A Grave Matter (Lady Darby Mystery: Book Three): Anna Lee Huber

"Scotland, 1830.  Following the death of her dear friend, Lady Kiera Darby is in need of a safe haven.  Returning to her childhood home, Kiera hopes her beloved brother, Trevor, and the merriment of the Hogmanay Ball will distract her.  But when a caretaker is murdered and a grave is disturbed at nearby Dryburgh Abbey Kiera is once more thrust into the cold grasp of death.

"While Kiera knows that aiding in another inquiry will only further tarnish her reputation, her knowledge of anatomy could make the difference in solving the case.  But agreeing to investigate means Kiera must deal with the complicated emotions aroused in her by inquiry agent Sebastian Gage.

"When Gage arrives, he reveals that the incident at the Abbey was not the first--some fiend is digging up old bones and holding them for ransom.  Now Kiera and Gage must catch the grave robber and put the case to rest...before another victim winds up six feet under."

I was thrilled to get back into the "Lady Darby Mystery" series.  It's no secret that I very much enjoyed the mystery and thrilling adventure (as well as the subtle, steamy romantic tension between Kiera and Gage) in the first two books of this series.  I had to wait a bit for this book to come in as a loan from another library, but boy did I ever devour it once I finally got my hands on it!  A little over two days later and I'm already writing my review!

We encounter a grieving Kiera a couple of months after Will's death at the close of book two.  She is depressed and seems to have lost a good part of herself in the fog of melancholy -- so much so that she cannot even bring herself to paint.  Though she makes efforts to heal and participate in life, she struggles to come to terms with the permanent and very tragic loss of her friend and mentor.  Her brother, Trevor, does his best to allow her space, but it's clear that he's worried about her grief.  I found him to be a well-rounded secondary character and a nice counterpart to Kiera's often-brooding nature in this book.  He's a good mixture of humor and seriousness.  Having him fall one way or the other would have felt either forced or overwhelming in the unrelenting seriousness.  It was nice to see another of Kiera's siblings since we've already spent a great deal of time witnessing her interactions with her elder sister, Alana, and her husband.  While I adore the relationship that's been cultivated between Alana and her husband, it's refreshing to have a new setting and prominent new secondary character -- it keeps things interesting!

When an unfortunate omen immediately precedes a horrible murder the night of the Hogmanay Ball, Kiera knows what she must do:  she's obligated to put her investigative skills and medical knowledge to good use -- especially in the absence of anyone else suitable.  She's surprised to realize just how willing she is to do such a thing.  Perhaps this is her way of throwing herself into work that would consume and distract her from the reality of Will's death?  Perhaps she's found another calling?  Or maybe the investigation is a way to once more make her feel close to Gage?  Either way, she jumps right into the investigation and, shortly thereafter, it's requested that she call Gage in to assist (because now everyone knows they've worked together before on two (successful) occasions).  She's unsure how she feels about inviting the handsome, charming, intelligent, confusing, frustrating man back into her life, but she really has no choice.  He's been specifically requested and Kiera knows there's no better man for the job.  Gage's arrival unleashes a myriad of confusing emotions within her, but -- as he slowly opens himself up to Kiera and reveals his true intentions -- she begins to realize just how much he's come to mean to her and the real danger he might pose to her future.

The romance is a wonderful undertone to the story, though it does take a more prominent role in this book than the previous two.  This is, of course, not to say that the series has become a "romance series" -- at least not yet.  The captivating mystery and intrigue still remain strongly at the forefront.  The twists and turns of the story and investigation kept me guessing.  I wasn't sure I knew who was at the heart of the crimes almost until Gage and Kiera did.  This is no small feat.  Huber artfully omits just enough information or has her characters skim over important bits in such a way that the readers are kept guessing throughout.  I like to believe that I'm not an easy reader to fool, but Huber manages to do this time and time again.  There's real talent in this writing and mastery to the storytelling.  I find myself pulled deeper and deeper into Lady Darby's world each time I pick up another book in this series.  The enthralling mystery, spectacular characters, artful blend of fiction and historical fact, all set against the stunning backdrop of England and (mainly) Scotland serve to create a fascinating world perfect for a reader's escape.

There were a few grammatical errors (I think they were just missed in the editing process), but they tripped me up where I had to make sure it was a typo and not just a turn of phrase I didn't comprehend the first time around.  I don't blame this on Huber, but the editing process.  These were tiny word errors rather than plot holes or mistakes, so I won't judge them too harshly.

As always, I highly recommend Huber's writing.  She has a knack for writing thrilling stories and amazing characters -- all while managing to stay true to their very strong, individual personalities throughout the series (at least thus far).  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Kiera and Gage.

Mortal Arts (Lady Darby Mystery, Book Two): Anna Lee Huber

"Scotland, 1830.  Lady Kiera Darby is no stranger to intrigue--in fact, it seems to follow her wherever she goes.  After her foray into murder investigation, Kiera must journey to Edinburgh with her family so that her pregnant sister can be close to proper medical care.  But the city is full of many things Kiera isn't quite ready to face:  the society ladies keen on judging her, her fellow investigator--and romantic entanglement--Sebastian Gage, and ultimately, another deadly mystery.




"Kiera's old friend Michael Dalmay is about to be married, but the arrival of his older brother--and Kiera's childhood art tutor--William, has thrown everything into chaos.  For ten years Will has been missing, committed to an insane asylum by his own father.  Kiera is sympathetic to her mentor's plight, especially when rumors swirl about a local girl gone missing.  Now Kiera must once again employ her knowledge of the macabre and join forces with Gage in order to prove the innocence of a beloved family friend--and save the marriage of another..."




I was thrilled to find that my local library carried the second book in this series.  I'd initially begun to read another, but it's on loan from another location and the due date is fast approaching.  Rather than get too entrenched in a book I knew I'd have to return well before I was finished with it, I made the decision to, instead, pick up this book.  The first in this series was so wonderful and exciting that I came into this reading with very high hopes and expectations.  Though I'm only a few chapters in thus far, I have to admit that I am not disappointed in the least.  The vivid descriptions and very realistic characters remain.  We're introduced to the Dalmay family and the dark secret they've been hiding -- which also happens to be particularly poignant and relevant even though the plot takes place almost 200 years ago.  I'm looking forward to seeing what this book has in store and experiencing all of the twists and turns along with Kiera.




