The Laird - Grace Burrowes (Sourcebooks Casablanca - Sept 2014)

Series: Captive Hearts (Book 3)

He left his bride to go to war...

After years of soldiering, Michael Brodie returns to his Highland estate to find that the bride he left behind has become a stranger. Brenna is self-sufficient, competent, confident-and furious about Michael's prolonged absence.

Now his most important battle will be for her heart

Brenna is also hurt, bewildered, and tired of fighting for the respect of those around her. Michael left her when she needed him most, and then stayed away even after the war ended. Nonetheless, the young man who abandoned her has come home a wiser, more patient and honorable husband. But if she trusts Michael with the truths she's been guarding, he'll have to choose between his wife and everything else he holds dear.

Good ending to the Captive Hearts series. Michael made his first appearances in The Captive and The Traitor, as part of the undercover team sent to France by Wellington. Just before he left for the war, nine years earlier, Michael had married Brenna. They had been betrothed since he was thirteen and she was eight. When the marriage took place, Michael was twenty and Brenna was sixteen. Though Brenna begged to go with him, Michael left her behind, telling her that she would be safer at home.

The book began as Michael returned home, appearing without notice. Brenna is shocked, angry, and worried. She has spent the years since his departure taking care of home and hearth with little communication with her husband. It hasn't been easy. Her husband's uncle actively works against her, and the people of the clan that she tries to care for look on her with contempt and suspicion. She is furious with Michael for abandoning her, and his staying away even after the war ended only aggravated her more. But, in spite of her anger with him, Brenna also remembers the days when he was her only friend, that she felt safe and protected with him. Michael is glad to be home, his duties to his country finally at an end. He hopes to find peace and healing in his land and the arms of his wife.

I loved that first meeting between Brenna and Michael. He gets quite a shock when he discovers that she isn't the plump, quiet, girl that he left behind. Instead, he finds a strong, capable woman who is justifiably angry at him. I loved that he admitted his mistakes and promised to do better. Brenna has had such a miserable time that she's ready to call it quits on the marriage. She makes good points that they don't know each other anymore. Michael is determined to make the marriage work, but he is also sensitive to Brenna's feelings. I loved his patience as he slowly worked his way past her walls and earned her trust. There are some very sweet scenes as he woos his wife, showing her the care and respect that she has craved for so long. Brenna is wary around Michael. She quickly realizes that she still cares for him, but she has secrets that could easily destroy his respect for her. I loved seeing the two of them together, as their shared history helped ease the way for them to get to know each other again. I especially enjoyed seeing Michael's belief in Brenna and determination to make things right for her. Brenna also helps Michael deal with the memories of the things he's had to do over the years. I loved the ending as both of them are able to put the past behind them and move on to a future together.

Underneath the happiness of Michael's return, there is also the undercurrent that something isn't quite right. The antagonism between Brenna and Angus is clear, and Michael wants to know why. I liked his quiet watchfulness as he gathered the facts before he made his move. It made me happy to see his righteous anger over how she had been treated by his people. Michael wasn't quite done yet, and he continued his investigation. He did not expect what he found, and his shock and horror were indescribable. The confrontation was intense, though I was not surprised by either accusation. I had disliked Angus from the start because of his attitude toward Brenna, and my suspicions of him continued to grow throughout the book. There were times when he made my skin crawl, and I wanted to yell at Brenna to expose him. There was a slight redemption at the end, but overall I think he got a better ending than he deserved.

I loved seeing St. Clair and Milly (The Traitor) when they arrived to visit the Brodies though their timing was certainly awkward. The friendship between the two men is clear, as is the respect. I loved seeing St. Clair give Michael relationship advice. I also enjoyed the growing friendship between Milly and Brenna and loved Milly's part in revealing some of Brenna's troubles to Michael. It was terrific to see the changes in St. Clair since Milly came into his life.

