A Highlander’s Hope by Terri Brisbin

Iain McKillop is a widower who, by my calculations, is in his mid-40’s. He’s ready to marry again and his nephew thinks he can use him for some sort of clan alliance. Iain knows that there’s really only one woman for him, and that’s Robena of the MacKendimen clan.

Robena is the village harlot. While she doesn’t love what she does she has protection from people in the clan and they care about her. The only person who ostracizes her is the Laird of the Clan – who’s not a nice man anyway. Robena is excited when she hears that Iain is coming to visit for Christmas because she loves spending time with him. He puts a genuine smile on her face and of course she loves that he pays for her exclusive services while he’s there.

Robena can tell right away that there’s something different with Iain but is shocked when he asks for her hand in marriage. He wants a wife and a mother to his children. She doesn’t think she’s good enough for him and besides, she can’t have children – how can she be the person that Iain needs in his life?

I have to say that I wasn’t a huge fan of this story when it started but Iain and Robena soon won me over. Iain was such a giving man and he truly loved Robena – despite her profession. He dealt with her past men in his own way but certainly wasn’t willing for her to be with anyone else ever again. It was a sweet story in the end and I liked how Brisbin worked out the details of their future life together.



A Highland Christmas Wager by Lecia Cornwall

Meggie MacLeod is traveling home with her grandmother. She is excited to be going home for Christmas after being gone for three months taking care of her grandmother after she’d broken her leg. Unfortunately the weather is against them and they can’t make their halfway point before the blizzard begins. Their travelling group takes refuge at the closest keep and that happens to be the home of the man who’d taken Meggie’s virginity eight years earlier. She’s definitely not happy about being there.

Magnus McVane is the Laird that had seduced and left Meggie all those years ago. She’d thought herself in love with him after only 3 days but after he finally had sex with her, he left to go get married. She was devastated. Magnus isn’t home alone, however. He has his dead wife’s brother, Charlie McKay – yet another Laird – there with him. Magnus is hoping to get Charlie to marry his sister, Catriona, who they all think is a shrew. Also visiting is Laird Hugh MacAuley who is there under unknown circumstances. When Magnus sees Meggie he’s positive he can seduce her again and then he could probably marry her as she’s an heiress. Charlie’s got his eye on her as well though, and they end up making a wager, dragging Hugh into their game. Whoever gets Meggie to willingly kiss them first – a long kiss, not just a peck – gets a few prized possessions from each man, but also the right to talk to her father about her hand in marriage.

Hugh is at the keep as he’s been instructed by the elders of his clan to ask for Catriona’s hand in marriage – something he really doesn’t want to do. The elders don’t think the man has a brain and though he is laird he truly has no power. When he sees Meggie he is attracted to her immediately and rethinks his possible proposal to Catriona. He’s a shy man, however, and bumbles along with Meggie despite her attention to him.

This was a lovely, romantic story. I loved Hugh and his quiet, calm personality. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the obnoxious Magnus and the over-excitable Charlie. Hugh and Meggie were perfect for each other and the ending of the story put a smile on my face.



A Scot for Christmas by Bronwen Evans

Dougray is thinking about getting married to beget an heir but he plans on a marriage of convenience so that he won’t get attached to a wife. His first wife died and he doesn’t want to have to live through that once again. His plan is to marry a neighbor’s daughter, Fiona Mackenzie, so that he can help her father financially. He made a promise to his dying father that he would help the Mackenzie, but the man would not accept his funds – even as a loan. Marrying Fiona is the only way he can get the funds to him.

Dougray and his cousin, Angus, are having a hunting party around Christmas time. A party that includes his friends and their paramours, with a couple other women of questionable virtue coming along as well. When Dougray’s best friend’s younger sister arrives he’s horrified and tries to get her to leave at once. She refuses, of course, and instead asks him something. She is in her late 20’s and has come to terms with her spinsterhood. She asks Dougray to sleep with her. She’s been in love with him for years and plans on having the memory of their lovemaking to last the rest of her life. Dougray refuses at first but then finally agrees as he can’t resister her. He doesn’t realize until later that Emma is in love with him. Despite his growing feelings for Emma he’s determined to marry Fiona Mackenzie. He refuses to have a wife he cares about.

