Review: Devil in Tartan (Highland Grooms #4) by Julia London

Devil in Tartan

Author: Julia London
Publisher: HQN Books
Series: Highland Grooms #4
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 379 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: February 20th 2018

Summary:

Peril and passion on enemy seas…

Lottie Livingstone bears the weight of an island on her shoulders. Under threat of losing their home, she and her clan take to the seas to sell a shipload of illegal whiskey. When an attack leaves them vulnerable, she transforms from a maiden daughter to a clever warrior. For survival, she orchestrates the siege of a rival’s ship and now holds the devilish Scottish captain Aulay Mackenzie under her command.

Tied, captive and forced to watch a stunning siren commandeer the Mackenzie ship, Aulay burns with the desire to seize control—of the ship and Lottie. He has resigned himself to a life of solitude on the open seas, but her beauty tantalizes him like nothing has before. As authorities and enemies close in, he is torn between surrendering her to justice and defending her from assailants. He’ll lose her forever, unless he’s willing to sacrifice the unimaginable…

Review:

I am rather sorry that I didn't particularly enjoy this installment of the series. And while there are good parts, I have quite a bit of issue with others.


This is the fourth in a series I have come to enjoy and like. I love Julia London's writing style.
However, sometimes the brogue was a bit distracting. I am not sure if I am ever going to like people writing out accents in dialogues. For me, it's about readability rather than authenticity. Also, I keep thinking if they all speak to the same way, why highlight it?
I should mention that if I would have listened to the audiobook, I would have loved the fact that the dialogues were written in Scottish brogue.

The storyline was entertaining. I enjoyed the ups and downs of this adventure. Maybe we should call it a misadventure?
Now the romance is a whole other cattle of fish. I mean, it's not really terrible I guess. But I just didn't get where they were coming from. I get there was sexual attraction. But how on earth did this shift from it to the big L?
I just don't get it. It's way to insta for me. It just doesn't work for me.
Then add to it that some of it was just too generic and we have a big no-no for me.

At least I felt like that until Auley declared his feelings. And let's just say someone might have or might not have been all gooey. He had me at my inner sea turned over ...

The character building left me divided. I love the supporting cast. Most of them anyway. I am not a huge fan of the villains. They feel a bit generic. The rest of the support cast is vivid, unique and interesting. A great backdrop for the MCs
I adore Auley. I loved him from the get-go. I could relate to him ( hello! middle child over here!)
I got his worries, his thought process, I got it all except how or why he fell for Lottie. Except for the superficial that is.
Lottie, well, let's just say she grew on me. I didn't care much for her for most of the book. I found her really immature and fullish most of it. I guess she is quite young, but some of the things she did were annoyingly childish.
Then I found the way Aulay saw her didn't really correlate with the way I see her. And somehow that made it worse, it felt inconsistent. She did towards the end grow on me, not as much as her merry band or Aulay, but still enough.

All in all, this isn't bad. It's entertaining, but not captivating. Great storyline, fab support cast but the romance wasn't for me.

Rating: 




Reviewed by Den

ARC Review: Sinful Scottish Laird by Julia London

Sinful Scottish Laird

Author: Julia London
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Series: Highland Grooms #2
Pages: Hardcover, 384 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: February 28th 2017

Summary:

A young widow puts her sexy suitors to the test in New York Times bestselling author Julia London's scintillating return to the idyllic Scottish Highlands.

Widowed and forced to remarry in three years' time or forfeit her son's inheritance, Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick, has plenty of suitors vying for her hand and her fortune. But a letter from a long-lost love sends Daisy and her young son to her Scottish Highland estate to buy time for his return. Along the way she encounters the powerful Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale and a notorious smuggler, and she is utterly and unwillingly bewitched.

Cailean has no use for any Sassenach in his glen. But Daisy's brazen, flirtatious nature and alluring beauty intrigue him. When her first love appears unexpectedly at her estate, Cailean knows that a passionate woman like Daisy cannot marry this man. And to prevent the union, Cailean must put his own life at risk to win her heart.

Review:

Another sizzling book in the series...

I was completely take by Wicked Wild Scot. Ended up reading this back to back. Simply because I wanted- nay needed more. Retrospectively that might have been a disfavor. I think I had such high expectations, they were simply hard to meet.
So everything I read in Sinful Scottish Laird was compared to WWS.
While the first installment boasted a rather different storyline - Sinful Scottish Laird, no so much.
Don't get me wrong. It's interesting and compelling. But it was more cliche than the first book...
The character building is done excellently. The relationship between the characters is beyond interesting and I adore their subtle yet big changes.
The writing style is beautiful. There are wonderful descriptions of the Highlands, that made me want to go back for a visit.