There were other secondary characters to round out the story. Brenna's MacLogan cousins were somewhat integral to what was going on. They were there because of Brenna's marriage to Michael but were not universally accepted. Angus used them as a stick to keep Brenna in line but also had to be wary because of what they knew. I was angry at them for their part in the event that turned the clan against Brenna, but I also liked Hugh's support of Michael as he worked to get at the truth. Maeve was an interesting addition to the story. I ached for her and the betrayal she felt as her sister sent her away from the only home she had ever known to a brother she had never met. It was no wonder that she was as prickly as she was. She was also lonely, which made her a prime target for Angus. I liked Brenna's understanding of how Maeve felt, and her desperate need to protect Maeve. It would have been a lot easier if she had told Michael why she was so adamant in her rules. I would love to see a book with Maeve as the heroine.

Highland Wolf - Hannah Howell (Kensington - Nov 2018/Zebra - Jan 2008)

Series: Highland - Murray (Book 16)

Annora MacKay senses a disturbing evil in Dunncraig Keep, the estate acquired by her cousin, a cruel and ruthless man. Only her affection for the tiny girl he claims is his daughter stops her from fleeing. Then a mysterious woodcarver arrives at the castle, and she cannot stop thinking--or longing--for him...

James Drummond, once a laird now an outcast, wants what was stolen from him--his good name, his lands, and his child. His disguise for getting into Dunncraig is step one of his plan, but the enticing raven-haired woman who cares for his daughter is an unwelcome surprise. For he has come seeking justice, not love...

I read this book when it first came out in 2008 and loved it, so I was very happy to win a review copy from NetGalley so that I could reread it. This is the story of James Drummond, the adopted son of Eric and Bethia Murray (Highland Promise), all grown up and with troubles of his own. He was the laird of Dunncraig Keep until he was betrayed by his wife's cousin. Accused of murdering his wife and declared an outlaw, James fled for his life, hiding out for three years. Now he's had enough and is determined to clear his name and regain his home, his lands, and his daughter. He disguises himself as a one-eyed woodcarver to gain access to the keep, where he meets Annora.

Annora MacKay is the poor-relation cousin of Donnell MacKay, the man who stole Dunncraig Keep. She was brought to Dunncraig to care for Meggie, the little girl that Donnell says is his daughter. Her cousin is ruthless and vicious, and Annora does what she can to protect Meggie from him, frequently suffering abuse because of it. The longer she is there, the more suspicious she becomes of just how Donnell acquired the property. These suspicions are reinforced by her ability to sense the feelings of others, and she feels the evil that surrounds Donnell. She soon senses a new emotion in the keep - rage - and it is centered on the woodcarver who has taken up residence there.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between James and Annora. There was no denying the sparks that flew between them from the moment they met, though both tried to ignore them at first. James doesn't want the distraction from his goal of finding proof of his innocence, plus pursuing the attraction could make him vulnerable to discovery. Annora is closely watched by her cousin and his second-in-command, Egan. Egan wants Annora for his own and would kill any man who touched what he considered his "property." But James and Annora can't stay away from each other, especially after James saves her from Egan's advances. James grows to trust Annora, and when she stumbles onto him out of his disguise, he takes her into his confidence. The more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings for each other become, but there are big obstacles to their being together. The biggest, of course, is James's being an outlaw. Another is Annora's conviction that she is not good enough for James, with him being a laird and her being a landless, bastard-born orphan. I loved how James's Murray upbringing made it easy for him to recognize that Annora is his other half, the mate that was destined to be his. They are also responsible for his easy acceptance of her "gift," something that she did not expect at all. I did get a little frustrated at Annora's refusal to believe that James would want her for more than a brief fling.

The storyline of James's search for proof of his innocence was well done, with plenty of tension, twists and turns, and action. Donnell was a villain who was very easy to hate, with his cruelty, selfishness, and deceit. I liked how James and Annora teamed up, with Annora's "gift" and knowledge of both Donnell and James's late wife, Mary, providing new and startling insight into what had gone on. I loved the arrival of Sir Simon Innes and James's brother Tormand, and their intent to assist James. Sir Simon's presence is especially significant. When the danger to Annora becomes too high, James attempts to get her and Meggie to safety, but their escape is thwarted. I was on the edge of my seat from there to the end, as both their lives were in extreme danger. I ached for Annora and everything she went through. I was incredibly impressed with her determination and strength of will in spite of her pain and loved what she was able to do. James's situation was even more dire, and I was glued to the pages during that final confrontation. The resolution was extremely satisfying and brilliantly executed.

