Forbidden Night with a Highlander by Michelle Willingham. Warriors of rhe Night series, book #2. FIVE KILTS! Celtic Barb says Michelle Willingham pens another phenomenal winner!

                                                    

“Forbidden Night with the Highlander”1} 

by Michelle Willingham

Series: Warriors of the Night, Book #2

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of) 

Tartan Book Reviews 

Purple Tulip Book Reviews 

Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog 

Heat Rating:🔥

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Scotland 1171

The heroine of this story is Lianna MacKinnon. She thinks if she gives her innocence to a total stranger it will resolve her problem to marry a hated Norman Lord!  Yet her father, Alastair advises Rhys to pretend he is another Scottish highlander and get to know his true daughter. As he knows his daughter won’t even give him a chance if she knows he is the Norman she is being forced to marry. Rhys does not feel right about this dishonesty but understands her prejudice against Norman’s. Plus her selfish gambling brother does not feel right about Rhys getting all the titles and lands he desires. 

Rhys de Laurent and Lianna had been betrothed and a match since before Lianna was even born. Lianna knows most of her kin and clan think her ways as unusual, odd and different. As she keeps everything clean and tidy and  in order.Some nowadays might call it obsessive compulsive disorder, known as OCD. She always has made sure she has known  every clan member by name and what they need and cares for everyone. Her clan is starving and if this marriage does not happen it could be their destruction and exile! As the castle and lands belong to Rhys de Laurent.

The Normans have every right to throw the entire clan off the land. As Rhys father made an alliance that depended on this marriage. His father could of exiled The MacKinnon Clan long ago. However, since his mother and Rhys’s grandmother loved her second husband, Fergus MacKinnon and her life in Scotland, he did not. Rhys Grandfather owned the lands. Plus Alastair knew his son would of been a horrible leader due to his dangerous habits and selfish needs. Yet is Lianna we’re born a male she would of made a wonderful leader. Like her father, Lianna always puts the clan first, even when she is being mistreated by her own clan members!

Now Lianna is duped by the stranger who is actually Rhys de Laurent her dreaded betrothed. Now she is caught in the very web she weaves and there is no turning back! Lianna has no choice but to marry this villain Norman bastard! What will she do? Abandon her clan to a 

life of starvation and being homeless? How can she even let a filthy Norman touch her...again? Will she ever see Rhys and his people for whom he truly is? A fair and good leader who cares for his people. A good fighter with an intelligent mind, a passionate lover, a man that can’t go of his pride with a few skeletons in his past.

 I highly recommend you read this gripping emotional story about betrayal, lies, prejudice, pride,  forgiveness, faith, trust, joy, passion, love and so much more! You can read as a stand alone but I highly recommend you read in series order. For example book #1 Forbidden Night with the Warrior is a actually about Rhys’s younger brother Warrick De Laurent and Rosamund de Beaufort.

OMG have those tissue ready! Another Michelle Willingham emotional winner that I could not put down or stop sobbing through! If I get that attached in a story well it means it’s an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. I have been a fan of Michelle Willingham books since her debut, she still blows me away with each and every book she writes and releases!

A delightful action packed emotional novel with all the elements romance readers love! Plus with phenomenal settings, many faceted characters and emotional plotting! I never know what to anticipate next...which is totally brilliant!

I can’t wait for the third novel in this amazing Forbidden Night series. Book three is titled “Forbidden Night with the Prince”. I have absolutely and unequivocally loved this emotional heartstring pulling series! It is definitely one you don’t want to miss!

I received an advance readers copy from the author. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest and fair ‘review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Warriors of the Night Series

By Michelle Willingham

1)Forbidden Night with the Warrior - Warrick & Rosamund

2)Forbidden Night with the Highlander - Rhys & Lianna

3)Forbidden Night with the Prince - TBR 8/1/2018

https://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Night-Highlander-Warriors-ebook/dp/B073TZ3XDX/ ref=nodl_

When a Warrior Woos a Lass By Julie Johnstone, Highlander Vows: Book 6. Five Kilts. Celtic Barb says this one was a masterpiece!!!

