THE HIGHLAND DUKE by Amy Jarecki

                        4 STARS

Traveling over a hundred miles in each direction, Akira leaves her home, mother and sisters for the unexpected adventure of a lifetime. As a healer she should be respected, but as a gypsy she feels she is not. But her traveling companion fills her with confidence and gives her the courage, strength and determination to continue her journey until her task is finished. So many obstacles to overcome! So many new people to meet! So many Redcoast chasing them! With adventure on every page and a new obstacle around every corner it’s difficult to put this book down. You’ll understand why Amy Jarecki is a favorite author.

Blurb:

She’ll put her life on the line for him . . .

When Akira Ayres finds the brawny Scot with a musket ball in his thigh, the healer has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to save his life. Even if it means fleeing with him across the Highlands to tend to his wounds while English redcoats are closing in. Though Akira is as fierce and brave as any of her clansmen, even she’s intimidated by the fearsome, brutally handsome Highlander who refuses to reveal his name.

Yet she can never learn his true identity.

Geordie knows if Akira ever discovers he’s the Duke of Gordon, both her life and his will be forfeit in a heartbeat. The only way to keep the lass safe is to ensure she’s by his side day and night. But the longer he’s with her, the harder it becomes to think of letting her go. Despite all their differences, despite the danger-he will face death itself to make her his . . .

HIGHLAND KNIGHT OF RAPTURE by Amy Jarecki

.          5 STARS

Another excellent book from Amy Jarecki! The second daughter of the black knight, Helen, is in an abusive marriage and finally wants out. Her childhood crush Eoin fortuitously comes to the castle on the King’s business and agrees to get a message to Helen’s brother. The strength of this heroine is awe-inspiring! She leads the defense of the castle, she ensure humiliation at the hands of her husband, is the chatelaine of the castle and cares for her infant daughter. This is a great addition to the Campbell chronicles.

BLURB:

Another steamy Scottish historical romance by Amy Jarecki set in 1493: After five years of marriage, Lady Helen has failed to produce an heir. Giving birth to a lass, Helen’s husband rejects her and openly takes a lover while she endures in silence. 

But war is brewing. The MacDonald feud with the crown comes to a head and with it arrives Helen’s childhood friend, Sir Eoin MacGregor. Eoin and his men join with the MacIain Clan to quell the rebellion. But when he witnesses Helen suffer undue humiliation, his troubles escalate tenfold. 

If Eoin helps the lady escape, he will break the sanctity of marriage. Worse, the king has commanded Eoin to fight beside her barbarous husband. To rescue Helen from tragedy worse than death, will the gallant knight find the strength to mask his deepest desires to save the woman he’s always loved?

THE HIGHLANDER’S BRIDE by Amanda Forester

.                          4 STARS

This was a great story with a lot of sexual tension. However, the sex didn’t rule the day, much to my delight. It has a good plot and lots of action. There was also growth in the main characters that I loved.  I’m happy to recommend it to everyone who loves romance.

BLURB:

After years of fighting in France, Sir Gavin Patrick longs for his Scottish home and for an easier life off the battlefield. However, laden with a shipment of orphans, a massive treasure to transport, and Lady Marie Colette—a sharp-tongued French heiress—Gavin realizes that the real battle is only beginning. Colette expects a painless trip as Gavin transports her to her Highland fiancé, but their relationship takes an unexpected turn…

Forced to pose as a married couple in order to sneak out of France, Gavin and Colette fight against their developing, forbidden attraction…all the while yearning to fulfill their pent-up desire.

COUNTESS BY COINCIDENCE by Cheryl Bolen

                                 4 STARS

I wasn’t sure I liked this hero at first. John starts out as a debauched rake who always does whatever his friends want him to do. He admits to letting himself be lead by then. He he appears to be a wimp by being intimidated by his new brother-in-law. Not the kind of hero I’m used to! But as he falls in love with Margaret he becomes a true hero in my eyes by wanting to please her, by wanting a family and by caring for his friend’s son. This was a fun light hearted book.

