Read: 8/6/25 Setting: Regency, London & Scotland trope: magical ancestors
This was an okay book. The beginning was slow, and I couldn't get into the stoRead: 8/6/25 Setting: Regency, London & Scotland trope: magical ancestors
This was an okay book. The beginning was slow, and I couldn't get into the story. The 2nd half improved. I think many will like this book, but it just wasn't for me....more
Read: 7/21/25 Setting: King Henry I, England trope: secret identity, secret baby Rating: somewhere between okay and good
"Til there was you, I didn't knoRead: 7/21/25 Setting: King Henry I, England trope: secret identity, secret baby Rating: somewhere between okay and good
"Til there was you, I didn't know such happiness." -Gavin
I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. Maybe it was my mood.
Plot: Leah's father was so cruel that she and her mother fled from him to a remote abbey. Now, Leah's mom is dead, and Leah has been living in a convent for 10 years.
Baron Gavin is a strong warrior with a heart of gold ...more
Read: 7/16/25 Setting: 11th Century Spain Trope: enemies to lovers
Madelon is finally free from the convent she was exiled to and is on her way to court Read: 7/16/25 Setting: 11th Century Spain Trope: enemies to lovers
Madelon is finally free from the convent she was exiled to and is on her way to court with her brother. They are attacked by Moor raiders but are later bought/rescued by another Spainard. Valenton is her brother's enemy but is honorable enough to help. These two can't help the unreasonable anger that arouses every time they are together. That changes once they open their eyes to each other. Unfortunately, their families are enemies, and nothing can come of it. Later, at court, Madelon's brother is influenced by their scheming cousin. She will use Madelon for her own desires, including marrying her to a cruel man. How will this couple survive a severed kingdom and the schemers who will keep them apart?
-Exciting? It should have been, but I wasn't invested that much.
Conclusion: This book was okay. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. It was forgettable, which is a shame. I had high hopes with such a. interesting setting.:(...more
Read: 7/14/25 Setting: England and Scotland, King Henry III Trope: enemies to lovers, kidnapping
Another great KLV! I had to go back to her older books,Read: 7/14/25 Setting: England and Scotland, King Henry III Trope: enemies to lovers, kidnapping
Another great KLV! I had to go back to her older books, but I finally found another hidden gem. Well, maybe more like a synthetic stone. It's still good! ...more
Read: 7/15/25 Setting: Italy 975 A.D 3.0 stars! What a waste of a great location and time period! This book was exhausting!
Plot: Ernesto has gambled awaRead: 7/15/25 Setting: Italy 975 A.D 3.0 stars! What a waste of a great location and time period! This book was exhausting!
Plot: Ernesto has gambled away his fortune. He's already killed his father to inherit the family's dilapidated castle. He needs to marry his betrothed now. Luckily, her father came alone (smart) to his castle. After the man ripped up the contract, Ernesto killed him. He arrives at Morena's home to claim his bride, only to find a man claiming to be her new betrothed. Amoro will pay for stealing his rich bride. Ernesto always gets what he wants!
Amoro returns home to discover his father was killed by bandits. His dying wish is for Amoro to marry their enemy's daughter. Amoro had hoped to marry for love, but he will obey. He dumps his mistress and goes to Portovenere to court his new bride. He finally convinces her that she needs his protection and brings her to his home. The pair slowly fall in love. Amoro is doing everything he can to win Morena's heart. Unfortunately, there are evil forces who work to tear them apart. The main threat is Ernesto and Amoro's former mistress.
Disliked: 1. The biggest problem was the time period. The characters' personalities just don't fit the time they are living. The story would have been better if it had been set in the Renaissance. Then, a man wanting to marry for love would make sense. 2. Morena was a spoiled brat without logic. She fought over the stupidest things. example: she tells him that she feels like a prisoner because he requires her to travel with a group of soldiers. It couldn't be for protection? With both their father's dead because of "bandits " (Ernesto), maybe he's worried about your safety? ...more
Read: 7/11/25 Setting: England, end of Kjng John's reign Trope: class/religious differences (Jewish)
I love getting to visit with my favorite characters Read: 7/11/25 Setting: England, end of Kjng John's reign Trope: class/religious differences (Jewish)
I love getting to visit with my favorite characters from KLV's older (better) books. Unfortunately. they were not the main characters. This is Peter's De Lohr's story, not his father's Christopher's book. The author could have fooled me!
plot: While hiding from a grasping woman, Peter hides in a yard. There, he meets Liora, a Jewish woman. He falls instantly. Now, he will battle anyone to have her, including his father, the king, and any religion, keeping them apart.
