ARC Review: Lachlan's Revenge by R.L. Syme

This is my first time reading R.L. Syme. I was looking forward to it because she has so many great reviews and I wanted to see for myself. At first it started out like most Scottish tales. The Scots are fighting the English and they are trying to best each other. After a couple of pages I realized that Syme’s writing is completely unique and so was the rest of her story!

When the story begins Lachlan MacLeod is protecting his home. His daughter and her family is visiting and even though he is enjoying their visit he is terribly worried because he currently has set a plan in motion. This plan is specifically going to bring him the peace that he has been after and protect his family at the same time. Lachlan decides that he will have his men, his nephew included, kidnap Lady Evangeline. Lady Evangeline is the key because her father is an earl that Lachlan has been fighting against to perceive his ancestral home. Lachlan is an honorable man and is not happy about his plan but he realizes that he must do what is necessary to protect his family and his clan.

When a lady is finally revealed, he hurries to marry her, finally he is relieved because now Lady Evangeline’s father will want to keep peace between them. Now, I’m not giving too much away here, because this happens at the very beginning, but he marries another woman. Elsa Bouchard looks very similar to Lady Evangeline which is one of the reasons that she is a close servant of hers. Lachlan immediately sets out to fix this error but as can be expected some unexpected events occur. One he realizes what happened to the real Lady Evangeline. Two he also realizes that he can’t help but fall in love with Elsa. He realizes that not only she is very beautiful but she is also a great woman. Elsa has secrets of her own. She knows that Lady Evangeline’s father is blood thirsty and she is worried for everyone’s safety.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Lachlan and Elsa were both great characters and I really liked them as a couple. Also, Syme had one adventure after another. Both Lachlan’s and Elsa’s character and bravery are challenged. Finally, I really liked and was surprised in the direction that she took Lady Evangeline’s story. I was not expecting it at all. I really enjoyed this fun highland adventure and recommend it to anyone that enjoys history, adventure and romance.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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Feature and Contest: A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley

For nearly three hundred years, the cryptic journal of Mary Dundas has lain unread. Now, amateur code breaker Sara Thomas has been sent to Paris to crack the cipher.

Jacobite exile Mary Dundas is filled with longing—for freedom, for adventure, for the family she lost. When fate opens the door, Mary dares to set her foot on a path far more surprising and dangerous than she ever could have dreamed.

As Mary’s gripping tale is revealed, Sara is faced with challenges that will require letting go of everything she thought she knew—about herself, about loyalty, and especially about love. Though divided by centuries, these two women will be united in a quest to discover the limits of trust and the coincidences of fate.

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ARC Review: Return to Me by Kelly Moran

Return to Me is first book in Kelly Moran's new Covington Cove series. I knew I had to read this one after learning that this was a second chance at love for a military hero. I thought that this book was really great, and Kelly Moran did a beautiful job of handling some difficult issues. This story was real and believable, and I was invested in these characters right away. 

Ten years ago, Cole Covington changed not only his life but also that of Mia Galdon forever. He broke her heart, shattering his own in the process. Cole and Mia haven't spoken since the night it all fell apart, and Mia has done her best to move on since then. But when she gets a call from Cole's sister Lacey asking for her help, she knows this is her chance to get closure. Not only is Mia now a nurse, but Lacey knows that she is the only one who can help her brother after he returned home emotionally and physically damaged. At first Cole fights against having Mia around, not wanting her to see him as he is. But soon, they are both drawn back in to the connection they once shared all those years ago. But can they possibly find a way to have a future together with so many obstacles still in their way? 

I really liked Mia and Cole. It was very clear that love was never the problem for these two. They had such a strong connection that was pure and undeniable. It was other people and their circumstances that had kept them from being together. My heart broke for all that these two had been through, and it was clear that Cole was willing to do whatever it took to protect Mia. I loved how caring he was and that he had never been able to move on from her. Mia was strong and loyal, and was so genuinely good at heart. She looked out for her sister, and would have done anything for her. She also was quick to help Lacey with Cole, even though she would have had every right to stay away. She was just so kind and caring, and I liked that she never gave up on Cole. She didn't let him get away with anything, and she pushed him to get better. These two had a connection and chemistry, but what was so special about them was that time and distance hadn't dimmed any of it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I thought that Kelly Moran was very respectful to the difficulties that veterans and their loved ones go through when they return from overseas. She showed just how difficult it can be for them to adjust to normal day to day life, and I was so glad to see that Mia was able to get through to Cole by encouraging him and always giving him the support he needed. She took his fears and insecurities and was able to reassure him that he was still a great guy and that he was able to recover without being weak. These two had so far to come from their past, and I was glad that I got to read their journey back to one another. I liked the secondary characters with the exception of Cole's mom, that woman was truly awful and deserved every bit of karma that could possibly head her way. Besides her though, I really liked Lacey and how much she cared about not only her brother but also Mia. I am really looking forward to reading more books in this series, and I highly recommend this one if you are looking for a great contemporary read.

