A Scot for Christmas - Emma loved Dougray from afar for years. He mourned his dead wife, until he admitted he needed to provide an heir. I loved Emma's tenacity to get what she wanted before living the life of a spinster. His growth as he learned to move on seemed a natural thing although he hung on to his guilty. Angus was a funny and interesting secondary character. I enjoyed this story, although the end felt a bit rushed.

I received an ARC for A Scot for Christmas, and this is my unsolicited review.

Gillian is a misunderstood woman. I enjoyed her infinite patience with her family as well as her curiosity and love for nature's beauty. Her talents were surprising, but it just showed how strong she really was. I was drawn to John because of his selflessness in helping others without needing recognition. The two complimented and surprised each other which made this a fun read for me.

I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin’s Press/Swerve, for providing me with an ARC copy of this novel that I freely chose to review.

I love fairy tales. Although probably Beauty and the Beast is my favourite, I have a soft spot for most classics. I also love the Scottish Highlands (I’ve visited two or three times but I hope I will visit again in the future). When I saw this book, which combined a retelling of Cinderella with a setting in the Highlands, I could not resist (I also liked the cover).

This is book 4 in A Highland Fairytale series, but it can be read as a standalone (I haven’t read any of the other books in the series). The story is told in the third person from different characters points of view, but there is no head-hopping and the changes in perspective are clearly marked. The novel is set in the XVII century and tells the story of is Gillian, a young girl daughter of Donal, the laird of the MacLeod’s clan, quiet and shy, whose father and sisters think will never get married (although she is very pretty but too quiet to make herself noticed). Quiet waters and all that, because Gillian has dreams and wants to marry for love. While visiting one of the sisters, she meets an Englishman who is Captain of her brother-in-law’s men, John Erly, and although he has no fortune to his name and a terrible reputation, she discovers there is more to him than people think and falls in love with him. At a masquerade ball, they kiss (he is not wearing much of a disguise but he does not know who she is) and she loses her mask. Despite the effect she has on him, nothing happens and she goes back home. A few months later she is engaged to get married to an old nobleman (older than her father) as her family is convinced she wants a quiet life and an old husband is just the ticket for her. Somehow, John ends up escorting her to Edinburgh with a full complement of Highlanders… And the rest, well, you’ll need to read the book to know.

I don’t want to rehash the plot or reveal any spoilers. As this is a romance and a fairy tale, you can imagine how things end up from the beginning, but the beauty is in the details. Gilliam is far from the wilting violet everybody mistakes her for, and John isn’t the rogue others think either. They go through many adventures, including being assaulted by outlaws, a wedding that is ruined, numerous suitors, fights and perils, a competition to obtain Gillian’s hand in marriage, secrets, confessions, and plenty of Highland traditions, expressions, songs, whisky, and a fair amount of fun (and romance). Of course, it is a fairy tale, so it does require a deal of suspension of disbelief, but both main characters are likeable, and most of the secondary characters are great too (even if we don’t get to know them as well, they provide light relief and liven up the action).

The retelling of Cinderella is limited to the mask and the ball, as the circumstances of the character are quite different (she is beloved by her family even if they don’t understand her true feelings) and what happens later bears no resemblance to the story, but is an enjoyable romp. There is plenty of action and humour, there is violence, there are also scary moments, and a couple of erotic scenes (they are quite mild but I would have enjoyed the book more without them as I’m not a big fan. Especially the first one felt particularly unrealistic, and I know I’m talking about a sex scene in a fairy tale, but for me, it did stretch credibility more than the rest of the book). The writing is in keeping with the story, easy and fairly dynamic, at times reminding me of the serials of old, like the Perils of Pauline, where there is a never-ending amount of trouble waiting for the heroine (who luckily is pretty resourceful).

A fun and light read recommended to lovers of fairy tales and Scottish-themed stories, who enjoy adventures galore and don’t mind some violence and a bit of sex.

Enchanted by the Highlander by Lecia Cornwall is Book Four in the "A Highland Fairy Tale" Series. This is the story of Gillian MacLeod and John Erly. I have read the other books in this series (and loved them) but feel this can be a standalone book.
Donal MacLeod has loved all his wives and all his daughters but they do try to out smart him sometimes. Gillian is the shyest and quietest one of the family. Gillian seems to prefer to listing along with watching others. Gillian family has taken it among themselves to talk, think and answer for her leaving Gillian without a voice really. But Gillian does dream of having the relationship her sister's have with their husbands. Gillian is warned away from John who is an outsider to Scotland and only been there a few years. Everyone goes to John when they need something and counts on him but he is still thought of as an outsider. John was the son of a Noble Englishman but was disowned by his father and started a new life in Scotland. One night Gillian and John steal a kiss at a masquerade ball where they both are strongly affected by the kiss. But John didn't know who Gillian was and wasn't able to find her and almost a year passed since that kiss. But when John is asked to escort Gillian to a man that is to be her husband he starts to learn that it was Gillian who gave him that kissed. But along they way to their destination they run into danger and that makes for them to have more time together.
Really enjoyed their story!
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Enchanted By The Highlander by Lecia Cornwall is a phenomenal read and makes me wonder why I haven't read more by this author.  Ms Cornwall has given us a well-written book.  Gillian is the shy, quiet sister of the MacLeods clan.  John is a disowned Englishman and captain of the guards for Gillian's brother-in-law.  Let me stop here and say, Ms Cornwall has created an amazing cast of characters for this book.  John and Gillian's story is loaded with action, adventure, drama, humor and sizzling hot sexy bits. This is a fun book and I enjoyed every page.  I look forward to reading more from Lecia Cornwall in the future.  Enchanted By The Highlander is book 4 of A Highland Fairytale Series but can be read as a standalone.  This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.