Now we have book four in the series and this is Macalister’s book and I had no idea how I would feel about reading this one, because we see what Macalister is capable of and he does play a role of a villain in the earlier books and tries to separate Royce and Maris from each other and falls in love with Maris. So he isn’t an easy character to like, because we see how easy it is for him to manipulate others especially his family. But what we also see in the previous books is his vulnerabilities. I did enjoy seeing this come all about and seeing him find his way back to himself. He definitely goes on the road to redemption and not just for himself, but for his sons and rebuilding a relationship with them. Its definitely rock for most of the story but I did love seeing the reconciliation he builds. Then we have the sexy HOT romance with Sophie. Sophie plays a role throughout the series and she is smart and sassy and loves playing the submissive in the bedroom to Macalister’s dominating presence and boy those scenes are FIRE!! But we see their intimacy built, my biggest issue with this was the ending NOT my favorite at all because it just had a HFN instead of a HEA and it just didn’t sit right and I am hoping the next book answers the questions I have. But overall I was genuinely pleased with the most recent book in the series and I can’t wait for book FIVE!! We got the young brother’s book coming out and I am ready for it.
The Obsession is a book that carries us through the journey of Royce and Maris and a third party that plays a role is Royce’s father: Macalister. Maris is out for her own vengeance when she realizes the true depths that Royce will go to in reaching his goals. Its not easy for Maris to see how he will cast her away for his future. Maris has just started to fall hard for Royce and now must deal with the hardness of his father Macalister. She has literally no freedom or much choice now that she was willing to do what needed to be done, especially with her family practically destitute thanks to their bad decisions and her sister being pregnant. She is split into two wanting to trust Royce but knowing he could easily stab her in the back again.
I did find this installment to be my least favorite of the three books featuring Royce and Maris. We get Royce’s betrayal and its really hard to see that but Maris really shows courage in this installment and I admired what she does to stand up to his father even when its not easy. I wasn’t really for this cat and mouse game that she and Macalister play with each other. And all three individuals have ISSUES LOL And there is plenty of intrigue because of all the secrets that are kept from each other. You understand fully why especially Royce keeps Maris in the dark because of his plans to take over the company because of how dangerous his father is becoming. But despite the issues, the writing is so addicting and I honestly couldn’t get enough of seeing where this author was taking us. But there are scenes of almost “cheating” its complicated of course, so if you have read the book you probably understand it more because there is plenty of manipulation especially from Macalister.
And while this isn’t my favorite book in the series, it has growth and mystery and plenty of hot sensual scenes that will keep you up late reading because you won’t be able to get enough of it.
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Highland Treasure is the latest release of the Highlander series by Lynsay Sands or the series also known as the "Highland Brides" and I always seem to get a kick out of these books, there is a humor in these books that you don't always find in historical romances and most especially highlander romances. I read this one its a ARC from the publisher so I give thanks to Avon but also I put it in as a book to read as part of the #historicalromancereadathon and I have to say that I have read more historical's in a row than I normally do and I am thrilled to be immersing myself in these historical periods once again. I really had no mood for them last year so I am hoping I can fully get into them again.
Highland Treasure starts off with a kick, with our heroine who is being abused by her tormentor. Her family, trusted by the King, are attacked by a friend and traitor who plots against the king. When he suspects that her parents have information he murders her father, and brutally damages her mother and abuses Elysande to the point where she can barely move. But her mother who is barely alive, manages with the trust of her guards and servants to smuggle Elysande out of the keep and on the road to safety towards a clan that she knows will protect her no matter what. Elysande with her body bruised to the point where her skin is black and blue, is determined to survive despite seeing her life crumble around her. But then she meets her rescuer and healer of his clan...Rory. Rory is shocked when he learns of what Elysande has gone through and is determined to get her to safety to his family's land but along their journey a beautiful love and passion beckons between them...