***


I'm nearly halfway through this book and I can safely say it's just as enthralling as the first book in this series.  I'm so happy I stumbled upon Huber in my endless Pinterest search for unique reading material.  I am still very much enjoying the complicated, simmering dynamic between Gage and Kiera.  The plot, itself, is filled with tension, mystery, secrets, and intrigue.  As with the first book, the setting really breathes life into this story.  Huber has made Scotland into a stunningly beautiful backdrop as wild and fascinating as her characters.  By contrast, the scenes which take place indoors are artfully crafted and really draw me in.  I love a rich setting and Huber has not disappointed.


There are already a great many layers to the conflict and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.  There are a number of characters involved -- similar to the first -- and I have a huge amount of anticipation for what lies around the next corner.  I can't wait to see what shocks Huber has in store.




***


I finished this book over the past weekend and I ended up flying through the remaining chapters.  There were indeed the twist and turns I suspected from another Lady Darby Mystery.  The simmering romance between Gage and Kiera -- while not the main plot (this is not technically a romance novel) -- is a delicious bit of underlying tension further complicating an already very serious situation.  Their banter is quick, displaying the depth of both of their intelligence, and their companionship is extremely enjoyable.  I'm impressed with how Huber has managed to create such a subtle thread of romance and so successfully continued it from one book to the next; continuing it in such a way that it's not in the forefront, and yet, readers devour it with anticipation.  It adds another note of tension to an already tense book.


The progression of this mystery is quite artful.  We are drawn into the story by our history with Kiera, her family, and Gage; however, we remain captivated by the depth and uniqueness of the plot.  I will admit that I was hoping this wouldn't turn into an episode of "Scooby Doo" where the plot is extremely similar, only the face of the villain has changed (e.g. there was another gathering of guests at a house and Kiera and Gage had to sort through a bunch of possible perpetrators in order to find the true villain).  As soon as we become more aware of the plot and prominent characters, we learn just how unique the plot really is.  Huber deals with some VERY heavy topics and, I feel, writes with a blunt eloquence which accurately displays the tragedy of Will's situation.  I couldn't help but feel a great deal of empathy for him, even when some of the evidence began to point in his direction.  To me, he was the very definition of a tortured soul.


I suspected the villain and "nefarious plot" about halfway through the book; the fact that Huber kept me enthralled and wanting to confirm my supposition is wonderful.  There were still some twists and turns to keep me on my toes.  I'm a particularly careful reader, so I don't think everyone will come to the same early conclusions that I read.  Huber writes as I believe a mystery writer should (though I don't profess to be a very seasoned writer of this genre):  She reveals just enough that a reader is engaged in discovering the clues right alongside the characters, but a very observant reader just might be able to make some educated guesses a bit earlier on.  This makes for a very engaging, rewarding read.


I won't give away the ending, but I will say that we're left with just enough of a tantalizing hanger that I'm extremely excited to pick up the next in this series.  The setting is going to change and I look forward to seeing how Gage comes back into Kiera's life...and what dangers lie ahead.  I am absolutely in love with this series.  It's a brilliant "bridge" for any reader curious about making the transition from romance to mystery, or even the other way around.  The period setting is fantastic for anyone drawn to this era of romance novels.  The characters are passionate, intelligent, fiery, unique, and lively.  The plots are captivating.  The undercurrent of romance between Kiera and Gage is fantastic and, while important, doesn't overtake the main plot of the story.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

The Anatomist’s Wife (Lady Darby Mystery, Book One): Anna Lee Huber

“Scotland, 1830.  Following the death of her husband, Lady Kiera Darby has taken refuge at her sister’s estate, finding solace in her passion for painting.  But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

 

“Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the houseguests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage—a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent.  While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn’t about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.  When their search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges her to give up their inquiry.  But Kiera is determined to protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim…”

 

This book was another Pinterest find and I devoured it in the matter of a couple of days on my vacation (I read a lot…).  I wish I’d had the opportunity to do some of my RAIR (reviewing as I read) process, but, alas, my memory will have to serve here.

 

I’ve been on a bit of a kick with new genres/authors/subjects and this one looked right up my alley—especially with my tendency as of late to be drawn toward anything remotely Sherlock-esque (just take a look at my Pinterest account).  I was right.  This book was AMAZING!  Anyone who even spares a glance at my reading history will instantly realize that I gear toward period books (specifically 1800s Great Britain).  Not only was the setting perfect for my tastes, but I have a think for quirky, intelligent female leads.  What I didn’t expect to find was a very palpable romantic undercurrent—what a pleasant surprise!!!  This made the book perfect for someone with similar tastes to mine, but wants to branch out into other genres (it’s a good “segue”).

 

There are murder and intrigue, tension and mystery, elegantly crafted settings and vibrant characters.  There’s a rich backstory which seamlessly collides with the present setting of the book, creating powerful clashes and intense tension.  Kiera, herself, is an extremely strong character—an excellent female lead.  She is witty and fiery, all while retaining something uniquely feminine that one would expect of a well-bred woman of this era.  She’s also extremely talented and intelligent, things which other guests at the house party overlook in favor of their own prejudices.  She navigates their malice and suspicion with enough strength and determination to make any reader proud.  Her sister and brother-in-law are well-developed, excellent secondary characters.  Amidst the turmoil following the murder of one of their houseguests, they suffer their own concerns and fears, which is a good part of Kiera’s intense determination to solve the mystery (along with her understandable desire to clear her own name).

 

We are first introduced to Gage as a handsome rake of a houseguest whom Kiera looks down upon for his dissolute ways and—seeming—claim to fame while riding his father’s coattails as a prominent investigator.  Along with Kiera, we soon learn that not all of the hype is for naught.  While Kiera assists in the investigation, the two of them come to an uneasy truce of sorts, both of them bringing their own set of talents, knowledge, and strengths to the table.  It turns out that Gage is not quite who Kiera expects him to be.  Were this a “traditional romance novel,” he would be considered the male lead; however, this is not your average book and it’s not your average story.  The narrative style lends to a certain sense of mystery about Gage and the other characters and this was a refreshing point of view.  It keeps the tension (both romantic and otherwise) very high and makes it nearly impossible to put this book down.  The attraction between Gage and Kiera becomes nearly as palpable as another person in the room as they work together to solve the gruesome crime.

