choice of bride, realizing he should not have proposed to this girl just because she has a big bust! He is already regretting his choice of bride, realizing she never laughs or even smiles and does not seem very intelligent either, plus she seems very self centered and cruel to others too! Furthermore, no one in his family likes her-they pretty much think he is too good for this self centered Sassenach who doesn't seem to care about Payton in the least! Payton knows he could never live in England with all these Sassenachs and he knows she would hate Scotland, his country and the place of his birth that he absolutely loves!
Payton is now trying to get some space from his annoying and dislikable fiancé who only thinks of herself and no one else! For his elder brother Tavish, he decides to go retrieve some barrels of sherry that were aging in Spain for the past couple of years. He goes to war torn Spain with his cousin Kenneth Hawkins, the Duke of Ramsay who needs something else to focus on. Since his heart is breaking as the Scottish woman Catriona Neish who everyone calls “Cat” who owns his heart is in Scotland. Feeling he can't marry her because she is a commoner and he is a nobleman. Cat who is a very close friend of the King family, her heart is shattered by Kenneth, knowing she is not good enough for an English Duke who is a close family friend of Tavish, Payton and Niven King. She is also a book keeper for the family and keeps the distillery books in order for Tavish King. Kenneth and Cat is a secondary love story in this book.
Payton meets a Spanish girl, Alba Castillero who is a warrior and part of the invisible army in Spain. They are fighting Napoleon with his French army in the Napoleonic wars. She dresses like a lad for her own protection, as women are at risk in Spain. At first Payton thought she is not his type physically as she is very slender and petite. She is also half Scottish. They even named her after Scotland as her name is Alba which means Scotland in gaelic! Alba and her father have dealt with a lot of devastation and loss through this battle with the French. He sees how brave, protective, courageous and intelligent this female Spanish warrior is, who even laughs at his jokes and helps with her sherry distillery and soon they are like a moth to a flame and fall madly in love with each other. Except he is honest and tells her about his fiancè feeling he must be loyal to his word. He can't break his engagement as a promise is a promise even though he feels no love for Jasmine. He falls in love with Alba very quickly and she feels the same. His cousin Kenneth tries to convince Payton to break it off with Jasmine as it is Alba he loves, yet he feels it would be dishonorable as he made this promise even though he knows he will never love Jasmine and will love Alba forever! Payton knows he will never have the woman he truly loves and it destroys his heart and soul to love someone he can never have! Alba is absolutely heartsick, not able to have what she desires although he was very honest and told Alba the truth about his betrothal with Jasmine.
Now Alba’s father has asked Payton and Kenneth to bring Alba back to Scotland with them so she can meet her deceased mothers family. He also gives Kenneth a package and tells him only to give it to her if she ever finds a man to marry in Scotland. He wants his daughter to be safe and happy and to live a normal, long and happy life. Something that might not happen in Spain for a very long time perhaps ever. Of course they accept though Payton knows how difficult this will be for him as he only wants to take Alba in his arms and never let her go! It will be equally hard for Alba; she is torn as she doesn’t want to leave her father worried she might never see him again. However knowing Payton will be marrying and sharing his life with another just makes her miserable and heart sick.
Will Payton go through with a marriage to a woman he doesn't care for and leave the woman he loves? Will Payton have a marriage like his parents as he knows this marriage is doomed but can he end it when made a promise? Can Payton go through with this marriage to a vain, cruel, woman he does not love? Will he and Alba live forever with broken hearts? Will Kenneth wake up and smell the whisky, realizing that he should marry Cat, the woman he loves and not care what the snobs of society say? Read and find out if Payton and Alba or even the secondary romance of Kenneth and Kat find any true happiness in any of their futures? Do any of these couples have a chance at true love? Read and find as Anna Markland’s pens another dazzling story that readers will absolutely love and devour!
I love that Anna Markland pens true history with the Napoleonic War in Spain with the French and a fictional love story with more than one couple which I loved. Well Napoleon's rise in power won't last forever once the Battle of Waterloo occurs in 1815. I just love when true history and a fictional story goes hand in hand. This was beautifully done. I must give a well done to the author for writing a very beautiful story that readers will absolutely love!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy from the author and publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.
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Book:’’ The Falcon Laird” formerly ‘’The Angel Knight”
Author: Susan King
Series: Celtic Hearts, Book #2
Publisher: Dragonblade
Length: 332 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Scotland, 1306
Lady Christian MacGillean, a Scottish heiress and follower of her cousin the Bruce, and who burned her own castle Kilglassie in Western Scotland to keep the English from getting it. Now because of this she is considered an outlaw. Lady Christian has had her entire family wiped out by the English so she has no love for any sassenach! She was forced to wed a hateful English Knight, Henry Faulkner. When he dies she is suspected of murdering him except he was killed by a bow, a weapon she doesn't even know how to use! She has an adopted daughter Michaelmas who she calls Mícheal who was born in a nunnery that she left with her close friend and Celtic Priest and his wife Moira and their many sons to keep her safe from the English. Henry and his English garrison had taken her home, land and murdered innocents Scot’s in the name of the King! Christian swore to Thomas Bruce never again as she went to meet her cousin King Robert the Bruce, The true King of Scotland!
