Highland Obsession by Dawn Halliday

Book Description:
In the Scottish Highlands, two warriors are about to clash over a woman of passion...

They were the unlikeliest of friends debauching their way through London: The Earl of Camdonn, a nobleman of vast wealth and power, and Scottish laird Alan MacDonald, a respected Jacobite with ambitions of his own.

But their friendship is destroyed when Alan marries the beautiful Sorcha Stewart-only to witness Cam kidnap her from their bedroom. Then Alan learns the truth: his bride was not an innocent. She took a lover before him-his friend-who taught her the ways of pleasure.

Now, Alan will do anything to get his wife back. Cam fights to redeem his honor, even as he refuses to give up his desire. Torn between love and duty, Sorcha must watch as the two men she desires go to war over her. And when the battle lines are drawn, all three lovers are lured into a triangle of forbidden passions...

Wow!

This was one steamy, sexy highlander romance! *fans self* Needless to say, I loved it. I couldn't put it down and read it in one day. I was drawn into the plotline from the first until the last, I had to know what would happen!

This is the story of two men, Cam, the Earl of Camdonn and Alan MacDonald his best friend who is the local laird of the MacDonalds that's lives nearby. Set during the time of the first rising in Scotland in 1715, Alan has just married Sorcha Stewart and it is his wedding night. They consummate their marriage tenderly and sweetly with no idea that Cam is watching them, voyeur like, through the window, tears in his eyes. Sorcha had been his mistress (unbeknownst to Alan) and he couldn't stand the idea that she was now married and out of his reach.

With that, he basically loses all sense and barges in and heaves her over his shoulder and carries her off to his castle! Poor Alan tries to go after her but is foiled by Cam's guards, injured, he is taken back to his cottage to have his wounds looked after. Sorcha doesn't want to to go off with Cam, but she can't stop him. She wants to stay with her new husband! What is she to do? She is now disgraced, Alan will now know she was not the virgin she appeared to be and she will be shunned by all. Quite the dilemma!

This is how the book begins and I must admit, outlandish as the storyline was, it was hard to put down. We see all three's persepective: Alan, Cam and Sorcha. Sorcha is able to escape and comes back to her husband the next morning, but by this time, he knows all. He has been duped and he's not happy. Still, he remains married to Sorcha and they try to patch things up. Eventually, they learn to deal with what happened and the fact she lied to him. She wants to remain married to Alan, although he will not touch her. But, even he begins to thaw, and after demanding satisfaction, he fights a duel with Cam, who is gravely injured and all changes.

Cam has many flaws, he is handsome and irresistible, but selfish and spoiled, used to getting what he wants. Hence, how he carries Sorcha off against her will - dishonoring his best friend in the process. He later regrets his actions, but only after he realizes she doesn't love him. Eventually he redeems himself in the duel, but he also has to redeem himself with the reader. His actions were repellent to me at first. Watching Alan and Sorcha on their wedding night while masturbating was abhorrant to me. I disliked him and didn't feel sorry for him at all. He should have asked her to marry him when he had the chance. He blew it and instead of accepting it, he makes a mess of it, not even thinking of the consequences of his actions. But, by the end of the book, he succeeds in redeeming himself and sets the scene for the next book in this series.

Alan, on the other hand, is more noble in my opinion, and the injured party in all of this. It was his wife that was stolen. He was the one that was lied to. He must learn to forgive and get beyond it. It's a long journey for him, but eventually love wins out and he accepts Sorcha for who she is and loves her. But, he has the niggling worry that she would choose Cam over him if she had the chance. He puts her on the spot at one point to help him cope with this frustrating conundrum between his wife and best friend. Cam is put on the spot too.

There was loads of passion and sizzling heat in this book. Both men are stunning and sexual, but in their own individual way. Alan was more believable and down to earth. It's understandable that Sorcha is torn. She wants to be a good wife and honor her vows to Alan, but Cam was her first, rich and powerful, there is a bond between them. Can she live this way, loving and caring for both? One drunken night, the three of them experience a night of carnal fulfillment together - a menage a trois. This is part of the way that Alan must come to terms with the idea that his best friend still wants his wife, and his wife still has a sexual bond with Cam that cannot go away. I had a little trouble with Alan here. He wants to see Sorcha and Cam make love, he demands it of them, yet the next morning..?

