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.

Sunday Post May 8, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 9, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Again the week moved quickly. I still have much work to finish and some items postponed due to the virus in one of my folders on dropbox. Weather has been quite lovely, a little cooler with only one day of rain.


I finished five books: two ebooks and three audios. I posted four reviews, an interview with giveaway. I also posted my usual memes.

I enjoyed visiting other blogs early and to mid week; a few more new ones which I was glad to 'meet'.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 1, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 2, 2016.

• MBS April 2016 Reading Wrap-Up

• Book Review (with Giveaway link): Reaching Angelica: Book #2 in the Tag Series by Peter Riva ; Sci fi, Cyberpunk; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Admiral (An Evagardian Novel) by Sean Danker ; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.

• Interview with Sean Danker, Author of Admiral, Plus Giveaway! Open US only for print book. Ending 5/14/2016.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 6, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/12/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) by Michael J. Sullivan; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.

• Audio Book Review: In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale by Robert McCallum ; Fantasy; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #251 Comment Giveaway May 6, 2016. Ending 5/14/16.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 8, 2016 Happy Mother's Day.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Tour)

Reaching Angelica: Book #2 in the Tag Series
by Peter Riva
Good Sci Fi adventure.
My review is linked above.

2. Audio/MP3 (Narrator)

In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale
Written by: Robert McCallum
Narrated by: David Ocean
This is dark but still engaging.
My review is linked above.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy)
by May McGoldrick
This has a good blend of action and romance.
I will post my review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audio/MP3 (ABJ)

Pack: A Paranormal Romance Novelette
Written by: Jeaniene Frost
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
This was a quick listen and I enjoyed the story.
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
I'll post a review this week.
Publisher's Summary
Lost in the woods...
Marlee Peters is tired of putting her dreams on hold. So when her friends can't continue on a long-anticipated hike through Yellowstone National Park, she goes on without them. But Marlee isn't alone in the woods: She is being hunted by a pack of frighteningly intelligent wolves. When a fight for survival takes an impossible turn, Marlee realizes that the enigmatic stranger who saves her might be her dream come true - or her waking nightmare.
Big, bad wolf...
As the pack's enforcer, Daniel has sworn to keep the existence of werewolves a secret. He knows that Marlee's bites may change her life in a way she can't imagine, but if they don't, he can't let her tell others about his race. Yet Marlee is awakening Daniel's most primal urges, and soon neither one of them will be able to resist the call of the wild.
©2016 Jeaniene Frost (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

5. Audible/MP3 (TBR/Free)

The Jewel of Dantenos: The FREE Lee Starfinder Adventure: from the World of the Godling Chronicles, Book 0.5
Written by: Brian D. Anderson
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
This was the second short audio I slipped in this week from my own TBR Audible Library.
Good action and intrigue.
Publisher's Summary
From the world of The Godling Chronicles.
Filled with confidence and no small measure of arrogance, young Lee Starfinder, along with Millet Gristall, set off on their very first adventure. Lee quickly discovers that life beyond Hazrah can be far deadlier than he could have ever imagined. And soon he must learn that muscle and steel cannot replace loyalty, bravery, and friendship.
©2014 Brian D. Anderson (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Hold Your Breath (Search and Rescue)
by Katie Ruggle
I am about 25% in and really enjoying this.
Received through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3 (Author)

Redfall: Freedom Fighters: American Prepper Series, Book 2
Written by: Jay J. Falconer
Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann
I am looking forward to continuing this series.
I received this from the author.
Publisher's Summary
When the red rain stops, will civilization survive?
As militant groups arm themselves and take to the streets, survivalist Simon Redfall and his band of freedom fighters scramble to uncover more facts about the swarm of red storms suffocating the planet.
The more they dig, the deeper the conspiracy grows. Yet, it all seems to point back to one man and his weather control technology, Jeffrey Hansen. A former military intelligence officer who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
When more of the puzzle comes together, Simon realizes the threat to humanity is even greater than anyone could have ever imagined. Something sinister is about to crawl out of the shadows and reveal itself.
No one is safe.
No one can stop it.
No one saw it coming.
Rated R for violence, language, sexual situations, and bloodshed.
©2016 Jay J. Falconer (P)2016 Jay J. Falconer

3. eBook/Kindle (PBG)

Carnations in January
by Clare Revell
These came as a pair so I plan to read together.
I received the two titles from PBG 
(Pelican Book Group) Booklovers; 
review due by May 25.
After Grace Chadwick receives a surprise inheritance from her aunt—a house and a florist shop—she moves in after the funeral. While she doesn't know the first thing about flowers, she sees this an answer to her prayers—the new start she desperately needs. When Elliot Wallac drops by his new neighbor's house with casserole, he finds the house next door has problems. Damp walls and a sagging floor set his builders senses on alert. But this house needs more than a cosmetic fix, inspection reveals more extensive issues. Like Grace's spiritual life, the house is suffering from neglect at the very foundation. With God's guidance can Elliot help Grace repair her home and her faith before both are condemned?

