Highland Obligation (Highland Pride #5) by Lori Ann Bailey. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Isobel MacLean fears she can't protect those she loves. Due to a violent attack in her past, she'll do anything to keep them safe--except marry the infuriating Grant MacDonald, heir to the MacDonald laird. She wants justice for her family, not a damn husband. Unfortunately, we don't always get what we want...

Forced to wed the lass responsible for his friend's death, Grant MacDonald is determined to tame his hellion wife. On a mission to Edinburgh to prevent war, sparks fly as they spar with each other, and Grant is starting to wonder if maybe his wife is a wee bit misunderstood.

He'll need to use every tool in his arsenal to distract his alluring wife from her quest for vengeance...before it's too late for them both. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Isobel MacLean has been fighting with the Royalist resistance,  but now someone has seen her identity.  That makes her a risk for her clan,  so her father decided that marrying her off into a really strong clan is the only way to keep her safe.  Isobel's idea is just to kill the man who saw her face.  That will keep everyone safe.  That's all that matters to her. As she sees it, it's her job to protect everyone she loves. 
Grant MacDonald is furious when he sees the woman he has to marry.  She's the one who caused his uncle to be killed by interfering in a battle.  He was expecting a ladylike bride not a hardhearted warrior. 
The sparks fly between our characters from the start.  Neither one is going to give in to softer emotions. It's great fun following them through their tangled journey,  and finding out the reasons behind the behavior. These are difficult times for the people of Scotland trying to stay out of the troubles the civil war has imposed on England.
I loved it. 

AMAZON:US * AMAZON:UK * AMAZON:ES 

 KOBO

Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, Lori Ann Bailey has a romantic soul and believes the best in everyone. Sappy commercials and proud mommy moments make her cry. She sobs uncontrollably and feels emotionally drained when reading sad books, so she started reading romance for the Happily Ever Afters. She was hooked. Then, the characters and scenes that ran around in her head as she attempted to sleep at night begged to be let out. Looking back now, her favorite class in high school was the one where a professor pulled a desk to the center of the room and told her to write two paragraphs about it and the college English class taught by a red-headed Birkenstock wearing girl, not much older than she, who introduced her to Jack Kerouac. After working in business and years as a stay-at-home mom she has found something in addition to her family to be passionate about, her books. She lives in Northern Virginia with her real life hero, four kids that keep her on her toes, two dogs determined to destroy her house and two cats secretly plotting the demise of those dogs. 

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Highland Salvation (Highland Pride #4) by Lori Ann Bailey. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Finlay Cameron, the bastard son of an English earl and a Scottish mother, weds stunning, outgoing Blair Macnab to ensure her clan’s loyalty to King Charles. She’s everything he’s ever wanted in a wife, but he suspects she may be plotting his murder.

Always considered to be nothing more than a pretty face, Blair Macnab yearns to prove her worth. She refuses to be used as a pawn for political gain, but when confronted by a blackmailer, her only option is to marry the brawny Finlay Cameron.

In Finlay’s arms, she feels safe for the first time ever. Until she learns that her blackmailer is hot on her trail and her secrets could soon be exposed…

Each book in the Highland Pride series is STANDALONE:
* Highland Deception
* Highland Redemption
* Highland Temptation
* Highland Salvation

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is set in the time just before the English civil war.  The people of the three kingdoms are deciding if they are on the side of parliament or the King. 
Finlay Cameron's Laird and clan are Royalists.  After a battle in Edinburgh,  Finlay has news he must take to several different people.  Because he has family in Scotland and England he is the obvious person to deliver it,  but he wasn't expecting the traveling companions he would have. 
Blair Macnab feels that she should feel sad that her betrothed was killed in the recent fighting,  but all she feels is relief.  That is until a man from the clan of her betrothed tries to blackmail her into marrying him instead.  Will she find someone who can save her or will her problems follow her??
Our hero is the natural son of an English Earl and a Scottish woman.  Both parents loved him but lived in different countries,  meaning he traveled back and forth all his life.  He has a problem that has always caused him embarrassment. 
This is a very different Highland romance with great characters and a fascinating plot. 
A thoroughly enjoyable read. 