This was a good story, not one of my least favorites. I guess it was just too predictable in my opinion. I knew that Dougray would sleep with Emma, of course, and he would fall in love with her and live happily ever after. It was written in an entertaining way, and I liked the characters, but I just wasn’t a huge fan of A Scot for Christmas.



Leftover Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent

Emma Spencer is having a bad day – really, a bad life. Her dear father had passed on and her cousin had taken the Earl’s title. Unfortunately her cousin wasn’t a kind man and she was being sent to Scotland to live with her uncle who she didn’t even know. Emma had marriage prospects as she was quite pretty. She believes her cousin is sending her away so she won’t ever marry. Her financial portion would then stay in his hands forever.

She was travelling when her maid disappeared with her bag. Her trunks were coming later and with the maid gone she was left with the clothes on her back, her reticule, and very little money. She buys passage on a coach and the only other passenger is a snoring man who takes up way too much room. At one point during their travels they stop. Emma doesn’t know why and soon all is quiet. When the man finally wakes up and goes to investigate he finds that there’s no coachman and the team of horses have been driven off as well. He’s familiar with the land so he takes Emma to a cabin where they try to brave the storm that has begun.

Emma finds out he’s James Barran and he’s on his way to Edinburgh so that he can stop his sister from marrying his best friend. He loves his best friend, but doesn’t want his sister marrying him. He’s bound and determined to stop the wedding but his friend Robbie kept throwing up roadblocks to stop him. One being the fact that Robbie paid the coachman to take the horses and now he and Emma are stranded. They head to the cabin and while they’re there their attraction to each other grows and they start to fall in love.

Kent always writes such charming romances. This was no different. Yes, the couple fell in love quickly but it fit with their lives and circumstances of their confinement. I thought James and Emma were perfect for each other and complimented each other well. The humor in the story is another thing I liked about this story. The banter between Emma and James was engaging and I found myself smiling a lot while reading.



Sweet Home Highlands by May McGoldrick

Captain Gregory Pennington is on his way home to his family for Christmas but is tasked by his brother with escorting four adults and a child to a neighboring estate near his home. He’s in a pub and is anxious to be on his way when a small child starts up a conversation. She’s a funny little imp and mature beyond her 5 or 6 years. It turns out that this is the child that he is to escort along with her aunt, Freya, and couple of servants. The fourth person was to be Freya’s almost-fiancé but he doesn’t ever show up.

Freya is a young woman who has raised her niece almost from birth. She was only 17 when her sister died a week after giving birth and she loves little Ella like her own. Ella’s father was killed in the war and his family never wanted anything to do with Ella until recently. Now Ella’s grandmother is demanding their appearance at her home so that she can make sure that Ella is financially well taken care of. She also intimated that Freya wasn’t a proper guardian because she wasn’t married. Because of this Freya had an understanding with the cousin that would inherit Freya’s father’s title and lands when he eventually passed. Freya wasn’t looking forward to the marriage but was resigned to her fate in order to keep Ella with her.

Gregory is smitten with Freya the minute he sees her. The minutes they spend together on the journey just make him like her more and more. Freya starts to fall for Gregory as well but she knows that she must marry her cousin in order to appease Ella’s grandmother.

As I read more of McGoldrick’s books the more I become a fan. This story was simply romantic on all levels. It was the kind of story that will make you sigh with wonder at how sweet it is – but not sugary at all. Just downright a lovely story. This is kind of a prequel to a new series that McGoldrick is putting out and I personally can’t wait for it to release.

Gregory and Freya were wonderful in the story and little Ella – that child with a personality beyond her years – was enchanting. I liked everything about this story and highly recommend it.