Christian’s deceased husband had only married her for the gold her castle Kilgassie was rumored to have. Even though Christian, nor any of her family members or servants had ever seen any of this gold and everyone had searched for it, most think it is just a fictional legend from long ago. The legend was supposed to have this hidden gold from centuries ago that was given to King Arthor of Camelot that had been blessed by Merlin, the Druid, magician or warlock. Of course none of the English believe her and think she is hiding it and will eventually give it to her cousin, King Robert to support Scotland! Christian and other female family members of Robert the Bruce are put in cages. She had been in a locked cage where she was beaten, starved and blankets were often taken away by the King's first officer Hastings. Her only relief is when one of the English servants who is very kind and thinks it is disgraceful how they are treating this young lass she doesn't care if she is English or scottish no human being should be treated like this. Plus the lass is at death's door and she is still being mistreated. The English serf tries to help her but is denied when asked so she sneaks what she can to feed and keep her warm.
Sir Gavin Faulkener, an English knight, is half English and half Scottish whose mother was a Scot, encounters Christian when she is a prisoner of Edward, and at death’s door because she is kept in a cold cage. He is sick and angry seeing how they are mistreating a woman! Gavin rescues her without full permission thinking she is dying. He is promised an English castle and given Kilglassie not realizing it was in ruins,without her awareness he marries Christian with permission of the English king. Christian at first thinks he is an angel except Gavin feels love for Christian immediately and does everything to save her. As he already lost one young wife from the same illness. Christian thinks Gavin is an angel at first with his golden hair and blue eyes then she assumes he is Scottish hearing his mothers brother's Scottish accents. She is shocked he is an English night, is her dead husband's cousin and married! A wedding she has no memory of she feels so betrayed as she doesn't trust any English Knight especially with the name Faulkner. Though he is kind and seems to have a gift for healing she still feels betrayed! Will she ever trust this angel knight as a man and not let his Englishness get in the way. Read and find out.
Again another heart wrenching story that is absolutely brilliant! Susan King definitely knows how to draw you in and keep a fast moving, awe-inspiring story that any historical reader will absolutely love! It definitely has a bit of everything in this novel, from the ancient celtic stories of King Arthur and Merlin of Camelot, to the iconic true hero Robert the Bruce and his faithful followers. Furthermore this book is filled with faith, magic, myths, folklore, Bruce sympathizers, hatred, torture, love, trust, angels, healing, humorous children, guardian doves, plus a good share of English villains, and a golden haired hero with some other special gifts and a harp playing lass you just hope will survive and get her HEA.
I love historical fiction that has a bit of true history with historical fiction and some iconic true hero’s like Robert the Bruce and the devastating things that he had to deal with during his life, This is a re-read for me and I loved it even more if that is even possible. It is no wonder I have loved this writer for over 25 years! A book that is an absolute must read!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Celtic Hearts
Book 1 - The Hawk Laird
Book 2 - The Falcon Laird
Book 3 - The Swan Laird coming April 26, 2024
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Book:’’ The Hawk Laird” formerly ‘’Laird of the Wind”
Author: Susan King
Series: Celtic Hearts, Book #1
Publisher: Dragonblade
Length: 340 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Scottish Lowlands, 1305
This book starts with Lady Isobel of Alberlady who is a prophetess and tells the future, also known as Black Isobel due to her long, dark, raven hair. As could see the future: she saw a vision of William Wallace being betrayed by people he thought he could trust and would die because of the hawk! Now one of the men who betrayed him is trying to get himself out of prison but goes to William to warn him not realizing he had been betrayed too! Except this vision was not absolutely accurate as most of her visions were metaphors. When Jamie realizes William has been caught he knows the English will torture him and give him an agonizing death! Jamie tries to give his friend a quick, painless, death, unfortunately his arrow missed his mark! He is accused of betraying him which is not the truth!
Now it turns out the Hawk is Jamie Lindsay the former Laird of Castle Wildshaw who is misinformed about this prophetess, thinking she has helped ruin his name unfairly plus she is also betrothed to his enemy Sir Ralph Leslie! He was given his castle by the wicked English King, since Jamie is a hunted Scottish outlaw and Leslie is a Scottish turncoat who sides with the English betraying his own people! Jamie had expected Black Isobel to be an elderly crone, not a beautiful goddess forced to accept Leslie’s marriage proposal by her father and their Priest! However everyone is using Isobel for her abilities and she knows it too. Furthermore Lady Isobel’s castle is under siege where she and her people are starving! She is also a Scot and very kind and caring too which was very unexpected to Jamie.
Isobel has been misinformed her entire life by men saying she is protected and not able to leave her own castle due to her godly gifts. This was because she was a prophetess and because she is also just a feeble, weak, woman! She realizes now she had been held captive not protected as even her own father was being advised by their priest. Isobel was expecting James “Jamie” Lindsay who she thought was her champion and savior since he saved her from dying as the English attacked her castle burning to the ground. She soon discovers he only came to make her his captive to trade her for his cousin Janet who was taken as a captive in his place. Ralph Leslie is a man she detests and only wants her for her supernatural abilities, to make him more respected and wealthier by the English nobles. Soon Jamie reveals he lives in Ettrick Forest but takes Isobel to his secret lair where only a special few outlaws like Wallace knew of its existence. He realizes he had been wrong about Isobel and feels truly torn. They also discover a Hawk where Jamie had been a falconer as well as Isobel’s father so she is no stranger to the birds. They train the bird together and fall in love.