 

All of this is set against a stunningly crafted backdrop of the Highlands.  Kiera’s sister’s home is a beautiful castle nestled in the striking wilds of Scotland; the characters are surrounded by the natural beauty and wonder of the place, lending an air of beauty to an otherwise rather dark novel.  I appreciate very little more than I do a good setting and this book certainly delivered.  For me, at least, the mark of a good book is one where I become utterly immersed in the setting, characters, and plot.  A bad or boring setting will only throw the veil off of the imagination (perhaps even more so when the narrator is first-person; there’s nothing more difficult when one cannot picture herself in the narrator’s shoes).

 

I absolutely, wholeheartedly recommend this book.  It’s a mystery filled with intrigue, gruesome murder, and nefarious plots, all with twists and turns that kept me guessing.  The setting and the characters really make this story something special.  While it’s absolutely a mystery, there’s definitely enough romance in it for someone looking for a bit of a different dimension to this genre (or for someone like me who is more used to reading romance than mystery and needs a way to help her “branch out.”)  This is a period mystery with all the tension and drama one could hope for.  I am tickled pink that there are more books in this series and I’m looking forward to seeing more of Lady Darby and Gage.

 

Side Note:  I didn’t realize it when I picked up this book to pack away for my vacation that Huber resides in Nashville, Tennessee.  This just so happens to be where I went on my vacation, so it seemed rather apropos.  What a happy coincidence!

My Lady's Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel: Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris

"Flirtatious repartee!  Scandalous intrigue!  Men in kilts!  And more...

"In this chooseable-path romantic adventure, you are the plucky but penniless heroine in the center of nineteenth-century society, the courtship season has begun, and your future is at hand.  Will you...

• Flip forward fetchingly to flirt with the bantering baronet, SIR BENEDICT GRANVILLE?
• Turn the page to true love with the hardworking, horse-loving Highlander, Captain Angus McTaggart?
• Chase through the chapters a good man gone mad, bad, and scandalous, in the arousing form of LORD GARRAWAY CRAVEN?
• Read on recklessly as the 'traveling companion' of the spirited and adventuresome LADY EVANGELINE YOUNGBLOOD?
• Or choose yet another tantalizing fate?

"Whether it's forlorn orphans and fearsome werewolves, mistaken identities and devious double-crosses, or long lost lovers and pilfered Egyptian artifacts, every delightful twist and turn of the romance genre unfolds at your behest!"


I saw this book as a new recommended reading a few months back from my former (amazing, nationally-ranked) public library.  I take screenshots of some of these books when the librarian's reviews really pique my interest?  A good romance novel?  Right up my alley.  A "choose-your-own-path" romance novel?  Never heard of it...super excited to try it out!  How many readers of this genre sit back and go, "Well I would've certainly handled that differently"?  I can tell you with complete honesty that I've done this more than a time or two.  This book presents a very unique opportunity to do just that!  Not only do you get to pick your path, but your choices determine which of the intriguing, charming suitors wins your hand!  It could be any of the men (or even woman!) noted above...or someone else entirely.  There are more than twenty (yes, you read that correctly) endings you can wind up living.


This book charmed me on so many levels, but I had to learn something very quickly:  THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS ROMANCE NOVEL!!!  It is fun, humorous parody.  The "descriptions" are overly cliché and read like something a novice writer would come up with, but you recognize that that's the point.  It's meant to not take itself seriously.  I can't tell you how many times I laughed while reading this (in a good way, of course).  This is satire at its most playful.  Sir Benedict Granville is a very blatant parody of Mr. Darcy from Austen's famed Pride & Prejudice (with a little bit more explicit behavior, of course); McTaggart is an amalgamation of every single (clichéd) Scotsman existing in romance novels, kilt and all (though I've not read many books with such overly-dramatized Scotsmen, I can certainly see where the parody came from and I applaud the authors -- I found it rather amusing).  Craven and his various story threads (without giving too much away) consist to varying degrees of classic Gothic writing and more modern paranormal romance.  The authors seem to have hit on so many aspects of romance novels set in the Britain in the nineteenth-century and I'm extremely impressed.


As I mentioned, I picked up this book believing it to be more serious than it was.  I adjusted my expectations accordingly (and rather quickly) and ended up enjoying this book quite a bit.  When I realized that it was more satire than serious, I thought I would feel like it was making fun of the genre (and its readers), but I didn't feel that way at all.  What good is being a reader and writer if you can't laugh at yourself every once in awhile?


I finished my first "journey" rather quickly.  Some paths are much more drawn out than others, depending upon your meandering choices, of course.  I did enjoy some threads much more than others, but that's to be expected.  This book hits upon so many aspects of the genre and archetypes that it covers a broad base of readers.  I doubt that anyone out there will adore every single one of the threads.  I caught a few tiny continuity errors (i.e. depending upon the path you chose, there might not actually be statues in the scene, but the next scene you encounter contained statues; however, if you had entered the second scene via a different page, then it all made sense), but nothing terrible.  I feel like this is to be expected when there are so many complex and intersecting plots.  I will caution you that if you're anything like me and you have a burning need to read EVERY SINGLE path this book has to offer...then it will take you a very long, long, long time.  In order to do so, I needed to adopt a complex method of tiny scraps of paper, checkmarks, and tallies.  I accomplished it (and, in the grand scheme of things, it really did only take me two days to get through it all), but it meant I had to be insanely organized and I couldn't stop for any interruptions or I would lose my place.  I didn't want to miss a single thread or ending.  That could just be me and I may just be a wee bit crazy.


For a lover of the romance genre, this is a great way to shake things up.  The structure and story are so incredibly unique and creative.  To come up with such an idea -- to treat a romance novel like a choose-your-path videogame or comic book -- is sheer genius.  I am so impressed with what this book ended up being and I loved the opportunity to laugh.  It absolutely does not take itself too seriously and it was a fantastic reminder that we shouldn't take our reading material too seriously either.


*Side note:  In researching a bit more about this book, I've discovered a bunch of other choose-your-path romance books!  I'm not sure if they're satire like this one, but I'm definitely interested to look into them.  Happy reading!

The Devil Wears Plaid: Teresa Medeiros

 “Emmaline Marlowe is about to wed the extremely powerful laird of the Hepburn clan to save her father from debtor’s prison when ruffian Jamie Sinclair bursts into the abbey on a magnificent black horse and abducts her in one strong swoop.  Though he is Hepburn’s sworn enemy, Emma’s mysterious captor is everything her bridegroom is not—handsome, virile, dangerous…and a perilous temptation for her yearning heart.

