The Highlands of Scotland, 1817 Can a man really see his future bride in a dream? He can if he is Declan Sinclair whose dreams always come true and his clansmen know it. Declan has been dreaming of a lass that will be his bride for three years but the dreams have started to come closer together. Sitting in a tavern with his cousins he looks over and sees Caya Pendarvis, the girl of his dreams down to her yellow hair!! What Declan does not know is that she is with her brother Jack ,who has already sold her off to a merchant to pay his gambling debts and they are waiting to meet her betrothed the next day. Caya and Declan lock eyes several times and there seems to be a spark. As Caya goes up to her room for bed, Declan walks over to Jack and introduces himself. Well one thing leads to another and a card game ensues with the prize being beautiful Caya! How could Jack lose the game when Caya is already promised to another! Of course Declan wins! When Caya finds out what happened, Declan gives her a choice of waiting to marry her merchant or go with Declan to his home. She does pick him but Declan intends to woo her so she will want to be his wife. I loved this story with the adventure and the braw hero who is really a little shy but has a wonderful smile with a twinkle in his eye. Can Declan win Caya who only wants to be loved for herself and feel worth something? Jennifer Trethewey again tells a wonderful story of two people who were meant to be. I mean it is not everyday a man dreams about his future wife and that dream comes true!!

I really liked this historical read. Declan Sinclair believes his dreams never lie, therefore when he sees Caya he knows that she is his future wife. He ends up winning her in a card game with her brother. He gives her the choice of coming with him or staying and marring another man her brother owes money to. Can Declan convince Caya they were meant to be or will another get in their way? This is a fast-paced read with plenty of drama and suspense. I liked the characters and the story held my interest throughout. An entertaining read.

Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey is book Two in The Highlanders of Balforss series. This is the story of Declan Sinclair and Caya Pendarvis. I have read the previous book but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Caya brother is a gambler and drinks a lot and not all that caring to his sister is seems. Caya has settled into the understanding that her brother will be marring her off so that he can settle his debts. But then he gambles her away to Declan. Declan has the ability to see things in his dreams and he has always seen the women he is to marry. When he sees Caya he knows she is the women he been waiting for. Declan does give Caya the choice to choose to go with him and she does.
Caya and Declan does have some misunderstanding along the way. Declan doesn't really know how to court a women but he is the sweetest hero there is!
Loved having this book and reading their story.

Declan Sinclair has had a dream , and can't wait for it to come true. When he finally sees the woman of his dreams he thinks everything has to work out the way he wants. Nothing in life is ever that easy.

Caya Pendarvis has agreed to marriage to a man she has never met just to save her brother from a debtors prison. He has promised to stop drinking and gambling. Unfortunately a leopard can't change his spots.

This story is jam packed with adventure, tears and laughter. Our hero is a brave and organised man but so very innocent in his outlook. Because he knows something should happen he thinks he doesn't need to do anything to make it so. He gets very frustrated when others get in the way.

Our heroine has been betrayed by her brother, but still makes excuses for the boy he once was.

This is part of a series, but each book can be read on it's own. I look forward to reading the next one which I think might be Magnus' story.

Great fun and great characters.

Betting the Scot is the second book in the Highlanders of Balforss series by Jennifer Trethewey. I absolutely loved this book, Declan and Caya are wonderful characters, and they made a lovely couple.

Betting the Scot is Declan’s story. Declan was introduced in the first book Tying the Scot as a cousin to the main character, Alex Sinclair. He is a former warrior and a dreamer. A dreamer whose dreams often come true. Declan has dreamed, with amazing clarity, about his future wife. When he sees Caya in a tavern, he knows she is the woman of his dreams – literally. What follows is starts a chain of events that eventually leads to the dramatic climax of the book.

Straightforward, you may think. Actually, not so much. It kept me guessing just what was going to be the climactic event of this book. So many things happen, and one in particular (no spoilers) has serious ramifications for the time period in which the book is set. This chain of events kept you turning the pages just to see what would happen next. Poor Declan and Caya are certainly put through the wringer and made to work for their HEA.

I loved Declan from when he was introduced in Tying the Scot, and I was thrilled to learn that he would star in the second novel. Like his family, he is a tough as nails warrior, but his precognizance gives him a softer edge, his dreams bring out his emotional side, and you spend a lot of the book just wanting to give him a hug! To be fair though, he tends to rely on the accuracy of his dreams, and this leads to a few frustrating situations where you feel like slapping him up the head and telling him to open his eyes! Caya is perfect for him. She is soft and loving. Her life up until meeting Declan has been less than pleasant, and it has made her vulnerable and insecure. She needs to rebuild her confidence, and the family of Balforss are just the people to help her.