However soon time goes on as Jamie hates her heartless betrothed Sir Ralph Leslie, a turncoat Scot who sides with the English as Jamie wants to save his cousin Janet. He wants to trade captive for captive. The problem is he is in love with Black Isobel! Except he has nothing to offer her being on the run, being hunted and living as an outlaw in the forest. He feels Ralph can give her a peaceful existence except Isobel refuses to go! She rather be on the run with Jamie as he has given her first feel of freedom and rebels against all of those who had tried to keep her hidden because of her abilities where she was truly captive. On top of that Jamie does not know what to do as he loves his cousin like a sister but is madly in love with Isobel. What will Jamie do to trade Isobel to a man that only wants to use her or leave his cousin as a captive?He is between a rock and a hard place and does not know what to do? Read and find out.
Susan King has always been a favorite author of mine. I read this under ‘’Laird of the Wind’’ many years ago and I love Scottish history. I loved revisiting this book again number one when I read it the first time I had not been to Scotland yet. Now I have been to Scotland and been to specific sites she described in this book like Dunfermline Abbey. I too have been to the thorn tree where allegedly William Wallace’s mother was buried where it is still marked today.Also King Robert the Bruce’s body rests at Dunfermline Abbey. Furthermore I am so excited Susan King is with Dragonblade Publishing now being one of my favorite publishers too! I can’t wait to read The Falcon Laird next!
Celtic Hearts
Book 1 - The Hawk Laird
Book 2 - The Falcon Laird
Book 3 - The Swan Laird
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
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Book: My Highland Enemy
Author: Miriam Minger
Series: Warriors of the Highlands, Book #7
Publisher: Walker Publishing
Book Length: 164 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
West Strathnaver, Scotland, 1313
This book is about an arranged marriage by King Robert the Bruce between Alec MacKay and Rowen Sutherland to keep peace between the MacKay’s and the Sutherland’s who had been ancient enemies. As King Robert wants the killing, slaughtering and raiding between clans to stop so they can all unite and be on the same side to fight their common enemy the English. He has now raised Alec’s status from Captain to Laird, given him a castle. Though he knew to prove this alliance had worked the King expects a bairn to be born by the end of the year.
The problem is that Rowen enters his castle ground with thirty of her clan members where her arms were restrained being tied together in front of her and a thick rope was tied to her waist that was attached to her saddle, so she wouldn’t runaway on her horse. Every Sutherland wanted this arranged marriage to happen except her youngest brother Errol who was closest to his sister in age who promised to make her a widow so she can come home again.
Now Rowen wants nothing to do with this gorgeous blond haired, braw man! Afterall he was a MacKay who had slaughtered her people, raided and stolen their sheep. Yes Rowen knew her people had done the same to the MacKay’s but she had been hearing these stories since she was a wee lass! Alec realizes even in lads clothing Rowen Sutherland is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen! He had noticed right away she dressed like a man, as even her name Rowen is manly. Her father explained, with his wife died when she was a wee babe he knew nothing of how to raise a lass so he raised her like his sons. Except he did not let her nurse bring any of her lad’s clothing except what she wore as he had his nurse pack all these beautiful silk gowns and matching slippers.
Rowen felt that her own family all betrayed her except her brother Errol who wanted to murder her groom to be. She tries to runaway the second she is given freedom except Alec catches her and her father yells how she is shaming the entire clan and going against their King’s wishes! In the end she marries Alec, but warns him she will never consummate the marriage. Even Alec knows the marriage won’t be acceptable until they have consummated their marriage, however he would never force himself on a woman ever!
Previously the old laird took two orphan’s Sheena and Kael in whose parents were murdered by the Sutherland’s. She has wanted and fantasized about Alec since she came to the castle. They are both servants and her brother warns her to stop this fantasy as she is looking to go up to high above her station. He is worried they are both going to be sacked due to her rudeness to the Laird’s new wife and trying to send inappropriate messages to the Laird. She wants to find a way to get Rowen out of the way so she can be the Laird’s next wife, plus get revenge on the Sutherland’s for killing their parents. Alec’s father gives him advice to woo Rowen and it starts to work giving her kisses and embraces until something happens that makes Alex and Rowena mistrust each other just when they both start to fall in love with each other.
Will they ever trust each other again? Or will this marriage be over before it even begins? Besides Alec’s marital problems he discovers Thorgren Sigurdson, leader of the Orkney raiders are setting nearby villages on fire, murdering the men, stealing the women and livestock where the people will starve and have no homes to live in since they were burned the villages to cinders. Will Rowen succeed in running away from Alec for good this time? Is it too little too late? Do they both have too much hate and mistrust where they can never forgive and start again! Find out in the latest installment of the Warriors of the Highlands!