Peter is too naive for me. The author forgot this was a medieval hr. Everyone's is way too progressive thinking for the middle-ages. Their differences in their religion were solved way too easily.
Again, it was great to have so many of my favorites return, but the main romance was weak....more
A romance? Yes. Historical? Well, the story does take place in history. When? I havRead: 7/9/25 Setting: England, middle-ages -? Trope: secret identity
A romance? Yes. Historical? Well, the story does take place in history. When? I have no idea ...more
There was a lack of romance for me. The h has 3 husbands in the story. I didn't hate any of them, but I didn't carRead: 5/13/25 This was an okay book.
There was a lack of romance for me. The h has 3 husbands in the story. I didn't hate any of them, but I didn't care about them either.
The history was badly researched. I know my War of The Roses' history, so the inaccuracies drove me crazy! The most annoying part was about Sir Jasper. The h marries his fictional bastard son. First, Tudor didn't get his title until after Henry Tudor became king. Second, He wouldn't be bargaining for a marriage from King Edward since he was in exile with Henry at the time.
I also hate how modern authors try to portray King Richard III as a good guy. Power corrupts, and a loyal man changes because of it. This is her second book suggesting that Richard sent the two princes north for safety (because two heirs are safe in a castle in York ...more
Read: 5/11/25 Setting: 1556 Scotland during Mary Queen. of Scots reign 2.5 stars
Arabella and Angus are marrying for reasons other than love. Angus wantsRead: 5/11/25 Setting: 1556 Scotland during Mary Queen. of Scots reign 2.5 stars
Arabella and Angus are marrying for reasons other than love. Angus wants a small property of land and the only way to get it is by marrying the plain faced Arabella. They take it slow at first and he waits to consummate the marriage. I liked the slow burn romance. It felt that it was earned. They fall in love and their strong bond stays throughout the whole book. Now, if only the rest of the world would leave them alone. This all takes place during Queen Mary's reign. From her 1st arrival to Scotland shores to her imprisonment. How will they stay out of war? Their clan must stay out of the GOT politics of court.
Liked: 1. I really liked the MC. They had great chemistry and I felt their love.
2. I liked the secondary characters. They definitely enriched the story. His bastard brother and sister have the most character development. I was sad when the brother leaves to help free Mary ...more
Read: 5/8/25 Settings: 1461 England and Scotland This can be read as a standalone. 3.5 stars
Plot: The king and queen are on the run after a devastating Read: 5/8/25 Settings: 1461 England and Scotland This can be read as a standalone. 3.5 stars
Plot: The king and queen are on the run after a devastating defeat by the Yorks. Alix and her father (the queen's physician) are one of the few escaping with the monarchy. They take refuge with an isolated baron. Alix's father is dying and wants her married and save before he passes away. So he proposes a marriage between Alix and the Baron's son. Alix is willing to do her duty for her father.
"This is not a happy marriage." That's the understatement of the year! The boy is CRAZY obsessed with his mistress. He is cruel, especially in bed. Thank God her father gave her a form of birth control so she wouldn't be stuck with this insane man child. Later, Alix's father pass away, and then her husband committed suicide so he could be with his dead mistress. Finally, Alix is free from this nightmare, that is, until she talks with her FIL. He wants to marry her. Yuck! He greased the wheels, so the Bishop would grant him a disposition so they could marry. Yea, time to run!!!!
Alix gets stuck in a snowstorm and is rescued by a border laird. He hires her as a governess for his daughter but has another position he wants her for ;) . The two eventually become lovers, fall in love, and marry. Only one thing can destroy their happiness. Her FIL is still consumed with getting Alix back. He doesn't love her but feels that she belongs to him. He causes many problems for the MC.
************** spoiler alert***********
what I liked: 1. I was happy Alix stayed with only one love interest. A lot of BS's books tend to have the h in love with two men and are separated by the one she loves the most. I'm glad this book focused on the romance in their marriage. Some might found it boring but I like it.
2. I loved the history, especially Scottish history. The parts I googled were very accurate. So Bravo Mrs. Small!
3. The OTT villain was brilliant! We know his son was crazy but not the father. He could control his sanity better, until he learns of Alix's escape. Now, his insanity is in overdrive.
4. Malcolm's daughter stole the show! I loved that little imp. She was so smart. I wish there had been more scenes with her.
Didn't like: 1. Sex scenes were hot but the dirty talk ruined it. I don't mind profanity. The problem is that it does not seem to fit with the character's personality. Some of the descriptions were just hilarious but unfortunately it takes me out of story too.
