Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands - Donna Ashcroft (Bookouture - Oct 2022)

Series: Village of Christmas (Book 2)
 
Twenty-five-year-old Merry is escaping to the Scottish Highlands for Christmas. Heartbroken by the death of her father, the man who raised her single-handedly, she needs some time to heal. Hiding away at Chestnut Cottage with only her Aunt Ava's menagerie of pets for company seems like the perfect way to spend a peaceful December. But when she arrives, Merry discovers some curious instructions from her aunt asking her to organise Secret Santa gifts for the residents of Christmas village.
 
Merry's determined to try and carry out her aunt's festive task. But on her first night in the little cottage, everything goes wrong including upsetting the handsome local vet Theo Ellis-Lee when he arrives to assist with a crazed turkey and the mischievous rabbit who's torn apart her aunt's gift list. Merry is completely out of her comfort zone, and it doesn't help that Theo is both infuriatingly cheerful and insanely attractive.
 
Merry's plans for a quiet break are quickly thwarted as Theo starts coming by every day to check on the unruly animals, and she can't deny he sets her pulse racing. And, one by one, the friendly locals draw her out of her shell with cosy cups of tea, warm words, and laughter-filled evenings in the pub. She finds herself embracing the challenge of finding the perfect gift for each of the kind-hearted people on her list. When Theo offers to help, sparks fly between them. But when the Secret Santa project forces Merry to face her heartache, she's not sure she's ready for a fresh start.
 
At a crossroads in her life, will Merry decide to go home and hide from her problems or will she open her heart and stay in Christmas village?
 
Terrific book. I enjoyed revisiting Christmas village (Christmas in the Scottish Highlands) and catching up with the villagers I met last year. This year there are a couple of new residents: Merry, who has come to house-and-animal sit for her Aunt Ava, and Theo, the new partner at the local vet's office.
 
Merry was involved in a car accident two years earlier, leaving her in a three-month coma. When she woke up, her three previously overprotective brothers took their overprotectiveness to a new level. Needing a little breathing room to reclaim her independence, Merry takes her aunt up on the offer of her cottage in exchange for pet-sitting. Challenges and delays in getting there meant Merry missed seeing her aunt by a few hours. Still, Ava left detailed instructions, not only for the animal care but also for a Secret Santa project that's been in the family for generations. Unfortunately for Merry, her aunt's pet rabbit Chewy lived up to his name, and shredded/ate most of the notes - including which villager gets which gift. Worried about the rabbit after its misadventures, Merry calls the local vet.
 
Theo has only been in the village for two months and is still getting to know people. He came to Christmas village after a bad breakup looking for a new start. Theo is a big-hearted man who lives for caring for others, whether they are animals or people. His former girlfriend took advantage of him, leaving him determined to avoid getting involved with another needy woman. Theo also has a younger brother, Jeff, who he raised after their parents' deaths. Jeff moved to Australia, far away from Theo's oversight.
 
The first meeting between Merry and Theo doesn't go well. Theo jumps to the conclusion that Merry is another one of those needy women that he needs to avoid. Merry just wants to be sure the rabbit is okay and get some information on how to care for the animals. Theo tells himself to give her the information she needs and leave her alone, but he can't seem to stay away. Before long, he's showing up at least once daily to check on Merry and the animals. I liked watching Merry do her utmost to maintain her independence, only accepting Theo's help when absolutely necessary.
 
Merry is also a writer working on a romance novel. Her first attempt didn't go well, and she's having trouble getting her confidence back. She had planned to hole up in the cottage and write, but her need to figure out the Secret Santa recipients forces her into the village. I loved seeing her drawn into village life. Belle, a primary school teacher, invites Merry to speak to her third graders about writing as they work on their Christmas stories. I loved her interactions with the children and seeing how they helped Merry find her writing mojo. I especially enjoyed their suggestions on how to make her story better. Those same children opened Merry up to getting to know their parents.
 
