The second book in the Clan Kendrick series is as delightful read as the first. It was obvious that this one would be about Logan, who has return from exile in Canada, reconciled with his brother Nicholas, now Earl of Arnprior. Trying to do business with Earl of Riddick, he is asked to escort, the Earl's great niece, Donella Haddon, home after she has been dismissed from the convent that she has been hiding out in for the last 3 years, after her betrothed and cousin, Alasdair Gilbride married another. Logan is still mourning his late wife and missing his young son, who is in Canada, and has no interest in ever marrying again, but there is something about Donella, that pulls at him. An attempted kidnapping, leads them on a merry adventure. Donella doesn't think that she fits in anywhere, but Logan has other ideas. However, secrets, rivals and interfering relatives could keep her from getting her HEA.

Written in a humorous, entertaining voice, with lots of repartee, endearing characters and an amusing plot, but also rich descriptions, I enjoyed reading this book.

Book 2 in the clan Kendrick series, this book by Vanessa Kelly what good fun. Donella iHaddon, is grandniece to the Earl of Riddick, her Promised husband rejected her in favour of another, and although she is seen as The Flower of Clan Graham, and she was content to release him to a woman he loved, she has converted to Catholicism and retired to a nunnery. The abbess has decided she won’t make a suitable nun, and must return to her family, doubly humiliated Donella is not looking forward to going home. She also has a scandal in her past involving a neighbouring clan, who are keen to capture her.

Logan Kendrick is a widowed father of one, who has spent time in the Americas, and has a young son called Joseph. He has been distanced from some of his family by a tragic accident to a member of his family, but he is back in Scotland to do business with Riddick, as a favour to him he agrees to escort Donella home. Expecting an older, plainer woman, he is surprised by Donella’s youth and beauty, As they travel together, they are attracted to each other, but Donella fights this as she is worried that he will reject her when he finds out about the scandal, Logan has to protect her from attempted kidnappings, and her own mixed up feelings and worries, whilst Donella is able to form a strong bond with Joseph, and deal with Logan’s family more easily than Logan can, as he is constrained by guilt.

There are a whole host of characters and subplots in this book, which make for an engaging, though slightly confusing romp. I personally found Logan’s father a little cloying after a while, but it was an exciting tale with a hero and heroine it was easy to root for, despite their misguided thinking.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book via Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Also posted on goodreads.

Be aware that it’s better to have read at least the previous book, and even better the author’s whole collection. In fact, just as in The Highlander Who Protected Me, there are references to events that took place in other books (but we don’t know which ones if we didn’t read them).

What’s more the numerous members of Logan’s family, and the few members of Donella’s family, are very present, and some of them have had their own story in other series. It’s annoying not to know which ones, but as they spend their time meddling in getting the couple closer, using ways and conversations so heavy that it’s at time as embarrassing to read than it must be to live, their presence is doubly annoying.

Let’s talk about the couple. Donella is a heroine whose actions are probably meant to show her as a strong woman, but I mostly found her stubborn and quite aggressive. She’s less unpleasant than the heroine of the previous volume (which is not difficult) and fortunately she calms down after some times. However she’s adorable with the hero’s son and I liked their relation. And I liked how she knocks a pastries tray over a cow who insulted the boy.

Logan as for him is a nice and patient hero, and he has trouble relinking with his son he has not seen for one year. There are touching moments as when he’s wounded that his son seems to prefer other family members. He also bears the culpability for his nephew’s death years ago even if his brother forgave him.

They are very attracted by the other from the start, but Donella is set on entering another convent and Logan doesn’t want to get married again. The heavy comments by both families have them opening their eyes on their real desires, and Logan is the first to fall in with the general consensus. Donella needs more time to recognize convent’s life is not for her, and she blows hot and cold toward the hero.

As for the plot, the watchword is Secrets. Donella has secrets and just like the hero the reader is in the dark: why does the neighboring clan want to kidnap Donella? What’s this scandal some hint about? Why did she enter the convent? Full answers are late or even in the last chapters. Even after they get betrothed she goes on hiding things from Logan, getting angry and refusing to see him when he insists or goes too close to the truth.

So all in all it’s a story that seemed more pleasant to read than the previous volume, but I wasn’t much more hooked. I don’t think I’ll go on reading this author, first because of this problem of intersecting series I already talked about, and because for me too systematic aggressiveness doesn’t mean strength of character.