Again Miriam Minger has blown me away again with another highland masterpiece! She has been one of my favorite authors for over 20 years, yes long before social media and book review blogs. Yet I have always loved her style of writing and it was so easy to get drawn into her wonderful stories that always sweep me away! I loved this book so much as I love enemies to lovers stories, Alec and Rowen was so much fun to read about and some parts made me giggle too! However, that is how Minger’s books always roll with me. I am sad to see this series end as there will only be one more book with My Highland Hero but I am sure I will love whatever she will be writing next. I am hoping for more highlanders of course!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Miriam Minger and Walker Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
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Book: THE LASS HE LEFT BEHIND
Author: Jayne Castel
Series: The Sounds of Mull, Book #1
Release Date: March 14, 2024
Publisher: Winter Mist Press
Print Length: 242 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire
The Sounds of Mull, Scotland
1314
This is a second chance romance. Will Mari Macquarie give Loch Maclean a second chance when he ripped out her innocent heart ten years ago? Did Loch destroy any chance to win the woman who owns his heart and soul? Read the first book in Jayne Castle's new series The Sounds of Mull.
Loch Maclean is a self centered heartless warrior who went off to fight the English for his King Robert the Bruce ten years ago. During this time he had never come back to visit his clan, family or Mairi Macquarie, the lass he left behind. Loch had never even sent a letter to his father, sister or Mairi. He only cared about his own needs and didn’t even think of anyone else while he was campaigning for Scotland’s cause.
Now since The Bruce and his warriors won the Battle at Bannockburn against the English It was time to return home. Loch comes home expecting everything to be the same. Except he discovers his father is dead and the lass he left behind had never married, except Mairi Macquarie is even more beautiful than he remembered! So he expects her to be waiting for him with open arms except she wants nothing to do with him. On top of that he finds out his father is dead and the enemy clan The Mackinnon’s are up to mischief again stealing clan, property and livestock and his clan what something done about it!
However Loch immediately becomes Laird and starts lording it over to everyone and tries to force his sister to marry their bitter enemy Laird Mackinnon. However nobody wants this match especially his sister and his cousin Jack. His cousin Jack has seen this man’s brutality and no matter what he says Loch won’t listen until it is too nearly too late!
As for Mari she has always loved Loch but only uses her for his own needs. He broke her heart ten years ago and she is not going to allow him to do it again. She ignores him as she is busy running her own Inn with her cousin. Except her cousin is sweet on one of the young men that came back with Loch after fighting for Scotland’s cause. When Mairi starts to let her guard down and open her heart and doesn’t change, she has had enough as this time it nearly destroys her broken heart.
Will Loch ever learn to respect the people that love him and get over his vanity and realize the mistakes he has made? Will Mairi ever forgive him or move on with a new love? Is it possible for Loch to redeem himself? I will never tell and spoil the book as you will have to read this wonderful story to find out!
This is a second chance romance story.Another wonderful story that I absolutely loved by my go to author Jayne Castel. I had a difficult time liking this hero to be honest. My heart definitely was breaking for the heroine as this was definitely an emotional read for me. Another Castel book I highly recommend and I can’t wait to read Jack and Tara’s story next!
Disclaimer: I received an advance readers copy and agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through Booksprout. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
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Book: Can’t We Be Friends?
Authors: Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Publisher : William Morrow Paperbacks
Length: 396 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
To think he’s going to fill up his greedy accounts when all I ever got was $50. Who am I kidding? He probably stuffs it under his dirty mattress. Hugh Hefner, who’s ever heard of him and his dumb magazine, Playboy?…book quote by Marilyn Monroe in “Can’t We Be Friends” by Denny S Bryce and Eliza Knight
This is a historical fiction book about the rare close friendship between the Queen of jazz, singer Ella Fitzgerald and bombshell beauty, Queen of the screen Marilyn Monroe. You would never guess how much this plus sized, black singer and the white, platinum blonde, iconic actress who became the world’s pop-culture-icon had in common. It was about wanting help to make Monroe a better singer as Marilyn was a perfectionist and wanted to be taken seriously in her profession as an actress. To her there was no one better than her singing idol Ella Fitzgerald. Except Ella turned her down in a very eloquent sweet way explaining she was never trained professionally that the music was just inside her. Marilyn understood perfectly it was Ella’s god given gift. Marilyn’s letters still continued as what Marilyn really needed was a friend and Ella seemed to need that too besides her assistant Georgina Henry and her adopted son Ray Jr..Plus both being in this insane entertainment industry they understood things that people outside the business would not. They really ended up trusting each other and confided in each other with secrets they did not share with anyone else. On top of that they both had similar palettes especially for pastrami sandwiches!
In the beginning it was Georgina who answered the letters except soon it was Ella. Ella felt flattered that America’s current favorite sweetheart on film loved her music. Soon Ella looked forward to Marilyn’s letters as Ella was going through a difficult divorce so listening to Marilyn speak to her about funny things happening in her life brought humor into Ella’s life. Soon both women realized they needed to meet in person realizing they both had bad abusive childhoods, grew up during the Great Depression and also dealt with some of the same prejudices in their lives with so much prejudice in entertainment that women still fight for today in 2024.
Yet Marilyn was a passionate supporter of the civil rights movement and did fight for Ella when she was being banned by a certain nightclub to perform. Monroe used her celebrity status to appear so Ella could perform. She made sure her friend could play where people snubbed her for her size or skin color. Unfortunately the civil rights movement and segregation was at the center in the 1950’s sadly. In the beginning Marilyn had to deal with a different kind of prejudice where directors and producers grabbed her inappropriately and asked for personal favors if she wanted a specific part. This was called the casting couch and also threatened her never to work again if she does not submit. They were the Harvey Weinstein’s of the 1950’s sadly.