Highland Treasure is a story that I was completely on board with and I fell so hard for it. Now is it my favorite of the series? No I wouldn't say that...the earlier books still are gold in my eyes, but don't disregard this book because I had so much fun with it and quite frankly I was in the mood for a road trip adventure and this gave me everything that I wanted in that concept of a trope. This book definitely starts off strong so this author doesn't ease you into it LOL nope she goes full steam ahead and that is what will pull you into the story. I did feel like the flow of the story wasn't quite as smooth as I wanted but I was drawn to this couple and their troop always being in danger from these traitors.
My heart broke for this heroine, her story was so sad in the beginning, because she has lost everything and is on the run for her life now. Knowing her parents are dead and everything she had has been taken brutally from her. I admired her strength and resilience to what has happened to her. She doesn't let it break her, but keeps moving forward to what she needs to do. She has a open trust with others that I liked, some may view it as her being naive, and in some aspects she can be perceived in that fashion, but I felt her character was so relatable. Now the hero...Rory. is a lead in the story I had so much fun with. He is a character we have seen in so many books so I was so happy to see him finally get his book. And we even see his vulnerabilities at times and I like seeing him have some flaws and seeing the way he vows to protect Elysande but also support her in any way he can.
“You are a man worthy of love.” Tilting her head, she added, “People may need a healer, but they do not love them. They love the man."
The plot of the story is the style of "on the edge of your seat" and I adored that feel in every way. I didn't know what to expect from this book and heck this is such a auto read author for me that I didn't even look for the blurb at all, I just knew I wanted to be part of this fun filled family and it was a wonderful adventure that Lynsay Sands takes us on. I really found the traitor plot against the king to be so intriguing and the ending had me laughing (and those who have read this know exactly what I am talking about) But definitely this one kept me entertained.
Elysande's mother might have called her a treasure in the letter she'd sent to Rory, but the truth was her brave handsome Highlander husband was the treasure, and he was all hers.
Overall I found Highland Treasure to be a stunning addition to this lovely series that has captured my heart over the years. Its a story of adventure, intrigue, danger and fighting for the one you love.
Marry Me by Sundown is the latest release in the Callahan Warren series and its also the last book published by this author (as many know she passed away...RIP Johanna Lindsey). I will admit that the moment that I started to listen to this one the feelings I was going into it with were very bittersweet. I was excited to be able to get back to the Callahan-Warren world but I was also saddened in knowing this is one of the last books this author would ever publish. And this story lived up to my expectations and quite frankly I had no idea what I was going into until I started to listening to it and it was NOT what I expected but then that is the par for course for this series. She has really written a set of books that are so unique in their way that sets them apart from other books in typical Lindsey style.
Marry Me by Sundown features our two protaganists: Violet and Morgan. Violet was sent to England by her aunt to live with them, as she didn't care for how uncivilized and tom boy like Violet was becoming living in a house full of only men with no female role model. And now she has spent years in England and accustomed to her life there despite how much she misses her father and brothers. But when she receives a desperate letter for her to return home, she knows its not a prank. But when she comes home, her father has migrated for work and the silver/gold rush out west, her brothers are barely making it by, and their family mansion is about to be sold off to pacify the creditors. So knowing she has limited time, she goes out west determined to find her father and the money he promised to keep their ancestral home. But instead of finding her father, she learns he is dead and she is being kidnapped by his partner of all people who thinks she is in collusion with his enemy that want their mine. Now Violet has to prove to this bear of a man that she is who she says she is and to give her family they need desperately. But soon Violet and Morgan in the western plains of Montana find a love they never expected to find, but Violet will have to choose the wild west or society in England.
Marry Me by Sundown was a HOOT of a read, I can't tell you all how much I had a blast with this book and I just couldn't put it down at all because these two were so entertaining together. I am not always in the "mood" for a enemies and lovers trope but Lindsey definitely worked her magic with this story and I couldn't help but fall in love with it. I know this book received quite a few mixed reviews but I can tell you right now I had a ball of a time. The chemistry between these two is fiery sweet. Both of them know there is more than just captor and captive type of relationship. And despite the beginning where the hero kidnaps the hero, Violet doesn't really fear him. She has enough courage to spit verbal fire his way and doesn't back down. Violet understands his purpose and is only trying to reach an understanding with him.