The menage scene was well done (if you are into that sort of thing), though it was very drawn out. Understandably there are the usual repurcussions and misunderstandings afterwards, complicated by the first Jacobite rising with Cam and Alan being on opposite sides and Alan leaving the next morning without saying good bye to Cam or Sorcha. But, the two unlikely friends cross battle lines for Sorcha, and Cam's search on the battlefield for Alan was enthralling. I don't know much about the first rising, mostly I'm familiar with the second and Culloden, blah, blah, blah. This first rising was unsuccessful and came to nothing. Alan, in the story is a Jacobite, but Cam is a loyalist, a follower of the Duke of Argyll, though he tries to remain out of the fray as much as possible.

Poor Sorcha, she made some bad decisions and had to face the consequences. I do admire her for not giving into Cam and wanting to stay and be a wife to Alan. Alan puts her in a very awkward position (no pun intended) during the threesome. She does not want to hurt his feelings and is hesitant at first, but eventually gives in wholeheartedly. Of course, Alan will never forget that...

So many complications, yet so irresistible to read on and see how these complications are dealt with and resolved.

All in all, this was a really hot book, if you are not into threesomes, this might not be your cup of tea (I didn't have a problem with it). The story itself was original and I loved the setting of two highlanders pitted against one another over one woman, with the backdrop of a Jacobite rising. I thought the tale was gripping and well written, I will definitely read more by this author!

P.S. This cover was to die for!

4/5

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What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

Book Description:
Rumors and Gossip... The lifeblood of London

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancé, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits... and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself...

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I was a tad underwhelmed by this romance by Julia Quinn, her latest offering to the book world, since I had just finished up her incomparable Bridgerton Series which left me on a real romance high. Hence, a short review.

Still, it was pretty amusing and it had it's moments but it just didn't seem to have that je ne said quoi that her other books have. This is a sequel to The Secret Diary of Miss Miranda Cheever, which I really enjoyed. This one centers on Lady Olivia Bevelstoke, the best friend of Miranda who is a raving beauty but finds herself spying on her next door neighbor, Sir Harry Valentine (I don't know why I kept wanting to say his last name was Winston!) Olivia is under the misapprehension that he must be up to something no good and then when she realizes he knows she's spying on him, she stops her little game and the two of them have a face off in which they both admit they don't like one another - but of course, that doesn't last, and they wind up falling for each other instead!

Sir Harry is a translator. With a Russian grandmother, he speaks Russian fluently, all the more reason why the War Office hires him to translate top secret missives and do a little covert work himself, when needed. He is ordered to spy on a visiting Russian Prince who has decided to court Lady Olivia. I must say the stiff and proper Prince was one of the funniest part of the book. One especially hilarious scene involved the reading and acting out of an especially silly gothic romance that has everyone (except Olivia who prefers reading the newspaper) enthralled. In addition, there are all kinds of mix ups: who speaks Russian, who is who, who's a spy, who's really a good guy and who's not? Lots of hi-jinx, but it didn't leave me thinking that I really loved this Julia Quinn book. I don't think it had enough of a romance in it for me. There were no sentimental moments that made me sigh inwardly, mostly it had a lighthearted farce feel about it, which is fine, but the hero and heroine seemed more friends than in love. Then once they realized they were in love and had their romantic tryst together (aka sex, which seemed very out of character for both of them) - she gets kidnapped! It all seemed a little rushed at the end, leaving me wanting more. The proposal scene was, IMHO, a bit ridiculous and a let down - I felt like I was at a party having a good time, and then all of a sudden, the party's over and we're all being sent home early!

Despite this, it is a worthwhile read - it is Julia Quinn after all - but not one of her best. Still, I am eager to read the rest of her backlist, since she is one of my very favorite romance authors.