The only thing left was for James to win his fair lady. Annora was determined to avoid him and leave as soon as she could. She couldn't bear to see him marry another, and was certain he would marry for wealth and position. James's frustration was obvious, and his brother's teasing made me laugh out loud. James's big moment at the end was sweet and romantic, and definitely worthy of being a Murray. The epilogue was great, with Tormand once again providing both support and torment in James's hour of need.

The secondary characters were terrific, with the best ones being Big Marta and little Meggie. As the longtime cook at Dunncraig, it wasn't surprising that she quickly saw through James's disguise. I loved her support of both James and Annora. Meggie was quite the little piece of work. She was very observant for a five-year-old, but the life she'd lived for the past three years had made her so. I loved her instant connection with James, even without connecting him to her vague memories of her real father. I loved her relationship with Annora, and the obvious love they had for each other. I liked that she wasn't perfect - there were a few instances of more typical childish behavior, but she was never mean or purposely naughty.

Forbidden Night with the Highlander - Michelle Willingham (HH #1364 - Feb 2018)

Series: Warriors of the Night (Book 2)

The handsome Highlander who seduced her…

…is the very man she must marry!

In this Warriors of the Night story, Lianna MacKinnon seeks to avoid her betrothal to a Norman lord by giving herself to an intriguing stranger. But afterward, she discovers her sensual lover is none other than Rhys de Laurent -- her betrothed -- in disguise! They’ve already had their wedding night… Now there’s no escaping their marriage vows!

Good book. This one is about Rhys de Laurent, older brother of Warrick from the first book in the series (Forbidden Night with the Warrior). Parts of this book take place at the same time as the first book, filling in a few blank spaces. In this book, it is time for Rhys to follow through on the long-standing betrothal between himself and Lianna. He doesn't want to live in Scotland, so far away from his home and family, but he is a man of honor and will do what he must - though he does contemplate getting his brother to marry her instead. His qualms are not eased when he speaks to her father and learns that Lianna wants no part of marrying a Norman. He goes along with her father's suggestion that he get to know her without revealing his identity, but he doesn't like the deception. Lianna is an unusual woman and is considered odd by her clansmen. She loves her people and constantly worries about their health and welfare. She knows that if she doesn't go through with the marriage, it could mean starvation and exile for them. When she meets a handsome stranger, she is nervous at first but also attracted. Part of her feels that he may be the answer to her prayers.

The development of the relationship between Lianna and Rhys was very turbulent. The sparks flew between them from the moment they met. Rhys was as fascinated as he was attracted, and no longer thought of giving her up. Lianna was attracted but also felt guilty because of her betrothal to Rhys. She was also desperate to escape the marriage, and when she sees the opportunity to do so, gives in to the passion she feels for her stranger, thinking she will no longer be wanted by Rhys. I liked Rhys's discomfort with his deception and how he tried to tell her the truth before passion took over. To say that Lianna wasn't happy when she found out the truth would be putting it mildly. Things go from bad to worse when Lianna's older brother attempts to kill Rhys and his men and is killed himself. Lianna is beside herself with grief and anger, making her even more set against her marriage.

I ached for Rhys, who had begun to care for Lianna. I loved the way that he saw how much she did for her people and how disturbed he was by the way they treated her. He tried in so many ways to treat her well and show her the respect he thought she deserved. When they left to go to his home in England for the wedding, Lianna still treated him like pond scum. I was very frustrated with her during their time in England. She held herself away from everyone and was pretty rude to people who wanted to make her feel welcome. Even though she could see that Rhys was a good man who cared for his people, just as she cared for hers, her stubbornness would not let her give in. Eventually, the attraction between them worked a bit of a truce, and Lianna finally began to loosen up. By the time they returned to Scotland, things were looking up for them. Unfortunately, her people hadn't forgiven him for the death of her brother, and Lianna found herself caught between the two sides. Some ill-spoken words by Lianna were overheard by Rhys, putting them at odds once again.