In the end I thought this was a very good historical anthology. A lovely compliment of authors that brought a little Christmas cheer and romance to my life.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Christmas in Kilts is a collection of five separate novellas that all take place around Christmastime and feature some sexy highlanders and the women that win their hearts. I don't often read holiday focused books but I really enjoyed this one. It was a great way to get my Scottish Highlander fix!

The collection includes the following five stories.:
A Highlander's Hope by Terri Brisbin - A highlander who didn't expect to find love again finds himself in love with a lady of questionable repute. After spending more time together than their usual 1 night, he sees she's much more than what she's been labelled and wants her to realize this. This one was just okay for me.

A Highland Christmas Wager by Lecia Cornwall - A snowstorm forces a young woman to take shelter with three highlanders where a bet is made for which will win her kisses and her heart. This was a good one with lots of laughs.

A Scot for Christmas by Bronwen Evans - A single young woman is ready to hang up her hopes for finding the love of her life and embrace a life of spinsterhood but first she wishes to at least enjoy one night of passion to hold onto in her lonely nights to come. I enjoyed this story filled with lots of heat and romance.

Leftover Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent - A highlander and a lady find themselves stranded and fending for themselves in a remote cabin where things heat up with a promise of love in the air. A fun adventure that was okay for me.

Sweet Home Highlands by May McGoldrick - A young woman is determined to find a husband so she can keep her young orphaned niece that she loves dearly when the pair happen upon a ship's captain that both are soon smitten with. Definitely my favourite! The niece steals your heart! We meet Gregory's brother and his wife at the end and find out he met his wife when she arrived by ship in a box which lead me to "Romancing the Scot" next.

I enjoyed reading this collection of stories. I thought all of the authors did a great job of holding my attention from start to finish. Thank you

Originally posted on Forever Young Adult on 2017 December 22

BOOK REPORT for Christmas in Kilts by Various Authors

Deck The Halls: Brown Bag This Tarty Tartan
Most Festive: “A Highland Christmas Wager”
Sort-of Festive: “Sweet Home Highlands”
Least Festive: “A Highlander’s Hope”
Melt My Marshmallows: Microwaved
On A Scale from The Grinch to Buddy The Elf: Your Non-Christian Friends

Deck The Halls: Brown Bag This Tarty Tartan

You are going to get the side-eyes or creepy smiles if you’re reading this paperback on the train. This cover is why e-readers were invented.

What’s Going On In Santa’s Workshop:

If this anthology taught me anything it’s that I need to thank a man in a jolly red suit that I am a woman born in the modern era, because Rudolph’s red nose did these Scots-loving ladies have it rough. So gather up your plaid Christmas décor (it’s all the rage this 2017 season, I swear) and settle in by the faux fire (if you’re in Florida, like me, where Christmas day will be 80 degrees) with a dram of whiskey to pretend you’re in snowy Scotland, where you’ll…

Join Robena and Iain (who, by virtue of his name, I immediately mind-cast as Iain Glen (Ser Jorah!), you’re welcome), a village whore and a warrior who is being nudged by his pushy clan leader nephew to marry, as they reenact Pretty Woman, Scotland-style.

Be slightly frightened for Meggie as she and her grandma get snowed in at Lord Magnus’ castle, where he goads two of his less-creepy friends into a bet about which of them can get her to bed him first (despite the setup, I probably liked this one the most).

Watch Dougray decide to stop mourning his dead wife and begin to lust after his friend’s sister, Emma, who invited herself along to a boys’ weekend because she’s always held a torch for dear Dougie.

Get stranded at a cozy cabin with Barran and Emma, two strangers on a coach ride who end up spending Christmas together and get forced into marriage by some silly ancient custom.

Witness another convoluted plot engineered by rich, uncaring relatives that brings together Freya—a woman in desperate need for a husband so she can keep her niece, whom she’s raised since infancy—and Penn—a single, decommissioned soldier who conveniently knows the family pushing Freya into a loveless marriage—on a journey through the Scottish countryside along with the wisest five-year-old you’ll ever meet.

