Recent Release Review- Campbell’s Redemption by Sharon Cullen

Title: Campbell’s Redemption (Highland Pride, book #3)

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Sharon Cullen

Publisher: Loveswept, Nov. 22, 2016

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Pages: 256

Rating: 5

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:

With Cait Campbell hiding Scottish fugitives from the British crown, who should arrive wearing his English-style coat but Iain Campbell, the traitorous clan leader and the man responsible for her husband’s death. Iain seeks a healer for his fallen kinsman, and out of a sense of duty Cait is obliged to help. Her uncanny ability to read people is powerless against his dark, impassive gaze, yet Iain is kind in a way that moves her.   In Cait’s company, Iain is overcome by painful memories of his best friend, her husband, who died protecting him. But grief shows weakness—a luxury he cannot permit, because Iain is playing a dangerous game with the British army. One small misstep and he could be branded a traitor or executed as a spy. But even with political tensions mounting to a fever pitch, Iain can’t get Cait out of his mind. What he doesn’t know is that Cait is playing a deep and deadly game of her own, and their love could put everything—even Scotland itself—in peril.

**

This is not only a Historical Romance novel, it is most definitely Historical Romantic Suspense and throw in quite a bit of Thriller. The romance is at the core but hang onto your seat because this is a thrilling, page turning ride from start to finish.  Cait Campbell is a broken woman who lost everyone who was important to her and gets through each day by ministering to those who need her healing arts.  Iain Campbell is a clan chieftan who looks to be friendly with the English while trying to advance Scotland’s agenda, but his people think he is a traitor. In this novel we have a twist from the usual tortured Hero, he has his problems but here we have a heroine who has the tortured past in need of the healing power of love. There is quite a bit of will-she, won’t-she. I think we all can conclude that she-will. But so much happens on the way to the HEA that it makes us wonder if either protagonist will survive.  The action and suspense is heart pounding. The love scenes are passionate.

This is a sensuous, beautiful, violent addition to a terrific series.  It is a standalone book with characters from previous books in the series playing pivotal roles. I encourage you to read the entire series.

Highland Pride series by Sharon Cullen:

1. Sutherland’s Secret
2. MacLean’s Passion
3. Campbell’s Redemption 

    

    

Recent Release Review- MacLean’s Passion by Sharon Cullen

Title: MacLean’s Passion (A Highland Pride Novel, book#2)

Genre: Historical Romance/Highlands

Author: Sharon Cullen

Publisher: Loveswept, June 28, 2016

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Pages: 293

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:         

Colin MacLean has always felt like a black sheep—especially after his brothers are slain before his eyes in the Battle of Culloden. A smuggler by trade, Colin makes for an embarrassing chieftain. He can’t even save his friends from their British pursuers without getting himself captured. But before he is martyred by the hangman’s noose, Colin escapes with his cellmate, a brave lad he’s come to admire. It’s only in the depths of the Highlands that Colin discovers the lad is a lass—and a bonnie one at that.   Raised by her older brothers, Maggie Sinclair can drink a pint in no time flat and wield a dagger with the best of ’em. Still, men have always excluded her and women have always shunned her. Colin makes her feel different. His wild spirit and rugged good looks have Maggie reconsidering her less than ladylike ways. For the first time, she’s tempted to put on a gown, just to see how Colin would react. She can only imagine what might happen next: a kiss . . . a touch . . . and perhaps enough sultry heat to melt a cold Highland night.

**

In this Scottish Highlands novel we have a feisty, Tom-boy of a woman who was raised by her older brother without the input of females to impart lady-like ways.  She is skilled with weapons and fighting and can hold her own with the men but has no female friends.  Colin is the chieftain of his clan because his older brothers died in battle.  He does not feel worthy of the title or the responsibility.  Maggie imparts her strength of character to help Colin take his rightful place.

I liked this story of a strong willed sometimes reckless heroine. That she and Colin could make a match seemed impractical in any other scenario except in the way fate has thrown them together.  Colin was a bit too insecure for my particular hero-taste but he was a good, kind, honorable man. There is plenty of action, battles and sexy times.