Clan Kendrick #2, This series is a spin-off of Vanessa Kelly's Improper Princesses series which was a spin-off of her Renegade Royals series this can be read as a stand alone, all the pertinent information is given in a way that works as a nice reminder for those of us who have read it. Donella was first introduced in book 4 of the Renegade Royals book, again you don't have to read it in fact if you haven't read it it gives it a bit more mystery.

After the events of her broken engagement three years ago Donella converted to Catholic and joined a convent but now, days away from taking her vows Reverend Mother is kicking her out. Logan trying to gain favor with the Earl of Riddick agrees to escort his grandniece home. Donella was nothing that he expected he was delighted with her sense of humor and her courage especially when faced with an attempted kidnapping and roughing it in the wild to escape. Even after the parted and Donella was safely home with her family Logan couldn't stop thinking about her, even with the surprise of his son showing up in Scotland with his Grandfather Angus when he should still be in Canada. Donella wants to go right back and join another convent but Riddick gets her to agree to wait six months and try to have fun before she makes any decisions. She even agrees to plan a Christmas party for Alec and Eden at their Glasgow townhouse. Eden and Alec send her down first until they can join her in the meantime she is to stay at the Kendrick home bringing her in close proximity to Logan. The threat to Donella hasn't quite gone away they just change tactics and start horrible rumors despite how she is feeling for Logan and his son she feels it best to become a nun. It's Logan's job to convince her otherwise.

Overall, it was a great read. One thing I love about Vanessa Kelly's writing, not just her great storyline and fantastic characters, she's able to convey the feel of the time period and it's not just all the typical brogue (I'd be disappointed if a book took place in Scotland and didn't have any) but everything in general, celebrating both Christmas and Hogmanay. I enjoyed Logan and Donella story especially what they did at the end. I love all the Kendricks I look forward to the next one.

The Clan Kendrick series lacks the depth that I have come to expect from the author. While I sense the idea was to create a boisterous, crazy but close family dynamic, it instead created a lot of distraction from the main characters in the novel. There was an interesting backstory with both Logan and Donella but I never felt I got all of it.

DNF 13% (Chapter 6)

Sadly this book wasn’t for me. Sigh. I really thought I would enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I could not connect to the characters. I realized by the second chapter that I didn’t really care why Donella was being kicked out of the Convent or what she would do with herself after that. I waited to see if Logan Kendrick would improve the situation for me...he didn’t.

I think this would have been a really good story if I could have connected with the characters. Maybe I will give it a few months and try to read it again and see if my views change because sometimes that's all it takes for me.

*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*

I love Donella’s attitude as an interesting mix of ‘nun’ candidate and life by the horns. As the former fiancé whose betrothed left rather than marry her, she does not sit around feeling sorry for herself, but takes action. She does seem to get herself in trouble, whether at the convent, with a rival clan or with obnoxious ladies in a tea room

Logan is constantly pulling out his mischievous grin because he does not seem to be able to help himself. He is such a gentleman always. The one time I was frustrated with him was when his former ‘love’ showed up. He did a good job of groveling.

Vanessa Kelly does a great job of bringing back characters, like the Kendrick family, and making them part of your family. Through her books you get to know them well and even ‘catch up’ on their lives, too. This is a great book to enjoy for a weekend read, although it’s not necessary to wait until Christmas. The secondary characters are entertaining and lively whether new to Ms. Kelly’s writing or from previous books. Even the way the family lives and forgives over the loss of a treasured child, touches your heart. It’s not necessary to read earlier books to be able to enjoy this one, but you might want to pick them up, too!

Donella Haddon life has been upheavals and scandals so she fled to a convent three years ago when her engagement ended, but now the convent is returning her to her uncle the Earl of Riddrick one month before she can take her vows. Logan Kendrick is a widower who is still guilt-ridden from the death of his older brother, Nick’s, son returns to Scotland with growing his shipping and timber business wanting forgiveness from his family. The Earl of Riddick asked Logan if he’d make a short side-trip on one of his journeys and escort his great-niece home from a convent. I loved this book it has great charters, witty banter and enough adventure to keep you entertained. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.

