[BOOK REVIEW] Under the Highlander's Spell by Donna Fletcher

Title:  Under the Highlander's Spell

Author: Donna Fletcher

Genre: Highlander Romance

Year Published: 2008

Number of Pages: 374 pages

Date Read: 12/9/2010

Series: Sinclare Brothers #2

Publisher: Avon

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 18+ (Sex Scenes)

Buy on:  Amazon  //  Book Depository 

“Under the Highlander’s Spell” is the first Highlander book and the first Donna Fletcher book I have ever read and I enjoyed it to the very end! Anyone who loves hot Highlander heroes, lots of adventure, drama and pure sizzling romance will easily make “Under the Highlander’s Spell” one of their top romance novels!

The book begins with a beautiful healer woman named Zia being tied up at the stake because the people of the village Lorne believed that she is witch when she started healing everyone at the village without anyone dying. Just as Zia was about to be burned at the stake, a dashing and powerful Highlander man named Artair Sinclare of Caithness comes to the village and saves Zia from being burned at the stake and he decides to take her with him so that he could find out about what happened to his long lost brother Ronan. Unfortunately, Zia could not tell Artair everything about his brother and Artair also discovers that Zia is not safe as long as the villagers of Lorne try to catch her and so he decides that he and Zia should get married so that way Zia can remain safe from the villagers of Lorne. But the question is: will Zia agree to this arrangement and how far will their relationship go?

My goodness! This book was so perfect from the beginning to the very end that I just could not put this book down for any reason at all! Donna Fletcher has certainly done a terrific job at conjuring up an exciting and romantic story that will have every romance fan panting like crazy! What I loved the most about this book was Zia and Artair’s relationship throughout this entire book. If you want to know the definition of “love at first sight,” then Zia and Artair’s relationship definitely confirms just that, since from the beginning, Zia and Artair truly loved each other as they supported each other through hard times and communicated so well with each other about their problems in their lives and you get to actually know the characters’ personalities so well since most of the pages in this book consisted of their dialogue with each other. Also, this book is a fair share of sensual scenes that will send shivers down your spines in a good way. Now that is what I call true love! The characters in this book were amazing and memorable, especially the Sinclare Family as they all truly cares for one another and they tried their hardest to protect Zia from being burned on the stake. The characters I really loved in this book were Zia and Artair as both characters were passionate about their goals in life. I really loved the way that Zia is such a strong and passionate character as she always speaks her mind about what she believes that true love is and I loved how she is always devoted to her work as a healer as she tries to help absolutely anyone who comes in her path, which is what I really loved about her character. Artair is another character I really loved as he is always described in having a muscular body which makes him truly sexy and I also loved the way that he is such a compassionate and devoted character as he always cares about Zia and he will do anything to save Zia’s life. Now that is a true romantic hero!

For those of you who are not comfortable with sex scenes, there are a couple of sex scenes in this book that seem a bit graphic, but not too graphic to be disgusting.

All in all, “Under the Highlander’s Spell” is a truly wonderful and sensual book about true love and I am sure that any romance fan will fall head over heels with this book for many years to come!

You might also like: 

• The Bride by Julie Garwood

• The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros

• The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

[BOOK REVIEW] The Duke's Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley

Title:  The Duke's Perfect Wife

Author:  Jennifer Ashley

Genre: Historical Romance

Year Published: 2012

Number of Pages: 296 pages

Date Read: 3/29/2013

Series: Highland Pleasures #4  

Publisher:  Berkley

Source:  Purchased

Content Rating:  Ages 18+ (Sex Scenes)

After reading the previous “Highland Pleasures” books “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie,” “Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage” and “The Many Sins of Lord Cameron,” I was excited to see that Jennifer Ashley had a new book from the “Highland Pleasures” series called “The Duke’s Perfect Wife,” staring Hart Mackenzie and I admit, this book took me quite by surprise!

Lady Eleanor Ramsay was once engaged to the Scottish Duke, Hart Mackenzie and was madly in love with him.  Unfortunately, Eleanor broke off her engagement to Hart Mackenzie after the two of them had a fight and it has been years since she had ever spoken to Hart.  One day however, Eleanor mysteriously receives photographs of Hart posing nude and she decides to go to Hart’s home to help him find the person who has been sending her the mysterious photographs.  But, will she restore her love with Hart and maybe help Hart find himself once again?