A beautiful, enticing and sizzling novel definitely a must read for lovers of the genre


Rating: 

Review: Wild Wicked Scot by Julia London

Wild Wicked Scot

Author: Julia London
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Series: Highland Grooms #1
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: December 27th 2016

Summary:

Wicked intrigue unfolds in New York Times bestselling author Julia London's latest historical gem as an unlikely marriage leads to a path of risky desire in the lush, emerald Highlands.

WILD WICKED SCOT has earned three STARRED reviews! See below for the review clippings!

Born into riches and groomed in English luxury, Margot Armstrong didn't belong in a Scottish chieftain's devil-may-care world. Two years ago she fled their marriage of convenience and hasn't looked back--except to steal memories of moments spent in wild, rugged Arran McKenzie's embrace. But as their respective powerful kingdoms unite and political upheaval rings around them, she's forced to return to her husband in order to interrupt his secret plans to invade her country.

Red-haired, green-eyed Margot is a beautiful threat. The bride Arran lost has haunted him for ages. As the Highlands tremble with whispers of her people's plot to seize McKenzie territory, he must outmaneuver her in games of espionage...and seduction. Yet as their secrets entwine and their lands fall prey to a political war, there's nothing to prevent love from capturing them both and leading them straight to danger.

Kirkus STARRED review: "An absorbing read from a novelist at the top of her game. "

Publishers Weekly STARRED review: “Expert storytelling and believable characters make the romance between Arran and Margot come alive in this compelling novel packed with characters whom readers will be sad to leave behind.”

Booklist STARRED review: “With well-developed characters who experience genuine growth, London is at the top of her game in this thrilling tale of political intrigue and second chances. This absorbing and passionate romance bodes well for future Highland Grooms titles.”

Review:

My first reaction when I finished this: I didn't want it to be over!
So I went to see what's next in the series...
Wild Wicked Scot is truly engaging and captivating. Is got caught up in the story from the get go and couldn't put my kindle down until I was finished.

I have never read a book by London before, but I feel I really need to rectify that error now and read all the previously published books by her. Because this is written by a master of her craft. There are multiple POV and then the story jumps back and forth between the time line as well, seemingly all at random. But it's so brilliantly done! Each jump is precisely what the story needed and not only that it's done completely smooth.
The dialogues feel authentic, there is a good dose of humor and some wonderfully sensual smut.
Add to that, the beautiful writing style and you got me attention.
But then  London outdid all of this with the character building. I was so caught up with Margot and Arran, with their feelings, with their hopes and regrets and their fears. I totally got both of them, got their pain and rejoiced over their growth. I needed them to find happiness! Which in itself is a total feat to achieve. I mean I like a happy ending, like anyone, but I never (ok:rarely might be more accurate) have such a desperate yearning for the characters to get it.

The story line is a brilliant tale of star-crossed lovers/ arranged marriage gone bad to finding love with each other.
The romance is beautiful, heartbreaking and wonderfully different in many ways.
The plot is captivating, I kept guessing who the culprit was, was kept on my toes and hoping until right to the end.
The epilogue btw, is simply beautiful. And that, is another stroke for London. Because it could have been simply too mushy for me, which many of them are. But again, just like in so many other instances, she gets it just right, is on point with the emotions, the sweet little details and a dash of humor. It's just perfect, really.
To be honest, I am not sure how historically correct this novel is. I am not clued up on the particular clan history of it's time. I don't even know if there is a Norwood Park. But it feels authentic. The lifestyles, the manners, the prejudice and the dialogues not feel only authentic bu real enough to make this a great historical romance.

The character building, does like I said before outshine everything. It takes this from a good to an excellent novel for me.
Margot, with all her silly naivety, was dear to my heart quite fast. I got where she was coming from, even if I knew she was being ridiculous and utterly spoilt at times. Arran, sigh. Arran is the perfect Scottish hero. I mean this. Sincerely. He is gruff and tough, yet so gentle and caring. Absolutely clueless at times, but again, I got him.
Their characters feel real and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow and breach their differences together. Their flaws and shortcomings make them more realistic.
The support cast is just as well written. Again, London seems to bring just the right characters in when needed to highlight a situation. And more so I want to know more about several of the side cast.. I want to know the details about Nell and Jock. And to be honest I hope there will be a story about Grizella. Oh and one for Knox (who was he with in the village?!)
Basically, I just want more.

Compelling, well crafted novel, that left me wanting MORE!



Rating: 


ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review