Most Festive: “A Highland Christmas Wager” by Lecia Cornwall

To be honest, these stories, despite being set in December, were not very strong on the Christmas vibes. If some of them didn’t have the date listed at the top of the chapter, I would’ve barely known that these weren’t just winter-adjacent tales used as an excuse to force the charactesr to snuggle to avoid being chilled.

Meggie, at least, fondly recalled the Christmas traditions her family shared and brought them up whenever she could. This one also included an amusing scene where Meggie and her beloved try to get to each other across a crowded room but people keep getting in their path, a la the lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (literally ten lads run between them with bells on their shoes, eleven pipers drone on behind them in parade formation, etc.).

Sort-of Festive: “Sweet Home Highlands” by May McGoldrick

Fun fact: May McGoldrick is actually the pen name for a husband and wife writing duo. I don’t know why that tickled me so much, but it did; good for you two! I think the inclusion of Ella, Freya’s conniving niece, made this story slightly more festive than the others by virtue of giving the characters opportunities to do things like ice skate and tell cozy bedtime stories.

Least Festive: “A Highlander’s Hope” by Terri Brisbin

Iain was able to take the month off and go visit Dunnedin because it was December and Yuletide, but there wasn’t much mention of holiday cheer, and since it was set in 1357, any traditions included weren’t exactly the kind we trot out today.

Melt My Marshmallows: Microwaved

Have you ever microwaved a marshmallow? It goes from regular to jumbo in about six seconds. Yeah, you now have an ooey, gooey marshmallow to stick on your indoor s’more, but it’s just never quite the same as one slowly roasted over the fire on a stick. That’s how I feel about many of the plaid-covered sexy bits of this anthology. You’ve only got so many pages to get to the good stuff, so it comes on quite quickly (sometimes after just a day of knowing one another), and while, sure, it’s got all the right anatomy words and plenty of instances where someone descends from a heavenly cloud of ecstasy, I usually prefer more of a slow-burn build-up to feel truly satisfied.

If you’d like to make this book a drinking game, please take a shot every time you read the phrase, “Something about [insert female love interest] stirred/touched/called to something buried deep inside [insert male love interest] he long thought dead/lost/dormant.” Also take a sip whenever you read about Barran’s cock-a-doodle-doo—but only a sip, because it gets a lot of its own page time.

Mistletropes:



Getting snowed in (multiple times), missing home during the holidays, trying to get home before the holidays, wassail, ice skating, Christmas Eve balls, announcing big news during the holiday, lots of mistletoe, caroling in literal fashion, taking gifts to the poor, cutting the Yule log, and an old tradition about whomever steps through your doorway at the first of the year that is biased against fair- and red-haired men.

On A Scale from The Grinch to Buddy The Elf: Your Non-Christian Friends

This is a book for all those people who know December is drenched with Christmas and don’t really care for it, but their only wintery book options are peppered by covers of tinsel and Santa faces. Sure, the Christmas parts are implied, but the main focus is on keeping warm on a cold night.

This is a wonderful collection of Christmas novellas, all set in Scotland in the past. There should be something for everyone here. A few of the stories were a bit thought-provoking and may push some buttons, dealing with life for women and how they were treated in the past by the male of the species. This gives the stories some realism. One story dealt with a town harlot. Another was about a woman used by a laird before the night of his wedding. At least he wasn't the hero. All in all, this is about women receiving the love they deserved found at the magic of the Christmas season. I also loved that this collection had many new to me authors to discover.

I was offered this ARC from the publisher thru NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Absolutely loved these stories. They are well written. Hot, steamy, full of action, love and mystery. Great hero strapped with claymores and kilts. A MUST READ.

