Book Review: Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick

This story provides a fine blend of romance and action with strong characters!

Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy)
by May McGoldrick

File Size: 1104 KB
Print Length: 308 pages
Publisher: Swerve (May 3, 2016)
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B01C2T1XIY
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the heart of Scotland, this Highlander is about to meet his match in a brand new romance from bestseller May McGoldrick.

Highland warrior Alexander Macpherson has lost his wife. When he agreed to take Kenna Mackay as his bride to advance his clan’s power in the north, he expected a bit of an adjustment. He didn't expect the sharp-tongued beauty to run away on their wedding night. Still, Alexander wants his runaway bride…and he has the sneaking suspicion that she wants him, too.

Kenna Mackay thought she was safe in a priory full of nuns learning the craft of healing, but when she is kidnapped by her own husband, the battle of wits begins anew. But even as passions ignite, a deadly secret from Kenna's past rises to the surface and put their new love in jeopardy. As a heartless villain closes in, two headstrong lovers find themselves locked in a struggle between evil and the power of undying love. And this time, Alexander is determined he will not lose his wife again.

Review:
This story picks up six months after Kenna fled her marriage. Kenna lost her mother as a young girl, after which her father gave her little affection. Once she reached marriageable age he arranged a favorable marriage with Alexander Macpherson. Kenna was not happy being treated as chattel and made plans to flee to a priory.

Alexander is the eldest of three young men who are known for their comradery, pursuit of women and adventure… as well as pranks. Alex was quickly struck with Kenna’s beauty and strength but wasn’t prepared for his bride to take off the night of their wedding.

Six months later Kenna and her cousin, Emily, are kidnapped by Alex’s younger brother, James. Alex and Kenna are shocked to come face to face and immediately start sniping at each other. A small band sets off to exchange Emily for other stolen property.

Alex and Kenna awaken the next morning to find they have been abandoned by the others. They soon discover they must work together and protect each other as they dodge English raiders being helped by brutal Scottish lowlanders. Kenna discovers that she has extraordinary skills beyond the healing techniques she has been taught. She possesses a stone passed on by her mother but someone evil wants to steal her gift.

A simple plan for romance goes awry and James and Emily find themselves at odds as well as Kenna and Alex. The reader gets to enjoy two growing and warming romances woven amid danger and intrigue.The story moves at a good pace with lots of action as well as the nice romances.

Kenna is a strong, feisty female willing to stand up for herself in a time when that is not expected. Alex is a handsome alpha male who is able to appreciate Kenna’s strength if only he can make her see that she can find love with him and acceptance in his clan. Their bantering is a fun part of the story adding to the romantic tension. I also liked the element of the stone pieces and the gifts they bring. I am hoping that the use for evil will be the downfall of the villain… maybe in the next story.

This is a very nice blend of sensual romance and action. Maybe not enough heat for some romance readers but nearly perfect for my tastes. Reading this reminded me why I have collected a handful of books by this husband and wife team. I recommend this to readers who like Scottish romances with spice and danger but not graphic sex. I would like to read the rest of the trilogy to find out what happens to the other women who have the gifted stone pieces.

I received this new release through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge and “M” in Alphabet Soup.

Book Review: Chieftain by Command by Frances Housden

I liked the characters in this satisfactory Scottish romance. 

Chieftain by Command

by Frances Housden

• File Size: 554 KB
• Print Length: 212 pages
• Publisher: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd (September 1, 2014)
• ASIN: B00M19AWGU

Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Clans

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Blurb:
From the bestselling, RITA-nominated author Frances Housden comes the gripping, sensual, suspenseful follow-up to The Chieftain’s Curse...
Gavyn Farquhar’s marriage is forged with a double-edged blade. Along with the Comlyn clan’s lands, a reward from the King, he is blessed with an unwilling bride, Kathryn Comlyn, and an ancient fort with few defences that desperately needs to be fortified before it can act as a sufficient buffer between Scotland and the Norsemen on its northern borders.
Gavyn needs wealth to meet his king’s demands, and he knows of only one way to get it — with his sword. Leaving his prickly bride behind in the hands of trusted advisors, he makes his way to the battlegrounds of France and the money that can be made there.
Two years married and Kathryn is still a virgin. A resentful virgin, certain that, like her father before her, she is perfectly capable of leading the Comlyn clan. In her usurper husband’s absence, she meets the clan’s needs, advising and ruling as well as any man.
But she is an intelligent woman, and she knows the only respect and power she will ever hold will be through her husband. And to wield it, she needs to make him love her. An easy task to set, but impossible to complete, when said husband has been gone for two years, and there is no word of his return. But Kathryn is undeterred. After all, a faint heart never won a Chieftain.

Review:
Kathyrn Comlyn was only fifteen when she was thrust, by the King’s command, into a marriage to Gavyn Farquhar. Kathryn was chagrined and relieved when Gavyn only pretended to consummate the marriage before leaving for France to earn funds needed to fortify the stronghold. Kathryn has managed the affairs of the clan for the past two years but has learned that, as a woman, she can only gain respect and authority as the Chieftain’s lady wife.

Gavyn finally returns home after two years of battling and dreaming about the spitfire, reluctant wife he left behind. His unannounced arrival is greeted by an arrow shot by that wife. Although Gavyn wants to gain her companionship he fears that she may truly hate him and the circumstances that brought them together. He also has to deal with clansmen who view him and his band of mercenaries as usurpers on their lands.

Kathryn has taken Lhilidh, a young girl whose mother has recently died, as her maid. Lhilidh was raised with Nhaimeth, a dwarf, who was always thought to be a fool as a youngster but who has now grown to be a respected, intelligent and loyal man. Nhaimeth is devoted to Kathryn and Lhilidh and his two young friends, both noblemen’s sons in training, Rob and Jamie, keep an eye out for the ladies too. But no one is aware that Kathryn’s two disreputable cousins are plotting behind her back.

I liked the primary characters and many of the secondary characters added to the story. I was glad that there was intrigue and danger, with a few secrets, to fill out the romance. Unfortunately I found the pacing to be on and off, a little slow and then fast. There was annoying repetition in the themes of distrust between Kathryn and Gavyn and their unwillingness to reveal their growing affection for each other. The sexual scenes were also a bit more descriptive than I care for.

Still, the writing is sound with some rich descriptions and realistic emotional fears. Although I wasn’t enthralled, I did enjoy the overall read and would try this author again.

I received this title from Escape Publishing for an honest review.