Even though I have been very aware of Ms Kelly’s books for a while and have quite a few on my bookshelf/kindle shelf, this is actually the first time I have actually sat down and read her work – believe me, I have been missing out on something here, I can definitely assure you that as soon as possible those books I already have will be devoured. This is the second book in the Clan Kendrick series, as I haven’t read the first book, yet I can honestly say that it is very much a stand-alone, even though I did sense that was interwoven character’s and subplots from the previous, not that it affect this story at all, it just gave me a glimpse that there is more to this series.
I love the opening of this, where we first meet heroine; Donella as she is being practically chucked out of the convent she had been taking refuge in for the last three years, her behaviour isn’t exactly pious, she really isn’t nun material she is far too spirited and little feral, she doesn’t do silence and obedience. But now she has been pushed from the convent she must return home, back to that old life of scandal, which she had fled from in the first place.
Her escort home isn’t what she had expected her uncle to send, he is brusque, brawny, and too darn sexy for his own good (too damn sexy for anyone, to be honest, honestly I may have swooned on the spot ;-))
Logan Kendrick has been trying to garner a deal between his own shipping business with the powerful Ear of Riddick who own one of the biggest and most powerful timber houses in Scotland, but before they can shake and make the deal the earl asks him for a favour, to escort his niece home from her recluse in the convent. Simple enough, only once he meets vibrant, fiery and stunning Donella Logan has an inkling that his life may just change forever, and this is before they come face to face with kidnappers.
As you would expect their journey doesn’t exactly go to plan, as Logan tries to protect her from the bugger’s who are trying their damndest to abduct her, Logan soon sees the pretty young miss as more then just an irritating opinionated sprite, she is rebellious, fiery, brave and strong-willed and he admires her greatly, admiration that soon develops into something else, something far more primal.
I won’t go into their adventure too much, as I wouldn’t wish to spoil the story for you, let me say that this is a corker, the energy and banter between Logan and Donella is electric, sexy and funny, but there is more to this coupe then their good looks, they are both scarred by skeletons’ which they have lurking in their pasts, skeletons that have made them the people they are.
The only thing I didn’t like about it was Grandpa, he is vile, I think that his character was supposed to be a funny old man who spits out nonchalant barbs every so often to lighten the mood, but I so him as hugely hurtful and despicable man, I really took against him the moment I met him.
I really enjoyed Ms Kelly’s writing, there is a real vibrancy and spark in her words which grasp’s hold of the reader’s attention. This is a very cleverly written, richly detailed, entertaining and enjoyable story. It’s hugely engaging and the character’s captivated my attention from the first page, I loved the story about two individuals who had seen the darker side of society only to become a little jaded yet they had a thirst to find their own feet and find happiness just in time for Christmas.
Overall, a fun, sexy and adventurous festive romance, that is far then just swooning debutantes and men in breeches (not that there is anything wrong with breeches clad regency men ;-))

The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly
Clan Kendrick #2

Donella Haddon has spent three years in a convent when she is told that she must leave because she is not a good fit for being a nun. Logan Kendrick shows up to take her to her home as requested by her grandfather but the trip is fraught with danger due to a kidnapping attempt. The two grow to know one another as they travel though neither is interested in marriage. There are ups and downs occur during the story with both of their families and Logan’s young son all hoping the two will end up together. Well, all but one or two old flames from their past who hope they might rekindle what was left behind years before. There is a HEA for the couple after balls, walks, talks and more. I have to say that I had trouble warming up to the couple and seeing them as truly “in love” with one another. I felt more that Logan was, at least at first, more interested in Donella as a potential mother for his child than wanting her as a wife for himself and Donellla, though she did feel attraction, was always down on herself, thinking about joining a convent and more interested in Logan as a way out than as the man she wanted forever. The story was a bit predictable and at times I wondered if I had missed significant stories about Logan in Canada and other couples that no doubt had starred in books off their own.

Did I enjoy this book? For the most part
Would I read more in this series? I believe I would

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Coporation – Zebra Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

This was a decent read. It wasn’t a book that stood out in my mind as one that I’ll remember down the road but I didn’t dislike it either. My favorite scenes were the ones that included the male protagonist’s six year old son. He provided some childlike wonder and more depth to the main characters. The family dynamics between siblings and cousins also added another element to the book making it more enjoyable.

