'My Lord Jack' by Hope Tarr -Review-

   A well-written and enjoyable Scottish-themed tale with Scot and French fusion. This story is a bit different from the cut-and-dry historicals we are all use to. 'Lord Jack' is an executioner; not some Duke or Viscount with limitless family coffers. And the heroine, Claudia,  is a feisty french women who is far from being the epitome of virginal chastity.  
   Claudia Valemont was the daughter of a courtesan and had became a courtesan herself. When both her mother and protector are beheaded and she next on the guillotine list, she flees for England to search for her father. She is dismayed when her search has her braving the unfamiliar Scottish terrain and is further delayed by a broken wheel on the mail coach she booked passage on for her journey to Linlithgow. It is Jack Campbell- Lord High Executioner for the Crown- whom saves her multiple times from dangerous situations and soon commits a crime of his own. Stealing her heart...

Read an excerpt: here

    Ever since he witnessed  his mothers brutal murder and then watching those responsible receive their due and be executed, Jack Campbell knew that he would become an executioner himself one day. He studied for years and became renowned as one of the best in the land. He has a reputation of dealing swift and effective executions, saving his 'clients' from as much agony as possible. He is appointed the position of Lord High Executioner for the Crown-an honor- even if he seldom encounters anyone who isn't a BIT leery of his profession.
   One day at an Inn, he is approached by a lovely Frenchwoman who mistakes him for a blacksmith and pleads with him to fix the wheel on the mail carriage which brought her thus far and was suppose to take her to Linlithgow. He can't help her with that problem but becomes almost-mezmirized by the stunning foreigner. And when he catches sight of his despicable half-brother, Callum, attacking her, he reacts instinctively and saves the damsel.
    Claudia Valemont has no where left to turn. Both her mother and lover, Philippe where beheaded as a result of the French Revolution and fearing she would be next, she flees to England in search of her father. She was left alone, unprotected and with very little left to her name, so the undertaking is a difficult one. Her frustrations peak as she learns her father, the seventh earl of Aberdaire, is not in London as she previously believed, but in Linlithgow, Scotland. She is further pushed to aggravation when the mail coach transporting her to Linlithgow breaks a wheel and is forced to stop at a coaching inn for the night in some bordering county in Scotland.
   With no money left rent a room at the inn,  Claudia's attempts to spin her fortunes and get the coach on it's way is met with unsuccessful results. As she moves about the coaching inn searching for another solution, she is 'set upon' by some drunk n'er do wells. A man named Callum McBride tries to accost her, but she is saved by Jack.
   Jack's help to a complete stranger can only span so wide, and when he refuses to take her to Linlithgow, she tries to steal a horse and gets caught. Facing the prospect of the hangman's noose, she is again saved by Jack when he speaks up for her and convinces the judge to spare her the hanging. This time around, however, the rescuing has some long-term effects when Claudia is put in Jack's custody for 6 months.
   She resigns to her fate with the devilishly handsome Scotsman, tries to make the best of the situation (even if he frustrates her heedlessly) and begins to develop feelings for him. Jack isn't immune to Claudia's allure either, despite his insistence on chastity,  and as their connection deepen and the treat against her life at the hands of his half-brother increases, Jack will find himself in the throes of love and passion and will do anything to protect his Claudia.

 Rating: 3 1/2 "Smooches"

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is in the beginning when Claudia first begins staying with Jack. He tries to resist her and keep his carnal thoughts to himself, but one night, Claudia has a nightmare and starts to have a fit. Jack gave up his bed to her when she first started staying in his home and prefers to sleep on the floor; so when she starts to call out in distress, he has to get up and calm her down. After she's had time to compose herself, she asks Jack to stay with her. You start to see Jack's resistance crack as he obliges her. Claudia trustingly curls up besides Jack and I believe this is just the cutest scene!