4. eBook/Kindle (PBG)

Violets in February
by Clare Revell
When uptight missionary, Lucy Boyd is injured her only ride to the hospital 200 miles away is the scary looking guy who delivers their supplies every two weeks. Not only is he scary, he's obviously quite heathen based on the earring in his ear, the heavy metal music blasting from his truck when he pulls into the compound, and his salty language. Jed Gorman doesn't like people, especially Christians. Shuttled from foster home to foster home after the death of his parents, he's had enough "Christian Charity" to last a lifetime. The last thing he needs is that uptight missionary woman as a passenger. But when he sees that her knee is the size of a football he can't say no. It's going to be a rough ride, his truck is old, the monsoon season has hit, and there are guerrillas in the jungle...

5. Audio/MP3 (Narrator)

Making Amends
Written by: Melinda Clayton
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
This sounds like a good suspense. 
I received this audio from the narrator 
through Audiobook Blast
Publisher's Summary
On a beautiful fall evening, in the middle of a game of hide-and-seek, five-year-old Bobby Clark is kidnapped by his estranged father, a shiftless man with a history of domestic violence and drug abuse. Bobby's twin brother Ricky watches, terrified, from his hiding place behind the bougainvillea, while mother Tabby, who also struggles with addiction, lies inebriated on the living room floor.
Bobby isn't seen by his loved ones again until a fateful morning 25 years later, when video of his arrest dominates the morning news. He has been charged with the murder of his father, but before the trial can begin, he manages to escape.
As Tabby and Ricky absorb the news of Bobby's return and subsequent escape, Tabby is convinced he'll come home to the quiet Florida street from which he was taken so long ago. But when events begin to spiral out of control, she's left to wonder: is a child born to be evil, or shaped to be evil? And in the end, when it's time to make amends, does it really matter?
©2015 Melinda Clayton (P)2016 Melinda Clayton

May 8, 2016 - Current with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted four reviews last week which leaves me three coming into this week plus others I hope to post.
May 10 Much Ado About Highlanders by May McGoldrick
May 11? Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle
Unscheduled for May:
Carnations in January by Clare Revell
Violets in February by Clare Revell

I have gotten to the audio books, now I hope to begin again next week on the five nine, now seven nine (again) author ebook reviews committed with no specific dates.
My NetGalley shelves are down to five 1/2 which I am working on this week/month.

I held off adding anything new until we cleared our Dropbox issues. 
So the 'prom' short story will be added this week to eTreasure's NetGalley.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This week I picked up two ebooks for review.
I picked up one kindle title for $.99.
I added more free kindle titles to my library. Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

The author requested a review of this title which was available free on Kindle today.

The Lame Duck
by Bernard Leo Remakus
This sounds like an interesting medical suspense.

Quirky Essays for Quirky People: The Complete Collection
by Barbara Venkataraman
I've been enjoying Barbara's Lawyer Sleuth series
and was glad to receive this free on Kindle.
(I can always use Q for Alphabet Soup Challenge)

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked this one up for $.99:

Koban
by Stephen W Bennett
I have been eyeing this author/series on Audible so I thought I would try the first book at this good price.

Free

Over the past week I added another 42 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 8, 2016 Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. We were blessed to have our son come to visit for Mother’s Day.  We attended our ‘second’ church where we visit for the early service.

The Pastor did a nice sermon on parenting. He noted that in current society it is a time when families need to pull together as so many families have become disjointed families. Many people, children have opted for God’s permissive will instead of His perfect will. The pastor shared an ironic poem about mean mothers.

Jurassic Park would have been a great park until the safety features broke down. Parents today are in a similar fix, trying to survive the breakdown of safety boundaries (values) in our society. The guidebook for Christians is the Bible. Ephesians 6:4 tells parents (fathers but applies to mothers) 'do not exacerbate your children but train them in the instruction of the Lord'.

We live in a world much different from the 1950s. Parents are so busy trying to provide a comfortable living for their family but it cuts into quality time with the kids. If you are not there, someone else will help your children to establish values. TV is teaching the children. By age 65, studies show that a child of today will have spent 9 years watching TV compared to 4 months in church.