 

“Jamie expects Emma to be some milksop English miss, not a fiery, defiant beauty whose irresistible charms will tempt him at every turn.  But he cannot allow either one of them to forget he is her enemy and she is his pawn in the deadly Highland feud between the clans.  So why does he still want her so badly for himself?  Stealing his enemy’s bride was simple, but can he claim her innocence without losing his heart?”

 

I seem to be on a bit of a Teresa Medeiros kick lately (and I even have another of her books ready to start reading at lunch today).  This one is a standalone novel, though I can certainly see the potential for a second book, given one of the very vivid secondary characters.  Having just read Some Like It Wild, I can absolutely see some similarities in the characters and some echoes of plot similarities (and twists).  I could criticize this as “recycling,” but the differences are poignant enough where I will just say that the formula seems to work, so why knock a good thing?  I don’t feel cheated or disappointed and I still very much enjoyed the book.

 

I was left feeling like we got to learn a lot more about Emma’s point of view than Jamie’s.  We got to experience her falling in love with Jamie, while I saw Jamie falling in lust with Emma and didn’t quite get to see love come to fruition (even though I know he did fall in love with her).  I liked Emma’s sense of duty and sacrifice.  She was willing to give up everything to allow her family to have a better life.  She wasn’t afraid of the sacrifice and faced it with a unique bravery; she faced down Jamie and his fearsome band of Highland outlaws with a similar attitude.  I found this very admirable.  Overall, Jamie was a great male lead (despite the fact that I thought we saw much less of his point of view than we should have toward the end of the story).  His sense of duty and determination was a good mirror for Emma’s.  I really enjoyed the plot twists concerning Jamie and his multifaceted character.  There was a hardness to him that felt very true to his lifestyle and difficult upbringing in the Highland mountains, constantly being hunted by the Hepburns; yet, the gradual softness he felt toward Emma felt natural and believable.

 

The duality of some of the major secondary characters, the absolutely stunning scenery descriptions, and the overarching plot were rich and really sucked me into the story, making for a very quick read.  I practically devoured the book.  Medeiros always writes such enthralling stories; it’s so easy to lose one’s self in them and she really does create excellent “escapes” for her readers.  By far the most enthralling part of this story were the vivid descriptions of the Highlands.  When I was finished, I was half in love with the setting, myself.  It really felt like I was experiencing this magical place alongside Emma; it felt so real, in fact, that I am sure Medeiros had to have actually visited the Scottish Highlands in order to create such vivid scenery.

 

This was a great standalone novel and I recommend it as an introduction to Medeiros if you’re considering reading her works, but you don’t quite know if you want the commitment of being drawn into reading a series.  Her Scottish characters are wild and exciting, much like the land from whence they hail.  Their dialect is believable and not overly-exaggerated (which I have honestly experienced with some other authors).  Despite having some characteristics of great Greek Tragedies, Medeiros was able to maintain a lightheartedness that made the book fun.  This has always been something I admire about her style.

Some Like It Wild (Kincaid Highland: Book Two): Teresa Medeiros

“It was to be her greatest masquerade…

 

“Pamela Darby needs a man – preferable a Highland brute with more brawn than brains.  Determined to save her sister from selling her virtue, the resourceful beauty requires a strapping specimen to pose as a duke’s long-lost heir.  Pamela plans to collect the generous reward, then send him on his way.  Lucky for the brazen beauty, the seductive, silver-eyed highwayman who just held up their carriage could be her man…

 

“Connor Kincaid has given up on his dream of restoring his clan’s honor.  And now this plucky Englishwoman is asking him to take part in a risky charade that could land them both on the gallows.  Never a man to resist a challenge or the allure of a beautiful woman, Connor strikes the devil’s bargain that could seal both their fates.  The highwayman and the hellion journey to London as both enemies and allies – a woman who has everything to gain and a man who has nothing to lose…but his heart.”

 

Another little gem by Medeiros.  I finished the first in this series the other day and immediately began devouring this installment.  It was a great follow-up to Some Like It Wicked.  We hear so much about Connor in his sister, Catriona’s, story, so it was nice to see what he’d been up to over the years.  This one kept the same lightheartedness and sense of humor that the first book did.  It doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it deals with some very serious topics.  I think this is a particularly difficult balance that not many authors can achieve.  Some books by Lisa Kleypas, for example, lean more toward serious than lighthearted.  Sure, they have lighthearted moments, but they don’t have the same way of remaining fairly lighthearted throughout.  This is not to say that one shouldn’t take Medeiros seriously – her writing is witty, well-crafted, and extremely well-planned – but she’s a much quicker, relaxed read than other authors.  I can see why the first book in this series was marked as a “perfect beach read!”  It’s easy to fall into her worlds and get absorbed in the characters.  She adds just enough historical accuracies to make the British history nerd in me very happy. Simply stated, the books in this series made me smile.

 

I wasn’t sure how I would like Pamela in the very beginning of the book.  She seemed rather self-deprecating and I don’t normally care for a female lead that is too over the top in this regard.  She ended up rather likable.  I thought she was witty, brave, and intelligent.  She was a good foil for Connor because she had more than enough spunk to stand up to his gruff and often sarcastic ways.  Her relationship with her mother and sister was complicated and really added to her character.  I did find Sophie pretty annoying at times, but I think that’s just because she’s so young and naïve.  She can’t yet see past pretty things and the facades people use.  I can definitely see the potential for Sophie to have her own book, especially after her interactions with a certain secondary male character.

 

Connor was complicated and fun.  His backstory was tragic, but he still retained some sense of humor.  For a thief, I feel like he had a lot more honor than he let on.  His drive was admirable and his charm was irresistible.  I found aspects of his character to be rather moving, especially when we learn more about how his parents died.  He was rough around the edges, but was surprisingly refined in some situations.

 

There was a very memorable secondary character in this book: 

He had a surprising amount of complexity for a secondary character, perhaps because Medeiros chose to give us glimpses into his mind.  He would make an excellent male lead as he moves on and tries to find his own place in the world.