2. When Malcolm mentioned that his wife's body was unrecognizable, I knew this b**ch was coming back!. It's not until the last few chapters that she's introduced into the story. Of course she's a sexual sadist and enjoys killing men. That seems to be BS MO for the OW . - say that 3xs fast ...more
Plot: Frances and Alasdair are in love and want to marry. Too bad others conspire againsRead: 6/25/25 Setting: 1598 Scotland
This book was exhausting!
Plot: Frances and Alasdair are in love and want to marry. Too bad others conspire against them.Their laird is dying, and his son, Hugh, has the mind of a child. Frances's brother, Duncan, hopes to take advantage of the situation. He wants Frances to marry Hugh so he can gain their wealth. Duncan kidnaps Alasdair and impresses him into the army. Believing all the lies Duncan told her, a devastated Frances marries Hugh after his dying father begs him. The Laird believes Frances is the only one who can take control of the clan and keep Hugh safe. He strongly guilty trips her into it.
3 years later, Frances has become the de facto laird. She does it ALL! Now Duncan has returned for more money. Frances pays him a certain amount to keep him away. This time, Duncan wants it all. He has made a powerful friend in court. They will declare Hugh incompetent, and Duncan will be made Hugh's guardian. Duncan has also learned Alasdair is back, but his murder plot doesn't go as planned. Hugh is murdered by Duncan, and Alasdair takes control of the castle. After a little back and forth, the pair finally marries. They don't have long to be together because a new threat is coming. Duncan's powerful friend. Laird G (forgot name) will arrive with his army. The pair must flee.
A new problem arises when the powerful Laird G decides he wants more than the land, and he wants Frances too. The story becomes a battle between two men for one woman.
Disliked: 1. I liked the H, but he was so one dimensional. He was just there, likable but nothing else. 2. Frances!!!! God, I could fill a book! I'll try to keep it small ...more
plot: The story focused on the H having PSTD from being tortured by an Englishman. The seizureRead: 4/12/25 3.5 stars Setting: Scotland 1308 Trope: healer
plot: The story focused on the H having PSTD from being tortured by an Englishman. The seizures from childhood have also returned. Now, the H's clan thinks he's possessed. The h is a healer and comes to help the laird, but he wants nothing to do with this Englishwoman. When the clan sickens, the h discovers the cause and is able to save the village. Slowly, the H begins to trust her. Can she really heal him?
Conclusion: This was a pretty good highlander romance!...more
This was a pretty solid HG book. I'm a suker for enemies to lover trope, and nobody does tRead: 4/4/25 3.5 stars Setting: medieval Scotland (King David)
This was a pretty solid HG book. I'm a suker for enemies to lover trope, and nobody does that better than HG. Unfortunately, she forgot the love part in this story. The MC fights the whole book, and then suddenly, they are madly in love with each other ...more
Read: 3/30/25 Setting: Queen Mary Stewart 1561-1567
Meh. This was an okay book. There was not much chemistry (burning) between the characters. I liked tRead: 3/30/25 Setting: Queen Mary Stewart 1561-1567
Meh. This was an okay book. There was not much chemistry (burning) between the characters. I liked the couple, but the historical aspect got in the way. The author wanted to focus on Queen Mary's rule from when she arrived in Scotland to her abdication of the throne. The book is too short to go into the history of Mary Stewart. So we got a water down version of the history at that time. The history kept interfering with the romance. The author needed to pick the type of book she wanted to write.
Also, there were no witch trails like in the book. The burning of witches didn't come until 30 years later, with King James (Mary's son). He blames witches for his almost shipwreck and decides to purge Scotland of their evil presence. I understand why the author used a witch trail plot, but it wouldn't have happened yet.
Conclusion: This wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't good either. Still, it had its moments. HG has just written much better books that this one fell flat....more
The story starts out with King James ordering two rival clans to unite in marriRead: 3/25/25 2.5 stars Setting: 1537 Scotland
Oh, the wasted potential!
The story starts out with King James ordering two rival clans to unite in marriage. Fiona Sinclair is to be the sacrifice. She has to marry the son of the man who murdered her mother. She will do this for her clan because they desperately need this truce, but she won't forget what the Campbells did and what they are.
Myles has no desire to unite with the Sinclairs, even if Fiona is beautiful. He decides to make the best of the situation. Now, if he can only break through Fiona's hatred.