As always, Jennifer Ashley has done a great job at telling a truly interesting love story that not only has memorable characters, but mystery and drama to go right along with it!  I loved the way that Jennifer Ashley weaved a mystery plot to the story as I was seriously on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who sent Eleanor the nude photographs of Hart and what the ulterior motive was behind this act was.  But, as always, what I loved the most about this novel(as with Jennifer Ashley’s other romance novels) were of the characters themselves.  Eleanor Ramsay was a truly unique kind of heroine as she might talk a lot, especially whenever she is nervous, but it is that aspect of her character that really made her shine throughout this book!  I also loved the fact that Eleanor is an extremely kind hearted person who is willing to put everyone else’s needs before her own and it was fantastic seeing her help Hart discover more about life besides his political career.   As for Hart Mackenzie, he was a truly fantastic hero as he is much nicer and gentle than he really lets on and I enjoy the scenes where he tries to repair his broken relationship with Eleanor while at the same time, trying to discover that there is more to life than just controlling it for his political ideals.  As for Hart's magnificient body, if you have not seen the cover of this book, then you will know that he is seriously one well built hero as he is constantly being described as having a muscular body that just made me gush over every time I read about it!  While Hart and Eleanor were my favorite couple in this book, the character that really stood out in this book was Ian Mackenzie himself!  I loved the fact that Ian was actually trying to help Hart and Eleanor get back together again and I loved the fact that he was being a good friend towards Eleanor throughout this book. Also, the romantic scenes between Hart and Eleanor were hot and sizzling as Hart may have a difficult time confessing his dark secrets towards Eleanor, but he certainly knows how to romance Eleanor in many different ways!

For anyone who does not like reading sex scenes in any novel, this novel has many sex scenes that are explicit, so it might be best to skim over these scenes.  Also, the reason why I gave this book a four star rating is because I often got a little frustrated with the characters.  For one thing, I was practically screaming towards Hart to just let Eleanor discover the real him and stop keeping so many secrets from her.  I understand that Hart was having a hard time trying to vent out his feelings for Eleanor and to not let her know about his dark past, but I just wished that he made his feelings known early on in the book and actually trusted Eleanor with some of his secrets.  Also, the main problem I have with novels where the plot is focused on the couple trying to get back together after they had broken up is that you can not really experience the new and raw feelings of a blossoming romance since that couple’s romance was started early on and sometimes it was hard for me to really get into Hart and Eleanor’s relationship with each other because they already had a relationship with each other before they tried to get back together again.

Overall, “The Duke’s Perfect Wife” is a great story about Hart and Eleanor and I seriously cannot wait to see more from the “Highland Pleasure” series, especially the next book in the series, “The Seduction of Elliot McBride!”

Here are my favorite “Highland Pleasures” starting with my favorite:

1. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron
2. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
3. Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage
4. The Duke’s Perfect Wife

 

[BOOK REVIEW] The Bride by Julie Garwood

Title:  The Bride

Author:  Julie Garwood

Genre: Historical Romance

Year Published: 1989

Number of Pages: 358 pages

Date Read: 2/28/2011

Series: Lairds' Fiancees #1

Publisher:  Atria

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 18+ (Some Graphic Sex Scenes)

Buy on:  Amazon  //  Book Depository 

Now as you have noticed, I have been reading many historical romance novels lately and some of my favorite types of historical romance novels have to deal with Highlanders since the men in those novels are ultra sexy! Well, Julie Garwood’s “The Bride,” is definitely no exception and it was the first book that I have read from romance author Julie Garwood. “The Bride” is surely one hot romantic story that will set your romantic senses afire!

By order of King Henry and King Edgar, the strong and mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid to marry an English bride and who does he choose but a strong and independent woman named Jamie Jamison! At first, Jamie refused to get along with the mighty laird and Alec wanted to tame her strong heart, as these two are from two different worlds, they will soon realize that their different worlds might come together!