I loved Betting the Scot, I absorbed it in a day, I just couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait until the third book in the series to see who will get their HEA next. There are hints as to who is next at the end of the story, but this author has ensured I don’t take anything for granted!

It is possible to read and enjoy Betting the Scot without reading the first book , Tying the Scot; but honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. There is just so much backstory that you would miss out on by not reading the first book. Betting the Scot follows on from the first book, and it wouldn’t have been such a rich experience without reading the first book.

I can’t recommend Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey highly enough. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical romances with strong men, and women who are their match.

This is Caya and Declan’s story. He dreamt that she would be his wife. His dreams always come true. Their relationship has many twists and turns. There is a her terrible brother and pirates. The Scots win the day. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Betting the Scot is second in the series. Although Ms. Trethewey is a good story teller, I did not enjoy this book as much as the first in the series.

Declan dreams Caya is his wife; then he sees her. There are so many great connections between them from the field of daisies to the meaning of her name. Declan certainly does not want to wait to marry Caya. He is certainly saving her by removing her from her brother. Declan’s dream lets him know they belong together now. He just needs to communicate better how he feels and what he knows to her. All of the men seem to be afraid of John not just respect him. He does a good job of separating them.

Caya’s continued reluctance to tell others about her brother became irritating. I kept wondering how many times she was going to save/protect him. He basically sold her, then he gambles her away. It gets worse from there. Not sure who is more nuts here, Caya or her brother. There is a point at which a normal person would tell him to get lost.

The intermixing of faith-based, godliness seemed an oxymoron to the ‘stick your finger up my butt’ comments. I like my sensual or semi-erotic books with ‘cock twitches’ and praying for God’s deliverance to be separate. I can see boys finding the ‘stick’ comment funny or even interesting, but the mix did not work for me. Great that Declan is still a virgin, but odd for the time period. I enjoyed the first book in the series enough that I will give Ms. Tretheway another chance in the future.

Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams & his future wife. Though her brother, Jack had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game and the prize is the lovely Caya.
Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts.
I enjoyed the book it was a slow burner & it took some time for the story to ‘get going’, the characters were well portrayed. I absolutely loved Declan. I liked Caya but at times wanted to shake her. The story flowed well but I found it a gentle read & found my attention wandering at times at the start of the book but it certainly came alive in the second half. There’s some twists along the way & of course Caya’s brother Jack causes some problems. I loved Peter & would like to see him all grown up & then there’s Magnus who sees himself after so many years of hiding behind his beard. This is the second book in the series & could well be read by itself, I look forward to reading more from the author

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I really enjoyed this book, Declan Sinclair is one of the sweetest heroes I have read in a really long time - I just loved him! Caya was a good heroine, but I really questioned her intelligence on more than one occasion.

Declan has dreams that predict future events, so when he had a dream of a woman in a field of daisies, he knew she was the woman he would marry. He has been preparing to meet her for the last three years. He has started a distillery so he can support her, built a house for them to live in and has kept himself for her. When in Wick to pick up a tub for his then unknown wives boudoir - he sees her and instantly knows that she is his. He wonders how he will be able to meet her and her brother, Jack solves that problem. He joins Declan and his cousins after Caya retires for the night - Jack figures the Scots are easy pickings and proposes a game of cards - he loses everything and in desperation, he wagers Caya hand in marriage and loses to Declan.

Caya is in Wick with her brother to marry, her brother was deep in debt and arranged a match for her with a wealthy ship captain. Mr. O'Malley will pay off Jack's debts in exchange for marriage to Caya. She is not happy, but she can't bear to see Jack thrown in debtors prison, so she agrees. Caya has always taken care of Jack and cleaned up his messes, so this act is nothing new to her and he has promised that he is done with gambling. So she is surprised the next morning to be woken by Jack and told they have to leave the inn. When the go outside, she learns the awful truth, her brother lost her in a card game. Hurt and angry, she leave with Declan - he gave her the choice, he will marry her or if she wants, she can stay with her brother. She chooses Declan.

They travel to Balforss, where Declan's uncle is Laird. Laird John refuses to let them marry or even court, until he feels enough time has passed. Declan is not happy, but he abides by his uncles wishes. The Sinclairs take Caya in and for the first time in many years, she feels loved, safe and part of a family. She wants to marry Declan, but will not go against Laird John's decree. She is still smarting over her brother's betrayal and needs time to heal. She settles in to life at Balforss and it seems like Declan and she are on a fast track to HEA - but what fun would that be?