Theo quickly discovers that Merry has something to do with the Secret Santa mystery. He knows she will not accept any overt offers to help, so he finds subtle ways to expose her to various villagers, enabling her to make the connections herself. The more time he spends with her, the more he realizes she is the opposite of needy. I enjoyed seeing how he supported her in her goal of reclaiming herself. Merry, who initially thought that Theo was just as overprotective as her brothers, soon sees a different side to him. I liked seeing her soften her independence just a little bit and accept the occasional assistance from him.
 
Merry's brothers were over-the-top in their attitudes. Calling her multiple times a day, telling her she's not safe on her own and threatening to come to Christmas village to stay with her make her more determined to stand on her own. When they get to Theo, asking him to spy on her for them or they will come up, Theo is caught between a rock and a hard place. If he doesn't agree, she will lose out on all of the progress she has made. But if he does agree, he becomes part of the problem. I felt for him and the dilemma he faced, knowing that no matter what he did, it would come back and bite him.
 
I loved watching Merry's growth over the month she was there. Her confidence grew steadily from dealing with the animals to figuring out the Secret Santa thing. I loved following her writing adventures as her characters grew along with her. I ached for her feelings of betrayal when she found out about Theo and her brothers. Theo had her back even there, and I loved his conversation with her brother Noah. It takes some self-reflection, but Theo and Merry discover that there's nothing wrong with accepting help when you need it and that helping each other makes them stronger.
 
I loved the final scene with the Secret Santa gifts. Their work was clearly successful, and there were even a couple of surprise gifts!
 
I hope there will be another Christmas village book next year.

The Highlander's Holiday Wife - Vanessa Kelly (Zebra - Oct 2022)

Series: Clan Kendrick (Book 5)
 
It’s Christmastime in Edinburgh, but Lady Samantha Penwith’s secret mission takes no holiday: the Highlands-born lass vows to find the assailants who murdered her beloved husband, founder of a charitable school for orphaned boys. On her latest undercover excursion, she closes in on a pair of armed attackers and interrupts another assault, then disappears into the darkness, leaving the lone victim mystified—and lucky to be alive . . .
 
Braden Kendrick may be the sensible brother, yet the dedicated doctor routinely ignores the dangers of his late-night calls to the city’s slums. But when a fleet-footed rescuer saves his life, he’s determined to uncover the stranger’s identity. And once he does, he’ll find himself facing his own past loss for the first time—and more than willing to risk his heart again, just in time to make the Clan Kendrick’s Christmas celebrations more festive than ever . . .
 
I loved this book. The fifth book in the Clan Kendrick series features Braden, the "boring" Kendrick. From the time he was a child, Braden was focused on his goal of becoming a doctor, motivated by a desire to help his younger brother. Though Ryan was healthy by the time Braden reached his goal, Braden had found his calling. Unlike his rambunctious brothers, he had always been a quiet, serious man but has been even more so recently. He devotes long hours to his work with the poor in Edinburgh, where we find him as the book opens.
 
Braden has never had a problem with his safety wandering the streets of Edinburgh's slums late at night until now. Unfortunately, two armed thugs seemed determined to end his "interference," and it seemed likely they would succeed. Luckily he's rescued by a pair of avenging angels - one massive, and one small, quick, and - female? He is thankful, intrigued, and determined to discover who she is.
 
Lady Samantha Penwith is a widow on a mission. Two years ago, her husband was murdered, and no one could be bothered to investigate. With her faithful servant by her side, she prowls Edinburgh slums, looking for the truth. She's recently added another quest - children are disappearing from the orphanage/school her husband founded. The last thing she needs is a nosy doctor poking around.
 
Braden and Samantha are brought together by a mutual friend, Dr. John Blackmore. John suspects Samantha's mission and worries about her safety. He is also a member of the board of the Penwith Foundation and is one of the few members backing her plans for the Foundation. John believes Braden will be an additional voice for good on the board, and the scenes involving his attempts to convince Braden are pretty amusing. Meanwhile, Samantha wants nothing to do with Braden, afraid he will figure out she is his rescuer. In fact, it takes little time for Braden to do so.
 