When almost nun, Donella Haddon is kicked out of the convent she begs and pleads to be let back in. Donella is supposed to take her vows in a few months and she doesn’t know what to do now. The Mother Superior points out all of her bad habits making for a bad nun and suggests she live out in the world for a bit. Donella had escaped her previous life as fast as she could that is why she is in a convent. So Donella must wait for an escort provided by her uncle who happens to be Logan Kendrick. When Logan meets Donella he is taken aback; she doesn’t look or acts like a nun and she is the most beautiful woman he has ever met! Logan can’t help but like Donella yet still they spend the journey fighting until Donella’s life is in danger. Logan’s only recourse is to save her but their affection for each other could get in the way especially when others want Donella too.
This is a wonderful fast paced action packed story filled with danger, suspense and romance that will definitely keep you turning pages! From beginning to end the tale enchants with a bit of Sound of Music Scottish Christmas flavor leaving one enjoying from one moment to the next. The writing is fluid and the book moves along superbly with no chance of getting bored! Donella the spitfire feisty heroine definitely has fire and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. Of course it didn’t help for her chance to become a nun. Logan at first seems like a big brute but grows on you as the book progresses and it is hard not to like him too. The witty verbal banter between the two will leave you smiling and wondering how these two will ever get together. This book is a great joy and well worth the read!

Successful businessman Logan Kendrick is trying to spread his timber and fur trading enterprise from Canada into his native Scotland. he's working on a deal with the Earl of Riddick that would help him do just that, so when that gentleman asks Logan to do him a wee favor and fetch his grandniece back home from a convent, he really can't refuse.

Miss Donella Haddon is ashamed to have failed at both her expected marriage and her attempt to become a nun. Now she must return to her uncle's castle and reevaluate her life. But the past scandal she thought she'd escaped in the convent is waiting as soon as she leaves and soon her handsome escort is the only thing keeping her from being kidnapped.

Logan finds Donella Haddon to be far from his expectation of a quiet, Godly almost nun. Rather, she is fiery, brash and rather sharp-tongued, not to mention beautiful. In fact, she stirs feelings Logan hasn't felt since his beloved wife died. He begins to think Donella may be perfect to ease some of his loneliness and his young son's, but first he must defend her against malicious gossip and would-be kidnappers whilst convincing her no to fear the attraction brewing between them.

From the start I could not stand Donella. (Though she's slightly better than Ainsley, the heroine of the previous book, that's really not saying much). I found Donella to be annoyingly rude, arrogant, short-sighted and argumentative. She had no qualms about putting others in danger as long as she got her say and at least made an attempt to take charge, despite the fact that she knew nothing about the situation or the outside world at that time. This is yet another case of strong heroine syndrome in which what is meant to come off as intelligence and independence really just winds up being shrewish and inciting many eye rolls from me. I kept hoping this would improve as the book progressed, but it did not. Donella's secrets received a lot of hype but just made her more unlikable to me when she insisted on continuing to keep them from Logan on the basis of them being none of his business, even as their relationship progressed. I did like Logan, but I think he was rather unfairly villainized for much of the book, especially in the eyes of his young son, and by an increasingly hypocritical Donella. I felt she never really gave an apology for that and Logan never really got to be a hero; I didn't doubt they loved each other, but the passion wasn't really there.

I did like the range of characters and found the Kendrick family to be charming for the most part, perhaps with the exception of some of Allasdair's more over-the-top actions. However, the pacing was a bit slow for me and failed to keep my interest engaged and the book seemed a bit choppy to me, as if it could be divided into three clear parts without much flow. I was very much looking forward to this one and it just didn't quite work for me, but I will continue to look forward to more stories with the rest of the Kendricks.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Logan Kendrick and Donella Haddon had each been at the center of a family tragedy in the past. Their story is compelling, entertaining and often humorous as they attempt to move beyond the mistakes, and just maybe find a future together.

Logan and Donella are strong, stubborn, independent, and occasionally confused. These seem to be common Highland traits. At times, their romance seems to take one step forward, and two steps back, but they are not without help. Our hero and heroine are surrounded and supported by a wonderful cast of characters – brothers, sisters, and cousins just as stubborn as they are. I absolutely love Grandda Angus and Logan’s son Joseph.