The book is well written, but there are some glaring historical errors, which are needed to make the plot work, but were just really, really annoying to me. The story moves right along and has more than one twist, really vile villains, jealousy, misunderstandings, pirates, whiskey, accusations of witchcraft, cameos with Alex, Magnus & Lucy, more than one laugh out loud scene, a couple of warmish love scenes, kidnapping, heartbreak and a bit of betrayal before Declan can claim Caya as his own.

This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a stand alone title with no problems, I actually liked this book better than the first book and I am really looking forward to Magnus' story!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher*

Who would have bet an alpha protective but teddy bear hearted hero would steal the show in this second release by a relatively new romance author. Declan did exactly that, folks. I absolutely loved this sweet, shy, inexperienced around women, hero and his awkward bungling moments as he was completely besotted and mesmerized just by looking at Caya, the heroine. He did so, by the way, all without compromising his manliness.

This handsome Scotsman didn’t just follow his heart but his dreams, as well. You see, having dreamed of Caya before meeting, Declan knew she was it for him. It simply took fate and a game of chance to deliver her into his caring, loving hands. Yep, they were as good as married the moment she came into his line of vision. Now he just has to wait patiently for others to step out of the way and let their destiny begin.

About mid-way through, Caya surprisingly kept becoming their biggest obstacle. Though well rid of her brother, she stupidly kept making knucklehead decisions because of misplaced loyalty and overall stupidity. Allowing another man even the chance to win her affections wasn’t a plot twist I overly appreciated added to the mix. At least he was a good, respectable fellow.

So as not to give away spoilers, let me just say that is also when the storyline started to feel overly drawn out and this unresolved relationship became rather exhausting. Declan deserved so much better. Ultimately, my heart ached for him and my head declared Caya a complete simpleton who was too timid and wishy washy to embrace the gift of love right in front of her.

With quite a bit of life-threatening, traitorous drama, the spotlight is taken off the romance and subplots set in. Of course, all eventually ends well.

The atmosphere at Balforss and the great cast of returning characters from book 1 certainly added to my enjoyment. I just wasn’t expecting the conclusion and the tail end of this romance to be so exhausting. Ms. Trethewey is definitely a Scottish romance author that pulls you into this genre. Though I loved the first half of this book, the second half at times was frustrating and not nearly as heart melting romantic, despite a lot of events unfolding. Declan was my favorite part of this entire book.

Title: Betting the Scot, Series: The Highlanders of Balforss (Book 2), Author: Jennifer Trethewey, Pages: 200, alpha protective hero with teddy bear heart, sweet but wishy-washy, simpleton heroine, virgin main couple, some violence, even hero starts to have doubts, HEA, brief love triangle.

Book 1 - Tying the Scot (Alex & Lucy), 11/27/17, Pages: 387
Book 2 - Betting the Scot (Declan & Caya), 4/23/18, Pages: 300

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

⚔️📚⚔️📚BOOK🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿REVIEW📚⚔️📚⚔️📚

Book: Betting the Scot
By: Jennifer Trethewey aka Jennifer Rupp

Series: The Highlanders of Balforss, Book #2

Release Date: 4/23/2018

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: Sweet

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Autumn, 1816
County Caithness, Scotland

Declan Sinclair has the site where he can see the future in his dreams. His dream predictions have never failed him. Plus at Samhain, Declain’s favorite time of year, as it is when the veil between the living and dead become translucent. As his dreams and future predictions were most clearly she has yellow hair.

Spring, The Highlands 1817
Wick Harbour, Scotland

Declan finally sees his future wife in Scotland at a tavern she and her brother are lodging Jack
also feels he being an English gentlemen can take advantage of these uneducated barbaric savage scots! He will get some extra coin he is certain of it! Not realizing Declan and his cousin are card sharks! When they see how carless and uncaring Jack is they are shocked! To actually throw his own sister away as payment for a gambling debt is the meanest and lowest thing a man can do. They mean to teach Jack a lesson he will never forget as they know he has no honor, compassion or love for his own blood kin!

The problem is Declan’s Laird, whom is also his Uncle John, hears only how Declan won a bride by gambling! Yikes! He also knows how intelligent Declan is at card games. Yet not so much at wooing women-unfortunately. His Uncle threatens Declan with bodily harm if he tries to corner Caya alone. As it could ruin her reputation and won’t believe in Declans dreams. Even though everyone knows his dreams always seem to ring true. Plus in this game of chance another man in his clan seems to be charmed by the lovey Caya. Declan’s Uncle forbids a handfasting since Caya is a Cornish, English-Lass. If she was a Scot he would of allowed it, but an English lass would expect a church wedding. Plus Declan’s main competition for Caya’s hand is the Vicar of their (Kirk) church. It all should of been so simple but is getting very complicated by the minute!