3.5/5

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Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (audio)

Book Description:
In the first of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, 007 declares war on Le Chiffre, French communist and paymaster of the Soviet murder organization SMERSH. The battle begins in a fifty-million-franc game of baccarat, gains momentum during Bond's fiery love affair with a sensuous lady spy, and reaches a chilling climax with fiendish torture at the hands of a master sadist. For incredible suspense, unexpected thrills, and extraordinary danger, nothing can beat James Bond in his inaugural adventure.

Yes, this is Bond... James Bond.

That infamous womanizer secret agent with the sexy British accent that is convinced every woman who plays coy at first, secretly loves the thrill of giving in, head pulled back, lips ravished - a quasi rape that titillates the senses. Not one for any long term relationships, he's in it for the release, the rest and relaxation, the sex, a few pleasant weeks of having fun, bed, fine dining, bed and then time to get out before the clinging gets oppressive, the tears, and eventual good-bye at the door in the rain. He appreciates a beautiful woman, yet, James Bond does not fall in love, he does not get hung up, he does not let his emotions get in the way. Constant smoker, ruthless killer, drink inventor (yes, the famous martini), he handles himself and his job as any expert in their field would.

At one point in the book, Fleming lets Bond get a big philosophical about his line of work. He finds it a big unsettling at times knowing that he's been rewarded with a double 0 designation by killing two men. What does that mean? Good and bad start to become a bit murky for him and he vents a bit to his good friend, a French agent, Mathis. He tells Mathis of his intention of retiring. Mathis pooh poohs the idea, his friend Bond is a prodigy, he'll never retire.

Until... until... until he meets Vesper Lynd. A tall, cool, elegant brunette sent to Royale in the South of France, to be his partner and help him in the capture of Le Chiffre, a SMERSH spy who must win a ton of money at the casino in Royale or else he will be obliterated by his comrades from the Soviet Union. Bond's mission: beat Le Chiffre at baccarat, win all his money, leaving him ruined and then let the Russians do the rest.


Now, this book was almost nothing like the recent movie of Casino Royale, but there are similarities. The names are the same, and the plot is a bit similar. Bond eventually fancies himself in love with Vesper after she is kidnapped and he tries to rescue her and gets himself tortured in the process. But, his mission is accomplished regarding Le Chiffre, and during Bond's recovery after the torture, Vesper stays by his side, and his feelings deepen for her. They spend some time at a seaside resort near Royale. Here Bond gets his much deserved r&r, dining well, drinking champagne, lying nude on the beach (in the book he is nude, in the movie, he's not.)



And... he finally gets Vesper. They begin an affair, but things... change. What happened to cool, calm and collected Vesper? Was she really that overcome from the kidnapping, in which she was unmolested (amazingly enough) and unharmed? Over the course of a week, Vesper becomes more and more distraught and sad between frantic bouts of lovemaking that end with her in tears and Bond going back to his own room for the rest of the night. Puzzled, he's sure she's not telling him something, he is at a loss, but it's not upsetting enough to keep him up at night. He falls asleep, women don't worry him overmuch, despite the fact he considered asking her to marry him and retire from this line of work.

But as we know with the numerous books and movies in the Bond franchise, it seems as if his French friend Mathis is right - he doesn't retire. Though, Bond does not seem to have much luck with love, he's better off with quickie relationships with women, and best to leave the real nuts and bolts aka sex until after the job is finished.

My overall impression of Bond is he is ruthless when it comes to women and has a cold exterior and an even colder impression of how to treat women. To him, women are bitches. Granted, this book was written in 1953 and has a great deal of outdated impressions of women as sex objects, but I was still curious to read the first book that started the whole Bond thing. Nothing very graphic in the way of romance, a little, but tame compared to nowadays. As far as any lovemaking, completely glossed over to the morning after at breakfast! The movies are much more explicit! It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, but it did introduce me to James Bond and how his mind works. If anything, I think it's a good example of what the male psyche was like back in the day, makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Btw, this was narrated on audio by Simon Vance - I highly recommend him - great voice - perfect Bond.

3.5/5

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On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn (audio)

Book Description:
A funny thing happened...

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...

She wasn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar...