“When a Warrior Woos a Lass” 

  by Julie Johnstone

Series: Highland Vows:Entangled  Hearts, Book #6

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of) 

Tartan Book Reviews 

Purple Tulip Book Reviews 

Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog 

Heat Rating:🔥

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1360

Isle Of Skye, Scotland 

The heroine of this story is Lena MacLeod has been kidnapped as a child, abused as an adult horribly by her late husband both mentally and physically. Her brother Graham killed the man Findlay Campbell who kidnapped, humiliated, thrashed tortured and scarred her but now she can’t even let any man touch her! Even in the most non threatening ,innocent, platonic, casual way! Her brother’s know it’s just a matter of time before the King will want another favor! That is  for another clan alliance to bind another clan to the King. They have to please their King for he could take away titles, lands holding with a snap of his fingers. Even if they do support him and consider him a friend.  Yet the King will want to use Lena and force her in to marry in another powerful clan. They hope it won’t be anytime soon as they would encourage that she not be forced but make her own choice of husband. They know how damaged she is, but also know the reality of the situation with granting the King favors. As there was no real choice in the matter! 

Laird Alex MacLean is the hero of this novel. A childhood friend who has been Laird since he was fifteen summers. His best friends are Lena’s brother’s. He always defended and protected Lena as a child if older children bullied her. Now he sees her in a completely different light as the most beautiful woman he has ever known. Of course he has his own demons as one who has been abused he sees the signs. Alec was abused horrible by the Laird who was supposed to protect and train him when he was twelve. It is why he can’t marry or have a normal relationship with a woman. So he understands Lena and would kill her former husband himself if he wasn’t already dead! 

One night at a family wedding feast Alex’s sister who is married to Lena’s brother Lachlan talks him into asking Lena to dance. As she always hides in dark corners at public feasts and celebrations to avoid speaking with men or socializing. Of course Lena knows this is a man she has always considered a dear friend. Yet they both have been attracted to each other for a long time. They dance and Alex wishes he could heal her. He knows because of  his deep dark past it’s impossible. He can’t even make love to a woman without pain involved and his previous partners know this. He would never abuse a woman to his darkness. Alex is upfront to all his partners ahead of time about his expectations in the bedroom. Yet for one dance he wants to pretend he is a normal man though he does want to chase Lena’s demons away and make her strong again.

Then the king appears and he wants Lena to marry another he does chose three good men.  Alex can’t help but feel jealous and the observant king notices. As the King is actually protecting her as someone dangerous wants to wed her. Then it is Alex he want for Lena’s husband he can see the feeling between these two. Alex doesn’t want this as he can’t be a real husband due to his violent nightmares. He has nearly killed his man the only one to know his secrets. Alex worms away in Lena’s heart loving and protecting and trying to heal her. Yet he won’t share his secrets which starts a great divide between the couple. Plus the King want Laird Alex to play traitor where all the people he cares for and calls friend will hate him including Lena. Plus it’s back where his nightmare and abuse started so the memories and guilt are horrific. Plus Lena wants to join him on this adventure and there are some who plan on taking their revenge out on him. So danger is lurking at every corner what will be the result? Death, violence or worse? Can these broken fences and shattered hearts be mended? You will have to find out!

Have the Kleenex ready! As Julie Johnstone pens a very emotional heartbreaking story I could not put down! I sobbed through this one a lot! My favorite of the entire series though I have loved each one. Another exhilarating story any reader would want to revisit and read again. Yes it is that magnificent and awe-inspiring!  

Readers must read this masterpiece of a story it’s totally brilliant! Julie Johnstone absolutely outdid herself with this swoon worthy abused Laird and his childhood love. 

You can read as a stand alone book, but I highly recommend to read the entire series! To see the relationships of the other MacLeod siblings and other fantastic characters. As some might call this a second chance at romance. You will find out more of the history between Lena and Alex,in book 5,“How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady. It has all the elements Scottish historical romance readers love, plus riveting page turning adventure, suspense, mystery, swoon worthy hero with non stop action! It teaches you to believe in healing, faith, trust and of course love. 

I absolutely and unequivocally loved this book so much!

I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review, and blog. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.