AMAZON:US *AMAZON:UK * AMAZON:ES

 KOBO

Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, Lori Ann Bailey has a romantic soul and believes the best in everyone. Sappy commercials and proud mommy moments make her cry. She sobs uncontrollably and feels emotionally drained when reading sad books, so she started reading romance for the Happily Ever Afters. She was hooked. Then, the characters and scenes that ran around in her head as she attempted to sleep at night begged to be let out. Looking back now, her favorite class in high school was the one where a professor pulled a desk to the center of the room and told her to write two paragraphs about it and the college English class taught by a red-headed Birkenstock wearing girl, not much older than she, who introduced her to Jack Kerouac. After working in business and years as a stay-at-home mom she has found something in addition to her family to be passionate about, her books. She lives in Northern Virginia with her real life hero, four kids that keep her on her toes, two dogs determined to destroy her house and two cats secretly plotting the demise of those dogs. 

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * BookBub

Highland Temptation (Highland Pride #3) by Lori Ann Bailey. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Alan Mackenzie can’t believe it when his laird’s sister takes on some foolhardy mission to get close to every male in a rival clan, in the hopes of uncovering who’s behind the plot to kill her brothers. He may not be good enough for Kirstie, but he’ll be damned if anyone else touches her. But he’s undercover as well, and one false move could betray them both.

Kirstie Cameron’s brothers are in danger, and if she has to flirt with the enemy to save them, she will. But her plans are hindered when the annoyingly handsome Alan Mackenzie refuses to leave her alone. He broke her heart years ago, and now he’s working with the other side. She’ll never forgive him if he ruins her plans. But she can’t deny the attraction between them.

He can’t stay away. She can’t push him away. And the temptation could get them all killed. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is set in a very volatile time in Scottish history.  Clans were set against each other because of religious differences. 
Alan Mackenzie has gone undercover to discover just what the plans are for the royalist clan chiefs who refuse to accept the religion being pushed on them by Parliament.
Kirstie Cameron left her own clan to stay with a friend because the man she wanted didn't want her.  Now she must face him again,  but it looks like he is betraying her family.  Murder is being planned,  she must discover who is involved. 
An emotional and exciting story full of danger and nasty and nice characters.  Our heroine has got a silly habit of not doing as the men in her life tell her to.  That can be very dangerous.  Our hero has spent his life battling the demons of his past.  Can he put them to rest and accept what life now has to offer??
Great fun. 

AMAZON:US * AMAZON:UK * AMAZON:ES

Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, Lori Ann Bailey has a romantic soul and believes the best in everyone. Sappy commercials and proud mommy moments make her cry. She sobs uncontrollably and feels emotionally drained when reading sad books, so she started reading romance for the Happily Ever Afters. She was hooked. Then, the characters and scenes that ran around in her head as she attempted to sleep at night begged to be let out. Looking back now, her favorite class in high school was the one where a professor pulled a desk to the center of the room and told her to write two paragraphs about it and the college English class taught by a red-headed Birkenstock wearing girl, not much older than she, who introduced her to Jack Kerouac. After working in business and years as a stay-at-home mom she has found something in addition to her family to be passionate about, her books. She lives in Northern Virginia with her real life hero, four kids that keep her on her toes, two dogs determined to destroy her house and two cats secretly plotting the demise of those dogs. 

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * BookBub

Campbell´s Redemption (Highland Pride #3) by Sharon Cullen. Release & ARC review.

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Seduction betrays two Scottish patriots in Sharon Cullen’s sweeping Highland Pride romance—sure to thrill readers of Maya Banks and Monica McCarty—as a widowed young healer teaches a stubborn chieftain to trust his heart.