I'm a little sad, this is the last of the Bridgerton's novels for me, there are eight of them, and I loved every one. Witty, well written, faithful to the period, you can't go wrong with them. This one is about Gregory, the youngest son who never really thought falling in love would be hard, and figured it would happen to him eventually and he'd marry and be just as happy as all of his many siblings. But, he realizes that finding Mrs. Right wasn't quite as easy as he thought. Zeroing in on the incomparable, beautiful and sought after Hermoine Watson, he imagines he is in love with her upon first sight of the back of her neck. Little does he know that it's really her best friend, ordinary (in comparison to Hermoine) Lucy Abernathy who is the one to unwittingly steal his heart.

As usual in a Julia Quinn novel, the hero and heroine are often the last to know they are in love with each other, and this romance is no exception. Although the book's prologue gives us a big clue of what happens at the end, there are plenty of twists and turns and a touching moment between Gregory and his mother, the all-knowing and ever wise, Violet Bridgerton. She knows her son so well, her darling son and youngest of the boys. *sniff* *sniff* Quinn always includes a moment between Violet and one of her sons or daughters that makes my nose get that funny feeling and a few tears in my eyes. This book was no exception.

I really liked Lucy and Gregory together, they become friends and then co-conspirators when Hermoine and Lucy's brother are caught in a compromising position. At the same time, Lucy finds out that she is going to have to finally marry the man, Lord Hazelton, who she has been affianced to for years. Unfortunately, just around this same time she is realizing that she is falling for Gregory. By this time, Gregory is fast coming to the same conclusion, especially after witnessing the downfall of Hermoine. They have a passionate moment before leaving the country house party (where this has all been taking place) of his oldest brother Anthony and wife, Kate. I really enjoyed Kate's role in this book, however brief, for I really liked her in The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony's story, book 2).

Once Gregory and Lucy do finally get together romantically it is all the reader can hope for. Sizzling passion, tenderness and wanting and finally completion - very well done! But, it's not over at this point, there is still the sticky matter of Lucy's impending nuptials to Lord Hazelton!

I really enjoyed this book, and the audiobook of it with Simon Prebble is fantastic, I wholeheartedly recommend it! Good-bye Bridgerton's now onto the rest of Quinn's backlist. If anyone has any suggestions for me for another series like this - please post and let me know!

4/5

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An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Book Description:
Jamie Fraser, erstwhile Jacobite and reluctant rebel, knows three things about the American rebellion: the Americans will win, unlikely as that seems in 1778; being on the winning side is no guarantee of survival; and he'd rather die than face his illegitimate son -- a young lieutenant in the British Army -- across the barrel of a gun. Fraser's time-travelling wife, Claire, also knows a couple of things: that the Americans will win, but that the ultimate price of victory is a mystery. What she does believe is that the price won't include Jamie's life or happiness -- not if she has anything to say. Claire's grown daughter Brianna, and her husband, Roger, watch the unfolding of Brianna's parents' history -- a past that may be sneaking up behind their own family.

Not a full review, but just a quick post with no spoilers - I finished it! It was both satisfying and exasperating - loads of cliffhangers and loose threads to worry about over the course of the next four (?) years until the next Outlander installment. I did love it, but then I love everything about Outlander, still, is it the best? My favorite in the series? No.

The book had four or five main points of view, which was frustrating - in some ways it seemed like Outlander light. It was not like her past books where you become completely immersed in the details and story of Jamie and Claire - this one, you had parts of Jamie and Claire, Bree and Roger in 1980 Scotland, as well as young Ian and Lord John and Willie's stories during the Revolution. In my opinion, not quite enough to assuage my Outlander appetite, but I'll take and love anything Ms. Gabaldon writes, so I won't quibble about the lack of Jamie and Claire-ness in this book. I'm glad I've read the Lord John mystery books in the past, since in many ways they enhanced this book, but I did feel a bit put out for some people that haven't read them, for they will be a little lost about the importance of certain intriguing characters that come up here.

Some amazing revelations and events take place in this book - a bit of a "jump the shark" point in series? Maybe.

Still, I have to take a deep breath and soak it in and think about it all. A definite re-read eventually, but not right away.

4/5

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Gulp! It's almost here!