Amazon Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/When-Warrior-Woos-Lass-Highlander-ebook/dp/B076HY6BCF

Book: Highland Redemption 

By Lori Ann Bailey

Series: Highland Pride, Book #2

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of) 

Tartan Book Reviews 

Purple Tulip Book Reviews 

Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog 

Heat Rating:🔥

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the second book in Lori Ann Bailey’s riveting “Highland Pride” series. “Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog”

As the strain is even more hostile between the royalists, known as cavaliers and the covenanters. This is the beginning of the first English/Scottish Civil War as there were three in total. Also known as the “War of Three Kingdoms” which involved Scotland, England and Ireland. 

Scotland, 1643

In this exhilarating story spymaster Brodie Cameron who rescues a lass while spying for Clan Cameron. Brodie didn’t realize it’s the very lass who broke his heart five years prior with no word. The very reason he entered that the dangerous world of spying. It was to prove he was worthy of Skye’s love. Brodie made this decision after overhearing a conversation by Skye’s Uncle, claiming Brodie was not good enough for Skye.  The problem now was he had secrets from Skye. This made Skye suspicious wondering where he was, what he was doing and why he was doing it? 

Now since his shattered heart the world thinks he’s a drunkard and womanizer. This is his disguise and cover from his actual spying activities as “The Raven”. 

Five years ago Skye Cameron’s heart was broken long ago by the abandonment and desertion by Brodie Cameron. A man who nearly destroyed her after her father's death. She waited for Brodie to come back to  love, support and console her. He never came, no letters, messages or any word at all. Now her Uncle had rescued her and taken her into his clan and home. A place that makes Skye feel so lonely and isolated away from her family and friends. Of course she has heard of Brodie’s womanizing and feels she was just another notch in his kilt.  

What Skye doesn’t realize is she is the woman Brodie has always loved and cared for. Now what Sky doesn’t realize is her very life is in danger! However, she is now betrothed to another which is only a political alliance. Yet the Duke of Argyll, who supports the Presbyterian Covenants as the sole religion of Scotland. He puts a bounty on Skyes head dead or alive. He does not want this match to occur no matter what! They may cause her death or a heinous accident. In addition her missing could cause a  bloody clan war! This makes no sense to Brodie and can not figure out why Argyll would put such a high price on Skye’s head! 

Brodie knows things are different now, as he would never want to put Skies life in danger. As wife, to one of the top spies in Scotland, her very life would be easily forfeit for information. Yet he still wants to know why she never responded to any of his messages. He turned to drink and women trying to mend his shattered heart. As they were childhood friends as he also had worshipped her father too.

Now they are on the run together and in close captivity will old feelings come back? Will the love in their hearts be allowed to be set free? Or will they still face lies and denial? You must read this masterpiece of story that will stay with you long after you have read it. A definite on your keeper shelf!

Fans of the “Highland Pride” series like myself of Lori Ann Bailey’s first book, “Highland Deception”, will be thrilled Lachlan and Maggie appear in this book too. This book has all the elements romance readers love from riveting adventure, mystery, suspense, romance, heartbreak, abduction, betrayal, rescue, miscommunication, attempted murder, treachery, spying,

arranged betrothal , political alliances, secrets, forgiveness, faith, passion, joy and love. 

I absolutely loved Highland Redemption as much as I loved from Highland Deception. Again Ms. Bailey pens another heart pulling masterpiece that had me weeping, but always cheering this couple on! The type of story that will always stay with me long after I have read it. The setting was magnificent and the dialogue just blew me away. There were plots within plots in this story which had me mesmerized. Finding my heart racing, yet holding my breath with anticipation not knowing what would happen next!

A phenomenal story from start to finish. A definite read you don’t want to miss! You can read as stand alone book or in series order. I recommend series order as I think it’s just more fun that way. To connect the dots of previous  characters or seeing the hero of this book as a secondary character in a previous book. No matter what you chose it is a spectacular read. My favorite reading recipe is true history weaved with a fictional historical romance. Highland Redemption was absolutely brilliant as I can’t recommend it enough!

Amazon Buy Link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Redemption-Pride-Lori-Bailey-ebook/dp/B0776ZLPG8/ref=nodl_

I received this book From Entangled publishers for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review, blog and promote through netgalley. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.