This is the second book in Sharon Cullen’s Highland Pride series.  It is a standalone novel with some characters from the first book (Sutherland’s Secret) playing important roles.  If you have not read the first book then I’m sure this one will whet your appetite to find out more about Brice Sutherland.

I can recommend this book to all Historical Romance readers.

P.S.- The cover gives me the willies.  The woman may look a bit like Maggie but the muscle bound male model is not how I pictured Colin.

Recent Release Review- Sutherland’s Secret by Sharon Cullen

Title:  Sutherland’s Secret (A Highland Pride Novel, book#1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Sharon Cullen

Publisher: Loveswept, Jan 19, 2016

Pages: 279

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:

Sutherland’s Secret kicks off a series that’s overflowing with mouthwatering Scottish warriors, captivating history, and forbidden desire.   Terror reigns in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. As British troops obliterate the last traces of the Jacobite cause, Brice Sutherland, the Earl of Dornach, risks everything to arrange a covert escape route to Canada for his fellow Scots. But when he encounters a dying Englishwoman, hauntingly beautiful though scarred by manacles and unable to speak, Brice’s true courage is put to the test. Nothing but ruin could result from helping her, or worse: falling in love.   The pampered daughter of a marquess, Eleanor Hirst was the talk of the London season when she wed the Earl of Glendale. Little did she know that his posting as an officer in Scotland would be their undoing. Now her husband is dead and Eleanor is a fugitive in a hostile country. Desperate for help, she throws herself on the mercy of Brice Sutherland, a handsome Scottish warrior who should be her enemy. Instead, he cares for her tenderly, reviving her shattered spirit—and awakening urges unlike any she’s ever known.

**

Eleanor has survived her abuse by the strength of her character and she falls in love with her rescuer, Brice.  There are many reasons that Eleanor and Brice should not be together.  She is English aristocracy and he is Scottish in troubled times between the countries.  There is also the villainous officer Blackwood who is searching for her and who can bring chaos to Brice’s castle Dornach if Eleanor is discovered there.

Ms. Cullen has given us a beautiful story of an honorable man and the woman he comes to love. It is packed with action and adventure as well as romance and sensuality. Eleanor is a woman to be admired for her strength and courage and Brice for his altruistic endeavors on behalf of his displaced countrymen.  I recommend this book to those who like their romances filled with action and hot Highlanders.

Release Day Review- The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen

Title:  The Reluctant Duchess

Genre: Historical Romance/Mystery/e-book

Author: Sharon Cullen

Publisher: Loveswept, Nov. 10, 2015

Pages: 265

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:         

Lady Sara Emerson was jolted out of her dull provincial life by her cousin’s murder. Now that the killer seems to be targeting her, Sara seeks help from the man who was once her cousin’s fiancé, Gabriel Ferguson, Duke of Rossmoyne. With his towering frame and fiery personality, Ross cuts an intimidating figure. Living under his protection, however, has its own hazards—like the sudden urge Sara feels to take their relationship in new, exquisitely inappropriate directions.   Dazzled by the social graces of his betrothed, Ross never noticed her shy, blushing cousin. Looking at Sara now, though, he’s drawn to her lovely eyes and calm disposition. Funny how a year away from the hustle and bustle of the ton changes a man. But Ross has no intention of allowing a woman to interfere with his plan to return overseas. He will simply capture the murderer and set sail once again. The problem is, with her beguiling lips and heavenly touch, Sara makes him never want to leave home—or his bed—again.

**

Sara has received several letters from an anonymous sender.  They are not threatening but they are not bland either, they ask her to remember her murdered cousin.  They are strange enough that Sara is frightened and seeks help from Ross, the Duke of Rossmoyne, who was her cousins betrothed before the murder.  Ross insists that she stay with him in his mansion along with Ross’ mother as chaperone.  Even chaperoned the two find time to be alone and their attraction blooms.

This is a well written romance.  There is an attraction between Sara and Ross that causes fireworks whenever they are alone.   The side characters are well drawn and their actions move the story along. This is my first book by Ms. Cullen.  I enjoyed the mystery and the romance.