Another trip back to England gives Lianna the opportunity to make things right with Rhys, but now he is the one resisting. His pride has been hurt and he doesn't want to risk being hurt again. Rhys also has some trust issues stemming from some things that happened when he was a child. When Lianna's behavior towards him changes so drastically, he doesn't know whether to believe it or if she is trying to manipulate him. I loved seeing the difference in her attitude and seeing her make her own mark on her new home. I liked the progress she made toward repairing her relationship with Rhys, especially with what happened in the cellar and how it brought them closer together. When a crisis in Scotland sends Rhys riding to the rescue, Lianna must decide whether to follow her heart or her husband's orders. The conclusion was intense, with some very surprising and satisfying twists.

 

Falling for the Highlander - Lynsay Sands (Avon - Feb 2017)

Series: Highlands (Book 4)

Lady Murine Carmichael has known her share of bad luck. But when her debt-ridden half-brother tries to sell her off in exchange for a few Scottish horses, it’s the final straw. If keeping her freedom means escaping through harsh countryside alone, so be it. She has barely begun her journey when she lands an unlikely escort -- the brawny Highlander who just refused to buy her virtue.

Dougall Buchanan was disgusted by Lord Danvries’ shameful offer, but Murine tempts him beyond measure. Even bedraggled and dusty, the lass glows with beauty and bravery. Dougall wants to do more than just help her flee. He wants to protect her -- with his life and his heart -- if she’ll only let him. For Murine may be pursued by a powerful foe, but nothing compares to the fiery courage of a Highlander in love.

Fun book. We first met Murine and Dougall in the previous book, The Highlander Takes a Bride. Murine and Saidh became good friends, with Murine having a big part in saving Saidh's life. Dougall is one of Saidh's seven brothers. He and his brothers were fun characters, especially with the way they had influenced Saidh while she was growing up. The closeness of the family impressed me in that book, and I hoped to see some of the Buchanan brothers get their own books. This one is a good start to that wish.

Murine has had a rough few years. Her beloved younger brothers and one older half-brother have died. Her mother became ill and also died. Though her father had been sick, he was getting better just before she went on the journey in the previous book. Unfortunately, her father died suddenly while she was gone, leaving her in the care of her remaining half-brother, Montrose. Montrose is weak, lazy, selfish, and a gambler. As the book opens, he is attempting to talk the owner of some Scottish horses into giving him credit so he can purchase the horses. Failing that, he offers up Murine for the Scotsman's pleasure instead. The Scotsman in question is Dougall Buchanan, brother to Saidh. He is disgusted by Montrose and his attempts to weasel out of paying, and even more so by the attempts to sell his sister. He can't get out of there fast enough to suit him or his brothers.

Horrified by her brother's plans for her, Murine immediately packed a few things and left, determined to go to her friend Saidh for help. Next thing we see is Murine riding her pet bull up the road as Dougall and his brothers overtake her. Recognizing her right away, Dougall and his brothers hide her when her brother's men come looking for her. Unfortunately, their methods brought on one of her fainting fits, leaving them no choice but to take her with them. By the time she finally comes to, they are well away from her home. I liked Dougall's decision to help her even before he found out about her connection to his sister. That connection made it even more important to all of the men. Dougall did not expect his attraction to her, and that attraction made him even more protective of her. It was sweet to see the way that he worried about her and her fainting fits. It was fun to see all the guys falling over themselves to take care of her, especially once they figured out the reason for her fainting.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Murine and Dougall. He was attracted to her from the moment he saw her but tried to resist due to differences in their stations. However, that resistance was futile as the sparks between them continued to grow. Murine was attracted to him also, but having heard him say he had no plans to marry any time soon, also tried to resist the sparks. It didn't take long for the idea of marrying her to gain in appeal for Dougall, though it took a while for him to let her in on that decision. When the sparks became overwhelming, the passion between them was pretty intense. I loved how good they were together, with no regrets afterward.

As the group continued their journey, they ran into unexpected trouble. Though they were worried about Montrose attempting to reclaim Murine, there was also something else going on. From strangers in the woods to Murine being shot with an arrow to a fire that nearly killed them all, it seems that someone has it out for either Murine or the Buchanans. I was on the edge of my seat when it came to the fire. Murine was fantastic in her efforts to save Dougall. All of this worked to convince Dougall that he needed to marry Murine sooner rather than later.