Christmas in Kilts is an anthology that could be enjoyed any time of the year. Many of my favorite authority contributed to this collection, which made it all the more pleasurable to read. Terri Brisbin's is set in the year 1357, Lecia Cornwall in 1711, while the offerings by Bronwen Evans, Lavinia Kent, and May McGoldrick are set in the Regency era. However, regardless of the period each story is more delightful than the previous one. All share the same setting - Scotland and involves two people being thrown together in circumstances beyond their control. I particularly enjoyed Lecia Cornwall and May McGoldrick's novellas, since both are extensions of series. I love Ms. Cornwall's series about the ten MacLeod sisters. I can't seem to get enough of these marvelous ladies, each of their stories is very unique. May McGoldrick offers a continuation of the Pennington saga. However, their submissions take nothing away from the other offers, all are great reads on their own. As stated before, it does not have to be Christmas to enjoy this collection.

Christmas in kilts is totally ☆☆☆☆☆ rating! !! I definitely recommend this book. I purchased a copy for my friend as a gift. All the authors from this book did a smashing job writing this novel.

The title & cover caught my eye on this one & I skipped reading the blurb. Big mistake on my part as historical romance just doesn't do it for me. Unfortunately couldn't get past the first few pages

What a great way to stay warm in the chilly months of Scotland. Great anthology of stories that will absolutely warm your heart. It is like stepping back in time and realizing searching for the one who completes you is timeless.

Christmas in Kilts by Terri Brisbain, Lecia Cornwall, Brownwen Evans, Lavinia Kent, May McGoldrick is a book containing a bunch of wonderful romantic tales! written by great authors. I know you will fall in love for all these romantic story.

The book presents A Highlander's Hope by Terri Brisbin, then A Highland Christmas Wager by Lecia Cornwall, continuing with
A Scot For Christmas by Bronwen Evans, and ending with two other fabulous tales: Leftover Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent and Sweet Home Highland Christmas by May McGoldrick.
All these tales are historicals, so if you also love to mix romance and history, in particular in a fairy land like Scotland is, this book is for you!

I thank NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this ebook!

A Mackdimmen Clan Novella
Terri Brisbin

The first story in this collection features Iain and Robena.

He is a widow who is being pressured to get married. He won't accept the prospect of an arranged marriage, but if the right one came along, that will be a different story.

She is the village whore. The dire circumstances which led her to this way of life have robbed her of all hope of ever finding love.

Iain usually visits her village during the time leading up to Christmas and new year. He has been thinking about her for quite a while, and the more time he spends with her, the more he is convinced that she is the one. She is touched by the way he treats her, but a “proper” relationship would be scandalous. Can they find a way to put their status and the stigma aside and have a life together?

This short novella is sad in places, but it's an engaging read with lovable characters.

A Highland Christmas Wager
Lecia Cornwall

Meggie is travelling to her family home with her grandmother for the Christmas celebrations, when they are caught in heavy snow. Their best option is to stop at Magnus’ keep which is nearer and safer. She isn't keen on the prospect of meeting him, in view of what happened some years ago.

Magnus is entertaining two of his friends, Charlie and Hugh when Meggie’s party arrives. He thinks that he is in luck, but his friends are just as taken with Meggie. Besides, previous arrangements had been discussed and they resort to gambling to resolve the situation. Who is going to win her heart?

Magnus is a self centered chauvinist. The first impression of Charlie is not flattering. Hugh is quiet and observant. The grandmother is quite the character! Some of the banters are infuriating and some bring laughter. This novella is fun and festive. It's a light and entertaining read.

A Scot for Christmas
Bronwen Evans

Dougray is mourning his loss and guarding his heart. He made a vow to his father, and has just now decided how to honour this vow.

His visitors are starting to arrive for the festive season, and a surprise visitor, Emma, accompanies his best friend. He is knocked back by his reaction, but no way he is going there. Nope!

Emma has her own agenda and plucks up the courage to state the purpose of her impromptu visit. One little favour! Nothing much. Dougray is reluctant about her request and he has already made the other decision.

