historical

‘Twas the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

'Twas the Night After Christmas

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-Non Kink
Series-Hellions of Halstead Hall #6
Genre-Historical
Reviewed  by Kay

Lord Devonmont, Pierce Waverly is summoned home to his estranged mother because of a message he received from her companion. He thinks she is deathly ill and that is the only reason he comes to check on the mother that basically disowned him. He was raised by his cousins and their family. When he gets there, he finds her in good health and is furious. Her companion, Camilla Stewart will now face his wrath.

Camilla Stewart is a widow with a small son, Jasper. She enjoys her job and spending time with Lady Devonmont. She hates to see her ladyship so lonely for her son. She knows they’re estranged and assumes its all Pierce’s fault. She’s also dreading the confrontation she knows is coming for sending a false missive.

This book just never clicked for me. It wasn’t bad, just not great. The hero was an ass! Truly! Almost everything he said was gruff and hateful. I know he had abandonment issues but come on, he was in his thirties. He came off as spoiled. I did like the heroine and supporting characters. The heat level was sub-par and coupled with my dislike of the hero, the book never really got off the ground for me.

The Warrior by Margaret Mallory

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

The Warrior (Return of the Highlanders, #3)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Return of the Highlanders #3
Reviewed by Kay

This is the final chapter in this saga, I think.  It is the story of Duncan and Moira. They grew up together in their clan. Moira’s brother is Duncan’s best friend. They had a love affair as teens but due to the different stations in life they had, once their affair was exposed, they were separated. Duncan was sent to France and Moira was married off to an Irish chieftain. Flash forward seven years and we find Duncan sent to check on Moira now that her brother is in a fight for his title. Moira’s life is not all its cracked up to be.

I don’t want to give any of the surprises away in the story so I’ll stop there. I love this series and this story. I love the trope of the brother’s best friend and the sister. There was a great deal of emotion in this story. It’s a great example of enduring love and the importance of family. I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve read everything this author has written and will continue to do so.

Highlander Taken by Juliette Miller

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Highlander Taken (Clan Mackenzie, #2)
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-Clan Mackenzie #2
Reviewed by Kay

Let me explain the hotness level thing first for this book. Inferno is our hottest rating and for good reason but you generally don’t find it in historical romance. At least, not in the historicals I read. I have very specific guidelines for historical romance and erotica has no place there for me. There were multiple sexual situations in this book but no penetrating sex until the end of the book but scenes of non-penetrating sex were explicit as well as some bondage and spanking with a leather strap. That’s where the inferno rating comes from.

Kade Mackenzie has to wed for an alliance to strengthen his clan’s army and holdings. He is a third son. His oldest brother is widowed and not ready to remarry yet. His second brother was all but betrothed and then met his meant to be bride, so his betrothal to a Morrison daughter had to be broken. In come Kade and Stella Morrison to fill the vacancy spot the broken engagement left. Kade has desired Stella even before he met her because she had a feisty reputation. When he sees her, he falls for her beauty. He accepts the fact they have to get married and looks forward to his marriage bed.

Stella Morrison has been abused by her father or his men physically for years. She looks like her dead mother and her father for some reason takes his grief out on Stella. She doesn’t want the marriage but wants to protect her clan. She has heard her husband is a beast, so she is apprehensive to say the least.

I liked this book but not as much as I wanted to. I wanted to love it. It drug a little in the middle for me. Good story telling otherwise. My big problems with it were no full blown sex until the end of the book and in one sex scene he used a leather strap on her. The later is not my cup of tea. Personal preference but I rate based on what I like and I did not like that part. Good voice of the author and she’ll probably get better as she goes on.