   This story was fun, exciting and heartfelt. Jack, our unlikely hero, is such a unique character. He has compassion for all forms of life, despite the duties of his job, and it's his carefully masked tender side that will make readers fall in love. Even though the beginning reminded me of a RPG chat room (the damsel in distress in some strange coaching inn), I still liked the plot. The characters can't help but fall in love and with the add hints of danger and a delicious forbidden quality, 'My Lord Jack' is an excellent read for any rainy day and beyond!

[*re-released in ebook format by Carina Press]

[a special thanks to Hope Tarr for sending the EPUB file for review]

*Also check out Tarr's next Carina Press re-release, 'A Rogue's Pleasure'

'Lord Of Sin' by Madeline Hunter -Review-

   This seductive, Scottish-themed tale delivers the goods. Romance, mystery, betrayal, forbidden and 'indecent' paintings not fit for females with weak sensibilities; prepare for it all. Fiery Bride Cameron is in for the distraction of a lifetime in our hero, Ewan MacLean. Their story is touching and develops steadily as action and conflict invade the background. Let our Lord of Sin take you on a journey through lies and deceit and unadulterated-passion.

Read an excerpt: here

   Deathbed promises to an Earl that ensures his heir will follows his predecessor's instructions is one thing; Having said Earl and his heir AND the back-up heir die, all in rapid succession, and abruptly becoming the one to shoulder all the responsibility is another. Ewan MacLean wasn't prepared nor expecting to come into an Earldom; he was much happier floating through life on his allowance and hosting some of the most notorious orgies London has ever seen. Words like 'duty', 'obligation' and 'responsibility' never resonated anywhere with him; but all three and then some are thrust upon him in a sick turn of events that finds Ewan MacLean the current Earl of Lyndale. Now the promise to make sure long-ago affairs are made amends for falls into Ewan's pesky and long lists of 'duties'.
   Bride Cameron is in way too deep. The sole protector of her 3 younger sisters, all of whom attract unwanted attention from the wrong sort, has Bride stepping up since the age of twelve to keep their heads above water. Their deceased father, Angus Cameron, was an engraver, whom made some of the most exquisite prints of famous works of art. His legacy will keep bread on the table and a roof over his daughters heads; but luxury is never in abundance. When Bride calls out Jamie MacKay to a duel, for trying to seduce her youngest sister, Mary; it is Ewan who rides up and puts a halt everything. He has come to Scotland to fulfill the promise he made to his Uncle, the old Earl; that Angus Cameron and his family, who were wronged by him, are to be taken care of as a way to make amends.Finding only 4 daughters near destitution, Ewan decides to stay with the family for a little while to determine if they need his assistance; which they (or at least Bride) fervently refuses.
   To try and satisfy Ewan's curiosity about her family's means, Bride shows him her fathers legacy; which consists of some rare prints (some a little risque'). Though not thoroughly pacified, it is Ewan's lust for the head strong Bride that starts to become insatiable. At first Bride shys away from Ewan's amorous attentions; but when he finally coaxes her surrender, it is he who backs out at the last minuet (having an attack of the conscious). He leaves shortly after that; getting acquiescence to puts together a settlement that will ensure the sister's welfare.
   When the owner of the lands the Cameron sister's property is located on, decides to evict them, they are forced to leave their Scottish glen and seek out Ewan's hospitality until the funds of the settlement are transferred over. But it is not only hospitality they seek when they go to London. Counterfeit bank notes are in circulation, and the plates used to make them, which were stolen from the Cameron sisters a year ago, will be traced back to them unless they find out who took them and get them back. Solicited by a friend involved with the case, Ewan, being a connoisseur and expert of fine prints, is enlisted to aid the efforts in finding the culprits behind the counterfeit bank notes and putting them behind bars; he never expects to find one piece of the puzzle living under his own roof.
   His attraction to Bride only intensifies as the days go by, and he even proposes marriage. Although Bride would like nothing more than to become Ewan's bride, her involuntary involvement with the counterfeit bank notes and the possible criminal charges that she intends to shoulder in order to save her sisters, has her decline Ewan's offer. At first Ewan doesn't understand, but as the secrets are revealed, the Lord of Sin has to decide whom will pay for their sin; and who will get the chance to love for a lifetime.