Like his ancestors, Iain Campbell, the Marquess of Kerr, swears loyalty to whichever government happens to be in power. Privately, however, he despises the British for the slaughter following the Battle of Culloden and finds himself playing a dangerous game of deception. When he defends a fellow Scot under cloak of darkness, Iain is wounded and must put his life in the hands of a mysterious healer. The prickly, bewitching woman saves him with her touch, though she denies Iain the pleasure of a smile from her sensuous lips—which only makes him want her all the more.

Cait Campbell has no fondness for the marquess and his political machinations. Now he makes a treacherous patient, since Cait is harboring Jacobite fugitives in her cellar. But with Iain confined to bed rest, Cait sees another side of the fierce warrior. How can she hate a man whose eyes sparkle in candlelight, a man whose voice stirs her soul? She soon discovers that he loves the Scottish people deeply—and, despite her painful intuitions, Cait is tempted to let Iain love her, too.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Widow Cait Campbell is a healer.  She helps any that come to her cottage,  be they Scottish rebels on the run or the hated English soldiers. She lives alone on the border between the Campbell and Sutherland lands.  Since the deaths of her husband and daughter the only purpose to her life is helping others. 
Laird Iain Campbell is the probably one of the most disliked Scotsmen around.  He is known as a friend to the English.  What many don't know is the secret ways he helps the Scots. 
This is set just a few months after the battle at Culloden , while tempers are high and fugitives are on the run.  It is a very emotional story that you can't help but get drawn into.  Plenty of action, intrigue,  danger and a good spicy romance. 
This is the third book in a series but easily read as a stand alone.  A very enjoyable read. 

AMAZON.US

KOBO

After earning a degree in journalism from Ohio University Sharon found that the stories inside her head were more interesting than what was going on in the world around her. Yet, it wasn't until years later that she decided to pursue her secret dream of writing a romance novel. Since then she's been published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance and contemporary romance. The Notorious Lady Anne is her first historical romance.

Sharon's other job descriptions include chauffer, laundress, cook and mediator to her three very busy kids, her husband and two dogs. She lives in southwest Ohio with her brood although her dream is to someday retire to St. Maarten and live on the beach. 

If you'd like to find out more about Sharon and her books, you can visit her at her blog or her website. She's addicted 
to social networking so you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Friend her! Like her! Follow her! She'd love to hang out with you and talk about her passion--books.

   

Website.   Facebook.  Twitter.   Goodreads.

ARC Received Through

MacLean´s Passion, (Highland Pride #2) by Sharon Cullen. ARC Review.

Perfect for fans of Maya Banks and Monica McCarty, Sharon Cullen’s Highland Pride series continues as Scotland’s most reckless smuggler meets his match in a beautiful spitfire who arouses a renewed sense of duty, camaraderie, and passion.

Colin MacLean has always felt like a black sheep—especially after his brothers are slain before his eyes in the Battle of Culloden. A smuggler by trade, Colin makes for an embarrassing chieftain. He can’t even save his friends from their British pursuers without getting himself captured. But before he is martyred by the hangman’s noose, Colin escapes with his cellmate, a brave lad he’s come to admire. It’s only in the depths of the Highlands that Colin discovers the lad is a lass—and a bonnie one at that.

Raised by her older brothers, Maggie Sinclair can drink a pint in no time flat and wield a dagger with the best of ’em. Still, men have always excluded her and women have always shunned her. Colin makes her feel different. His wild spirit and rugged good looks have Maggie reconsidering her less than ladylike ways. For the first time, she’s tempted to put on a gown, just to see how Colin would react. She can only imagine what might happen next: a kiss . . . a touch . . . and perhaps enough sultry heat to melt a cold Highland night.

Colin MacLean is waiting to die. If he is not hanged then the sickness he has will surely kill him off. He is a prisoner of the English and they have been torturing him endlessly.  When someone offers to help him escape he suspects a trap, but needs to take the chance. The quiet young lad he has been sharing a cell with must come with him.
Maggie Sinclair has been a prisoner since she was caught fighting at Culloden  . She is just thankful no one has discovered her sex yet.
Our hero is suffering from a total lack of self confidence. He lost his much worthier elder brothers in the battle. He is not fit to take over the clan. Our heroine has trained and fought like a lad all her life . Now her brother expects her to suddenly turn into a lady and marry. That's not going to happen.
A harrowing journey through the highlands,  with enemies behind and an uncertain future ahead. A story that will make you laugh, cry and cheer for our wonderful heroine.  It is the second in a series but you can read it on it's own. I loved it.