The Highlander’s Christmas Bride is part of the Clan Kendrick series, but works just fine as a standalone. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My Review is voluntary.

What an entertaining read!!! I enjoyed this one very much!

Donella Haddon fled to a convent after her engagement ended and now the convent doesn't believe she belongs there and have asked her to leave amidst scandals and rumors. Logan Kendrick returns from Canada for business agrees to escort Donella back home and got in the middle of a kidnapping, and this was just the beginning.

I enjoyed this story line very much and thought it was exciting, moved fast, had a lot of adventure/action sequence too that kept the pacing of the story moving well. Donella and Logan’s chemistry were great and love how their characters were written. Though I don’t have the backstory of the Kendrick family, it worked for me as a stand alone. I will definitely be going back to read the Highlander’s Princess Bride to learn more about the Kendrick clan. Some of the language threw me off, but I really loved it for its Scottish feel and authenticity.

Thank you to @kensingtonbooks and @netgalley for the ARC copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions are my own.

Donella is interesting. She was thrown over by her fiancé and failed as a nun.
She is retuning to Scotland and is being accompanied by the widower Logan. He's a single father.
I really enjoyed these characters and recommend. I wanted them to find happiness together.

I haven’t read the first book in the series and although characters from it make an appearance in this story, I didn’t felt like missing anything so it could easily be read as a stand-alone.
The story was well written, with fast-paced moments but also slower ones for my liking, the characters are nice but unfortunately none of them grows on me as really I couldn’t feel the chemistry as maybe was expected or just couldn’t believe that he fell head over heels in love with her so soon especially after we get that he’s still mourning his wife.
Their banter was fun at times and entertaining.



Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy

The Highland Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly

This is a great book. It continues the series Clan Kendrick (book 2) and reminds us what is fun about historical romances and the men and women who people them. Venessa Kelly is a new author for me and I am looking forward to many more!

Donella Haddon, grandniece of the Earl of Riddick is betwist and between. She left her home to become a Catholic so she could become a nun. Why she did this seems to be a secret, sort of. However, being a nun is not working for her, so the Earl of Riddick asked Logan Kendrick, a business partner to bring her home from the nunnery to help him out. Little did Logan know how much Donella was going to change his life….hehehehe.

Logan Kendrick is a businessman who has returned from Canada to earn money to get over the loss of his wife. While on a trip, he offers to help out the Earl of Riddick and bring his niece back home. The journey back is unlike anything he expected, robbers, assassins and even mountains make it an adventure. Donella manages to keep up with it all is just part of the fun.

I enjoyed The Highland Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly. I have bought the prior book (not that I even knew about a prior book when I was reading it) and am going to be excited when the next one comes out! The Highland Bride is a good read.

This is the first book I’ve read by Vanessa Kelly. I liked how confident and protective Logan was. Donella was brave and loving. I did feel Donella should have confided in Logan especially since they married, and it would have saved them a ton of trouble. But I can also understand that she made a promise to her great uncle and she stuck to it. It was just a little frustrating when she had plenty of opportunities to be honest and she chose to avoid the topic. I felt their chemistry was instant and it continued steadily. Overall I really enjoyed the book.

**Spoilers ahead**

What started out as a really attention-catching story ended up being a really frustrating, confusing one. Donella's reasons for being in a convent were a bit overdramatic, but I was able to wrap my head around her reasoning. Her interactions with Logan were combative but not overly so. I could see them having a relationship quite easily, and I was looking forward to seeing it develop over the course of the story. However, everything started going downhill when they were in Glasgow (about halfway through the book) and Logan did a complete about-face in character. He is actively courting Donella, encouraging her affections, and when a women he used to be in love with comes into the ballroom at a ball, he literally abandons Donelle without a backward glance and fawns all over the other woman. Given the history that is later provided between Logan and her, it makes no sense. The amazing thing is that Donella leaves the ball and Logan doesn't even notice. He doesn't really see why what he did was so wrong and makes a bunch of excuses. It was just so disappointing. And even when he apologizes, he won't admit to his feelings for Donella and tells her he has been courting her, wants to marry her. Really, Logan? Because when you court someone, you should fawn over THEM, not another woman. It just put a really bad taste in my mouth and ruined the story thereafter.