BLURB:

To extricate himself from financial difficulties, John Beauclerc, the Earl of Finchley, concocts a scheme to marry a stranger who’s answered his advertisement. He’ll show his grandmother! That lady’s withholding money until he can demonstrate more maturity and less scandalous behavior. At six and twenty, the last thing he wants is to settle down. He goes to the church at St. George’s Hanover Square to wed Miss Margaret Ponsby of Windsor, send her on her way with £100, and continue to pursue wine, women and faro with his fun-seeking friends. After the ceremony, he realizes he’s married the wrong woman. Miss Margaret Ponsby of Windsor obviously thought the wedding was to occur at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. Lady Margaret Ponsby was at St. George’s in London. How can he extricate himself from this wretched marriage—a marriage over which his grandmother is ecstatic? If only Lady Margaret Ponsby weren’t so shy. When the lanky young (though most disreputable) earl she’s worshipped from afar for as long as she could remember asks her to move to the church’s altar with him, she’s powerless to decline. Even after a wedding ceremony begins, she still remains mute. She must be standing in for Lord Finchley’s true bride. But once she realizes she really is married to Lord Finchley, she determines to do everything in her power to make this a dream marriage. Even if it means imitating her clever, talkative sister.

THE ROGUE YOU KNOW by Shana Galen

.                             5 STARS

Gideon and Susanna are wonderful together! Here adventurous spirit and his troubled situation make a fantastic story. The suspense never ends in the light hearted style of Ms. Galen.

BLURB:

She’s beyond his reach…
Gideon Harrow has spent his life in London’s dark underworld-and he wants out. A thief and a con, he plans one last heist to finally win his freedom. But when everything goes wrong, he finds himself at the tender mercies of one of Society’s most untouchable women-Lady Susanna Derring.

…and out of her depth.
Susanna has spent her life in London’s glittering ton, under the thumb of a domineering mother-and she wants out. When a wickedly charming rogue lands at her feet, she jumps at the chance to experience life before it’s too late. But as she descends into London’s underworld, she finds that nothing- not even Gideon-is as it seems. As excitement turns to danger, Susanna must decide what price she’s willing to pay…for the love of a reformed thief.

POSSESSION OF A HIGHLANDER by Madeline Martin

.                            5 STARS

Colin is a mercenary who wants his own land. Brianna is an heiress who refuses to marry and lose her freedom. This is a wonderful story of two strong and determined people who sacrifice everything for each other after falling in love.

BLURB:

Brianna Lindsay’s grip on the inheritance that is rightly hers hangs by a thread. If the town finds out her father has died, Brianna will be forced into marriage with her loathsome cousin, Lord Robert, and will lose all of Edzell Castle and its lands. To protect her home, she’ll have to trust a complete stranger, a brooding Highland barbarian who sweeps into Edzell with a small retinue and insists on replacing her Captain of the Guard. He proves his worth by defeating her men and she has no choice but to accept his offer.

Though his motives are suspect, Colin MacKinnon has nobility in his blood and good intentions in coming to Edzell. He seeks his own kingdom, one to rival his father’s, and sets out to conquer Brianna in the best way he knows how—with seduction.

Brianna never thought of all the wealth she protects, the one thing she has left completely vulnerable is her heart. Colin never thought that of everything he stands to achieve, he might have to face the unexpected pain of loss. Together, they must navigate a treacherous world of spies and intrigue, of legacy and fidelity, of love and betrayal, to find what is truly worth possessing.

GIVE UP THE GHOST by Kelly Moran

.                  99 STARS

Can I do that?? Give 99 stars instead of 5? This one deserves them! Oh my gosh! This book held me spellbound from the first! Kelly Moran has created the most amazing characters and I fell in love with all of them. The story was intense and pulled at all my emotions. I can’t wait to read more of this paranormal team.