Rating: 3 1/2 Aww's

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is when the Cameron sisters have to travel to London and ask for Ewan's hospitality until their living situation stabilizes. Ewan walks into his make-shift, erotic gallery; fully equipped with an indoor swing for god only know what; and finds the sisters waiting for him. He is reluctant to have them stay in his home, but Bride refuses to allow him to accumulate even more financial burden by getting them rooms at a hotel. She uses reverse psychology to strong-arm Ewan's reluctance by saying to her sisters. "One of us will have to sell herself tonight, to earn the funds for lodging. Do I have a volunteer, or should we pull straw". She wasn't being serious, but after a few pages of doom and gloom (where will they live, how will they find the counterfeiters), it was a little unexpected and hilarious to have that line just thrown in there. Ewan couldn't refuse and I couldn't stop LOL-ing.

   There were things I liked and disliked about this book. Books with investigation-aspects to them, tend to be a little on the boring side to me. There is a need to impart certain facts on the reader so that they can follow the plot, but said facts and they way they are introduce can become tedious. Hunter did a great job with mixing action to the info drops so we wouldn't be too weighed down. Also, a degree of expertise was imparted in this book, with the mentioning of famous painters, works of art, and the detailed explanation into the mechanics of engraving. Ms.Hunter has a phD in Art History, so she is defiantly flexing her expertise muscles in this book, although I wasn't overly interested in it.While character reactions to certain scenarios felt a little unbelievable, the romance element and conflict elements in this book are good and I say 'Lord of Sin' is worth a read!

* Check out the next book, 'Lady of Sin'. This series is a spin-off of Hunter's 'Seducer Series' which comes highly recommended.

Read an excerpt from 'Lady of Sin': here

*Also, if you'd like more from Madeline Hunter, check out 'Ravishing in Red', which is the 1st book in the 'Rarest Blooms' series. It's Audrianna's story./ My Review of 'Ravishing in Red' can be found: here

'Some Like It Wild' by Teresa Medeiros -Review-

   Upon turning the last page of this book, I muttered to myself, "Well Medeiros, you did it". She made a fan out of me. This is the first Medeiros novel for me, and I am impressed. I always say finding a new author feels like Christmas; That now there's a whole career's worth of novels yet to be read/ yet to come. 
   The pacing was splendid and the repartee was on point! I just simply liked, enjoyed and appreciated this book.