Braden and Samantha are determined, independent, and intelligent. He quickly realizes that nothing will stop Samantha from her mission. Instead of trying to stop her, he listens to her concerns, suspicions, and ideas and then offers to help her. He is also the voice of reason that balances her impulsiveness. There is a fair amount of push-and-pull between them as they delve deeper into their searches.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Both have the pain of love lost in their pasts and a reluctance to risk their hearts again. However, neither can deny the attraction that grows between them. Braden is the first to realize the truth of his feelings for Samantha but is sensitive enough to give her the space and time she needs to adjust to their growing relationship. Samantha's instinctive trust in Braden goes a long way toward opening her heart to him.
 
Samantha has another problem in her life. Her husband's grandfather is a controlling old man who has never approved of Samantha. She and her husband cared for his deaf younger sister, Felicity, while Lord Beath would instead have confined the girl to his estate. With Roger's death, Lord Beath constantly threatens to take Felicity away from Samantha if she does anything to bring scandal to the family name. I heartily disliked his attitude towards and about Felicity, especially when he appeared and started making threats again. It didn't help that he despises the Kendrick family. I loved seeing the family rally in Samantha's support and laughed out loud as they spiked the man's guns by using their more significant connections.
 
Lord Beath gets his licks in, though, when he stumbles on Samantha and Braden sharing a passionate kiss. Braden had already suggested one surefire way to keep Felicity with Samantha - marry him. Lord Beath's appearance expedited the necessity. I loved watching Braden and Samantha settle into married life. By this time, Braden is head-over-heels in love with Samantha, exercising great patience and restraint while he waits for her to love him back. When that point is reached, though their intimacy is closed door, there is no doubt about their feelings.
 
The mystery of the murder and the missing children is never far from Braden and Samantha's minds. I enjoyed following their progress as they chipped away at the puzzle. When a question about the Foundation's finances raises a red flag, Braden and Samantha recruit his brother Logan to help. The pieces come together quickly, revealing a more elaborate scheme than previously suspected. The intensity ramped up when Felicity was taken, and I was on the edge of my seat as I watched Braden, Samantha, and the Kendricks work together to bring her home. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I loved that Samantha was in the thick of it. The epilogue was great and an excellent conclusion for the book.
 
You can't have a Clan Kendrick book without involving other family members. In this case, it is mostly Logan and Donella, as Braden lives in their house. I loved the interactions between Braden and Logan. It was fun to see Logan attempt to get Braden to add a little balance to his life, and Braden agreed with Logan and then did as he wished. There is no doubt of their love and respect, but each has the Kendrick stubbornness. I loved Logan's thirteen-year-old son, who can talk rings around his father and is well on the way to being as intelligent as his uncle Braden. Life at the Kendrick home becomes even more chaotic when their boisterous and mischievous grandfather shows up. Angus is always good for a laugh over his self-delusions and antics; this was no exception. There is also no doubt about his love and loyalty for his family, even as he creates chaos around them. The youngest Kendrick, Kade, has a prominent role in this book, and I can't wait for his story.

My Highland Rogue - Karen Ranney (Avon - Aug 2020)

Series: Highland Fling (Book 1)

Since she was a little girl, Jennifer Adaire, daughter of the Earl of Burfield, has loved Gordon McDonnell even though his station as the gardener's son made him strictly forbidden to her. After Gordon was forced from Adaire Hall, taking Jennifer's heart with him, he headed for London, intent on making a better life for himself. Though they've kept in touch through letters and Jennifer has waited patiently for him, it's taken Gordon five years to return to Scotland. Now Jennifer doesn't know if she can manage seeing  again the man she loves -- but can never have.
 
In the time since his departure, Gordon has achieved the success he's always sought. When he learns that his father is dying, he returns home and discovers much to his surprise that the feelings he's always had for Jennifer burn ever stronger.
 