(Whew! Let me pull myself together here!) Alright, this book was so amazing that I am almost at a loss of words to figure out how to express my love for this book! Julie Garwood has certainly done an excellent job at writing this book as it is full of hot romance, drama and even a little humor here and there. I loved the way that Julie Garwood included so much humor in this romance novel as many romance novels that I had read in the past rarely contain a degree of humor. What I really loved the most about this book were the characters, especially Jamie and Alec, the two most interesting characters out of the entire book! Out of all the romance heroines that I have ever read about, Jamie had to be my favorite one! Jamie was such a strong and independent heroine as she had courage beyond all reason as she easily stood up to the supposedly dangerous Highlanders and can even fight like a lioness! I also loved the way that she cared for other people, especially her stepsisters whom she loved very much and how she refused to let anyone get in the way of doing her duties for her family.

Now Alec Kincaid, man he was truly something else that I had to save the best character for last! Alec Kincaid is easily one of the best heroes ever created as he is both gentle and strong in his nature. What I really loved about Alec Kincaid’s character was the fact that he is extremely strong, especially during the scene where he beats up a band of outlaws single-handily by using his bare hands (my heart is seriously pounding fast for the awesome power of this handsome Highlander!) I also loved the detail that Julie Garwood puts in describing Alec’s physical appearance, which is mainly muscled and huge and that makes him one sexy giant Highlander! I also loved the brief glimpses of Mary and Daniel’s relationship with each other and I am definitely looking forward to reading more about their relationship with each other. There are also many love making scenes that will have romance fans swooning over with joy and I was nearly swooning myself when I read these scenes!

There are many sex scenes in this novel and they are a bit graphic in nature, so anyone who does not like sex scenes might want to skip over these scenes.

Overall, “The Bride” is definitely a novel worth checking out and fans of Highlander romance will definitely enjoy this awesome novel and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Julie Garwood’s works! 

* 1990 Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Single Title Historical 
* 1996 Romance Readers Anonymous (RRA) Award

[BOOK REVIEW] The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros

Title:  The Devil Wears Plaid

Author: Teresa Medeiros

Genre: Historical Romance

Year Published: 2010

Number of Pages: 407 pages

Date Read: 1/14/2011

Publisher:  Pocket Books

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 18+ (Sex Scenes)

 I have been reading many books by popular romance novel author Teresa Medeiros, but I have never read a romance novel quite like this one! “The Devil Wears Plaid,” not to be confused with “The Devil Wears Prada,” is Teresa Medeiros’ newest historical romance novel and it has enough adventure, drama, shocking secrets and sizzling romance that have overtaken all the other romance novels with style!

Emmaline Marlowe (Emma for short) was about to be married to the laird of the Hepburn clan to save her family from landing in debtor’s prison when the wedding is gate crashed by a handsome tough guy called Jamie Sinclair, who ends up kidnapping Emma and takes her to the highlands. Jamie claims that he is using Emma to get what was stolen from him from the Hepburn clan, but will Emma eventually cause Jamie to fall in love with her?

Oh my goodness! There are so many awesome things to say about this book! This is clearly Teresa Medeiros’ best book ever created since it has everything that you would find in an excellent book – drama, adventure, suspense and a full blown romance that will blow any romance fan away! Teresa Medeiros has done an awesome job at creating a story about dark secrets and forbidden love and I loved the way that Teresa Medeiros has put the most shocking moments in this book, which regarded Jamie’s dark past, in the right places without making the moments too over the top and more surprising to read about. I also loved the action scenes throughout this book as I was seriously holding on this book for dear life wondering if Jamie and Emma would ever escape from all the obstacles that they have to face throughout their journey. Now let us discuss about the best part of this book, the characters! I loved the character Emma, even though I will admit she did sort of annoyed me whenever she acts like she is better than everyone else, but she is also shown as being a strong and independent heroine who did not let Jamie’s rash actions get the best of her. Emma always speaks her mind about the situation she is thrown into and I also loved her intelligence as she uses her wits to get her out of various situations and help out Jamie and his men. Another character I really loved was Jamie Sinclair, who is seriously the best “bad-boy” outlaw I have ever read in any romance novel as he can be both ruthless yet caring at the same time. I will admit at first that I was a bit uncomfortable about Jamie kidnapping Emma for his own reasons, but after I saw how kind and brave (and muscular) he really is, I started to really love his character! Also, when I found out about Jamie’s dark past, I really sympathized with him since his secret is so unexpected, that you have to read this book yourself to feel the full impact! I also loved how Jamie and Emma’s love came to be as they fought with each other at first, but they eventually got closer together once they uncovered each other’s dark secrets and I loved the way that Jamie always tried to save Emma from any kind of trouble on their journey.