BLURB:

Paranormal investigator Kerry Baker has seen it all. But nothing in her work with the Phantoms team prepares her for the most terrifying ghost of all―seeing her doppelganger. Rumored to be a foreshadowing of one’s death, the spectre shakes Kerry to the core…sending her into the arms of her best friend and fellow Phantom cast member, Paul Leake, for comfort.

Until a kiss changes everything.

Paul has been in love with Kerry for ages, unwilling to compromise their friendship. As their investigation in a ghost town grows more intense, however, so does the chemistry between Paul and Kerry. With her life in danger and their jobs on the line, giving into their attraction couldn’t be a worse idea―and yet they can’t bring themselves to stop it. Even if it kills her…

A HIGHLAND KNIGHT TO REMEMBER by Amy Jarecki

.                   5 STARS

I love Amy Jarecki’s books, and this one is my favorite so far. A heroine who isn’t perfect, a hero who loves her how she is, and braw highland warriors make this book everything anyone would want in a romance!

BLURB:

In 15th century Scotland, Gyllis Campbell arrives at the Beltane festival with one thing on her mind—to win the heart of Sir Sean MacDougall once and for all. Astonishingly, Sir Sean would like nothing more than to oblige the lovely lass. 

But when news of his father’s death arrives, Sean races for Dunollie Castle. Unaware of Sean’s tragedy, Gyllis departs the festival thwarted. Worse, a terrible illness strikes her down, and she’s sent to the cloisters of Ardchattan Priory for healing. 

Plagued by raids on his lands and deception in his ranks, Sean is embroiled in a battle to regain control. Pulled in a myriad of directions, adversity runs rampant as Gyllis struggles to regain her health and Sean battles the very demon who covets his title. Fighting for their lives, both must prevail before their love can blossom.

HIGHLANDER REDEEMED by Laurin Wittig

                                            4 STARS

I have loved the Guardians of the Targe Series and this third book is wonderful! All the elements of a great Higland love story are here: the buff highlanders, a conflict with the English and a bit of magic.

BLURB:

Scotia MacAlpin may be only eighteen years old, but she’s no stranger to trouble. Her latest incident—which resulted in a death and forced her clan into battle—has made her an outcast among her exiled people. Scotia is tired of being ignored and overshadowed by her sister, a gifted Guardian of the Targe, and she’s become hell-bent on destroying the army out to capture the ancient Highland relic for their English king.

Duncan of Dunlairig has looked out for Scotia since she started to walk. She was as restless and reckless then as she is now—only the stakes have become higher and more perilous. While the rest of Clan MacAlpin ostracizes her, Duncan secretly helps Scotia become the warrior she yearns to be. But the real test of her skills may come when he needs her help—and her long-forgotten heart—in this thrilling and romantic Guardians of the Targe tale.

SUMMIT OF SEDUCTION by Elena Aitken

                                     5 STARS

Summit of Seduction is another beautiful love story by Elena Aitken. It has love, uncertainy, sorrow and loss and touches every emotion inside you as you read. I have loved all of Ms Aitken’s books and recommend every series as they build on each other and old friends are brought along into the new books.

BLURB:

With a sick mother, the bills piling up and her best friend leaving town in the middle of it all, the last thing Cynthia Giles needs in her life is a man. Especially one like Seth McBride. Sure, he’s sexy as hell and the memory of what his strong hands felt like on her body keep her up at night, but that’s exactly why she needs to keep her distance. It was one time…okay twice…but it can’t happen again because Seth represents everything she doesn’t need.

She isn’t his type. Not even close. Seth likes his women blond, wild and without any expectations for a relationship. But there’s something about the smoldering redhead that Seth can’t stay away from. Neither of them meant for anything to happen between them, but it did and ever since, Seth can’t get her out of his head. And he’s almost positive Cynthia feels the connection, too.

He might even be able to convince her to admit she feels the same way. But when Cynthia discovers a truth that will rock both of their worlds, all bets are off while they try to navigate their new future.