But when a family secret surfaces, Jennifer and Gordon's chance at a future together could be threatened…
 
Good second chance romance. Jennifer and Gordon grew up together on her father's estate in Scotland. First, they were friends, and their feelings changed to love as they grew older. Jennifer didn't care that Gordon was the gardener's son. The forces of disapproval were strong, with Jennifer's mother Gordon's only advocate. When she died, she left Gordon a sum of money. With his only (adult) supporter gone, others on the estate forced him to leave, filling his head with lies about Jennifer wanting him gone. Broken-hearted, he headed for London. Meanwhile, Jennifer has no idea where or why Gordon has gone. She remains on the estate, running things for her useless, profligate brother, Harrison.
 
Five years later, Gordon has become a successful businessman. He buries his feelings for Jennifer in his work. When he receives a letter from Jennifer telling him that his father is dying, he reluctantly returns to Scotland. The first meeting between Jennifer and Gordon is awkward, as each believes the other is responsible for their separation. There are some difficult moments until the blow-up exposes the truth of what happened that day. With the air cleared, Jennifer and Gordon again find themselves growing closer. There are some terrific scenes of them together, catching up on what they've done while apart and fighting to keep their attraction under control.
 
Things aren't easy. Jennifer's brother Harrison is forced back to the estate from his carousing in London to witness the birth of his first child. His hatred of Gordon and disdain for Jennifer are apparent, and he takes every opportunity to make their lives difficult. Instead of driving them apart, the tension pulls Jennifer and Gordon closer until they can no longer deny their love. Meanwhile, Gordon spends time with his dying father, with whom he's never gotten along. Sean was always hypercritical of Gordon, constantly harping on the class difference between him and Jennifer. In an unexpected twist, shortly before his death, Sean drops a bombshell confession on Gordon that sends him into a tailspin. He pushes Jennifer away and flees back to London.
 
The news is devastating, and Jennifer reels from the implications. Heartbroken, Jennifer can't stand to stay on the estate where memories of Gordon are around every corner. She goes to Edinburgh to stay with her godmother, Ellen, who was instrumental in forcing Harrison back to the estate. I ached for Jennifer and her misery over the loss of Gordon. I loved Ellen's determination to get to the truth of Jennifer's unhappiness. Once she did, another twist turned Jennifer's problem on its head. There were some interesting developments as Gordon and Jennifer dealt with all of the ramifications. I liked the ending and how it worked out for them.
 
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, a few things bugged me. I thought that Gordon and Jennifer were far too accepting of their separation. As deep as their love was, I didn't understand why Gordon believed the people who told him the lies about Jennifer. Even after making his fortune, he never bothered to contact her. That lack of trust didn't say much for his belief in their love. Jennifer doesn't get off scot-free either. Once she had his address, she could have gone to London to find him and demand answers. I also thought Harrison needed more consequences than he seemed to get. 

 

White Knight Needed - Betina Krahn (Zebra - Apr 2022)

Series: Reluctant Heroes (Book 2)

Just as Barclay Howard declares himself finished with the idea of true love and in pursuit of the more pragmatic “free love,” he is thrust into another sort of commitment: guardian to his little nephew. Barclay hasn’t a clue about children and now must quickly relocate to his family estate. But when he is swept up in the raid of a free love gathering and jailed with a lovely, cultured, innocent bystander, things become more complicated—or perhaps simpler . . .
 
Norah Capshaw was fleeing a brute when she found herself swept into a lecture hall, jailed, and jobless. Without a penny or a relative to her name, she has sworn never rely on others, much less look for a hero. But she can’t resist Barclay’s offer of a position as tutor to his nephew. In fact, despite her distrustful nature, it’s hard to resist Barclay. Soon, with their attraction growing, and a mysterious man still following her, the two embark on a journey into the southern uplands of Scotland—and into the heart of a great love neither expected . . .
 