There are many sex scenes in this book, so anyone who does not like sex scenes might want to skip over the sex scenes in this book.

Overall, “The Devil Wears Plaid” is a truly brilliant romance novel that every romance fan and Teresa Medeiros fan should definitely check out!

[BOOK REVIEW] Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley

Title:  Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage

Author:  Jennifer Ashley

Genre: Historical Romance

Year Published: 2010

Number of Pages: 316 pages

Date Read: 12/26/2011

Series: Highland Pleasures #2

Publisher:  Berkley Sensation

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 18+ (Sex Scenes)

After reading Jennifer Ashley’s classic debut book “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie,” I just had to read the second book in the “Highland Pleasures” series to satisfy my tastes for “highlander romance!” The second book “Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage” definitely did not disappoint me in the least and it stars Mac Mackenzie, Ian’s older brother and his estranged yet strong willed wife, Isabella Scranton! Just like its predecessor, “Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage” has the trappings of the perfect romance: drama, suspense and hot sizzling romance!

Six years ago, Isabella Scranton, daughter of a well respected earl, caused a scandal in London when she married the artistic yet wild Mac Mackenzie. Even though Mac and Isabella seemed to be happily married for three years, their marriage is abruptly in tatters when a tragedy struck and Isabella decides to leave Mac. Three and a half years later, Mac Mackenzie comes back into Isabella’s life a changed man, but Isabella is still not ready to take him back, even though she still has feelings for Mac. While the two former lovers try to patch things up, an imposter suddenly shows claiming to be Mac Mackenzie himself and will stop at nothing to take Mac’s life for himself!

I got one word for this novel: FANTASTIC! 

 Jennifer Ashley has certainly done a brilliant job at writing this really sensual and heartwarming story about two former lovers who try to gain back their lost love after the tragedy that struck between them. To be honest, this was the first time I have a romance novel where the story starts off with lovers who are already married, but the book spends most its time having the lovers regain the love they lost and it made this book really stand out for me since I am so used to seeing lovers come together by mere coincidence. Jennifer Ashley’s writing is just so beautifully written and probably what I loved most about her writing was of all the characters. As always, I have love for all the Mackenzie brothers and it was awesome seeing them all support Mac and Isabella through their times of trouble. I especially still love Ian Mackenzie as he is as smart and perceptive as ever and it was his perception on Mac’s feelings for Isabella that really helped Mac gets through his marriage. Now onto the good parts: the couple themselves! Mac Mackenzie is like the perfect hero in my book! Not only is he handsome and totally strong, but he is one kind-hearted and witty hero! I loved the way that Mac cares so deeply for Isabella and how he was willing to sacrifice his life to protect her at all costs! I also love his naughty “love” language towards Isabella since it makes my skin tingle! Isabella Scranton is definitely one of the most memorable heroines I have ever read about! I loved the fact that she truly loved Mac, even though I was a bit upset at her for leaving Mac in the first place. Still, I loved the scenes where Isabella was willing to fight anyone who insults Mac, which shows how much she cares deeply for Mac. The love scenes between Mac and Isabella were beyond amazing and sensual that I was practically sweating with anticipation as I was reading through those scenes! Now I will admit that the romantic tensions between Isabella and Mac were not quite as “phenomenal” like Beth and Ian’s in “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie,” but Mac and Isabella’s relationship was still a sight to behold!

For those of you who do not like sex scenes, this novel has plenty of it and they are extremely explicit, so it might be best to skim over these scenes.

