The MacGregor Lairds #3, This was a fun read and although I missed the first two books I was able to jump into this one no problem. Lady Alice is ready to fulfill  her duty and get married and have babies what Alice doesn't want is to marry the discusting old geezer who, if the rumor is believed, murdered his last three wives for not producing an heir. Alice's best friend, Elizabet was in a similar situation and managed to avoid it by running away with a Scottish highwayman, Laird John MacGregor, who was banished from England. When Alice finally gets word that her friend is safe she does the only thing she can think of to get out of her situation, she blackmails the messenger.

Philip MacGregor isn't any ordinary messenger he's a cousin, best friend, and the right hand man to the notorious Highland Highwayman. With their robbing days behind them mainly because the banishment and John's marriage to Elizabet, they have set up in Scotland. Phillip can still travel from England to Scotland no problem so when asked to deliver a message to Alice he has no problem doing so until she blackmails him into taking her with him, try as he may he can't get rid of her. Cue the travel hijinx.

The attraction is there from the beginning but the connection between the two of them grows stronger the more time they spend together and the more they argue. Philip loves to argue with Alice and loves that she's a challenge and no push over he just wishes she would stop and think about what's she doing first, she has the tendency to act first, think later.  Alice is so use to getting her own way that when the consequences of her action finally catch up she realizes it's exactly what Philip warned her would happen but Philip doesn't say I told you so, no, at that point he loves her too much to do that. Alice and Philip don't seem like a match made in heaven but in this case it's opposites attract.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Some of the stuff they argue over is so funny. The writing was great the narrative swept me away to Scotland, it has a good story and wonderful characters you really sympathize with. It was a first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more.   

This is toward the end of the series, but you do not have to read the series to read this one. Cressida is running from scandal, and Richard is forced to pay a debt. With no options, they come together. They made a great couple despite their histories. There is a mystery, a ghost, lots of family, and love that made this a wonderful story to read. The two of them work well together, and I enjoyed them very much.

I received a copy of this story through Candid Book Reviews, and this is my unsolicited review.

I eally enjoyed this little story. 

Ling Shuang, a daughter of a nobleman, is about to be married to a complete stranger. She is not happy with this arranged marriage. She already has a lover and they made plans for their future life together. 

On her way to her betrothed's house, Ling Shuang forces her male servant, Jie Yi, to put on a female dress and makeup and play a role of a bride. She also gives him a cheap pearl bracelet as a small bribe. They part, Yi to go and get married to the stranger, and Ling Shuang to reunite with her lover.

Tian Yang doesn't want a wife. He remembers his own beautiful aristocratic mother running away to find a better life, far away from the children and the ranch which belonged to their family. This betrayal is so deep, that Tian Yang is determined to undermine any future marriages, arranged or not. When Jie Yi arrives, claiming to be Ling Shuang, Tian Yang take him to a remote warehouse/hut to test his new bride. But Jie Yi, as beautiful and delicate as he is, doesn't mind the hardship; after all, he grew up a servant. 

Over a few weeks, Tian Yang finds himself suddenly drawn to the beautiful young lady, who seems to be perfect for him and is not afraid of hard work. One day, with two young people living so close together, things finally get out of hand. Yi's secret is discovered. Petrified, he leaves the little hut.

In the meantime, Ling Shuang shows up at Tian Yang's ranch, claiming little Yi robbed her blind, left her sick on the road and pretended to be her in order to take her place. Her proof? That little pearl bracelet....

Fun begins :)

****

As far as BL novels go this was pretty decent, with plenty of twists and turns. The ending was a bit disappointing, with numerous relatives complaining 'oh, my god, two men together! No, it's OK you can stay, but oh, my god, maybe you should leave...' Round and round and round it went.

Translation was confusing at times, but I can't hold it against the book or the person who translated it. All I can say is "thank you for you hard work" :)

3.75 stars.

A  very quick read. Cut out headache-inducing bickering and meaningless dialog and the story shrinks from 224 pages to about 124. Cut out rivers of blood and gun-waving, and you get it down to about 70 in no time. Then tune out the descriptions of posh surroundings and you are looking at mere 60. Pull out and burn the bush that the author beats around instead of moving the story forward and you can get maybe 40 pages of the actualstory. 
I am not going to review that story, just want to mention that yet another creature went through pain and suffering and was almost destroyed emotionally and physically so we could read about Arman and his guns.