I loved this book so much my heart definitely went out to both Ella and Marilyn and all they had to deal with. I found myself very emotional wiping my tears as I read this brilliant read that definitely touched my heart! I personally still feel there was foul play in Marilyn’s death by the Kennedy brothers after all this family is not unfamiliar with mystery and death. Well both did not live into the next decade. So I do not know if I will ever get the answer to that. I personally do not think it was suicide if anything it was an accidental overdose. Again this is my personal opinion as I have always been a fan of her work. You can hear Ella Fitgerald’s hit song “A Tisket A Tasket” even in an episode of The Gilmore Girls in 2002. As for Ella my heart went out to her too from her personal hardships and later in life in her seventies where she had both of her legs amputated below her knees from her diabetes and was also partially blind. So she also had different kinds of demons, honestly I believe both of these women just wanted to be loved like everyone else in the world!
Both of these multi talented women had many demons yet they did not let the racial prejudices of the world affect their friendship. Godbless them both in eternal peace! It is a book I couldn't put down even though I knew it would be filled with a lot of hardships, plus I knew a lot of Marilyn’s history. I was surprised that Ella also had some demons of her own in a completely different way. I found myself listening to Ella’s music online and watching clips from all of Marilyn’s former films and listening to some of her interviews. I will end this book review with a Marilyn Monroe quote from her last interview days before her death. “Fame is fickle and I know it. It has its compensations but it also has its drawbacks, and I have experienced both.”
This historical fiction novel about the friendship between the iconic Marilyn Monroe and Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald is absolutely so cleverly done. I loved this book so much my heart definitely went out to both Ella and Marilyn and all they had to deal with. Both Bryce and Knight were a perfect collaboration in this magnificent historical fiction masterpiece. As Bryce and Knight wrote a phenomenal book from start to finish! It is one of those rare books that is also very hard to come by and stays with you long after you have read it. It is absolutely awe inspiring! A novel I absolutely loved and can not recommend enough! Bravo to both Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight on penning such a dazzling, bright, luminescent book where each page absolutely shined with true brilliance!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader's copy from the William Morrow Paperbacks. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through netgalley. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Cant-We-Be-Friends-Fitzgerald-ebook/dp/B0C782GT4P
https://books.apple.com/us/book/cant-we-be-friends/id6449970053
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-we-be-friends-eliza-knight/1143924322?ean=9780063282902
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/can-t-we-be-friends-2
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Book: Convenient Vows with a Viking
Authors: Lucy Morris and Sarah Rodi
Publisher: Harlequin
Book Length: 255 Pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Her Bought Viking Husband
By Lucy Morris
Iceland 910
Lady Orla is Celtic woman who had been bought and adopted by a kind man and the only man she knows as her father. Now she goes to a slave auction and makes a deal with the handsome Jarl Hakon of Norway. As he could be the answer to all her problems.
However a woman, even a titled woman had no power with no husband being unmarried. However being married brings her much power as her wicked Uncle wanted her to marry his son as she lives on rich lands where sheep thrive and she has hired many thralls but freed them as paid weavers.
The thing is she knows Hakon will leave in the Spring to get revenge on the man who sold him into slavery! He promised to send men to protect Orla. Will Hakon keep his promise or break it and put Orla in a very vulnerable position once again?
Besides that they have both fallen in love. How can these two now live apart? Read and find out in another phenomenal Lucy Morris novella.
Chosen as the Warriors Wife
By Sarah Rodi
Constantinople, 1035
Kassia had begged Fiske, the ship owner, to take her away after he found her trying to steal his ship! Except her royal family finds her and are ready to punish her harshly until Fiske covers for her. She did not realize he was the Chief commander of the Emperor’s army.Now her family pretty much throws their daughter at the Emperor not caring what happens to her. As long as their family’s status and wealth is elevated, especially if she is chosen as the Emperor's new bride.
Fiske is not surprised to see Kassia at the Emperor's bride show, as she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He is surprised she isn’t picked until he realizes this liar who cheated him out of half the silver after five years of service he had been promised but tells him he will get the dowry of any of the women he picks.
Soon he realizes he must save Kassia until he feels she too has betrayed him with a secret she has been hiding. Will he forgive her or send her back to her family who will sell her to the highest bidder covered in silks. Read and find out.
These are two fabulous short stories by two fabulous authors that specialize in Viking Historical Romance. The first story is by my go-to-Viking author Lucy Morris and this is my first read by Sarah Rodi that I absolutely loved and definitely will read again.
I loved both stories though they are longer than a novella book. Two great stories readers don’t want to miss!
Disclaimer: I received this advance review copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily,
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Book: The Laird’s Kiss
Author: Eliza Knight
Series:Highland Lairds, #2
Publisher: Knight Media
Book Length: 234 Pages
Overall Rating: 5 stars
Blog Rating:5 Saltire Flags
Lady Rhiannon Dacre was raised to be a lady who would marry a titled man. Definitely not a blackguard merchant who runs a gambling hall! Rhiannon had been living peacefully at Appleby with her Uncle and cousin. Her cousin recently married one of the Sinclair triplets Noah. While her Uncle was away and thinking her brother she had not known living with different relatives thought it was to be a happy reunion not abducting her to use her as payment to settle his gambling debts. However with her Uncle away and being legal age he claimed she was her guardian. So no one at Appleby could save her. She did send letters to through trusted servants to send to her beloved cousin Douglass in Scotland of her dire situation.