Overall, “Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage” is definitely one romance novel you do not want to miss out on! I am definitely going to read the next book in the “Highland Pleasures” series, “The Many Sins of Lord Cameron!” 

[BOOK REVIEW] The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley

Title:  The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

Author:  Jennifer Ashley

Genre: Historical Romance

Year Published: 2011

Number of Pages: 298 pages

Date Read: 1/11/2012

Series: Highland Pleasures #3   

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 18+ (Sex Scenes)

Since last year in 2011, I have started reading Jennifer Ashley’s fantastic “Highland Pleasures” series beginning with “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie” and ever since then, I have fallen in love with this fantastic series!  Now, I have currently read the third book in the “Highland Pleasures” series which is called “The Many Sins of Lord Cameron” and it is easily the best story in the series so far!  “The Many Sins of Lord Cameron” has loads of action, heartwarming moments and hot romance that every romance fan will definitely gush over for many years!

Six years ago, a young Cameron Mackenzie meets up with a young woman named Ainsley Douglas and even though they tried to make love to each other that day, Ainsley could not finish it because she was married to John Douglas at the time and did not want to betray him.  Years later, Ainsley Douglas is now a widow and when she meets up with the notorious Cameron Mackenzie again, Cameron decided that he will finish what was started between him and Ainsley six years ago.  However, Cameron and Ainsley will soon realize that dark secrets will be revealed and that their love for each other might ignite brighter than before!

Oh my goodness! This book was just absolutely amazing, heartbreaking and exciting all at the same time!  Jennifer Ashley has certainly woven a truly brilliant and heartwarming story about two lovers who both have dark secrets in their pasts, but are willing to put the past behind them in order to obtain true love!  I just loved all the characters in this book and Jennifer Ashley has done an awesome job at crafting each character’s personalities to make every one of them stand out.  I especially loved Daniel Mackenzie, Cameron’s son, who was always trying to bring Ainsley and Cameron together while providing good humor for the story.  It was amusing seeing how Daniel always seems to know what is best for his father and Ainsley while he is always doing the opposite of what his father tells him to do.  I really loved the awkward relationship that Daniel shares with Cameron because it brings so much humor to the story, especially with Daniel just randomly spewing out secrets that his father never told anyone.  Now about the two main characters, Ainsley Douglas and Cameron Mackenzie, they were probably the greatest couple I have ever read about in any romance novel!  Ainsley Douglas is shown to be a strong and crafty heroine who does not let anything get in her way of her love for Cameron and it was hilarious seeing her constantly pick locks to get into other people’s rooms.  I also loved the way that Ainsley was trying to help Cameron overcome his inner demons that dealt with his late wife, Elizabeth and the things that Elizabeth did to Cameron were just too horrible to describe.  This truly shows that Ainsley really cares about Cameron and was willing to put her own desires on the side to be with Cameron.  Cameron Mackenzie is probably my favorite hero at this moment because he is so dark yet handsome and that really made his character truly interesting!  I also loved the way that Jennifer Ashley describes Cameron’s body being a body of “God” as he is truly large and muscular and tall! But what truly touched me about Cameron’s character was with his dark and frightening past.  It was sad seeing Cameron being so distrusting of women because of what his late wife, Elizabeth did to him all those years and I really felt sympathy for Cameron.  Bringing out Cameron’s dark past and his sadness over it has really brought out a new dimension to Cameron’s character by making him somewhat vulnerable, but still trying to overcome that fear that he has been holding up for many years.  I really loved the love shared between Cameron and Ainsley as it was genuine and sensual at the same time that I was literally anticipating the next scene of them loving each other!

For those of you who do not like sex scenes, there is sex scenes littered throughout this book and they are extremely explicit as many naughty phrases are littered throughout each sex scene.

Overall, “The Many Sins of Lord Cameron” is easily one of the best books out of Jennifer Ashley’s “Highland Pleasures” series and I am definitely looking forward to reading Hart’s book, “The Duke’s Perfect Wife.”

*Winner: 2012 RITA Finalist for Historical Romance
*Nominee: RT Reviewers Choice Award Nominee
*Winner: Australian Romance Readers Award