The suspense built when they got to Saidh, and they anticipated finally getting to confront Montrose. While waiting for that to happen there were some interesting discussions among the men regarding Murine and her troubles. It was all stuff that was blazingly obvious to a reader, but I enjoyed seeing the men work it all out. The final confrontation had a couple of unexpected twists to it, but in the end, Murine was safe. I was a little dissatisfied with the ending, as I felt that it left the fate of the Carmichael clan up in the air. In his fears for Murine's safety, I loved seeing Dougall finally admit his feelings for her.

I loved seeing more of the Buchanan brothers. They were quite an impressive group. It was fun to see them falling all over themselves to take care of Murine. I especially enjoyed Conran and the way he gave Dougall such a hard time over his interest in Murine. Alrick was fun as the youngest and his occasional cluelessness. I'm most interest in Aulay and what happened to him. I look forward to reading his story.

 

The Texan Duke - Karen Ranney (Avon - Nov 2017)

Series: Duke Trilogy (Book 3)

As the ward to the late Duke of Lothian, Elsbeth Carew resides at the ancestral estate of Bealadair. Fiercely attached to the manor, she loves it more than anyone else. When Connor McCraight -- the new Duke of Lothian -- arrives, Elsbeth does not quite know what to make of the American who has inherited the title but has never even set foot on Scottish soil. The tall, ruggedly handsome Texan sweeps through Bealadair with an air of authority Elsbeth has never encountered.

Connor has no intention of making Scotland his home and hopes to sell the estate as soon as possible. But his plan is jeopardized when he meets Elsbeth. A sweet, gray-eyed beauty, she tempts him in ways no other woman has. As word spreads of Connor’s intention to sell Bealadair, his life is threatened -- and the only woman who can save him may be the one he has hopelessly lost his heart to.

Good book. It opened with a very unhappy Connor, a born and bred Texan, in Scotland, in the middle of winter. It seems he is the new Duke of Lothian, something he didn't expect and certainly doesn't want. He plans to see the property and then sell it as soon as he can and go back to Texas.

Elsbeth became the ward of the late Duke at the age of eight when her parents died. She shared his love of the history and people of Bealadair and had devoted herself to its care and keeping. She worries about what will happen to them when the new Duke sells.

I liked both Connor and Elsbeth. Connor is a good man. He treats everyone the same, from servant on up. He's definitely out of his element but does the best he can while hanging on to his personal values. It was fun to watch his reactions to some of the differences. I enjoyed his reaction to the Highland cows. Though a bit close-minded at the beginning, some of his attitude changed as Elsbeth showed him around the property. Elsbeth is kind of stuck between two worlds. She has never felt truly part of the family outside of her relationship with the late duke. She gets a great deal of satisfaction out of the work she does for the estate.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Connor and Elsbeth. Connor was fascinated and smitten from the moment he met her. I loved watching him find any opportunity to spend time with her. Elsbeth was a little warier. She was equally fascinated by him, but knowing that he has no intention of staying in Scotland makes her determined not to give in to those feelings. I liked seeing her efforts to show him the beauty of Bealadair and its people. As they spent time together, the feelings and attraction grew. I loved their protectiveness toward each other during and after the shooting, and Connor's respect Elsbeth grew even more. I ached a bit for Elsbeth, who believed that there was no future for her with Connor, even as she gave in to her desire for him. Connor knew what he wanted, but he was a bit of a bonehead and didn't say anything to her about his feelings, wanting to get all his plans in place. This nearly backfired on him as she went about her plans. The ending was good, though not quite the romantic scene that Connor had planned. I would have liked an epilogue showing her reaction to Texas. I will say I wasn't surprised by Connor's solution to the problem of selling the estate, though there was an interesting twist included.

There was also a bit of suspense to the story. Connor's plans to sell don't sit well with everybody. After a couple of so-called "accidents," he and Elsbeth have to admit that someone is trying to kill him, though they don't know why. He's made it clear that the place will be sold no matter what happens to him. There are several possibilities as to who is behind it. It was interesting to see that it was Elsbeth who figured out the who and the motivation.