Douglass Sinclair received letters of Rhiannon’s dire situation where her cousin was also starving, Rhiannon’s brother barely giving her enough food to survive. Her cousin Douglass asked her brother-in-law the adventurer to rescue her cousin and dear friend from and free her from her forced imprisonment trying to force her into an unwanted marriage. Ian is more than happy to rescue this damsel in distress. Except after rescuing her he realizes she is more like an equal adventurer like himself. Furthermore she is an exceptional knife thrower, can ride a horse like the wind, plus a great kisser too!
However this trip to Scotland is not without a few obstacles whether it is enemy clans or enemy sassenachs! However besides fighting off enemies Ian and Rhiannon quickly fall in love, yet always seem very supportive of each other too. Will her evil brother catch her and sell her to the highest bidder to settle his gambling debts? Will Ian be able to settle with one lass when he loves the game of adventure so much? Read and find out.
Another wonderful read by my go to author Eliza Knight. Been reading her books since 2010 and never disappointed! It doesn’t matter if it is Scottish historical romance, Scottish regency or historical fiction… I always love them all. Another Series I highly recommend. If you love Scottish kilted lads you definitely don’t want to miss this one!
Highland Lairds Series b Eliza Kight
1.The Laird’s Prize
2.The Laird’s Kiss
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy from the author. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
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Book: Forgiven Never Forgotten
Author: Susan Leigh Furlong
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Length: 247 pages
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags
Glencoe, Scotland
13-February-1692
This book surrounds clan wars between Clan MacDonald and Clan Campbell, the big issue is that Rory Campbell and Joneta MacDonald are hopelessly in love. Plus the fact Joneta is supposed to consider a betrothal to childhood friend Zebulon (Zeb) Keene. However her father had promised she could choose her own husband plus she did not love Zeb. However Rory and Joneta fell madly in love very fast and quickly. They knew each of them completed each other. Now this couple has had to face many obstacles they had to jump over-except now Rory is accused of murdering Joneta’s kin at the Glencoe massacre!
Joneta’s brother beats a defenseless Rory which causes his abusive father to beat and exile Rory from his clan. Therefore he joins the army to learn a living for a better future for these star crossed lovers. Rory and Joneta do secretly marry, but Rory discovers her clan is going to be murdered! Rory tries to tell others to get help and try to stop this devastation, but it is too-little too-late. He is now accused of being a traitor and set to hang for all these crimes he never committed to set an example by the King. Will Rory be saved? Will Joneta believe he did not annihilate her clan? Can their love survive all this heartbreak and death?
Read and find out in this exhilarating, action packed, fast paced, page turner, that is a definite emotional heartstring puller! A book filled with multi dimensional characters and detailed storylines that will make readers weep.
On top of that, this author’s research was top notch in my opinion. Ms. Furlong weaved a lot of true historical facts during the Glencoe massacre including some famous real people during this time in history which I also loved being a huge Scottish history fan. It is a book that will touch your soul and live forever in your heart! Readers will definitely need some tissues or a handkerchief for this emotional awe-inspiring read! This is my first book by this author but I definitely look forward to reading more books by Susan Leigh Furlong! As I found this book absolutely brilliant. I was not a big fan of the epilogue as I like my hero and heroine to live forever. That is a personal choice however I still feel this book deserves a 5 star rating.
Disclaimer: I received this advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All words, thoughts and ideas are my own.
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Book: Travis Seeks A Wealthy Bride
Author: Anna Markland
Series: Highland Whisky Kings, #1
Publisher: Dragonblade
Length: 235 pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Glengeárr, Scotland Highlands, 1811
Tavish and his brothers need coins for their whisky distillery business so their Uncle suggests they marry some wealthy English heiresses with big dowries is the easiest solution for this problem. However this is the very last thing Tavish desires. As he has watched his parents his entire life with a loveless marriage and it is the last thing he wants. He knows what living with two parents who care nothing for each other is to endure and it is not a pretty picture at all!
Piper Graham’s mother is pushing for her to marry a man for the title especially when a Duke has shown a desire for Piper. The problem is Piper has no interest or attraction to this Duke at all. Piper is absolutely fascinated with everything Scottish plus as soon as she see’s Tavish she knows he is the man for her! Unfortunately she is already engaged to this Duke! The other enormous problem is that this Duke is Tavish's cousin as if things could not get any worse!
Tavish falls madly in love with Piper too and is from a prominent family however their pockets are not exactly lined with cash. However she might be forced to marry from a higher royal authority. What shall Tavish and Piper do? Will Tavish be forced to marry an heiress whose family has deep pockets? Shall this be a duplicate of his parents marriage with no love or care? Plus will he be able to watch the woman he loves marry his very own cousin? Read and find out in this fast paced, awe-inspired story I could not put down!
