Audio: What happens in the Highlands by Anna Bradley

Narrated by: Jessica BrightSeries

Book 1, Cairncross Castle

Release date: 06-24-25

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher: Tantor Media

Historical romance

This was the first time the Highlands were a bit scary, ok not that scary, it is just all the townsfolk are scared of the three sisters. I was expecting pitchforks. It is set in the 1700s and Cat does mention an grandaunt who was burned at the stake. See, scary.

There are three sisters, all redheads. And the village claims they are witches. But the truth is one is good with animals, one loves science, and one loves plants.

To make things worse, there is talk about a hidden treasure and they live alone. People have already tried taking said treasure.

In comes Hamish who feels that treasure is his. And he acts like such a arse, it took a long time for me to like him. I just wanted to kick him. They do eventually fall in love.

So to save everyone Cat goes on a treasure hunt with him, and yes they will fall in love, but, even though this book has a HEA I felt it was more a HFN because the book ends with a cliffie!

Good narration, I got the feel of the highlands.

In the months since their father, Rory, died, the MacLeod sisters have had to contend with bands of smugglers convinced he left a treasure buried within the walls of their home at Castle Cairncross. Only the most mystifying occurrences have foiled the thieves—stirring whispers that the sisters are sorceresses. Yet, they have no treasure, nor are they witches. However, each inexplicably possesses a unique ability. The eldest, Catriona, is a brilliant healer and alchemist—a skill she is about to put to unforeseen use . . .

Hamish Muir, the charismatic Marquess of Ballantyne and son of Rory’s business partner, has come to claim his share of the treasure. When he spies fiery-haired Cat in the village, he follows her. But the tables turn, and Hamish finds himself at Castle Cairncross—emerging from a daze . . .

Persuaded the castle harbors no treasure, Hamish remains certain Rory hid it somewhere. Cat offers a proposal: She will help Hamish decipher her father’s notes if he takes her on the treasure hunt with him—and her sisters are not left alone. Reluctantly, Hamish summons two Lairds to the castle. But as he and Cat set off to navigate a maze of maps and danger, a mutual respect—and attraction—ignites between them. Perhaps the real treasure isn’t gold after all . . .

The King´s Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick

Format: 464 pages, Paperback

Published: October 8, 2024 by Mobius

Historical fiction/own

I have heard of Nesta, so a whole book about her was interesting. She was born a Welsh princess, but then the Normans killed her father. Her brother fled to Ireland and she ended up a hostage. Later she became a unwilling mistress to Henry I. Women had no say at all. After giving Henry a son he saw fit to give her away in marriage to a Norman Lord residing in her old home.

So yes she was used and discarded, and she did the best she could. She knew she was only a chess piece and at least here she grew to care for her husband. But her story did not end there, instead she was later called the Helen of Wales. Because there is this handsome Welsh prince....

Fascinating and Chadwick tells it so well. History in the eyes of a woman. Also Nesta´s bloodlines lives on. She was not erased from history.

Wales, 1093.

The warm, comfortable family life of young Nesta, daughter of Prince Rhys of Deheubarth is destroyed when her father is killed and she is taken hostage. Her honor is further tarnished when she is taken as an unwilling concubine by King William's ruthless younger brother Henry, who later ascends the throne under suspicious circumstances.

Gerald FitzWalter, an ambitious young knight is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to his new King with Nesta's hand in marriage. He is delighted, having always admired her from afar, but Nesta's only comfort is her return to her beloved Wales where cannot help but be tempted by the handsome, charismatic and dangerous son of the Welsh prince, Owain. When he offers her the chance to join him in his plan to overthrow Norman rule she must choose between her duty and her desire . . .

Audio A Kiss for Lady Mary by Ella Quinn

By: Ella Quinn

Narrated by: Sasha Higgins

Series: The Marriage Game, Book 6

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Release date: 06-24-25 by Tantor Media

Historical romance

Mary is being pursued by her cousin and he is trying everything to force her to marry him. So her grandmother comes up with a crazy idea and sends her to an estate where she pretends to be the wife of the owner. Yes I said it was crazy. But it all makes sense in the end.

She stays there with her aunt and she even makes the place better...until the owner shows up and is appalled that someone is faking being his wife.

But Kit and Mary realise that they are in a bad position and tries to find a way out. And while they do that, they of course fall madly in love.

The aunt gets a sidestory too, which worked. But then a third couple got a sidestory and this threw me because it made no sense. Maybe they have been in previous books? Because it was out of the blue and they really deserved a book of their own.

Happily ever after wins in the end.

The narrator did a good job with everything from voices to accents. It was a pleasant narration

Handsome, charming, and heir to a powerful Viscount, Christopher “Kit” Featherton is everything a woman could want—except interested in marriage. So when he hears that someone on his estate near the Scottish border is claiming to be his wife, Kit sets off to investigate.

Since her parents’ death, Lady Mary Tolliver has been hounded by her cousin, a fortune-hunting fool after her inheritance. Refusing to settle for anything less than love, Mary escapes to the isolated estate of rakish bachelor, Kit Featherton. Knowing he prefers Court to the country, she believes she will be safe. But when Kit unexpectedly returns, her pretend marriage begins to feel seductively real…

Carole´s Monday: The Murder of Mr Wickham

 

Author: Claudia Gray

Title: The Murder of Mr. Wickham

Series: Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney #1

Genre: Mystery, Retelling, Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 387

Published: May 3, 2022

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A summer house party turns into a whodunit when Mr. Wickham, one of literature’s most notorious villains, meets a sudden and suspicious end in this mystery featuring Jane Austen’s leading literary characters.

The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a house party, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst.

Nearly everyone at the house party is a suspect, so it falls to the party’s two youngest guests to solve the mystery: Juliet Tilney, the smart and resourceful daughter of Catherine and Henry, eager for adventure beyond Northanger Abbey; and Jonathan Darcy, the Darcys’ eldest son, whose adherence to propriety makes his father seem almost relaxed. The unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang.

Review:

Who doesn't love a good Jane Austen retelling mixed with a murder of Mr. Wickham???

Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a party and bringing together distant relatives, old friends, and new acquaintances. We see faces from all over Jane Austen books. Everyone is having a good time until Wickham shows up and crashes the party. He is desperate and his latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. No one is happy to see him and obviously someone is mad enough for murder. Everyone is a suspect and it will be up to Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy to team up and figure out the truth before the constable takes away an innocent person. 

I enjoyed this quite a bit. I liked meeting our old characters and new characters. I loved seeing them interact. However, there were SOOO many characters I had to really concentrate to keep who was who. I've read the books but I still struggled sometimes and had to stop and re-read. 

Jonathan and Juliet are for sure opposites and it was fun watching them work together. Jonathan is so rigged he makes Mr Darcy look like a carefree hippie. Juliet is clever and sweet. 

The mystery was nicely done. I had zero idea who did it, because EVERYONE wanted the swine dead. *spits* 

All-in-all, this is a wonderful book for those that like Jane Austen and mysteries! It was lovely seeing so many faces. It was a little much sometimes and I had issues here and there remembering who was who and how everyone was connected, but I was able to stay with the story and find my footing eventually. I am curious about book 2, but we shall see. Maybe if my library has it. Now a rating??? Mhmmmmm........4 stars. It would be 3, but I feel that the ending twists and turns gave it a little bit of a boost. 

Favorite Character(s): Juliet

Least Favorite Character(s): Wickham of course.  

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak & Dagger #18

- Library Love #19