Caya feels her wastrel brother has ruined them with his gambling and addiction to spirits! They had to sell everything they owned for coin, their home, farm, livestock to just survive! All because of Jack’s weakness to gamble and drink!The only thing she has left is a very special ring that was her mother’s. Now her brother has brought her to Scotland to use her as a pawn to pay off his gambling debt. She is a bride price to an Irish merchant she has never even met. Though she spots the handsome Scot,Declan right away. He keeps looking at her and she has her own wicked fantasies about this Scottish stranger.

In this second book of the highlander of Balforss series, Jennifer Trethewey, pens another fast-paced,romantic, adventure with non-stop-action. It has all the elements historical-romance-readers love! This includes a swoon worthy hero you can’t help but love! Declan’s is shy, innocent, unsure of himself, smart, and gorgeous with beautiful big brown eyes. Plus he has a very special gift where he can predict the future. He just has had very little experience with women and does not know how to woo or the right words to say to a woman. Caya like most women just wants to be loved and cared for. Yet there are many bumps in the road for these two. Will these two opposites find a common denominator in the road to love? Sometimes perhaps dreams do come true with the right tools.

The setting is beautiful, dialogue is amazing, plotting is brilliant and the characters are absolutely phenomenal. I love Declan’s family Uncle John, Aunt Flora, his sister Margaret and her husband Hamish. In addition his cousins Magnus, Ian and young Peter. Plus I love being revisited by Alex and Lucy, the heroes of “Tying the Scot,” book 1 of this exhilarating series.

This tale is filled with romantic adventure, mystery, premonition, self esteem issues, insecurities, suspense, betrayal, devastation, treachery, sorrow, heartbreak, human trafficking, faith, joy, trust, love, and so much more. A book readers can easily read as a stand alone novel or in series order. I love so many characters - from the first book and thrilled are in this book too. It is like a Sinclair family reunion! I have read both spectacular books where the author Jennifer Trethewey just blew me out of the drink! Bravo!

This is the second phenomenal book in The Highlanders of Balforss series by Jennifer Trethewey. Yet in many ways handsome Declan Sinclair frightens Caya Pendarvis. She also has self esteem issues, feeling she has no real worth to offer any real value as a brideprice. Will these two star crossed strangers ever find a way to each other’s heart? I highly recommend you read this magnificent novel and find out!

The Highlanders of Balforss Series
By Jennifer Trethewey
1)Tying the Scot
2)Betting the Scot

Amazon Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Betting-Highlanders-Balforss-Jennifer-
Trethewey-ebook/dp/B07C9Y4JNW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523253093&sr=8-1&keywords=Betting+the+scot

I received a complimentary ARC copy from the author and also from Entangled publishers through netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advanced copy of this book. All ideas, words and thoughts are my own.

Go to this blog to win both copies of these magnificent books. Jennifer the author will be picking the winner. The first book Tying the Scot will be chosen on Wednesday, April 18th.

Good Luck!

http://celticbarb.blogspot.com/2018/04/jennifer-trethewey-free-book-giveaway.html?m=1

Publisher's Description:

Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams—his future wife. Though her brother had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game—and the prize is the lovely Caya.

Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts.

Winning at cards is one of the many things Declan Sinclair does well. Unfortunately, the ability to court a woman—a talent he lacks—is the only skill he desperately needs to win Caya’s heart.

My Thoughts:

This book was OK but seemed to bog down in places. I enjoyed the concept but at times I had to put it aside because of the lack of flow in this story.

Declan has dreams that seem to predict his future. He has dreamed about a woman he is sure will be his wife. When he spots Caya across a public house he instantly knows she is the woman destined to be his wife.

Caya ends up being the prize in a game of chance between Declan and her brother.
There are numerous twist in this story but not all of them add to the flow of this sweetly sensual book.
I have this book 3.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 2.75 of 5.0 flames. There isn't much in the way of real physical intimacy in this book but there is a sweet sensuality to the story.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

It's a great story, which starts with a dream and ends with it coming true. I quite enjoyed it, it's entertaining and thrilling. I loved the story as well as the characters. Also I thing the ending was just perfect.
Declan's dreams often come true. So when he dreams about his wife he just starts preparing to get married soon. Then quite by chance he met the woman of his dreams, however, things get complicated because of her brother and their circumstances but maybe things will work out for them.
Caya is tired of taking care of her brother so when a handsome Scot offers his help she is more than willing to take it. She will finally get a chance to have someone who takes care of her. Although, she does not trust him entirely but she is willing to bet on him.
I think this book is perfect for historical fiction lovers. It's well-written and keeps you intrigued.