Read an excerpt: here

   The story starts off with our heroine, Pamela Darby, and her sister Sophie traveling through the Scottish Highlands unaccompanied (save, an elderly driver and his rusty, old musket) and precariously close to financial ruin. The Darby sisters recently lost their mother, an actress, in a horrific theater fire and their last hope of avoiding the work house (or the whore house) is a deceitful little scheme they hope to carry out by enlisting the help of "some strapping Scots lad with more brawn than brains". Back in England, the present Duke of Warrick has been searching for his long-lost son for years; ever since his wife, his son's mother, ran off to parts unknown with the infant after discovering the Duke in their marriage bed with another woman. It has long been agreed  that the Duchess ran off to France with the child, but Pamela knows differently. Her mother, Marianne, was a childhood friend of the Duchess, and upon her death had a solicitor pass along an old letter of hers from the Duchess explaining where she'd planned to run off too (Scotland). With that piece of evidence, Pamela will be able to pull off her farce, but she must first acquire the puppet before pulling the strings.
   Along the road in the middle of the night, the Darby sisters are accosted by a notorious Highwayman, whose got a sizable price on his head. Deserved or undeserved, as the notoriety surrounding him is, Connor Kincaid is still a dangerous man whom should never be trifled with. He subdues the elderly driver and instructs the occupants of the carriage to "Stand and Deliver" (I love that classic line). Pamela decides to take on the highwaymen in the hopes that her sister can flee for safety. After telling Connor what she thinks of his 'unoriginal dialogue', Pamela proceeds to flirt with danger as she goes on a stand of morals and debates the highwayman's rants of English injustice. She further presses her luck as she is saved from his tantalizing kiss by her sister's pink parasol and proceeds to take the highwayman captive. She intends to use him as her long-lost Duke's heir; and as she turns the tables on him, she never expects to have them turn back on her.
   The elderly driver makes a run for it and it is the consensus that the party should leave while they can to avoid the authorities and take shelter somewhere until daybreak. Knowing the lands, Connor offers to lead them to the perfect hide-a-way. He directs them to the ruins of an old castle, and purposely to the lair of highwaymen he runs with. Upon swaying the numbers in his favor, Connor promises the women that no harm will come their way and agrees to speaks with Pamela privately about her previous plans for him. Pamela succeeds in convincing Connor to go along with the charade (after much bickering and reminding of irresistible perks) and the trio (plus Connor's right hand man, Brodie) set off for England.
   Upon strong arming their way into the gravely ill Duke of Warrick's sitting room, Pamela's plan goes off without a hitch. Unless you define a reckless ploy by Connor; telling the Duke that Pamela is his fiancee'; a hitch. It was the first thing Connor could think of doing to keep Pamela in his life when she was attempting to collect her reward and disappear. Soon the idea begins to take on merit.
   The Duke's sister, Astrid, and her 'whelp' of a son, Crispin, don't make the 'transition' for Connor any easier, but he has better ideas to keep his mind on.
   Some shocking revelations are made; including a discover that turns Connor on his head and leaves Pamela at a difficult impasse. At first she chooses to abandon love for some greater good no one can really find practical, and then she decides to take a chance on happiness with Connor. Before she can inform Connor of her change of heart, she is abducted and her life is put in danger.
   Connor makes the decision to sacrifice his own life for his love (Pamela), but after a few action-packed chapters, all is resolved and love is once again free to be as wild as it wants to be!

Rating: 4 Aww's

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is when Connor sets up a make-shift dress shop in the ballroom to have a new wardrobe made for Pamela. She had been crying and avoiding everyone all day and Connor thought it was because of the night before when they had engaged in some 'intimate' activities. The truth was that Pamela and her sister were facing poverty after their mothers death and it is an on-going fact of note that the Darby sisters aren't dressed in the first state of fashion.In the beginning of the story, Connor commands Pamela to hand over her drawers and determines by their current state that she is poor and thus, not worth the trouble of robbing. At this point in the story, when Connor commissions the wardrobe, the Duke recognizes Connor as his son and all the funds are open to him. I just thought it was a cute, high-handed way of telling Pamela he cared for her.

The cover of the book doesn't lie. Some do, indeed, like it wild, and Medeiros delivers. I don't usually fancy Highland tales, but this one was a keeper. USA Today got it right when they said "[Medeiros] will make you laugh and cry". This sweet and endearing novel is the first of hopefully many TM's for me.

*Check out the first book in this duet series, 'Some Like It Wicked', which is Connor's sister Catriona's story.

Read an excerpt from 'Some Like It Wicked': here

'Bride Of A Wicked Scotsman' by Samantha James -Review-

Very Endearing! This is a good read!

   Staring off with a prologue dating back a few generations from the books setting time (which was more of a visual 'info drop' for me), we learn of the conception, protection and subsequent robbery of the 'Circle of Light'. It is known that 'The Black Scotsman' is responsible for the thievery. The ancestors of Lady Maura O'Donnell believed the abduction of the Circle, which has always brought them happiness and prosperity before, has now brought them pain, sufferings, and all around bad luck for being neglectful in their guardian duties to it. 

   In the abruptly emotional first chapter, we look in on the curse swiftly taking yet another O'Donnell life. Lady Maura's father becomes suddenly ill and dies; coincidentally on the same day he reads of 'The Black Scotsman's arrival in Ireland and a masquerade to be held in his honor. Alec McBride received the nickname from the hordes of admiring misses, but that doesn't change the fact that he is indeed a decedent of 'The Black Scotsman'. 