This short story includes two other bachelors with similar predicaments to Dougray’s. Thornton and Angus. The answer to their prayers is brilliant and they all get what they want.

It's a beautifully portrayed story with the perfect Christmas presents.

Leftover Mistletoe
Lavinia Kent

James is trying to get to Glasgow from London on a mission to stop a wedding. The obstacle put in his way forces him to travel the slow route.

Emma had lost everything and is on her way to stay with an uncle in Glasgow. She too, has been hindered by unforeseen circumstances.

Their journey is interrupted and James finds himself alone with Emma in the middle of nowhere. Snow is on the horizon. He has no choice, but to take her under his wings and she has no choice, but to go along with him. It's not an acceptable situation, and there is only one thing that can put it right. Will they comply out of obligation or can love blossom?

The whole thing is so wrong, yet it feels so right. I like the sense of humour coupled with the innocence. A fun read.

Sweet Home Highlands
May McGoldrick

This is another story involving travel during the festive season.

Gregory aka Penn is an engineer for the crown. He is still looking for a reason to settle down.

He is assigned to accompany Freya and her niece, Ella, on their journey to meet her grandmother. Freya has been forced in a difficult situation and although, she is unhappy with the arrangement, she’ll go through with it for Ella’s sake.

Penn knows that she is heading for a disaster. As he gets to know her, he is impressed by her selflessness. She is prepared to sacrifice her happiness. She is attracted to him, but she can’t go against her commitments. Can Penn save the day and give her and Ella, the life they deserve?

It's a great storyline with great characters. Watch out for Ella! An entertaining read.

This selection is easy to read and brings about the festive feelings. Each story is a fairy tale with love, laughter and humour.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal.

<http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=64353>

A very well written compilation of highland romances within the magical season of Christmas! Each story is just as compelling as the next. I very much enjoyed them all.

Anthologies are always hit or miss - but this one was solid. My personal favorite was Bronwen Evans' contribution, but I enjoyed all of them. A good addition to any Highlander fan's Christmas Kindle collection.

Five hot and steamy stories, five highly intoxicatingly sexy reads, all the romantic feels in one festive anthology. Yes, that's how I would describe this exciting set of romances from five equally talented authors.

I enjoyed each story in the book, and was surprised to learn more about highlanders and Scots and their traditions in the past centuries. I admit I don't read much highlander stories nor watched a series, but this anthology helped me a lot in learning about thy ways and whatnots.

In a Highlander's Hope, I liked Iain McKillop and his determination to win the woman he loved even though she wasn't the entitled lady that his family seeketh of. Robena was quite headstrong about her "personal services" and had even rejected Iain's claim on her, but in the end, I loved how fate worked in their favor. 

The second story, A Highlander Christmas Wager was fun to read. Getting stranded in the snowstorm with the one she hated the most, Maggie MacLeod resisted Magnus MacVane's charms and irresistible looks. A kissing wager might just be what Magnus needed to get the breathtakingly beautiful woman he had always wanted. Maggie and MacVane's story resonated with me and had me grinning all through the journey.

A Scot for Christmas was also a favorite of mine with mournful Dougray digging his way to Lady Emma's heart even if he didn't want to. Theirs was a charming and endearing love story that transcended time.

I also loved the love and hate relationship between James and Emma in Leftover Mistletoe and I think the best story was Sweet Home Highland Christmas as Gregory was the most swoon-worthy Highlander I've ever met.

If you're in for a highly erotic stories with full of romance and hope and silliness, then this book is for you! Don't expect lovey-dovey sweet escapades, though. Because Christmas in Kilts is too hot to handle, to fiery to subside and too scorching to extinguish. You have been warned.

I like Christmas anthologies because the novellas tend to focus solely on the holiday rather than it just being a backdrop or only figuring into a few scenes in a full-length novel. Plus it gives me a chance to try out authors that are new to me, as all of these are. And five Christmas historical romances set in Scotland? Yes, please! Here we have five different stories in locations ranging from the Highlands to the Lowlands, and from the 14th century to the 19th. I'm giving you a brief rundown of my thoughts on each story along with my thoughts on the collection as a whole.

