Reconstructing Jackson by Holly Bush

Reconstructing Jackson by Holly Bush

Publisher: BookBaby (September 2012)

191 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

Reed Jackson is a lawyer from the south who suffered injuries in the Civil War that left him in a wheelchair. He set out west at his mother's insistence to start over and stop stewing in bitterness, accepting a bit of help and a room in his cousin's hotel while he starts out on his own. Belle is a dirt poor farmer's daughter, who has simple dreams, that her harsh life leaves little hope of fulfilling, until she is thrown together with Reed. Surrounded by women of strength and conviction, Reed is drug into countless situations he'd rather not find himself in and nudged until he finally shoves his bitterness aside finding strength and conviction of his own. He was a wonderfully complicated character and it was great to watch him crawl out from the depths and back into life, though he never would have been able to do it without a strong, determined woman like Belle at his side. This was such a wonderful story and I look forward to more from this author!

The Trouble with Highlanders by Mary Wine

The Trouble with Highlanders by Mary Wine

The Sutherlands Series, Book 2

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 2012)

320 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

After relieving Daphne MacLeod of her virginity in order to help her escape a loveless marriage, Norris can't get her out of his head and bundles her home with him, curious to explore the hold she has on him, but obstacles are aplenty and appear at every turn. Though I didn't dislike the two main characters, I admit I didn't feel particularly drawn to either of them, both having distasteful qualities which perhaps only served to make them more life-like. Daphne a bit too eager to toss away her virginity and Norris a bit too willing to take it. But, even so, I enjoyed this story. It included lots of intrigue and maneuvering by the evil Frasers and the Sutherland clan itself and I thought it was wonderful to watch. And despite any qualms about the main characters, they were surrounded by secondary characters that I absolutely loved. I hope this series continues, and there seemed to be a hint at the end of this one of a story to come between Norris's half-brother, Gahan, and Bari Fraser's half-sister, Moira. I also hope to see more of Faolan Chisholms, Kael Grant and his sister, Nareen, and Daphne's half-brother, Saer. Though we didn't see much of him, I thought Saer was a very striking character and one I would like to know more of, so I hope he gets a story of his own. Wonderful series!

The Highlander's Prize by Mary Wine

The Highlander's Prize by Mary Wine

The Sutherlands Series, Book 1

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 2012)

350 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Contracted by her family to be the King of Scotland's mistress, Clarrisa of York, is hoping for a way out of the match when Laird Broen MacNicols shows up to deliver her from her circumstances, though she is unsure if her fate with him will fare any better, since his reasons for taking her are to ensure his own political gain. I found the characters to be likable and the story to be fast paced and engaging. My only problem with it was I felt Clarrisa a bit too willing to participate in Broen's infidelity to his betrothed, even before the matter was cleared up between all parties. I'm not a fan of infidelity, and I wish she had steered clear until she understood the lay of things, but given the feelings and wishes that were later revealed, it turned out okay in the end. I look forward to reading Daphne and Norris's story in the next book in this series, The Trouble with Highlanders. I hope this series continues, perhaps with the stories of Faolan Chisholms or Kael and Nareen Grant.

Highland Heat by Mary Wine

Highland Heat by Mary Wine

The Highlander Series, Book 3

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 2011)

353 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Ruined by her naive choice of her first lover, Deirdre is undertaking an unhappy life of penance at a convent, for lacking of a better choice, until the Queen of Scotland requests her assistance in acting as a diversion for her. Deirdre's part in the Queen's deception sends her straight into the arms of Laird Cameron and he decides to keep her. I identified with Deirdre from the beginning and found her very engaging.  She had been wronged in the past by placing her trust in the wrong person and it seemed she continued to be surrounded by people with questionable motives. I didn't trust the Queen and I didn't trust Laird Cameron for much of the story either, especially since I had questions about his actions in the previous two books in this series. Through everything, including the repeated captures and escapes from various castles, Deirdre never gave up and she always held her head high and I loved that about her. And once you get past all the protective layers, I liked Quinton Cameron too. This was a wonderful story and I hope the author comes back to explore a few of the stories left untold (Coalan and Amber, Roan McLeod and Erlina/Shylah, Cyric Sinclair or Troy Douglas). These first three books in this series were related, but I understand that the next two though related to each other are not necessarily related to the first three. The next book in this series is, The Highlander's Prize.

Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine

Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine

The Highlander Series, Book 2

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 2010)

344 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

When Laird Connor Lindsey finds that his betrothed has taken his enemy as a lover, he decides to take a different Chattan daughter for his wife to seal the alliance between the two clans, and it just so happens that he picks Brina, unconcerned that she is promised to the church. The way that Connor takes Brina was awesome. The constant upheaval and never-ending problems that Laird Chattan finds laid at his door, particularly regarding his daughters, was something of a running gag throughout the book and I found it amusing. I liked both Connor and Brina, and enjoyed their similar pasts and inclinations making their connection to each other even more entrancing. Brina's part in the plot to save Connor young sister, Vanora, from captivity was great and I thought it made a perfect ending. The descriptions of the historical, cultural and architectural details in this book were very vivid and made the story all the more enjoyable. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, Highland Heat, about Connor's friend Quinton Cameron.

To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine

To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine

The Highlander Series, Book 1

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (July 2010)

354 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.97)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Shannon McBoyd is the daughter of a despicable Laird who is greedy and not above making traitorous deals to further his own self interests even raiding and massacring a peaceful neighboring clan. Laird Torin McLeren is determined to see justice done after one of his villages is attacked by the McBoyd, but when he sees McBoyd's daughter starting out on a journey he decides to take her and bring the matter of the attack to his overlord, the Earl, for resolution. I liked both these characters. Torin was steadfast no matter what Shannon threw at him and he had a harsh bluntness about him that I found endearing. Shannon frustrated me a bit with her stubbornness and her blind sense of duty that seemed to plague her relentlessly, but Torin always saved her from herself. I look forward to continuing this series and reading about Torin's friends Connor Lindsey (Highland Hellcat, Book 2) and Quinton Cameron (Highland Heat, Book 3).