 

There is a tremendous plot twist I never saw coming and I applaud Medeiros for this.  It’s not easy to trick me and I was definitely caught off-guard by one tremendous revelation.  The book was rich with eloquent descriptions, beautiful writing, and steamy tension and romance.  It was exciting enough where I didn’t want to stop reading, and yet I still enjoyed it as a relaxing read.  I certainly do recommend it – especially if you’ve read the first in this series.  It’s a fun, entertaining book and I enjoyed it a great deal.

Some Like It Wicked (Kincaid Highland: Book One): Teresa Medeiros

"Some like it dangerous...

"Highland beauty Catriona Kincaid cares nothing for propriety--or even her own safety--when she storms the grounds of Newgate Prison.  Determined to return to Scotland and restore her clan's honor, she seeks the help of Sir Simon Wescott, a disgraced nobleman and notorious rogue.  She is prepared to offer him both wealth and freedom, but she never dreams the wicked rake will be bold enough to demand a far more sensual prize.

"Some like it seductive...

"Simon is shocked to discover the tomboy he met long ago has blossomed into a headstrong temptress.  Although he's sworn off his dreams of becoming a hero, he can't resist playing knight errant to Catriona's damsel in distress.  Both adventure and peril await them at her Highland home, where they will risk their lives to vanquish her enemies...and risk their hearts to discover a passion beyond their wildest dreams."

Medeiros is another author I've "rediscovered."  My archives are filled with reviews of her books and this book reminds me why.  I reread her very first book earlier this year and I was left feeling a bit "meh" about it.  Not this one.  I finished it in about a day or two.  It was a captivating, well-paced, fun read with lively characters and a great plot.  I particularly loved how we were introduced to Simon and Catriona years before she would "storm the grounds of Newgate Prison" looking to bribe him into helping her regain her clan's honor and rights.  It lent a nice note to their backstory and, especially, with how Catriona came to choose him as her accomplice.  I appreciated the development of Simon's character.  Where he was when we see him in Newgate to where he is near the end of the story really is like a totally different man.  What's even more impressive is that this was accomplished in such a believable way.  It was gradual and halting; Simon resisted becoming the hero that he knew Catriona believed him to be.  He wasn't a knight in shining armor and he hated being lauded for anything perceived to be heroism.  That was, until he found something really worth fighting for.  Catriona was spunky and passionate, if more than a little naive.  This made her character feel younger than she really was.  Rather than find this annoying, I (more often than not) found it endearing.  She tries to hard to fight for what she believes in and she's willing to sacrifice everything for it.  Though some of what she did was cringe-worthy, I still found her a strong female lead.

The overarching plot was historically important and really made it feel like the story was so much bigger than what was contained within the pages -- so much bigger than just the love story between Simon and Catriona.  I always appreciate it when authors have a way of generating a world instead of just a snippet; it really makes everything come to life, in my opinion.

As far as criticism goes, my only "complaint" was that the villain didn't feel as strong or as sinister as I thought he should have been.  To be sure, the makings were all there and he had the backstory for it, it just somehow didn't quite come to fruition.  It felt like the bigger enemy was the English overtaking Scottish lands -- more nebulous than an individual villain.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I'm already halfway through the second in the series!  Medeiros crafts excellent characters, enthralling stories, and wonderful romance.  She has such a sense of humor about her that I find it impossible not to enjoy myself.

When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After, Book Three): Tessa Dare

"On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shy, pretty, and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen.  She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart.  So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done:  she invented a sweetheart.

"A Scottish sweetheart.  One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around.  Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter...and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

"Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh.  The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep--handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable.  He's wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters...and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep."

You guys...something tragic has happened...I KNOW for a fact that I read the first two books in this series and I went back to read the reviews for those for fun, but they're not here!?  I have both books in my Kindle account and I KNOW I read them (not only do I remember the plots rather clearly, but I can SEE that I finished them, thanks to the tracker on Kindle).  What the heck?!  Man that's really disheartening...  I don't think I've ever just "lost" reviews like that before.  I know I read these books, I know I enjoyed them; I cannot remember when I read them or all of the details.  I may just have to go back and re-read them *gasp* (something I NEVER do) to be able to write decent reviews of these books.

Anyhow, off to my review of this book (hopefully it doesn't ghost on me too).  I was excited to read this book because I specifically remember really enjoying the other two in the series.  I devoured the 376 page paperback in 24-hours...so I think it's safe to say I really, really, really enjoyed this one too. This may well be one of my absolute favorite books by Tessa Dare.  I may have chucked at a few of her books or smiled at a funny or awkward situation, but this one genuinely had me laughing and grinning like an idiot on quite a few occasions.  This reason alone earns this book extremely high marks in my mind.

The plot was tremendously creative and unique.  I am so impressed with Dare's daring (no pun intended) storyline.  There was an enormous chance for it to go very wrong, cheesy, or way too "out there" to be at all believable, but she managed to pull it off with flying colors.

Logan MacKenzie is now up there on my list of favorite male leads.  I love the way Dare wrote his dialogue (I've read quite a few books in which there are characters with Scottish brogues and the ones in this book were some of the most readable and believable ones I've ever read (also, I love the little nod Dare made to the oft over-the-top brogues some authors feel compelled to include - well played, Dare, well played)) and gave him a personality that was definitely more than meets the eye.  I wondered if he would turn out like a few of the male leads in her "Spindle Cove" series (being a soldier with a very strong sense of duty and loyalty to his men), but she made him unique.  I loved his banter with Maddie; it definitely seemed to fit both of their personalities, but his, especially.  I got a very good sense of his character and physical appearance (something I've noted in a few of Dare's older books were a lack of physical descriptions (i.e. hair and eye color) of some of her characters, but she did a very good job of this in this book - for both characters).  I will say that I wanted a tiny bit more of his backstory, but what snippets that were provided were rich enough to suffice and gave me a good sense of how he was shaped into the man he had become.  I found him captivating, endearing, attractive, and a highly-enthralling male lead.

Maddie was sweet.  I loved how Dare included some of the letters she wrote to the imaginary Captain Logan MacKenzie in the very beginning of the book.  It really made the story come alive and said a lot about Maddie's character.  Like Logan, I was a touch worried I would find Maddie, a naturalist sketch artist, too similar to Minerva in Dare's "Spindle Cove" series or Sophia in her "Toby and Isabel" series, but I am happy to report that Maddie was made unique enough so I didn't feel like Dare was "recycling" characters or plots.  I will say that her "flaw" (which I will not directly give away) was a bit similar to one I encountered with a male lead in her "Stud Club" series, though it differed slightly.  I enjoyed Maddie (and I liked her last name; it suited a woman who tended to be as withdrawn and quite as a church mouse - Dare has a knack for having rather appropriately-named characters) and, despite her timid personality, I still found her strong and brave in her own way.