Parents need to provide loving encouragement to children. Parents also need to provide boundaries and loving discipline. Finally, parents need to provide standards and values that will allow children to self-discipline as they mature. We need to commit to these trainings to raise dedicated children.

This is a lovely song for Mother’s Day.

Verses for Today:
Proverbs 6:20-22 (NIV)
20 My son, keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.

I still miss you, Mom, but I thank you, and thank God, that you gave me foundations, values and boundaries. And when I was old enough, you encouraged me to fly.

Sharing Beyond Books #251 Comment Giveaway May 7, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I had another busy week and a surprise when I got home Friday night as our son came to visit for Mother's Day. He was a big help around the house today.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Thirteen commenters do follow campaigns but a few follow coverage rather than debates. Six people do not follow politics and that includes a few whose foreign politics and elections are very different.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #250 comments is: #8 Rita who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #251

(One Question.)

miki asks: What do you think of authors who ask for specific review (for example to post only review with 3,5/5 minimum)? Would you want to review her/ his book again??

I have never had an author tell me only to post if above a certain rating. I do not think I would agree to review first or again.

Image from Netsertive.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:
miki asks: What do you think of authors who ask for specific review (for example to post only review with 3,5/5 minimum)? Would you want to review her/ his book again??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday May 14, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale by Robert McCallum

This was darker than I expected but engaging with a macabre irony.
In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale
Written by: Robert McCallum
Narrated by: David Ocean

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-23-16
Publisher: Books by R. L. McCallum
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Ireland, 1911. After encountering a faery in the woodlands near his home in Tralee when he is a child, Professor Emmet Brehon spends his life pursuing the belief that faeries are more than just elements of mythology. While teaching Irish mythology and folklore at a university in Dublin, he receives a note from a stranger who claims to know where faeries can be found. Following the map that the stranger gives him, Emmet travels to a faerie circle and mound near Lough Leane in Kerry, where he encounters two ghostly little girls and a faery light. Snapping a photograph of the girls and faery light with his Brownie camera, Emmet's life becomes twisted when he discovers that he can't rid himself of the photograph, and disasters occur whenever he is present. He soon loses all in life that it is precious to him, including his sanity.
©2015 R. L. McCallum (P)2016 R. L. McCallum

Review:
Professor Emmet Brehon believes he saw a sweet faery as a child and has spent his life studying folklore and mythology. He is excited when he receives a note and map telling him where to find faeries in Killarney. He travels there one night in 1911 to sneak up on a faery mound with his new Brownie Camera. Emmet is ecstatic to get a photograph when he spots two ghostly little girls and a faery light with wings. He hurries away treasuring the camera in hopes that he will finally have proof of his discovery.

As soon as Emmet returns to the ancient inn where he is staying dark things begin to plague his life. Others die around him as he escapes a fire at the inn and then a train crash while returning to the city. He is able to get the photograph developed but the image of the almost transparent girls and the dot of winged light acts strangely. He hears girlish giggles and a banshee scream right before another death or accident occurs. He becomes more distressed as he leaves a trail of dead acquaintances and friends behind him. Emmet seeks to rid himself of the photo and the curse without success.

Emmet is taking his wealthy fiance’, Catherine, out for dinner planning to explain the problems he is having. Another accident occurs with the driver of their vehicle killing a woman in the street. He convinces Catherine that they must leave Ireland and travel far away to America to try to out run the faery curse. Needless to say, one can’t outrun a curse that you carry with you.

Emmet survives ship disasters and suspicious doctors when he finally arrives in New York. Before he is able to return to Ireland he will face other physical and ghostly encounters that bring him to the brink of madness. The doctors think they can help but will Emmet face medical danger too?

Note the darkness of the cover of this story and be forewarned. The story moves well, but is not light; it is dark. It is engaging in a macabre way and not good for bedtime reading. I liked the dark ironies and the tie-in to well-known events of the years the story covers. I think this is best suited for adult readers/listeners who enjoy dark folklore or even horror.

Audio Notes: I have to admit I was intrigued by David Ocean’s lovely brogue and most of the narration as it fits Emmet. Sadly, the female voices did not work so well as they were more strident or shrill than feminine. I did enjoy the added sound effect of the ghostly giggles and banshee wail although there were a few in the middle that were out of sync with the tale. For me, the audio made this a better read. However, readers interested in this should enjoy it equally in either format that suits them.

I received this audio book from the Narrator for an honest review. This qualifies for my Audio Challenge and "I" for Alphabet Challenge.