I know the heroine in this book is NOT for everyone, and even though this narrator wasn't my favorite to listen to especially in the heroine's dialogue, I grew charmed by her. I liked that she stood by who she is and didn't apologize for it despite she being out of place in the west culture. Now our hero, he was fun. Morgan is determined to make his own way in the world apart from his family's wealth and wants to do it with the mine. He is no pansy and is determined to not let the mine fall into the wrong hands. He has a enemy that will do anything to create more power and wealth in his domain, and Morgan is a threat to him.
Both of these characters have a relationship that definitely has its rocky starts but I grew to fall in love with the rocks and seeing them learn to build a trust together. I was definitely charmed in seeing them come together in this book and they are definitely opposites attract in this book. I was intrigued in seeing how they would reach their happy ever after, because they are so different and at the beginning have different goals. But it ends up beins pure perfection seeing them find the balance in their relationship, defeat the villain, a miracle forming and finding their destiny ...together.
Overall I found myself captivated by Marry Me by Sundown and Johanna Lindsey captures the magic of the gold rush and the sensuality that builds between these two. FANTASTICALLY PENNED!
A Worthy Opponent is a continuation of the Wicked Villains series. I have really gotten a kick out of this series, and seeing the villains of these stories become the heroes and the heroes become the villains. It definitely has a more erotic romance feel to these stories so fair warning that there is plenty of outer involvement in the sex scenes that come into play here. But I am sure plenty of those familar with the series are well aware of it. But keep in mind upon reading this because that might not be for everyone.
I don’t believe in knights on white horses. Maybe I did once, but the only people out there searching for damsels in distress are more dangerous than anything said damsel leaves behind.
A Worthy Opponent is a story that I desperately fell hard for. This is the romance between Tink and Hook and our villain of the story is of course "Peter". Tink was once held captive by Peter and managed to get out and made a five year contract with Hades. She is a natural submissive and worked the Underworld within her natural instincts. But now its the end of her contract and Hades is kicking her out. Tink is then confronted by Peter on Hades own territory and knows she is in danger and she runs to the only person that offered her aid....Hook. Hook has his own ambitions in wanting to marry Tink, but part of that is wanting her completely. But Tink is a woman he will have to fight tooth and nail in order to win her trust and heart....
Do I truly want a share of that burden, even if the potential outcome is everything I’ve been too afraid to reach for on my own? A home. A family. The kind of safety I’m not sure I believe in any more.
A Worthy Opponent is a mix of enemies to lover/unrequited love in a way. Hook has always had an affection for Tink, but Tink has never come to trust him because she doesn't trust her heart or body around him. I really loved the sexy bantering that comes in between these two. Hook though definitely knows his way around a woman's body and makes sure that Tink knows of that. He does get pretty creative in their first "scene" together and I really liked the players that we see (that are in the future books of the series -which I honestly can't wait to get my hands on) but finding his way to Tink's Heart isn't going to be so easy. There are other factors involved, but I love the way Hook is with Tink. She can be pretty "mean" at times, but he tends to be amused by her antics. I definitely loved seeing their unique dynamics grow within their relationship. I never thought I wanted or needed a Hook/Tink romance but this author didn't disappoint in bring about a lovely story to light.
No, Tink. I don’t think you’re safer anywhere more than you are with me. Because I know for a fact that I’ll do whatever it takes, no matter the cost, to keep you that way.
Overall I found A Worthy Opponent to be a steamroller of a romance, a unique play on the fairy tale, that is sexy and fiery sweet in its intensity and will leave you on the edge with a hint of suspense. A GRAVITATING READ!
All the stories end with the villain vanquished and the happy couple riding off into the sunset. That’s what happily ever after is. They never have to work on their relationship, never have to get their hands dirty when facing the challenges living a full life creates. They’re caught in stasis, without conflict, without problems, without life. That’s no way to live