I especially loved the setting.  I got a very good sense of Scotland and the people and politics of the time.  This may be a romance novel, but I can still appreciate a good setting and sense of historical time period.

Overall, I'm so pleased with this book.  The banter between Logan and Maddie was definitely what made the story come to life.  The plot was unique and extremely captivating.  I highly recommend this book and, as always, I am absolutely in love with Dare's writing.  I never want her books to end.

Lyon's Gift (MacKinnon Sisters, Book Two): Tanya Anne Crosby

"LYON'S PRIDE
"Piers de Montgomerie, known as "Lyon" for his fierceness in combat, accepts the challenge of the Scottish king, agreeing to quell a troublesome highland feud and to accept the disputed lands as payment. But his battle skills are no match for the flashing eyes and barbed tongue of "Mad" Meghan Brodie--the spirited wench he now holds hostage, who fires his blood with her heart-stirring beauty.
"LYON'S GIFT
"Distrustful of men and feigning madness, in truth Meghan is cunning as a fox--and far too loyal to her clan to be swayed by her arrogant captor's honeyed words and virile charms. She will make the Lyon pay dearly for the "gift" he has so brazenly stolen--even as her own traitorous heart begs her to surrender gladly to the one great love that can heal an injured land."

I was SO thrilled to pick up this book! I remember loving the first book in this series and couldn't wait to see what Crosby had in store for me this time.

Most authors who write series only briefly mention characters from earlier books. A lot of the time, there's little to no interaction. I've only found a few authors who take those extra few steps. What impressed me with Crosby was the fact that her whole setting was intertwined and there was more than one character from the first book that made an appearance. Though it's been nearly a year since I read the first book, I remember the characters so vividly that I can really appreciate all of the intermingling.

Again, I loved the dialogue. The Scottish brogues were awesome. It really submerges you in the work. I can really admire an author who's capable of doing such a thing.

Though this book wasn't nearly as dramatic as most of the other books I've read, it wasn't a bad thing. It actually might have made it more believable than others.

I love Crosby's works and I can't wait to get my hands on the next in this series!

The MacKinnon's Bride (MacKinnon Sisters, Book One): Tanya Anne Crosby

“THE WARRIOR’S VENGEANCE

“Fiercely loyal to clan alone, Iain MacKinnon will never be a slave to King or conqueror—even when his son, Malcom, is taken hostage by a lackey of the English-loving sovereign. Answering treachery in kind, the proud Scottish chieftain kidnaps the beautiful wild daughter of young Malcom’s captor—unaware that his prisoner’s father is well pleased to be rid of the troublesome wench!

“THE MACKINNON’S BRIDE

“He is the enemy—yet the fire that burns in Iain MacKinnon’s eyes kindles a passion in Page FitzSimon that she has never permitted herself to feel. But the bewitching hellion is determined to resist the MacKinnon, even as her body awakens—not knowing she has enchanted the true and guarded heart of a champion who now must protect and cherish her always.”

I’ve never read Tanya Anne Crosby before and I have to say that she now ranks up there with some of my favorite authors! As usual, I was excited about reading a new author, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Crosby, however, did not disappoint!

Her characters were FANTASTIC! The dialogue was some of THE BEST that I have ever read and I could hear their voices in my head. (I will say, however, that the Scottish dialogue might be a bit more difficult for others to comprehend if they do not have the time or imagination to put into it. I promise that it’s worth it though!) The plot itself was interesting and different. It kept me reading page after page and I just did not want to put it down. I am really, really looking forward to reading the second in the MacKinnon Sisters series!

The Lion's Bride: Connie Mason

“THE LADY AND THE LION

“Lord Lyon of Normandy had saved William the Conqueror from certain death on the battlefield, yet neither his strength nor his skill could defend him against the defiant beauty the king chose for his wife.

“Ariana of Cragmere lost her lands and her virtue to the mighty warrior, but the willful beauty swore never to surrender her heart.

“Saxon countess and Norman knight, Ariana and Lyon were born enemies. And in a land rent asunder by bloody wars and shifting loyalties, they were doomed to misery unless they could vanquish the hatred that divided them—and unite in glorious love.”

There’s actually a cute story behind my acquisition of this book. So, my mom has always been a big reader—just like me—and she was recently cleaning out our basement when she brought up a big cardboard box and told me I could have everything inside of it. It was full of her old books! Needless to say, I was SO excited because one can never have too many books. Among the books (many of them older than myself) was a book by Connie Mason titled The Lion’s Bride. I think it’s just so cool when an author can have an effect on two generations of avid readers.

Now, down to the actual review. As always, Connie Mason didn’t disappoint me in the least. Her characters were well-written and the plot was interesting. She does a very good job of creating amazing settings and dragging her readings into the periods her books take place in. However, I must admit that there is quite a bit of similarities in this book to her book titled A Touch So Wicked. Granted, there were differences because they took place in different centuries, but I couldn’t ignore the slight…“recycling”…if you will…(I don’t mean for that to be mean!) of the plots. This wasn’t necessarily a terrible thing, but it was definitely noticeable.

Overall, I really liked this book a lot and am very pleased with Mason, yet again!

A Touch so Wicked (Sin Series, Book Three): Connie Mason

“The bold English knight and the strong-willed Highland lady—their people were sworn enemies…but their passion had a will of its own!

“HIS PRISONER, HIS DESIRE…

“On ordered from his king, the landless knight Damian Stratton arrives in the Scottish Highlands to prevent the wedding that would unite two powerful clans against the English crown. But the intended bride—the wild, headstrong Elissa, Maiden of Misterly—cannot be so easily deterred. Though she is Damian’s captive, the proud, defiant, and dangerously alluring lady will never be confined to a convent, nor will she abandon her family or her determined goal of wedding the Gordon laird—leaving Damian little choice but to marry Elissa himself!