   After the funeral of the Earl, Maura's father, she and the family butler (a long-time friend, and more like family) head off to a town near the Baron who is hosting the masquerade in McBrides' honor. Maura promised her father on his death-bed that she would do whatever she could to bring the Circle back to their homeland and to their people. Through some deception she feels keenly regretful for, Maura manages an invite to the party; and also secures herself a room to retire in afterward, before she 'continues on her nomad's  traveling journey'(a convenient lie). 

   Serendipitously, Maura spots the man she seeks dressed up for the masquerade exactly like her; like a pirate. After some flirtatious banter about pirates looking for booty and dancing around fires naked, Maura's plan proceeds precisely as she hopes, and she is invited into Alec's room. 

   Some hot and steamy interludes almost detract Maura's plan, but she's able to salvage all with a little trickery and well placed blood smears on the sheets. (Sorry to be so ominousness, but you will enjoy the book far more if you find out the means and mechanics to the deceit on your own.).Also according to her plan; she awakens in his bed as they are discovered by the Baron and her 'Uncle Murdoch' (the butler). Honor dictates a marriage, and so there is a marriage.   

   Reluctant at first, having no memory of taking Maura's virginity or desire to wed her, Alec follows through and can't escape the nagging feeling that he has been 'had'. They continue on to his Scotland estate and Alec inwardly vows to make Maura pay for whatever deception she has played at. In between through searches of the estate, and doing everything in her power (save beating Alec over the head with a stick) to avoid her husbands advances, Maura find herself playing a very dangerous game with her loyalties and her heart,

   Eventually, Alec puts two and two together and realizes that her never slept with Maura (ever!), but the realization comes on the heels of an incendiary, playful 'romp' on the estate grounds which leads to kisses, which leads to deflowering. Calmly angry, Alec demands the truth and is part relieved, part angered beyond comprehension with the discovery that Maura's whole motivation for wedding him was over a 'Myth'. Also revealed is the fact that Maura purchased the services of a priest stripped of his privileges of office and thus their marriage is a false one.

   Tender feelings between the two were already present before Maura's deflowering, but like a dam, once such feelings are released and explored once, they can never be reigned in, and passion soon takes precedence over everything else.

   A scary moment at the bottom of a well, the discovery of the true whereabouts of the 'Circle of Life' and Alec's unnecessary jaunt back to Ireland to fetch his 'Irish' ends the book SMASHINGLY!

Rating: 3 1/2 "Aww's"

My Favorite Part of the Book: Is how Maura comes to care for Alec. More specifically, the realization that her search for the 'Circle of Light' has changed from being for the sake of her father to being for the sake of Alec (her love). The curse of the Circle effects not only the family that failed to protect it, but the family that stole it in the first place; and having recently witness the sudden quickness with which the curse consumed her father, and hearing how it took Alec's father, Maura is heartbroken with worry. This is a thought-line that if I were writing this book, I wouldn't think of at first or maybe not at all. It really resonates somewhere and helps translate for the reader the depth of Maura's affection for Alec!

Overall, I enjoyed the book; a lot more than I thought I would, seeing as to the fact that I don't really indulge in Scottish or Irish themed romances. The dialogue lacked in certain spots and lost me a time or two during the 'Hey look, your dressed like a pirate, I am dressed like a pirate' banter. It really began to pick up as you moved along in the story, and the epilogue is just DARLING! I enjoy Sam Jam a lot and have read a few of her titles so far; while this book doesn't disappoint necessarily, it left a little to be desired (in my opinion). The ending chapters of this book and the myriad of twists in the plot have solidified my full recommendation to all you book lovers out there! 

-An excerpt from the book can be found on SamJam's website:excerpt of 'Bride of a Wicked Scotsman'

*Also check out the companion books to the McBride Trilogy series! 'The Secret Passions of Simon Blackwell', Alec's sister Anne's Story!

*And (a personal favorite) 'The Seductions of an Unknown Lady', Alec's brother Aidan's Story!