After earning a degree in journalism from Ohio University Sharon found that the stories inside her head were more interesting than what was going on in the world around her. Yet, it wasn't until years later that she decided to pursue her secret dream of writing a romance novel. Since then she's been published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance and contemporary romance. The Notorious Lady Anne is her first historical romance.

Sharon's other job descriptions include chauffer, laundress, cook and mediator to her three very busy kids, her husband and two dogs. She lives in southwest Ohio with her brood although her dream is to someday retire to St. Maarten and live on the beach. 

If you'd like to find out more about Sharon and her books, you can visit her at her blog or her website. She's addicted 
to social networking so you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Friend her! Like her! Follow her! She'd love to hang out with you and talk about her passion--books.

   

Website.   Facebook.  Twitter.   Goodreads.

AMAZON.US

KOBO

ARC Received Through

Sutherlands Secret. ( A Highland Pride Novel) by Sharon Cullen ARC Review.

If you love Maya Banks and Monica McCarty, don’t miss Sharon Cullen’s captivating Highland Pride novels! Sutherland’s Secret kicks off a series that’s overflowing with mouthwatering Scottish warriors, captivating history, and forbidden desire.

Terror reigns in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. As British troops obliterate the last traces of the Jacobite cause, Brice Sutherland, the Earl of Dornach, risks everything to arrange a covert escape route to Canada for his fellow Scots. But when he encounters a dying Englishwoman, hauntingly beautiful though scarred by manacles and unable to speak, Brice’s true courage is put to the test. Nothing but ruin could result from helping her, or worse: falling in love.

The pampered daughter of a marquess, Eleanor Hirst was the talk of the London season when she wed the Earl of Glendale. Little did she know that his posting as an officer in Scotland would be their undoing. Now her husband is dead and Eleanor is a fugitive in a hostile country. Desperate for help, she throws herself on the mercy of Brice Sutherland, a handsome Scottish warrior who should be her enemy. Instead, he cares for her tenderly, reviving her shattered spirit—and awakening urges unlike any she’s ever known.

Brice Sutherland is a highland chieftain on his way home after a meeting with other clan chiefs. Since the massacre at Culloden everyone is on edge and distrustful. What he finds laying on the path will change his and his clan's lives. No Highlander is safe from the army of English soldiers that roam Scotland trying to root out the Jacobites.

Eleanor Hirst is English, but she is in  as much, if not more danger from the English Colonel in charge of the garrison than any Scot.
This is set in a very difficult period in Scottish history. Our hero is doing his best to save his countrymen .He takes on something that could put his whole clan at risk.  The danger and adventure are the biggest part of this story. The romance is inevitable.  Our heroine turns out to be stronger than a lot of the men in the book.
A very hard book to put down. I know this particular story is fiction, but it must be so close to what happened in that very dark time in British history.  I enjoyed this immensely. 

After earning a degree in journalism from Ohio University Sharon found that the stories inside her head were more interesting than what was going on in the world around her. Yet, it wasn't until years later that she decided to pursue her secret dream of writing a romance novel. Since then she's been published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance and contemporary romance. The Notorious Lady Anne is her first historical romance.

Sharon's other job descriptions include chauffer, laundress, cook and mediator to her three very busy kids, her husband and two dogs. She lives in southwest Ohio with her brood although her dream is to someday retire to St. Maarten and live on the beach. 

If you'd like to find out more about Sharon and her books, you can visit her at her blog or her website. She's addicted 
to social networking so you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Friend her! Like her! Follow her! She'd love to hang out with you and talk about her passion--books.

   

Website.   Facebook.  Twitter.   Goodreads.

                                                       

ARC Received from