The Highlander's English Bride

April 1, 2020
Nae fortune hunters, thieves, or kidnappers: Nothing stands in the way of love between a Highlander and his lady. Headstrong Sabrina Bell knows she can fend for herself, yet Graeme Kendrick keeps rescuing her time and again. Graeme is frustrated that the Englishwoman refuses to heed his warnings and keeps attracting trouble. She's also attracting him, but he's too busy working for England's chief spymaster to have time for romance. When Graeme is sent home to Scotland to keep a watchful eye during the king's visit, he's determined to forget Sabrina. Except when the king arrives, Sabrina is in tow and is sent to stay with Graeme's jovial family. Not only do Sabrina's feelings for Graeme grow, but she also adores his clan. When she travels to her family's ancestral holdings, Graeme accompanies her, but danger continues to surround them. They'll both have to take risks and rescue each other if they want a future together. The buildup of their romance is excruciatingly slow, as the focus is more on their external struggles. The overstuffed plot is unfocused as the pair encounter one dilemma after another, although the exploration of naivet� versus courage is thoughtful. While fans of the author's oeuvre may enjoy seeing familiar faces from prior works, there is an overabundance of unnecessary characters. There are splendid moments of wit, chemistry, action, and heartwarming family dynamics, but they're enveloped in an overwrought story. Too much plot, too many characters, too many pages.

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April 13, 2020
Kelly returns to form in the enjoyable, banter-filled third Kendrick Clan Regency romance (after The Highlander’s Christmas Bride). Lady Sabrina Bell, King George’s goddaughter, designs to meet a suitor in the park at an odd hour, but he stands her up and she is beset by muggers. Luckily, dashing Highlander Graeme Kendrick is there to save her, and thus a friendship is born. Graeme needs a wife like he needs a hole in his head, but the more time he spends with Sabrina the more he’s at risk of both, thanks to her alluring beauty and knack for finding trouble. Though Graeme is determined to keep his distance because of his dangerous job as a spy for the crown, Sabrina is determined to make him hers. But the dastardly Marquess of Cringlewood, whom fans will recognize from the previous installment, and the band of thieves Graeme has been assigned to investigate may throw a wrench in her plan. The central couple is delightfully well matched: Graeme is a grump with a heart of gold; Sabrina is a gentle soul with an impressive backbone. Readers will be gratified as the pair navigates their way to a thoroughly satisfying happy ending. Agent: Evan Marshall, Evan Marshal Agency.

May 1, 2020

When a lady is pushed into the Serpentine, Graeme Kendrick is forced to abandon his pursuit of criminals to help her. Sabrina Bell is grateful for the Highlander's help in securing dry clothes. The two don't expect to see each other again, but a series of events lead to their exchanging rescues. When Graeme is sent to Scotland to prepare for the king's first visit, he expects it's the end of his encounters with Sabrina and is disappointed but relieved. His past is grim. Sabrina, however, has set her sights on Graeme and Scotland and has secured a spot in the king's travel party. Her arrival plunges the pair into a new pile of trouble, as rumors abound that Sabrina is in danger. Graeme and Sabrina will have to work together to root out the trouble while dealing with the entire Kendrick family's meddling. VERDICT In the third book of the "Clan Kendrick" series, Kelly (The Highlander Who Protected Me) continues to show her skill at pairing witty banter and adventure-driven characters in a late-Regency romance. Fun for readers who prefer a heroine who does as much rescuing as the hero.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati, Blue Ash

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