I'm getting twitchy and edgy - I can't stand the suspense! Tomorrow at this time I'll be reading the most anticipated book I've ever read - An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon.



She and her Outlander Series are the world to me - the whole theme of my blog - my raison d'etre. I think I'll probably devour it quickly and then immediately read it over again slowly and savor every word.

So, don't expect a review on it from me, or even a discussion. No excerpts, no discussion, no spoilers, nada! I am not worthy enough to even discuss it, except to say something like "Wow!" or "I love it!!" LOL!

For the next few weeks I will be pleasantly occupied doing my second favorite thing - reading a new Outlander book! Four years!

*swoon*

See you in a few!

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Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Book Description:
Tough minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And When Lord Dain's reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction... Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him...and then for forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place -- and in some amorous position. And if this means marriage, so be it -- though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remian aloof...and steel his heart to the sensuous, head strong lady's considerable charms.

This is one of those legendary romances I've heard about, always in the top 10 list of best romances out there - now I know why. It was great! Great story, hot alpha hero (with his own particular insecurities, as usual), smart, clever heroine who is hero's foil and downfall and a compelling romantic storyline that gets better and better as the book goes on. In addition, the bedroom scenes are sexy as well! ;) This was my kind of romance!

Book three in the Scoundrels Series by Chase, it is by far the best so far, though Book 2 was very good as well. This is the story of Lord Dain, born to a cold English lord and a high strung Italian noblewoman who runs off with her lover when he is eight, he has an unhappy childhood. Considered homely with a big nose, blackamoor dark skin and a body he hasn't grown into yet, he is teased as a boy at Eton. To make up for it he becomes an indomitable force to be reckoned with as a young man. He becomes known as the Devil and no one crosses him ever again. He amasses a fortune and develops a reputation, one who does not travel in polite society, prefering the salons of the demimonde: whores, courtesans, roues and other rakes like himself. Tall, broad in shoulders, handsome with dark Italian good looks and a Roman nose that Caesar would envy, he is not the sort to marry. Most women cringe or are scared of him.

Jessica Trent meets Dain while trying to get her brother, who has a major hero worship devotion to Dain, out of Paris and away from Dain's bad influence. Her brother is too much of an idiot to stop himself and smart, clever and determined Jessica is. She winds up being the perfect foil for Dain. She bests him over and over again and the two have an interesting courtship. She admits to herself right off the bat she is in lust with him, but he has a harder time of coming to grips with the fact he's besotted with her. One of my favorite parts of the book is a scene in the rain by a lampost and I like her nickname for him, Lord Beezlebub. The Great Dain doesn't even consider respectable women - much less a bluestocking sister of one of his annoying minions. The whole play between them is delicious and delightful to read about. Can Jess bring Dain down a peg? Will he lose his heart to her? What will happen next between them? I devoured this book in one day, it held my attention and I didn't want it to end.

Jessica and Dain, due to an unfortunate series of events are caught in a compromising position and must marry. The whole lead up to this event and the occurence is great to read and very entertaining. Their marriage night though is not what you'd expect. Dain becomes overwrought at the idea of deflowering a virgin and puts it off, but Jess is having none of that. She takes the bull by the horns and seduces him, it's very well done and I really enjoyed seeing how she gets around him, for he vows he will not be managed by a wife. Yet, over time he realizes, maybe being managed isn't such a bad thing afterall. There are compromises they both need to make and it was a pleasure to read this book all the way through to the end. The basic gist of the story is, can an uber male like Lord Dain overcome the series of heartaches he suffered as a child to let love into his heart and not repeat the same mistakes his father did? Can Jess tame this proud, brawling lummox of a man and show him how easy it is to open his heart?

Chase's heroines are all smart and clever women. Albeit virgins, they have backbones and are not shy and timid. That's one of the things I love about the women in her books, as well as their grandmother's who seem to be made of stronger stuff as well. I think I'd like to read romances based on them in their youth, they'd make good stories too! We also see some of the characters from Book 2, Captives of the Night although from a different perspective which I liked!

A great, great romance - a must read, I highly recommend it!

5/5

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