A fun book to read. The story opens as Barclay gives up on the traditional round of balls and so on to find a wife. Described as "a beast of a man," Barclay is tall, broad-shouldered, and can have an intimidating air about him. He does not fare well in Society's ballrooms, as the current crop of debutantes looks down on him and treats him badly. Instead, he attends a lecture on "free love" that changes his life. In addition to his courtship woes, Barclay finds out that his grandfather has died, leaving him as guardian to the new Earl, a six-year-old boy.
 
Norah Capshaw is an orphan whose guardian recently died, leaving her with no family or support. She has a job as a tutor for adults that barely makes ends meet. When we first see Norah, she has snuck into the "free love" lecture to escape a man following her. A raid by the local constabulary shortly follows the arrival of her pursuer. Norah is stunned when she is accosted by a man claiming to be rescuing her and fights back, saying she needs no help. Both are promptly arrested and thrown in jail.
 
This was a different kind of introduction between the two characters. Barclay tries to be gallant and gets his efforts thrown back in his face by a stubbornly independent Norah. He writes off the encounter, only to see her again in another set of dire circumstances, where he again attempts to help her. By this point, I was a bit frustrated by Norah's intransigence. The third blow came when she found her belongings had been searched and her pursuer seen again. She accepted Barclay's assistance this time, though she wasn't very gracious about it. I loved how Barclay found a way for them to help each other. He offers her a job as a tutor to his cousin, getting her out of London and helping him with the boy.
 
I liked Barclay. He's a good man who has had a rough go of life through no fault of his own. His favorite book is Ivanhoe which influences many of his actions. As each bit of his past was revealed, I was amazed at how well he turned out. I had a little more trouble warming up to Norah. Just as so many others did, she seemed to judge him by his appearance and expect the worst of him. That slowly changed as she got to know him.
 
There is a brief interlude in York, where they go to begin Barclay's guardianship of young Elias. There are some funny and heartbreaking moments as the mischievous and undisciplined youngster quickly works his way into their hearts. This also gives Norah time to investigate her few possessions from her parents and discover a previously unknown family member. The meeting does not go as Norah hoped, and Barclay's protective instincts are aroused. Their decision to go to Scotland to investigate further was no surprise.
 
This part of the book was full of family found, unexpected secrets, a mysterious treasure, and danger tying it all together. I loved the joy and acceptance Norah found in Scotland. The MacFerguses were a fantastic group, and I enjoyed getting to know them. Things got a little crazy when they revealed the truth about the treasure—Barclay's horror over the legalities contrasted with their belief that they were doing nothing wrong. The tension increased when Norah's pursuers grew close. I loved that Norah came up with a plan that would solve several problems at once. The final confrontation became a nail-biter when the plan didn't go quite as expected, but I loved how it turned out.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Barclay and Norah. He was taken with her from the first time he saw her, though their first few meetings were antagonistic. Norah was attracted from the start but was also wary of him. I liked Barclay's protectiveness, even when she wasn't appreciative of it. I was happy when Norah finally started to see past Barclay's exterior to the man inside. There were still a few clashes, such as dealing with Elias's behavior. There are some sweet moments when Norah relies on Barclay's strength, and you can see her heart softening. The fun begins when they hit Scotland, and their time together is less regimented. The attraction between them continued to grow, as did their feelings. With danger bearing down, I had to laugh at Barclay's non-proposal and promise for later. He came through in a unique manner. The ending was sweet, romantic, and fun.

Highland Wolf - Lynsay Sands (Avon - Jan 2022)

Series: Highlander Brides (Book 10)

In all her daydreams about her wedding day, Lady Claray MacFarlane never once imagined being dragged to the altar by her greedy uncle and forced to marry a man she didn't know. But that's what happened, or would have, had a Highland warrior not snatched her up at the last minute and ridden off with her in his arms. . .
 
They call him the Wolf. The mercenary's courage and prowess in battle are known throughout the Highlands, and with his handsome face and black-as-sin hair, he is as intelligent and deadly as the wolf he was named for…
 
But the Wolf is also Claray's betrothed. Thought to have been killed as a child, he's been in hiding all these years. Now he's determined to earn enough coin to rebuild his home, reclaim his birthright, and honor his marriage contract to Claray. For he's fallen for the tender-hearted lass…and he will do anything to protect her and their future together.
 