Anna Markland pens a new series that I absolutely loved. It is about love, choices and sacrifice. Furthermore it is filled with so many twists and turns that will keep readers guessing what will happen next!
I can’t wait to read the next book in this new fascinating series. Bravo Ms. Markland, another fun excellent read I absolutely loved!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.
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Book: Highlander Fated
Author: Jayne Castel
Series: Rebellious Highland Hearts, Book #4
Publisher: Winter Mist Press
Print Length: 297 Pages
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags
Dun Ugadale, Kintyre Peninsula, Scotland 1454
Greer Forbes and Bonnie MacKay had formed a bond a year prior at Castle Varrich. She had been invited to Dun Ugadale and was thrilled to get away from her own family at Druminnor for the summer. Greer and Bonnie had formed a rare closeness and become the best of friends. Bonnie was the sister Greer never had, having two selfish elder brothers. Her father forced her to make a deal after this summer to pick a husband. She being a chieftains daughter it had to be a good alliance. Another loveless marriage like her parents and two elderly brothers. None of them were love matches and none of their marriages had grown into love matches either sadly. Greer saw what strained relationships all three of them had with their spouses and it broke her heart.
Now at Dun Ugadale Greer is immediately drawn to the castle blacksmith; the chemistry and attraction happens immediately between both Brodie MacKay and Greer. Although Brodie can hide his attraction better, always being the family sourpuss and for good reason. He had not an easy life and had been born illegitimate but Greer did not care! After all none of that was Brodie’s fault it wasn’t like he asked to be born. In many ways he was her opposite being sour and grumpy and he wouldn’t even live with his brother although he did love them and knew they loved him.
Greer had this great outlook on life looking at everything sunny and bright. However Brodie looked at everything with sourness never being accepted by his stepmother and being treated horribly. He wouldn’t sleep under the same roof as his brothers but learned to be a magnificent blacksmith. So he was surprised when Greer asked to make a dagger. His price was steep but it would be worth it.
Again Brodie is secretly attracted to Greer but he knew he was way below her in status. He has always felt like an outsider and feels she is out of his league being a Chieftain’s daughter. Brodie was born illegitimate when his father fell in love with the castle cook. Now both of them are deceased however his step-mother has always mistreated him since he was a wee lad. The problem is he can’t stop thinking about Greer as no other woman compares. Now Greer has asked him to teach her to defend herself and in such closeness one thing leads to another. Even though they both know they have no future, these star-crossed lovers can’t resist each other.
It is even worse when Greer’s father comes to get her and changes her plans that just breaks her heart! He wants her to marry a chieftain’s son, one that is an enemy of the MacKay clan. On top of that this man says she can never go visit the MacKay clan at Dun Ugadale and must sever her friendship with her best friend Bonnie! Except Greer does something very wreckless with the man she loves except things do not unfold when they both admit they love each other. Plus both are betrayed by the people they thought they could trust.
Will Greer be forced to marry a man she does not love? Will this man abuse her and use brute strength against her petite fraiI body? Is she disowned by her own family? Will she be forced to take the veil? Will her sunny disposition become broken and filled with sorrow and melancholy, including a great misery and unhappiness that can never be mended? Read and have your tissues ready for this emotional roller coaster!
This is the fourth book and series finale for the Rebellious Highland Hearts series which I absolutely loved. It was a slow burn but definitely worth the wait. As Jayne Castel is one of my go to authors. I was waiting for Brodie’s book being the family outcast. Another book I absolutely loved which can be read as a stand alone book or in series order. I highly recommend all four books which I absolutely have loved! This was a beautiful series finale that readers don't want to miss!
Thank you for this advance readers copy and I agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog review. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
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Book: Snowed in With The Viking
Author: Lucy Morris
Length: 263 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Gudvangen, Northern Norway, 825 A.D.
Embla was illegitimate and an under-appreciated nursemaid in Gudvangen and the Jarl's family did not appreciate and definitely took advantage of her big heart. Plus the fact she was treated like a thrall or a servant by her half sister, who was the Jarl's wife Gertrud and was also the half sister of Embla. She was a nursemaid to their three sons whom she had lost while sledging with their brand new sledges. They destroyed their sledges going down a too steep ridge, being the spoilt boys they were. She allowed the boys to go back on her pony who knew the way home. Embla was hoping her sister Gertrud would send some guards back to rescue her. Except no one came and she knew to survive she had to find some type of shelter.The problem was she had no sense of direction and was in the middle of the wilderness. If only the Jarls' wife would have allowed Embla to take another woman with her, as her sense of direction has always been bad!
She finds this cave with food and furs and helps herself to these treasures. Runar comes to his cave and finds a woman in his furs and half eaten food. He doesn't mind and realizes he has been lonely admiring this beautiful woman. She realizes he isn’t the scary beast she heard rumors about but rather a handsome man who is just a bit rough on the edges. As she gets to know him she sees he is shy, intelligent, kind and attractive. Most importantly he will keep her alive especially when she realizes she is stuck in a blizzard where they will be stuck in the cave together for the entire winter. Now Runar doesn’t mind at all but Embla knows she has no choice. Embla worries about the boys she cares for and her own reputation as this could ruin all her future prospects for marriage. Yet she has no choice as Runar will be the reason she survives and is alive!