“…HIS BRIDE

“The brazen villain will soon learn that he has met his match! Yet Elissa Fraser can’t help but be moved by Damian’s tenderness and nobility…and by a most perilous desire that has no place in her heart. Nothing good can come from uniting with this knight, who first stole her freedom, and now takes her breath away. And though she has brought the dashing enemy warrior to his knees, it is Elissa who now must surrender…to her passion and to his love.”

I loved this trilogy of books by Connie Mason! This was the perfect finish for the "Sin Series" and I couldn’t be happier.

I was so captivated by the plot and the characters that I completely devoured the book in such a short span of time. Mason’s style is unique and abundantly fascinating—it’s hard not to get enthralled!

Her depictions of 18th century England and Scotland were beautiful and made me feel as if I were actually watching a fascinating romance film on the time period. Not many authors can pull that off and Mason succeeded once more.

Of course, I cannot wait to read more of her works as soon as possible!

The Tiger Prince: Iris Johansen

“TIGER BURNING BRIGHT

“In a locked room of shadows and sandalwood, Jane Barnaby first met the wickedly disturbing man whose searing blue eyes and brazen smile seemed to read her deepest desires—a man who exuded the mystery and danger of exotic lands. In his mesmerizing presence. Jane found herself instantly transformed from a hardheaded businesswoman to the willing slave of a passion she knew she must resist….

“IN THE FORESTS OF THE NIGHT…

“A man of sensuous grace and smoldering sensuality, adventurer Ruel McClaren brought the independent beauty back to his native Scotland to spin a web of revenge. But once at Glenclaren Castle, he found it ever harder to play the unforgiving captor to this woman who touched his heart and made his blood run hot.”

So, I thought I already wrote a review for this book, but I cannot seem to find it… Anyway, this was the first of Iris Johansen’s works that I have ever read and it was interesting. I got this book on a recommendation from a friend who has read almost all of her other books. I wasn’t disappointed.

The characters were very interesting and instantly captivating. However…I have to admit that I cannot say the same for the plot. Yes, it was interesting and very different from what I have read before, but there was just…something there that slowed it down. I devoured the prologue and the first chapter, but then it got really slow with all of the story and character development. It took me forever to read this book because I was a little hesitant to continue on. Then, the main characters finally met up and I was unable to put the book down.

The plot was tremendously complex and it ended up pulling me in. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I will admit that I ended up tearing up a lot at the end, but it was well-deserved. It’s hard not to feel for Johansen’s characters.

Overall, I did end up liking the book, but I must say that you have to get through all of the development to truly appreciate the book.

Claiming the Courtesan: Anna Campbell

“He would marry her and possess her in every way possible.

“The Duke of Kylemore knows her as Soraya, London’s most celebrated courtesan. Men fight duels to spend an hour in her company. And only he comes close to taming her. Flying in the face of cosiety, he decides to mae her his bride; then, she vanishes, seemingly into thin air.

“Dire circumstances have forced Verity Ashton to barter her innocence and change her name for the sake of her family. But Kylemore destroys her plans for a respectable life when he discovers her safe haven. He kidnaps her, sweeping her away to his hunting lodge in Scotland, where he vows to bend her to his will.

“There he seduces her anew. Verity spends night after night with him in his bed…and though she still dreams of escape and independence, she knows she can never flee the unexpected, unwelcome love for the proud, powerful lover who claims her both body and soul.”

This book took me forever to finish reading. It started off interesting, but it quickly slowed down—which shouldn’t have happened. The plot was interesting and it had a certain tang to it from twists and turns that the readers can’t see coming, but there was just something about the way that it was written that really slowed it down. Maybe it had something to do with the language that was used?

There were A LOT of words used that could have easily been put into plain English. There is a line between someone having an extensive vocabulary and someone who seems like a total Thesaurus nut! I don’t mean that in a bad way (I sometimes use a Thesaurus for my own writing and it really is an exceptional book for any author), but I have a very hard time seeing any reader who hasn’t read as much as I have understanding all of the words that this author used. To read it, one would need a dictionary on hand. The author could have used a few less lengthy or elaborate words and it wouldn’t have affected the flow of the language, but it would have made it much more comprehensible and easier to read.

I really liked the characters and the very original plot behind this book. I just wish it had been a little easier to read. This book probably took me THE longest to read out of any book in my entire life. That may not be a bad thing—if one is reading an epic, but for a romance novel, it was just a bit much.

I will probably end up reading another of Campbell’s works, though I will only tentatively recommend this book.

A Breath of Scandal (Sin Series, Book Two): Connie Mason

“She claimed him as her husband without even knowing his name. Now she will risk everything to keep his secret—but can she give her heart without having his love in return?

“A Dangerous Man of Mystery

“Lord Julian Thornton, Earl of Mansfield by day and a secret agent of the crown by night has sworn never to love another woman. But then a mission goes wrong and Julian is left for dead, his only hope a seductively mysterious gypsy woman named Lara. And when she marries him under gypsy law for his own protection, Julian is too entranced with the dark beauty to deny himself the benefits of their “marriage.” Yet even as he longs for their idyllic interlude to last, Julian knows his presence alone puts her very life in danger. Until he discovered Lara is the one place he never expected to see his wild gypsy enchantress…the one place where he isn’t sure he can protect her—or his own heart.

“A Wild Gypsy Enchantress

“From the moment Lady Lara, half-gypsy daughter of the Earl of Stanhope, finds a wounded stranger wash up on Scotland’s rugged shore, she knows their destinies will be forever entangled. So when a band of smugglers comes looking for the dashing stranger, Lara doesn’t hesitate to claim him as her husband “Drago.” But when her mysterious husband goes back to his own world—and its dark secrets—Lara returns to her father to take her place as heiress…never expecting to see Drago across the earl’s crowded ballroom. And although he still enthralls her, Lara is determined that she will never truly be his wife until he surrenders his heart as well.”

This is the second book in the Sin series and it was wonderful! The characters were so much fun to follow—I love it when an author has a knack for incorporating characters from previous books. The language was eloquent and everything was very well-written. However, I must say that the last chapters were fairly similar to A Taste of Sin. I won’t give anything away, but if you read it, you’ll know exactly about what I’m talking about. Other than that, I loved the book and kind of wished there was more to read about the brothers!

Connie Mason has a wonderful ability to write characters that are so easy to love and feel for. I highly recommend any of her books and cannot wait to read more!

A Taste of Sin (Sin Series, Book One): Connie Mason

“Come hell or high water, Lady Christy would have her wedding night at last. But first she had to seduce the dashing rogue who has claimed her as bride—in name only!

