Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

The Montgomerys and Armstrongs, Book 1

Publisher: Ballantine Books (September 2012)

418 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

The King seeks to bring about peace between two clans that are bitter enemies by ordering a marriage between Laird Graeme Montgomery and Eveline Armstrong, daughter of Laird Armstrong. Both families and clans are appalled by the order, especially in light of the fact that Eveline is widely believed to be daft and therefore incapable adequately performing wifely duties.  The more Graeme knows of Eveline the more he suspects she isn't daft at all, but only deaf as a result of an accident years before and eventually persuades her to tell him all her secrets. This book was awesome! I loved the characters and the story. Despite the difficult situation they were thrown into, Graeme and Eveline both behaved admirably and didn't keep secrets or string out misunderstandings. The strength and fortitude of both characters was inspiring. So many wonderful possibilities to continue this series (Graeme's siblings: Bowen, Teague & Rorie, and Eveline's brothers, Aiden & Brodie). I look forward to reading Bowen's story, Highlander Most Wanted, out early next year!

Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks

Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks

McCabe Trilogy, Book 3

Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 2011)

305 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

After being rejected by the first two McCabe brothers who had wed other women, the last and youngest McCabe brother, Caelen, stepped forward to marry Rionna in his brothers’ stead, thereby cementing the alliance that was deemed necessary not only for their own clans’ future, but the whole of the highlands. They saved the best McCabe brother for last. Caelen McCabe is such a wonderfully complex character; grumpy and brooding, yet gentle and undyingly loyal. He’s a big softy underneath it all. Rionna is quite complex herself, fierceness and strength hiding a deep vulnerability. I loved this story. Both Caelen and Rionna had been wounded deeply by their past and nothing could heal it but each other. The battle scene near the end was awesome! I don’t think it could have had a better ending. Highly recommended!

Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks

Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks

McCabe Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Ballantine Books (September 2011)

354 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Alaric is set to do his duty to his clan, the King and all of Scotland it would seem, by putting his own wishes aside to wed Rionna McDonald, a woman he scarcely knows, but on his way to seal his fate he is grievously injured in an ambush and nursed back to health by Keeley, a McDonald clan outcast who makes her living with her healing skills. Alaric and Keeley had wonderful chemistry from the beginning and an endearing playfulness to their relationship. This story did include some mild BDSM. I'm sorry to say that Alaric is my least favorite of the three McCabe brothers, and though he treated Keeley well in private, I was displeased that it took him so long to muster the strength and courage to do right by Keeley, and in fact remained unswayed until it appeared it was too late. I could not find him honorable throughout much of the story. Keeley's way of dealing with the whole situation was nothing less than saintly and I don't feel you could find another woman who would have acted the same in such circumstances. Once Alaric was forced to come to his senses, I was very pleased with the ending and I look forward to reading the final book in this series, Never Love a Highlander, about Caelen McCabe.

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

McCabe Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Ballantine Books (August 2011)

351 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

As illegitimate daughter of the deceased King and in possession of a desirable dowry and vast property to be bequeathed to her first born, Mairin has spent a life in hiding from the greedy men that seek to claim her riches, only to be kidnapped from the abbey by one such greedy man. Mairin escapes with a captive young boy and the pair is rescued by the boy's family, Mairin putting her faith in the young boy's promise that his father Laird Ewan McCabe will help her. I really liked these characters. Ewan was strong and confident, but not afraid to allow others to advise him, or show affection for his lady. Mairin was also strong and feisty, but didn't hide that Ewan reduced her to tears on occasion, which I felt was more genuine then some heroines who insist on putting up a hard front despite hurt feelings. This was a great story and I enjoyed the interaction between Ewan, Mairin and Ewan's two brothers, Alaric and Caelen. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. The next book in this series is Seduction of a Highland Lass about Ewan's brother, Alaric.

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz

The Ballantyne Legacy, Book 1

Publisher: Revell (September 2012)

432 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $9.68)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Sensuality: White Heart

Silas Ballantyne plans to finish the few months left of his apprenticeship, then head west to live out his dreams, but from the moment he steps foot in Liege Lee’s household he is met with problems and impediments unwillingly thrust upon him by his new master, not the least of which are Liege’s two daughters Elspeth and Eden, whom the man is determined to marry off. Though I found the characters and the story engaging, I nearly could not finish this book for the last half was so heart-rendering and I was so upset with the two main characters for their stubborn stupidity. Upon Eden’s stubborn insistence to hold to her secrets, Silas leaves her when she needs him the most and does not go back, not to mention his considering another woman in her absence. I almost could not get past the ugliness of it all and very well could have done without the estrangement part of the story. It didn’t seem to add anything to the story, except length and grief. That removed, the story was wonderful, with rich characters, a beautifully depicted historical world, and the refreshingly contemplative style that I have come to expect from this author. I look forward to the next installment in this series, and hope that it does not include so much needless heartache and grief.

Findley’s Lass by Suzan Tisdale

Findley’s Lass by Suzan Tisdale

The Clan MacDougall Series, Book 2

Publisher: Suzan Tisdale (September 2012)

233 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

Finally healed from his injury in battle, Findley heads out with his men in hopes of bringing back the beauty that ensnared his heart after only a brief meeting that has occupied his mind ever since, only to find her and her sons missing and her village destroyed. Though they catch up with Maggy and four of her sons, they find a fifth son was taken captive, and Findley promises to get the young boy back for her. This story was well-written, fast paced, full of action and included a good bit of comedic relief here and there. Unfortunately, I had a very hard time liking Maggy, especially during the first half of this story. She was abrasive, foolishly headstrong and beyond her beauty, I have no idea what poor Findley or anyone else saw in her. In fact, I found myself sympathizing more with the villain, Malcolm Buchannan, more than her. Buchannan was such a wonderfully complex character! Maggy’s five sons: Robert, Andrew, Collin, Ian and Liam were great and I loved their interaction with Findley and his men. Findley and his men were all as great as I remembered them from the first book in this series, and I look forward to reading more of them. I’m excited to read Wee William’s story, coming Summer of 2013, and hope that the stories of Black Richard and Caelen McDunnah will follow.

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

Buchanan-Renard Series, Book 10

Publisher: Dutton Adult (August 2012)

369 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $12.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Olivia is a magnet for trouble and Grayson is her knight in shining armor, complete with an FBI badge, a weapon and a stubborn drive to protect her whether she likes his methods or not. If you have read other books in this series, this book pretty much follows the same pattern. I liked both Olivia and Grayson from the beginning. The interactions between Olivia and Grayson's nephew, Henry, and the other children in the story were fun, and a nice insight into another side of her character. Despite Olivia's fear of commitment, Grayson was unrelentingly tenacious and I loved that about him. There are passing references to some previous characters in this series, but none of them actually make an appearance, much to my disappointment. The ending begs for the other three pips stories to be told, perhaps beginning with Collins and Grayson's partner, Ronan. I'm still hoping to see the final three Buchanan siblings (Mike, Sidney and Zack) get their own books, as well as Lyra’s brothers, Owen and Cooper, and hopefully a side note along the way somewhere to know that Cordie and Aiden finally got together, would be nice. Keep them coming!