The story starts out with such potential! I love a good enemies to lovers/forced marriage. It's my bed and butter. Unfortunately, this book drops the ball, thanks largely to Fiona. I seriously could not stand her! She's a cruel b***h to Myles through 62% of the book. I understand being loyal to your clan and what his father did (he didn't).Blah blah blah. My understanding and sympathy of her situation died after 200 pages of venom. She married a good man who cares about her happiness. The problem was that he was too nice and had the patience of a saint. Somebody needed to put that spoiled girl over their knee. I still don't know what her endgame was. It's death do you part. If you don't want to be miserable for the rest of your life, maybe you should find a compromise or at least be civil
The story finally improved in the last 100 pages. Once she learns the truth about her mother, Fiona no longer needs to feel guilty about her feelings for Myles. Finally, I began to enjoy the story and their romances. There are some good mysteries and intrigue. The secondary characters definitely enriched the story, and I wish the Campbell family members had their own book.
Conclusion: The h ruined a good story and a great H. The author kept the h's animosity going for way too long!...more
I was expecting this to be bad, but I'm a sucker for OTT medieval hr. I think because of my low expectations, I waRead: 3/26/25 Setting: 1143, England
I was expecting this to be bad, but I'm a sucker for OTT medieval hr. I think because of my low expectations, I was able to find more positives than other readers.
The couple was the best part of the book. These two belong together! They just blended well together. There were no silly misunderstandings or lack of trust. They were a team. Elf was too innocent in the beginning, but she slowly learned the ways of the world. She definitely called it when it came to her SIL. She had wisdom. She just needed to experience the world.
The villain's motives were silly and made no sense. She was like a bad penny. Still, she added some fun OTT moments. Her sexual fetish was a little too much, though.
Conclusion: I had fun with this book and didn't take it too seriously.
Sidenote: In the beginning, i was crying when Elf's brother left her at the nunnery when she was 5 years old. ...more
This was the PG of medieval romance! The MC were too perfect, and any problems were easily remedied. That's not Read: 4/3/25 Setting: medieval England
This was the PG of medieval romance! The MC were too perfect, and any problems were easily remedied. That's not to say this was a bad story, I just like my medieval romances with more angst and realism.
I think a teenager would enjoy the quick pacing and the very sweet love story. There are sex scenes, but they are pretty tame.
Conclusion: Perfect book when you're in a mood for a light, sweet story....more
**spoiler alert** Read: 3/10/25 Setting: Scotland, England, France 1794
Underwhelming. Old bodice ripper fans recommend this book, so I expected more. **spoiler alert** Read: 3/10/25 Setting: Scotland, England, France 1794
Underwhelming. Old bodice ripper fans recommend this book, so I expected more.
Plot: The H plans to go to France to save his Godfather's family and to marry the man's daughter. He has to help them before Madame Guillotine gets there first. The Laird buys a gypsy dancer he sees at a fair from her foster parents. He plans to go incognito as a gypsy to rescue the family. Unfortunately, he can't keep his eyes off his gypsy dancer.
************"*** Spoiler alert*********** Problems: 1. Lack of romance. The H treats her horribly and Jasmine loves him anyway. He forces her twice in the beginning. Though, both are not uncommon for BR. Unfortunately, the most romantic part is when he's unconscious. Then they are separated the last half of the book and she lives with her gypsy husband. She married him so the other gypsies would save the H's life. At the end of the book, the H finally tracks her down and confesses his love. The H suddenly can't live without her and wants to marry her. Really? That's just lazy writing!
2. The whole plot goes nowhere: * The family that the H is trying to save died in a carriage accident 3 days before he arrives. * The h has a mysterious past. She starts having nightmares and remembering things. She remembers places in France and a nice home. You expect all this to lead to her real identity and family. Nope! Nothing nefarious happened to her. No evil villain plot. Her parents were killed in a carriage accident and a gypsy passing by took her home for his barren wife. There's no family reunion, since her grandparents in France died 3 months before she arrived. It's like her past was put in the book so the H could marry her at the end. It was a pointless revelation
3. While I liked the gypsy aspect, I feel the author didn't do any research of the Romani culture. She wrote a stereotypical version of gypsies. What a wasted opportunity!
Positives: 1.The writing was good and it kept me interested. I might not have liked where the plot went but I wasn't bored either. 2. I liked Jasmine! The poor thing was desperate to be loved and to have a stable home. Jasmine was a survivor and a realist! She adapated and made the most of the cards she was dealt.
Conclusion: Excluded the romance and this wasn't a bad book. Jasmine's journey from a naive girl desperate for affection to a strong survivor, was empowering. I rooted for this independent sprite! Unfortunately, not enough for me to ignore the other problems in the book....more