**ARC Provided by Penguin Group Berkley**

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ARC Review: Right Kind of Wrong by Chelsea Fine

Right Kind of Wrong is the third book in Chelsea Fine's new adult Finding Fate Series. Each book has interconnected characters, but can be read as standalone. I have really enjoyed this series, and I couldn't wait to read this book. I will say though that this was my least favorite book in the series. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't as good as the others to me. I had a tough time connecting with the heroine in this book, and I think that was the majority of my problem this time around. 

Growing up without any male influences, Jenna has seen what love can do to you. She has only ever seen men wreck the lives of those around her, so she needs complete control always and is focused on her plan. The only person who has ever threatened that is Jack Oliver. They have been friends since she moved to Arizona from New Orleans, though one steamy night together threatened to change everything. Jenna and Jack don't speak about their night together though, and have acted like it never happened. But when Jenna has to return to New Orleans to visit family, Jack decides to tag along as he has some family business that he needs to take care of. Though Jack wants Jenna nowhere near his family's problems, she winds up right in the middle of it all with him. Jack is determined to keep her safe and get everything taken care of as quickly as possible, believing that if she knew all his secrets he would never have a chance with her. But convincing Jenna to alter her plan and give them a chance could be harder than keeping her out of danger. 

I really loved Jack. He was fantastic! Super sexy and sweet, I loved how open and honest he was. He was my favorite part of this book, and I honestly thought that he deserved better. I loved that he didn't give up easily on those he loved, and that he would do anything for them. But I thought that he needed a better girl than Jenna. She was whiny and annoying for most of this book, and I didn't really understand all of her issues. I get that she had seen bad examples when it came to men in her life, but she was pretty judgmental when it came to lumping the entire male population in with her grandfather and father. She had seen how great Jack was and that he genuinely cared about her, so for her to be so against anything with him really baffled me after awhile. I could see that she was scared, but she came off as rude and bitchy most of the time. More than once I just wanted Jack to move on and find someone better. 

As the story progressed, Jenna would show signs of improvement and I would think that she was finally starting to get it. But just as fast as she would make progress, she would revert right back. I was tired of her constantly pushing Jack away, and it got old after awhile. The other problem I had with this book is that it felt too easy as far as the rest of the story went. Jack and Jenna's relationship might have been long and drawn out, but the real problems that Jack's family was facing were resolved very easily and quickly. It was pretty unbelievable that they would have been wrapped up so easily considering how serious they were. So while I liked Jack, this story wasn't what I had hoped for. The first book in this series was my favorite, and unfortunately the series seemed to just lose a bit of steam with each book. I loved Levi and Pixie's story, but the others were just okay. While this book wasn't my favorite, I did enjoy it and that is because of Jack. I look forward to reading more from Chelsea Fine in the future as I do think she is a great writer.

**ARC Provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing)**

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ARC Review: When Irish Eyes Are Haunting by Heather Graham

When Irish Eyes are Haunting, book 14.5 of Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series and part of 1001 Dark Nights. Wow I am far behind when it comes to Heather Graham’s books; it can be read as a standalone with already established characters so don’t worry you won’t feel lost. I started reading Heather Graham ages ago and I fell in love with her books, this book however fell short of my expectations. For me it wasn’t as suspenseful as past books and was very predictable. I liked the characters, I probably would have loved them more if I read their initial book, and I loved the concept of the storyline but it was lacking for me. What I enjoyed was the typical Heather Graham style tying the eerie with a nice romance. I think if given more it would have been a great full length book.

Devin Lyle and Craig “Rocky” Rockwell are having a working honeymoon. They pushed up their wedding and are using their honeymoon as an excuse to check out a family emergency. Devin’s cousin called their family’s ancestral castle is being haunted by a banshee. One of her Uncles passed away to mysterious circumstances at the same time of his death the cry of the banshee was heard. It is up to Devin and Rocky to figure out what really happened all during the St. Patrick’s (week) celebration.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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