Almost from the start I wasn't a huge fan of this book. The heroine was a bit too meek for my tastes, letting her brother push her around, and she believed everything he said despite being given very little reason to think he was telling the truth. Then her gullibility just gets worse as the book goes on. She is so naive when it comes to men, and she is willing to believe literally anything anyone tells her. It's like she doesn't have a mind of her own. She would occasionally have these bouts of independent thinking, but then she would just listen to someone else and take their advice without a thought to whether or not it's actually good advice.

Then there was the hero, Declan. I liked him a lot in the beginning, and I loved his interactions with his family. There was a lot of great humor in this book, which I appreciated. However, as time went on, he seemed almost like a child in her thoughts and interactions. He dreamt that Caya would be his, and so he kept repeating "She's mind" as if she was a thing rather than a person. The way he first spoke with his uncle was just silly, and he kept saying they were married already and calling her his wife. You're not married yet, you dolt - get a hold of yourself! I just kept wanting to see more maturity from him, and instead I felt like I was reading a YA romance where the hero and heroine are teenagers with no common sense. It was weird and took away from the story. The author has promise, but character development is something that would need to be improved for me to want to read further books.

Great story and character development. Both are so unsure of each other but you watch them grow as people throughout the book. my only complaint is that it felt very slow paced. Not a lot of action and the ending felt a bit rushed.

I was given this ARC, at MY request, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Sometimes dreams can come true and sometimes a bet can be a blessing in disguise. Sweet tale.

Declan Sinclair and Caya Pendarvis.

Its a good story.
Declan is so sweet and respectful.

I'm new the this genre and this book just bowled me over. I loved the story. The plot wound and twisted it's way from a slimy brother selling is sister, only to lose her in a a game of cards to the Scot, Declan. Caya is an innocent. She knows her brother's got problems and not just with gambling.
Declan has dreams, many of which come true and he's been dreaming about this woman he knows he's to marry, but never sees her face. But that night in the pub when he sees her, her back first he knows. When she turns to look at him, he knows. That's why he played cards with the brother, along with his anger of any man who'd wager his sister in a card game.
Declan and his two cousins make the long journey back home to the northern coast with Caya in tow.
She's fearful but not so much. There's much she doesn't understand. What she's met with when they arrive back in Declan's uncle telling him she's to stay with them, until such time as whomever deems them fit to marry if at all. Declan is upset but has no choice but to go along.
This book has so many plot twists, you have to play attention to keep up. Things seem to being going along ok until Caya's no good brother shows up again only to set a chain of events in motion that shift the whole story. It was great! I loved it all. The kilt scene... wait for it. All the secondary characters were great. I hope we'll see another book with Declan's cousin and Virginia.
This one is a winner. Truly a story of romance.

advanced copy from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Declan Sinclair is Scottish and believes his dreams are prophetic. He has seen a woman with blond hair in his dreams and believes she will be his future wife. While enjoying a drink with his two cousins, he spies a beautiful blond woman who he is sure is his mate. Imagine his surprise when the woman's brother offers her hand in marriage to settle a gambling debt.
Caya is in Scotland to enter into a marriage her brother arranged. She is hopeful for her future marriage and hopeful that her brother will grow up and stop drinking and gambling. She was prepared to marry a stranger, but is appalled when she learns her brother has gambled her away to an entirely different stranger. Declan wants to marry her but gives her a choice - she can leave with her brother or come with him and marry him. She agrees to leave with Declan believing that some choice is better than no choice at all.
Declan is the sweetest hero I have read in a while. He wants nothing more than to marry Caya and provide a home for her and cherish her for the rest of their days. Caya is sweet but very uncertain - she wobbles when obstacles to her and Declan's courtship and marriage are thrown in her path. The couple has many circumstances to overcome before they can be together and a few misunderstandings along the way.
Caya and Declan take their time in getting together, but the chemistry is there from the beginning. The love scenes are more sweet and gentle than hot and spicy, but the story isn't missing anything. Recommended for readers who like sweet stories with sexy Scottish heroes.

Declan, a scottish highlander, meets Caya, a young girl from Cornwall. When her brother bets her in a game of chance, Declan wins her hand, and takes her to his home. Lots of sadness over her brother's treatment of her, and his selfish actions, and Declan has many faults too. Obsessed with his dream image, and not able to express his emotions, and many around them having ulterior motives. A good romance overall, and I did enjoy the story for the most part. A few things I would have liked more details on, would be the details of the other women on the ship (might have one in a future book as a romance with Magnus), and also would have liked to see some punishment to the old woman who took money for Caya's kidnapping. Other than those minor issues though, I highly recommend this book and author.