A Highlander's Hope: DNFed. I don't think a novella allows for enough time to have a satisfying arc for a heroine who is a courtesan. I just found the premise really unbelievable: An older soldier still grieving the death of his wife five years earlier, lonely, being pushed to remarry by his clan, suddenly decides that the perfect wife for him is the prostitute he visits once a year when he visits another clan? A prostitute who is still working? I just couldn't buy it. Added to that was choppy writing and a complicated backstory dump with too many people to keep straight from previous books in this author's series, and I just didn't have any interest in continuing past the second chapter.

A Highland Christmas Wager: At first I worried this was going the way of the first with an extremely unlikable male lead, but it turned out there were three different men in this tale, snowed in with an unwed beauty from a powerful clan, all vying for her physical attentions and her hand in marriage, but only one of them wants her heart. Some over-the-top moments and a silly misunderstanding, but the romance is sweet.

A Scot for Christmas: Compelling hero and heroine, a grieving widower and the woman who has always secretly loved him and happens to be the younger sister of his best friend, but the story is too short to allow love to blossom believably. I also find it unrealistic when a widower who has been grieving his wife for years, vowing never to love again, falls in love in the blink of an eye and realizes he never really loved his first wife. And there was no Christmas in this tale.

Mistletoe: A newly orphaned woman unwittingly becomes wrapped up in a plot to keep an angry brother away from his sister's wedding and ends up trapped in a cabin with him during a snowstorm. He decides they will have to marry since they are spending a night in each other's company, even though no one knows they're together. They are complete strangers and decide after twenty-four hours, a handful of conversations, and some steamy sex that they are going to get married and live happily ever after. It's really well-written, but again, I just found it so implausible.

Sweet Home Highland Christmas (see below!)

So overall, I'm sorry to say I found this collection underwhelming, for a variety of reasons. In every one I felt like the love story had been sacrificed to make room for lengthy sex scenes. Don't get me wrong, I like spicy romances, but I like a good story better. Insta-love abounds in each, the progression of feelings happens too quickly to be plausible, though in the case of the first three stories, at least the lovers knew each other before the story opened. Flimsy and sometimes fairly implausible circumstances drive each story's conflict. And the Regency period is over-represented, featuring in three of the five stories. I had hoped for a little more variety.

So by now you may be wondering what I did like and how I can still recommend the collection! Despite my quibbles, (and aside from the first story), I found the characters to be well-drawn, the sex scenes tastefully steamy, and there are some tender romantic moments. And the bottom line is that they delivered on what they promised: Scotsmen, romance, and holiday ambiance. Not a bad way to spend a winter weekend, but aside from the last one, not my favorite Christmas tales either.

However...

In a bit of a departure, I'm reviewing the fifth and final story, Sweet Home Highland Christmas, on its own because it is far and away the best of the bunch and a rather fine Christmas romance. An army engineer and a woman desperate to retain custody of her beloved niece, whom she's raised since birth, are traveling across Scotland to the same estate for the holidays. Allowing time for the leads to get to know each other and fall in love, and with a delightfully precocious and wise-for-her-years child who conspires to bring them together, this author knows how to craft an oh-so-satisfying romantic novella. Features a swoon-worthy hero and a very festive Christmas gathering at the end too. I will definitely be reading more by May McGoldrick.

3 Stars out of 5 for the collection as a whole
4.5 Stars out of 5 for Sweet Home Highland Christmas

This book is filled with such lovely Christmas stories. Each its own story and worth the read, but Bronwen Evans wins my heart with her story of Emma the spinster and her desire to know passion before she accepts her life of loneliness. Having Dougray whom she has loved since her childhood teach her about all that she has missed is the perfect set up. Each book was well written with characters that were believable.

Quite readable in places but too much explicit sex for me. I am frankly tired of reading every detail.