“A SCORNED WIFE’S DUE

“Lady Christy Macdonald had been ordered to marry St. John Thornton when she was a mere child. But her wedding day was the last time the spirited Scottish beauty had set eyes on her English bridegroom, who has become the notorious rake they call “Lord Sin.” Now she is a woman, and under pressure to end her sham marriage in order to wed the Cameron chieftain. Yet fiery, independent Christy wants a new groom even less than she wanted the first. So she hatches a plan to secure an heir and deter a suitor by seducing the infamous “Sin.”

“A TASTE OF SINFUL PLEASURE

“Dashing St. John—or “Sinjun” as he is known—never recognized the wild Scottish girl he’d married in the mysterious lovely lady who swept into his life, and into his bed, before vanishing without a trace. All the charming rogue knows is that he has never tasted lips so sweet or experienced a night so rapturously satisfying in all his years of shameless carousing. Married or no, Sinjun must track the lady down to have her again and for all time, his bride in distant Scotland be hanged! But he cannot imagine that the wife he abandoned—the one woman he never cares to know—is the one love he cannot live without!”

I’ve read Connie Mason once before and this just solidified her place in my list of favorite authors!!! I laughed, smiled, and nearly cried with the characters. Her plots are SO different from the usual romance novel and it really is unbelievably refreshing.

Her characters are so interesting and real—though I tend to say that a lot, this time, I MEAN IT!—and I wish that there were even more chapters! I’m very excited to read the second in this trio of books and you will be sure to hear more about Connie Mason soon!

Touch of Enchantment (Sequel to Breath of Magic): Teresa Medeiros

“A LOVELY SCIENTIST WITH NO TASTE FOR MAGIC

“Heiress Tabitha Lennox considered her paranormal talents more a curse than a gift. So she dedicated her life to the cold, rational world of science. Until the day she examined the mysterious amulet her mother had left her and found herself catapulted seven centuries into the past—directly into the path of a rearing black charger ridden by a chain-mailed warrior.

“A FEARLESS KNIGHT WITH NO TIME FOR LOVE

“Sir Colin of Ravenshaw had returned from the Crusades to find his castle in ruins, his enemy poised to overrun the land where generations of Ravenshaws had ruled. The last thing he expected was to half trample a damsel with odd garb and even odder manners. But it is her strange talent that will create trouble beyond Colin’s wildest imaginings. For everyone knows that a witch must be burned…but it is Colin’s heart that is aflame, over an enchanting woman he must not love, yet cannot live without.”

This book was sweet and I really enjoyed this sequel to Breath of Magic. The characters were easy to like and it was fun to see what life was like for Tristan and Arian after the first book finished. I did find myself giggling at certain parts and almost crying at others.

This book did take a short while to get going, but it was well worth it. I really liked the character of Colin of Ravenshaw. He was likable and sweet…in a tough-guy kind of way. I think the plot was fun to follow and made sense (well, for this set of books it did!) and I liked the twists and turns it took. As always, I will definitely read more of Teresa Medeiros in the future because she keeps on making me smile!

Heather and Velvet: Teresa Medeiros

“One moment Prudence Walker is living the life of a plain, dutiful orphan, searching forher lost kitten during a storm; the next she finds herself lying in a highwayman's arms. Wounded in a foiled robbery attempt, the dreaded Scottish highwayman seems harmless enough—until he steals her will and her heart with his honeyed kisses.“The innocent lass is everything Sebastian Kerr has ever wanted, but believed he could never have. When she discovers the dangerous double life he is leading, he is forced to risk his own life to save hers. It doesn't take him long to realize that he must win the one treasure he cannot steal—Prudence's love.”

I haven’t had a chance to read Teresa Medieros in a while, and this book reaffirmed my passion for her writing! It was a wonderfully written story with her own unique twists. Although I will admit—and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m so used to her writing or what—but I was able to pick out the plot turns before they happened. This by NO means ruined the book at all! It was still fantastic!

Sebastian was so well-written and it was so hard not to feel for him and Prudence. Both of them suffered so much and it was amazing to see them develop and grow. They were charming, tortured, and so real. It was so much fun to read Medeiros again!

McClairen's Isle--The Ravishing One: Connie Brockway

“Fia: The Ravishing One

“She is the toast of London society. But Fia Merrick gives her heart to no one, for love is a weakness she cannot afford. Once she would have given her soul to Thomas McClairen, until he shattered her innocent dreams. Now he is back, a convict returned to England in disguise to abduct Fia to Scotland, to McClairen’s Isle. There, as Fia seeks her revenge in seduction, a passion is ignited that defies the past and cannot be denied…”

I finished this book last night and it was pretty good. I have to say that—though it is not my favorite of the series—it is the most well-written. There weren’t really the “plot holes” that I saw in the previous books and there seemed to be an improvement on the writing style itself. I started out this book with the sole intention of “surviving” it just to finish the McClairen’s Isle series. I don’t want to give too much away, but I really enjoyed how Connie Brockway incorporated all of the characters of her past two novels to tie up loose ends and create a happy finale. I’m not certain how adamant I am about reading more of Brockway in the future. Maybe I will—if I have nothing better to do…

McClairen's Isle--The Reckless One: Connie Brockway

“Raine: The Reckless One

“Raine Merrick’s wild, reckless spirit had earned him time in a French prison. When a mysterious beauty gains his freedom only to betray him, Raine Merrick sets out for his father’s castle on McClairen’s Isle, seeking the treasure hidden within. But strange surprises await him in the Highlands. He never expected to find his deceitful angel masquerading as an honored guest. Or to want her with all the searing passion in his sinner’s soul.”

Overall, this book was a decent one. Raine was a wonderfully written character and I truly enjoyed how he was portrayed by Brockway. The “deceitful angel”—I don’t want to give away too much—was an interesting character. I did like how she pretended to be who she was not in order to give penance for a sin she did not truly commit.

Again, however, there were the indescribable “plot holes” that I encountered. They made it hard to read and were really no more than bits of the story that could have been elaborated on ever-so-slightly for the readers’ benefit. I’m not one for a slightly supernatural romance novel, but this was not over the top.

I think I am going to end up taking a break from Connie Brockway and read another author because I am a little tired of having to think and rethink about if I read about something already or not.