B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads17th-century / 18th-century / dual-timeline / First-Person / Historical / historical-Scotland / investigation / Jacobites / Scotland / second chance at love / Slains11 Comments
In the autumn of 1707, old enemies from the Highlands to the Borders are finding common ground as they join to protest the new Union with England. At the same time, the French are preparing to launch an invasion to bring the young exiled Jacobite king back to Scotland to ... more >
A Review Category / A Reviews / Recommended ReadsEdelweiss / Historical / Jacobites / Scotland / Slains5 Comments
Dear Susanna Kearsley, A new book from you is always a treat for me. My favourite (of many favourites from you) is The Winter Sea, which is “Slains 1”. When I re-read The Winter Sea I’m always forced (happily) because reasons to then read at least some of The Firebird ... more >
Book Reviews / C+ Reviews18th-century / Contemporary / dual-timeline / Eighteenth century / Historical / Jacobite / Jacobite rebellion / Paranormal lite / Scotland / scottish historical / Writer15 Comments
1707. The walls of Slains castle shelter Jacobite rebels, who are conspiring to sail the young, exiled James Stewart from France into Scotland to reclaim his crown—and a young woman caught up in their plot. Present day. Writer Carrie McClelland is enchanted by an impromptu trip to Cruden Bay, Scotland, ... more >
B- Reviews / Book ReviewsCaribbean / Chef / Christmas / Contemporary / f/f romance / holiday novella / immigrants / LGBTQIA / novella / opposites attract / POC / POC author / ScotlandNo Comments
Kiskeya Burgos left the tropical beaches of the Dominican Republic with a lot to prove. As a pastry chef on the come up, when she arrives in Scotland, she has one goal in mind: win the Holiday Baking Challenge. Winning is her opportunity to prove to her family, her former ... more >
B- Reviews / Book Reviewsbiracial heroine / Code Name Verity / Historical / Jamaica / pilot / POC / racism / Scotland / Traveler / Gypsy / War / Military / World War II / young adult fiction9 Comments
1940. Facing a seemingly endless war, fifteen-year-old Louisa Adair wants to fight back, make a difference, do something-anything to escape the Blitz and the ghosts of her parents, who were killed by enemy action. But when she accepts a position caring for an elderly German woman in the small village ... more >
B Reviews / Book ReviewsChef / Contemporary / dysfunctional family / family relationships / literary adaptation / omniscient voice / restaurants / Scotland / second chance at love4 Comments
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion. She returned to save her family’s dying legacy–but found the ghosts of her past alive and well. Susan Napier’s family once lived on the success of the high-end restaurants founded by her late grandfather. But bad luck and worse management has brought the business to ... more >