He tracks that the boys got home safely and soon he teaches her his ways of life. He teaches her about his life and his mother and the Sami tribes as all of it fascinates Embla. Soon these two fall for one another but Embla feels she is being disloyal to the Jarl’s three sons and misses being around people. Plus there were many dangers in the wilderness. Runar falls in love with Embla but is shocked that this is Gertrud’s half sister as he had once thought he was in love with her except now he knows it was just out of his immaturity and loneliness. He knows once the Spring comes he will lose Embla forever. How can he compete with family and children?
As this wild mountain man is soft and cuddly on the inside. He is talented, musical, strong and sexy, but Embla is very loyal to those she cares for. What does she choose once the ice thaws and the flowers start to bloom? Read and find in this stand alone book about love, courage, loyalty and strength!
Again Ms. Morris blows me away with another beautiful breathtaking Viking story! I loved this book so much from start to finish! Furthermore it included true historic facts about the Norse and the Sami tribes. I knew Norse history but this was the first time I found out about the Sami people which was absolutely fascinating! I hope to read about more of the Sami tribes in future books. This is a stand alone book that readers absolutely do not want to miss! Another Lucy Morris book I highly recommend!
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#BookReview #SaltireBookReviews #historicalreads #gildedage #gildedagenyc #historicalfiction #historicalbooks #historicalnovel #HistoricalFiction #RoaringTwenties #netgalley #tumblrblogger #Ireland #AranIslands #ProhibitioninUSA
Book: Irish Eyes
Author: Hope C. Tarr
Series:The American Songbook Series, # 1
Release Date: December 7, 2023
Book Length: 441 pages
Publisher: Lume Books
Overall Rating: 5 Stars (deserves bazillion stars)
Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags
1898 Aran Islands, Republic of Ireland and New York City, USA
This novel is action packed right from the start where Rose O’Neill, the seventeen-year-old heroine of this phenomenal story gets the most heartbreaking news that her favorite beloved brother Donal (Danny) was killed in the Spanish American war. Then a month later in Ireland at her family’s Pub, she meets American former soldier Adam Blakely. This was Danny’s American best friend and comrade, that he soldiered with and was with when he was fatally killed. A loyal friend and soldier who wanted to return all the letters Rose wrote to her brother. Letters Adam read repetitively over a hundred times at least and was already a little in love with his Irish Rose! They became very close and they both fell madly in love where he proposed to Rose on her Aran Islands. This is where Danny and Adam’s story ended, but Rose and Adam’s story only just began and just touched the surface as they had a long road ahead of them.
After Adam’s two week holiday turns into a two month life changing romantic journey, he gets urgent news from home and has to return home. He promised to write every day as did Rose. Furthermore, she finds out she is pregnant after he left so she decides to go to America and tell him the happy news that they were expecting a child together. Unfortunately there were many forces against them due to their class differences. As neither of them got their letters though both looked for them. He comes from a very wealthy socialite family who wants to dictate his life, this includes who he should marry and what he should do for a career. They were less than thrilled that he wanted to marry a poor Irish girl whose family ran a pub in Ireland.
Rose decided to come to New York and get her man and follow the American dream. Unfortunately things don’t always work out the way you want due to other people's manipulations, cruelty and class differences. So she finds herself frightened, homeless, pregnant, and alone in a strange country and in a big city that was not very welcoming to a single, eighteen-year-old immigrant that could not rub two pennies together. She realizes she had to forget the past and move to a different future, right when the world was moving into the twentieth century with so many changes in the world both economically and socially. Along with this were many tragedies and obstacles and Rose was in the middle of it living in a poor and dangerous area being terrified. Will Rose and Adam ever be able to find each other both living in such different worlds as she was in the poor area and he was in the very wealthy area.
Ms.Tarr who does such magnificent research in this excellent written novel-showing the history of New York City both good and bad. Plus revealing how difficult it was for immigrants and how they were mistreated in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This novel goes from 1898 to 1922, but shows many true historical facts about New York that I did not even know. Of course it also shows class differences too and some tragedies as well. Are Rose and Adam ever able to find the happiness they both deserve or will their broken hearts remain shattered for the duration of their lives? The ending just blew my mind but no spoilers as you will have to read this dazzling story to find out!
Seriously I must say this is one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life! I was so swept away and impressed it was beyond brilliant. There are no words to say or describe eloquently just how brilliant this book really truly is. Yes I went through a box of tissues, yet if I get that emotional it means the storyteller is extremely talented and I have really connected with all the characters and plot lines. I love when true facts and real people in history show up in fictional books too! This novel definitely checked all the boxes for me. I also love historical fiction and this is definitely one of the most brilliant and in-depth books I have ever read!
I absolutely highly recommend this spectacular and captivating book! Readers definitely don’t want to miss this one as it is pure brilliance and I can’t wait to read the next book in “The American Songbook” series. Well done Hope Tarr you should definitely be so proud of this phenomenal masterpiece!
Disclaimer: I received this advance review copy for free from Lume Books and Netgalley for a fair and honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All words, thoughts and ideas are my own.
Buy: Links:
Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/order-IRISH-EYES
Amazon Trade Paperback: https://tinyurl.com/Irish-Eyes-Paperback
Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/3hfkehad
Waterstones: https://tinyurl.com
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