This was a fun, typical Lynsay Sands romp through the Highlands. We have the lass in distress/danger, the grumpy Highland hero with the hidden soft heart, the road trip (or two) from one place to another, the evil villain with the grudge against hero or heroine, and the growing feelings that become all-encompassing love. It may be a formula, but it works.
 
Here we have Claray MacFarlane, who believes that she will never marry. Her betrothed died when they were both children, and her father is in no hurry to arrange another marriage. She's a sweet young woman who longs for a family of her own and lavishes her care on the injured animals that she finds. She never expected a visit to her cousin to end with her uncle dragging her to a forced marriage. She's saved from that fate by the arrival of a Highland mercenary known as "The Wolf," who scoops her up and carries her off.
 
I loved Clary's reaction. She believes he's the answer to her prayers for rescue, notices his handsomeness, and recalls the stories she's heard of him. Grateful for her rescue and trusting him instinctively, she promptly falls asleep in his arms. Claray has no idea that The Wolf is Bryson MacDonald, aka Conall, her betrothed, who escaped the slaughter of his family. He was hidden away, and his name changed to protect him until he was grown. For the last twelve years, since earning his spurs, he fought to gain the funds to rebuild his home and reclaim his life and his bride.
 
I loved Conall. She isn't at all what he expected. First of all, she surprised him with her trust though she had no idea why he had rescued her. Then there was his reaction to her rescue of various animals along the journey. First, the bunny, which he thought was for dinner, resulted in a look of horror from Claray. Then the baby stoat (ermine), which he called "vermin." By the time she rescued an injured fox kit, he just shook his head and made room for it. I loved his care for her during the journey, from holding her while she slept to accepting that she doesn't eat meat and finding other things for her to eat.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Claray and Conall develop. Though he's a fierce warrior, when it comes to Claray, Conall is kindness itself. He is protective without being overbearing and drawn to her more than any other woman in his life. He does hold onto the truth of his identity a little longer than he should have, but even there, he had his reasons. The more time he spends with her, the stronger his attraction to her grows. There are also a few satisfying instances of jealousy when his cousin tweaks him about his earlier reluctance to marry yet. Claray could have been portrayed as a complete ditz, but though she is somewhat naïve, she is by no means stupid. She had an excellent grasp of her uncle's plan and that of his coconspirator. She was sweet but not a pushover and knew how to get her way when it was important to her. She was attracted to Conall but torn because of the teachings of the family priest.
 
Once Claray and Conall were married, their relationship continued to grow as they worked together to return his home and lands to their former glory. I loved their teamwork and seeing them pull everyone together. But not everyone is happy to see the progress. When someone shoots an arrow at them while they are cavorting at the pond, the question is who and why? Is it the person responsible for the deaths of Conall's family, back to finish the job? Or is it Claray's rejected bridegroom trying to get her back? The intensity goes up when another attack succeeds in injuring Claray, and there is still no clue who is behind it. The third time is nearly the charm, as the attacker tries again. I was glued to the pages as the bizarre reason for the attacks was explained and watched Claray try to talk her way out of danger. I was surprised and creeped out by the final player and happy to see their end. I adored that Claray's rescues played a significant part in that ending. With some good news regarding the other threat to their happiness, Claray and Conall are finally free to live their lives.
 
I loved seeing characters from other books in the series, such as Aulay and Alick Buchanan. It was very special to see Annabel and Ross MacKay from the first book in the series (An English Bride in Scotland). Conall is their nephew; his mother was Ross's sister Giorsal. Other secondary characters, such as Payton and Roderick, kept Conall and Claray safe when permitted to stay close and served as a bit of conscience when Conall needed it. My favorite secondary characters were the four-footed, furry ones. Each one had a story and distinct personality, and several played critical roles in the book.
 
I can't wait to see what is next for the Highland Brides. Perhaps one of Claray's sisters?