Book Review: Temptation in a kilt by Victoria Roberts

Author: Victoria Roberts
Series: Bad Boys of the Highlands #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: September 4th 2012
My Rating: 4.5 cups
Source: Netgalley
Blurb (from Goodreads):

She's On Her Way to Safety

It's a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong's desperation that she's seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn't care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control...

He Redefines Dangerous...

Ciaran MacGregor knows it's perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he's stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he'll be ready to show her how he really is...on and off the battlefield.

A guilty pleasure of mine as a reader (one of many) is historical romances set in the Highlands. There's just something about a sexy Scottish rogue, you know?

I loved Temptation in a kilt, I really did. Ciaran MacGregor is one sexy man, very considerate, sweet, charming, strong and I could thing of some other qualities. I liked his honor and sense of duty most of all. He was willing to give up on the thing he wanted most in order to keep a promise and that means something. He's also incredibly stubborn and that was sometimes a little infuriating, but in a good way.

Rosalia was such a sweetheart. I really liked her and at times, I wanted to go hit someone for the way her parents treated her. I was actually glad she managed to escape them. She's very considerate and she cares for the people around her. I really liked seeing her interact with Ciaran's family. I would've wanted her to get the chance to confront her mother, to really stand up for herself. Maybe in the next book that will happen. I think Rosalia really needs that chance, I truly do believe that.

The book is fast-paced and the characters are great. I especially liked Ciaran's sister-in-law. There were some predictable moments, but they didn't ruin the book for me. And I admit, that once in a while predictable is good. So if you like historical romance and bad boys in kilts, give this book a chance.

Book Review: Shadow's Stand by Sarah McCarty

Author: Sarah McCarty
Series: Hell's Eight #5
Rating: 4 cups
Blurb: (from Goodreads)

Husband of convenience. Lover by choice.

Shadow Ochoa is lying low in the western Kansas Territory, waiting for his fellow Texas Rangers—the Hell’s Eight brotherhood— to clear his name. That is, until he’s unjustly strung up for horse thieving...and pretty Fei Yen intervenes. Invoking a seldom-used law, the exotic lady prospector claims Shadow as her husband
and rides off with the bridegroom shackled to her buckboard.

Savvy, fearless Fei is single-mindedly devoted to her hidden claim and all it promises: wealth, security and freedom. A husband is just a necessary inconvenience and a name on paper to hold the claim she cannot.

Shadow isn’t a man to take orders from anyone, especially from lovely Fei—except that the daily friction between them ignites into nightly blazes of all-consuming passion. Soon Shadow is dreaming a little himself: of the life they could have if only Fei could see past the lure of independence. If only bounty hunters weren’t closing in on him. If only he’s left standing when the impending showdown has ended....

I saw this book on Netgalley and I couldn't believe my luck. Remember this book was on my "most wanted" books for 2012? Well, this is like an early Christmas present, to be honest! What could be better than spending a day in bed, with a hot tea, and an incredibly hot historical romance?

Shadow Ochoa... This character has fascinated me since the first time it was introduced in the series. He had this aura of danger around him and he struck me as more of a "less talk, more action" man. He had a brutal childhood, one that made him weary of showing his true feelings for someone. Because of his and Tracker's father, he was convinced that the people he cared for were in danger because of his feelings. Tracker managed to find his happiness, but Shadow is more scared of the power of feelings and the vulnerability that comes with acknowledging those feelings. He's a very honorable man, one that once he gave his word, he'll keep his promise no matter what. He protects what's his and he risks everything for a woman he just barely met, Fei.

Half American, half Chinese, Fei didn't have an easy childhood either. Having mixed heritage made it very hard for her family to accept her, even though her heritage was not her fault. Even so, ever since she was a child, she's hoped of being independent, of finding true love and happiness. She's willing to do anything to save her cousin, Lin, the only person who never judged her for the mixed blood running through her veins, the only one who accepted her as she was. Anything, even marry a complete stranger about to be hanged. Underneath her tougher-than-nails exterior, she's just a girl seeking for acceptance and love. You can see that when she's with Shadow and her vulnerability and insecurity become stronger than her self-control.

I think this book was very good. I still think Tucker's Claim is my favorite, but Shadow's book doesn't disappoint. I'm curios though who comes next in the series.

My Rating: